PTA Programs

DON'T FORGET… BOX TOPS DEADLINE IS OCT 30th

Welcome to another great year at Mt. Bethel Elementary School for Box Tops for Education! This year, our goal is to raise $2,000. Last year we raised $1,700, with a total lifetime school program earnings of $9,434.

One of the easiest ways you can help is to sign up to support our school at www.btfe.com. Click the JOIN BOX TOPS tab in the upper left hand corner and follow the quick and easy instructions. Enter Mt. Bethel Elementary (School ID #151549). You will learn about new and easy ways to help our school earn the extra cash it needs.

Clip — Clip Box Tops coupons from hundreds of participating products and send them in to Mt. Bethel. Box Tops coupons are worth 10 cents each when our school redeems them from Box Tops for Education. Box Tops collection bins are located inside the school main hallway or simply send them to school in your child's backpack. In order to help us with the submission, we ask that single Box Tops are counted and bundled in groups of 50 and secured in a sealed Ziploc-type storage bag.

OUR FIRST SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 30.

Shop — Shop at your favorite online stores through the Box Tops Marketplace (btfe.com/marketplace). Up to eight percent of each qualifying purchase is automatically donated to our school. There is no additional cost added to your purchase and many exclusive deals and discounts can be found!Buy — Purchase books online at Barnes & Noble through the Box Tops Reading Room. Our school will receive six percent of your new book purchases and three percent of all other online purchases.

Enter — Play "THE BIG CLIP" ONLINE SWEEPSTAKES, at www.thebigclip.com, for a chance to win thousands of Box Tops for our school. You may click to enter once a day. THE CONTEST ENDS OCTOBER 31.

Exclusive web benefits:

• See how much our school is earning with Box Tops.
• Enter online promotions for chances to win Bonus Box Tops.
• Print money-saving coupons for your favorite Box Tops brands.
• Make mealtime easier with family-pleasing recipes.

Sign up for email newsletters to receive new product updates and Box Tops members-only deals and discounts at Box Tops Market-place retail stores.

To learn more, email boxtops@mtbethelpta.org, and thanks for choosing to make a difference for Mt. Bethel Elementary with Box Tops!

Big Help Club makes a big difference in your community

The Big Help Committee is looking for students and parents to participate in our rewarding community service club. Through the Big Help Club, Mt. Bethel students learn how they can help someone else by doing simple things like volunteering their time and skills.

We will decide on this year‘s community service events as a group during our initial monthly meeting, which will be held in the Media Center on Thursday, October 15, at 2:30 p.m.

In previous years we have had some fun, exciting, and rewarding opportunities, such as:

• assisting in the Special Olympics
• showing our thanks to the men and women in the military
• celebrating the holidays with our sister school, Powers Ferry Elementary
• organizing a garage sale to raise money for orphans
• participating in Pick of the Litter‘s donation drive for pets without families
• providing Bingo and refreshments at Manor Care, and many more

So, if you are looking for chance to give back, join Mt. Bethel's Big Help Club. It‘s a great way to help out in the community and have a great time doing it! This year, Big Help is open to all grade levels.*

If you would like to get involved, please contact bighelp@mtbethelpta.org

Click here for a flier and form to send in with your child indicating his/her participation int he Big Help Club.

*Children in second grade and under must have a parent accompany them to events.

Reflections 2009 - Beauty is...

Everyone has their own opinion of beauty, and it‘s time to express it! This year‘s Reflections Contest theme is"Beauty is…" 

Your student can participate in this national event and express his or her idea of beauty through music, dance, art, photography, film or writing. All students K-5 at Mt. Bethel are eligible to enter the contest through our PTA.

Please note that there is an error on the PTA calendar and the actual deadline for entry is October 7.

Mt. Bethel Reflections Entry Form (pdf file)
General Participation Rules (pdf file)
Dance Choreography Rules (pdf file)
Film Production Rules (pdf file)
Literature Rules (pdf file)
Musical Composition Rules (pdf file)
Photography Rules (pdf file)
Visual Arts Rules (pdf file)
Georgia Special Artists Entry Form (pdf file)
Theme Search Form (pdf file)

We look forward to all of the beautiful entries!

If you have any questions, please contact Linda Heinrichs or Kristi Bradley (reflections@mtbethelpta.org)

SISTER SCHOOL 2008-09

People Helping People at Powers Ferry

As a sister school to Powers Ferry Elementary, we have many opportunities throughout the year to volunteer for ongoing and special projects. Thank you to everyone who helped out in various ways this year. 

Classroom Readers: (Once a month, twice a month, or weekly throughout the year) As readers, we are assigned to a classroom that we visit on a regular basis.  Reading activities vary by teacher, but include reading to the class as a whole, working with students individually, or visiting the Media Center with students.

Book Fair Volunteers: We help set up, help students select books, and work as cashiers.

Media Center Volunteers: (Ongoing) Mt. Bethel coordinates “regular” volunteers for the Powers Ferry Media Center.

Spring Pantry Volunteers: (Week before spring break) We set up the pantry and assist parents with their “shopping.”

Our students got involved this year too. During Teacher Appreciation Week, our students made some wonderful gifts for our teachers. Our Big Help kids collected games and playground toys for the ASP Program at Powers Ferry and delivered them at the ASP holiday party hosted by Walton Community Outreach. The kids had a great time together.  One of our third grade students donated her birthday gifts of board games to the Powers Ferry Guidance Office for use in its Mentor Program. 

Thanks to all of those who participated in these projects this year. Contact Susan Thrash, Mt. Bethel PTA Sister School Chair, to find out how you can get involved in the 2009-2010 school year.

Honoring Our Heroes Essay Contest 2009

Have your child think of his/her "real-life" hero and enter this contest!!!  Entries are due on Thursday, 2/26/2009. 

 

This program was designed to encourage students to discover "real-life" heroes who have shown generosity, trust, dedication, persistence, leadership and other valuable characteristics. The specific details are included in the attached entry form.  Click here.

 

Please contact Kara Searcy or Jessica Cooper with any questions.

SUCCESSFUL SISTER SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE!

The teachers and staff of Powers Ferry Elementary were thrilled to receive the much-needed supplies listed below. The items were distributed at a staff meeting. One fourth grade teacher remarked, “These are the classroom supplies that most of our students cannot afford to bring at the start of the school year.” For details or to find out other ways you can help, contact Susan Thrash.

Kindergarten - 216 dry erase markers

1st grade - 40 canisters of disinfecting wipes

2nd grade - 38 bottles of hand sanitizer

3rd grade - 96 boxes of tissues

4th grade - 56 boxes of plastic food storage bags

5th grade - 48 boxes of bandages

Reflections 2008

Participate in PTA’s Reflections Program!

Join thousands of other students as they create entries based on the 2008–2009 theme, “Wow!”

Put on your dancing shoes, grab a camera, or pick up a pen or paintbrush and create! It’ll be fun!

Think about the theme. Then select a category:

❖ Film Production ❖ Dance Choreography ❖ Musical Composition ❖ Photography ❖ Visual Arts ❖ Literature

Click here for an entry form.

There is a bin in the Media Center for all entries.  We look forward to saying "Wow" when we see them!  For details, contact Linda Heinrichs or Kristi Bradley.

Check here to visit the Georgia PTA website for more information about the 2008 Reflections Program and to view the Reflections Program gallery to see what other kids did last year.

2007 was a great year for Reflections!  We appreciate the support of the parents and teachers who encouraged students to enter this contest. Thanks to all the students who entered and special congratulations to the winning students who will represent Mt. Bethel at the Eastern Cobb County Council level. 

Click here to view a slide show of 2007 Mt. Bethel visual arts entries.

Click here for a list of 2007 Mt. Bethel participants and winners.

Community Outreach / Sister School

We work closely with our Sister School, Powers Ferry Elementary, and other Cobb County Schools to support the needs of their PTAs and their students.

Click the link above to view the Powers Ferry Elementary website for information about the school, including directions.

Time … The Most Meaningful Donation

Volunteer Opportunities at our Sister School:  Please consider sharing an hour or two of your time each month with the students at our sister school, Powers Ferry Elementary.

Descriptions of some of the volunteer opportunities are below. If you would like to volunteer or make a visit to Powers Ferry with someone already working in one of these roles and take a tour of the school, contact Susan Thrash, PTA Community Outreach / Sister School Chair.

Media Center Volunteers: Work a shift on a rotating schedule in the Media Center. Duties include shelving books, helping students with book selection and AR tests, and of course, working at the checkout.   

Classroom Readers: Visit a classroom (K-5) and read to the group. Once a month, twice a month, or weekly.   

Book Fair and Inventory Volunteers: Help with these events on an “as needed” basis. Dates and schedules to follow.   

If you have questions about how you can help at Powers Ferry, contact Susan Thrash.

Book Publishing

Bare Books:  Teachers can order blank books for students to publish original work!  How exciting to be a published author before the age of 11!

Challenger Publishing:  Students will be given the opportunity to work with an "editor" to produce an original publication of their own. 

Character Education

Mt. Bethel PTA works in conjunction with the school counselors to recognize students who embody excellent character traits!  To see a calendar of character traits celebrated monthly, click here.

Cultural Arts

Our Cultural Arts Committee is looking forward to bringing in new artists this year who will provide a dazzling and culturally diverse array of curriculum-based performances in music, dance, theater, and literary and visual arts. 

Mt. Bethel students are very fortunate see these various artists who, through their performances, enable the children to express themselves creatively, promote individuality, bolster self confidence, strengthen problem-solving skills, and develop a sense of craftsmanship.

October 2007

Click here for information on the most recent performances Mt. Bethel Students enjoyed.

Contact Judy Woodman and Lisa Jones for more information.

On October 17th, the 4th and 5th graders got to see a rendition of what it was like to live on the prairie through the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder, a subject they are studying this year. The performer Holly Stevenson brought Laura's experiences to life growing up during the Westward Expansion, the struggles as a pioneer, and the power of the human spirit. The students enjoyed participating in the storytelling, wearing the costumes, and visualizing the dangers the Ingalls experienced.

The K and 1st graders enjoyed Wendy Bennett's Storybook Alive! performance where she brought Captain Hook, Dorothy, Fairy Godmother, and Peter Pan to life through drama and music. She involved the kids by teaching various character roles and how an actor transforms into different characters. They were singing, dancing on stage, and learning the importance of imagination and role play!

The 2nd and 3rd graders then saw Wendy Bennett performing Twentieth Century Songbook where she takes them on a trip through the musical history of the last 100 years using various costumes and a parade of tunes. The kids learned how historical events, customs, and attitudes are reflected through popular music. They were engaged with her performance by singing and dancing on stage, and seeing their peers and teachers in the spotlight!

On September 19th,  Ron Anglin performed for the kindergarten and 1st graders.  His juggling show taught students that cheating is a failing proposition.  The children watched a team of jugglers as they illustrated the pitfalls of cheating and the benefits of teamwork through circus-style club passing, dueling yo-yos, and other comic juggling routines.  It was very entertaining! 

The 2nd through 5th graders enjoyed “Rhythm in Motion,” performed by the Manga African Dance group, in which the dancers demonstrated the evolution of dances and the cultures of the Congo, Caribbean, and even South Carolina.  The students clapped along and helped demonstrate the similarities between Sunu dance and modern dance.  It was great drumming and music!

On October 17th, the 4th and 5th graders got to see a rendition of what it was like to live on the prairie through the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder, a subject they are studying this year. The performer Holly Stevenson brought Laura's experiences to life growing up during the Westward Expansion, the struggles as a pioneer, and the power of the human spirit. The students enjoyed participating in the storytelling, wearing the costumes, and visualizing the dangers the Ingalls experienced.

The K and 1st graders enjoyed Wendy Bennett's Storybook Alive! performance where she brought Captain Hook, Dorothy, Fairy Godmother, and Peter Pan to life through drama and music. She involved the kids by teaching various character roles and how an actor transforms into different characters. They were singing, dancing on stage, and learning the importance of imagination and role play!

The 2nd and 3rd graders then saw Wendy Bennett performing Twentieth Century Songbook where she takes them on a trip through the musical history of the last 100 years using various costumes and a parade of tunes. The kids learned how historical events, customs, and attitudes are reflected through popular music. They were engaged with her performance by singing and dancing on stage, and seeing their peers and teachers in the spotlight!

Visiting Authors

Last school year, we had a visit from award winning author, Peter Parente, to speak to the 1st and 2nd graders.  He brought his friends, Peeper and Mo, a kinkajou and a two-toed sloth.  To visit his website, click here.

We were also fortunate enough to meet Michael White, the artist and illustrator who works in conjunction to bring us the amazing literary works such as The Library Dragon and the Secret of Old Zeb.  Mr. White met with fifth graders, sharing his techniques--including how to sketch and airbrush!  Each student left as an illustrator!  To learn more about Michael P. White, click here.