Dear Walter C. Young Families,

It's hard to believe that another school year is quickly coming to a close. And the best is yet to come with so many exciting field trips, events and activities planned during the month of May. It has been my pleasure and privilege to serve as your PTSA President for the last two years. As my term comes to an end I hope that one of you will consider stepping up to join our Board as President or Membership VP for the 2008/09 school year. If you are interested in joining us make our school special, please contact Debbie Spahn, Nominating Committee Chair, at (954)393-0527.

All my best for a fun and relaxing summer!

Diane Parker

PTSA President

A special thank you to Derek Kilgore from Rachel's Challenge for his poignant assembly for our 7th graders on the life of Rachel Scott, the first student killed during the Columbine H.S. shooting in 1999.

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK MAY 4-10

In celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week the PTSA will be hosting their annual luncheon in honor of our outstanding teachers on Wednesday, May 7th, 2008. Our teachers work so hard for our children, and there is no better time to write personal Thank-You notes to all their teachers. Say thanks the next time you talk to your children’s teachers, or send a quick e-mail expressing your gratitude.

Also, remember that contributions of classroom materials, such as tissues, paper, ink pads, or books, are always appreciated. Gift certificates that help them purchase the little extras needed in their classrooms are always welcomed.

To Diane and PTSA Board:

With all of our hearts, we thank you for your time, effort and care you gave to our Secretaries Appreciation Luncheon. What a treat to have a selection of hors d'oeuvres, salad and dessert along with the delicious entree!

The raffle was so much fun, especially when Kilsie won the big prize. You would have thought she won the lottery. We laughed a lot about that. The drawings really added to the celebration. We all loved our gift bags! They were presented so beautifully and the gifts inside were things that we all use and enjoy.

Every year we all look forward to our day at lunch. This year was the best I can remember. One of the greatest gifts a person can give is time. We recognize the time and thoughtfulness you gave to appreciate us, so we appreciate you right back.

PTSA is a tremendous commitment. When you are stressed because of all on your calendar and you say to yourself, "I'm never doing this again", remember, these are your memories. Because of your commitment, you have taught your children that school is important - they are important.

Bobbie J. Seidman, WCY Registrar

PTSA ELECTION OF OFFICERS - 2008/2009

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEWLY ELECTED

2008/2009 PTSA EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

President - Debbie Spahn

Vice President Way & Means - Raquel Shanks

Vice President Membership - Maria Cajiga

Treasurer - Diane Parker

Recording Secretary - Heather Bryan

Corresponding Secretary - Michelle Salinas

We have many Chair positions opening up in the new school year. They include: Hospitality, Historian, Awards, Volunteer Coordinator Programs, Reflections, to name a few. Each and every chair positions is an integral part of our PTSA. If you have any interest in one of these positions or would like more information, please contact Diane Parker at (954)432-5076.

Resolve to Be More Involved—And Help Others Get Involved, Too!

Did you make any resolutions for 2008? According to a Kaiser Permanente survey, almost 60 percent of Americans make at least one New Year's resolution. Most resolutions are broken by the end of February, but there is one resolution you can make that is easy to keep—and that can make a powerful difference for children. That resolution is to join PTA, or if you are already a member, to encourage others to do so.

Through PTA, you and others can:

	Raise student achievement.
	Access great parenting resources.
	Stay informed about our #1 community resource—schools.
	Improve schools for the benefit of children and the community.
	Connect with parents, teachers, school staff, and other concerned citizens.

SHOW YOUR SCHOOL SPIRIT EVERY FRIDAY -- KNIGHT PRIDE T-Shirts are for sale at the concession stand every morning for $5 each.

Many exciting Chair opportunities are available. Programs Chair, Clerical Appreciation Luncheon, Teacher Appreciation Luncheon Chair, 8th Grade Dance Chair to name a few. Contact Tara Issenberg at taramissenberg@hotmail.com for more information.

"I Can Make a Difference by… " - National PTA Reflections Program

Ask your child to think about how he or she can make a difference—in the world, your community, the school, or your home. Then, encourage your child to communicate his or her ideas through a musical composition, literature, photography, visual art, film, or dance, and to share them with others by submitting the artwork to the local PTA Reflections Program. Your child’s work could be displayed at the school and receive recognition at the local, council, district, state, and even national level. Rules are available from Mrs. Slack for visual art, photography, dance and film, Mrs. Zucker for literature and Mrs. Annis for musical composition.

The following winners will represent Walter C. Young in the Broward County Judging that takes place in January 2008: Literature - Sharon Lin, Paola Vasquez and Zachery Issenberg. Visual Art - Lauren Raichovich, Sarah Om and Hazel Tapia. Photography - Jasmine Thompson. Good Luck in the next round of judging!

P.E. UNIFORM SALES

If your child is still in need of a P.E. uniform please have them ask their P.E. teacher. T-shirts are $7.00 and shorts are $8.00. You can pay by cash or check payable to Walter C. Young PTSA. P.E. Uniforms will be sold again in January for the 2nd semester P.E. classes.

SCHOOL STORE

The School Store will be open again this year!! We are in full swing and have enough parent volunteers to be open five mornings a week, Monday-Friday....8:15 am - 8:55 am. Thank you to the parent volunteers who have stepped up to help us with this.

Your child can pick up school supplies and seasonal "fun stuff" for very reasonable prices, and all of our profit goes right back into the Walter C. Young PTSA to support our school!!!

We're located right next to the Dinner Theatre, so come by and check us out.

"PTSA CHALLENGE

Each PTSA member is urged to encourage others to join the PTSA and strive to score high in meeting the following challenge:

Are you an active member...the kinds that would be missed. Or are you just contented that your name is on the list?

Do you attend the meetings and mingle with the flock, or do you stay at home and criticize and knock?

Do you take an active part to help the work along, or are you satisfied to the be the kind that just belongs?

Do you do your job well and without a kick, or do you leave the work to just a few and talk about the clique?

There are many programs scheduled that I'm sure you have heard about, and would be appreciated too, if you will come and help out.

Think this over, member, you know what's right from wrong! Are you an active member or do you just belong?"

Why Join PTSA?

Enjoy the Benefits

The number-one reason to join the Parent Teacher Student Association is to benefit your child. In doing so, you also help your school. But there are many more advantages. Here are just a few:

Get Connected. There’s no better way to know what’s happening in your school.

Discover Great Resources. The PTSA offers a variety of programs designed for parents as well as students.

Tap into a Network. Parenting is not easy—it helps to share ideas, concerns and experiences with other parents and educators in the community. PTSA functions are opportunities to meet other parents and teachers, building rapport and discussing issues that are on your mind.

Watch Yourself Grow. By volunteering with your PTSA, you gain valuable experiences. It’s an opportunity to put your skills and hobbies to good use for a good cause—your child and all children in the community.

Speak Up. Because the PTSA is a forum for exchanging ideas, you are encouraged to make suggestions. PTSA can be a way for you to more effectively suggest change at your child’s school.

Witness Improvement. By getting involved at your child’s school you’ll be part of the solution, helping make positive changes. Local PTSA play an important role in fundraising to provide building improvements, curriculum-based programs, and social events—all vital to a school’s success.

Be a Role Model. By becoming a PTSA member, you’ll be demonstrating to your child the importance you place on education.

.*What is our Purpose?

The mission of the PTSA is threefold:

	to support and speak on behalf of children and youth in the schools, in the community and before governmental bodies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children;
	to assist parents in developing the skills they need to raise, protect and prepare their children;
	to encourage parent and public involvement in the public schools of this state.

We look forward to working together with the WCY staff and parents to make this our very best year yet!! Please contact Diane Parker at (954)-290-0812 if you are interested in helping out!

**********************SUPPORT OUR PARTNERS IN EDUCATION************************

Walmart, Marcellas Italian Restaurant, Honey Baked Ham, Barnes & Noble, Office Depot , Galaxy Skating & more to come