A PTA/STUDENT NEWSPAPER

by Lynn Haire

NOVEMBER 1995

TECHNOLOGY EDlJCATION
Through technology education, students are
exposed to multiple learning experiences and opportunities. They connect hands-on science with
mathematics, the understanding of world studies,
the broad contexts of language arts, creativity, critical
judgment, design problem solving and team work.
The fourth grade teachers are in need of supplies for upcoming technology projects. If you have
any of the following items and are willing to donate
them, please drop them off in the "Tech Supplies"
box near the fourth grade classrooms. Thanks!
0000000000

THANK YOU, VOTERS, for your support on the

bond issue for renovation of Ferndale's schools. At
Roosevelt, we look forward to much needed building
improvements such as a reliable, consistent heating
system. We are also excited about the introduction
of up-to-date computers, network systems and
multimedia production equipment. Technology will
not only enhance student learning of the basics, but
will open up new areas of knowledge and learning as
students use technology to connect to the outside
world and all of its resources.
Roosevelt is now celebrating its 75th year.
Since the beginning of the year, a number of
"Remembering Roosevelt'' activities have been
taking place. Each Friday, there is a Remembering
Roosevelt"
segment
on
the
morning
announcements. During the month of September,
the announcements focused on the decade of the
1920's. One Friday we heard from a special guest
speaker, Mrs. Rosie (Fischer) Kovac, who attended
Roosevelt in the early Twenties. Now 81 years old,
Mrs. Fischer told students about the early years at
Roosevelt. During her time, the school was
separated fr001 Woodward by woods and she
remembers being read to by her teachers under a
big tree at the edge of those woods. She
remembered all of her teachers' names and reported
that she still meets every year with five other girls
from her second grade class at Roosevelt.
Rabbit Tracks continued on next page

battery packs from used Polaroid film cartridges

3/8" soft scrap wood
batteries
film canisters
straws
old toy motors
scrap wire
electric switches
scrap foam board
syringes
beads , buttons
(10-12 cc without needles) small boxes
screw-type milk bottle caps small nails
toilet paper tubes
washers
ribbons
popsicle sticks
cardboard pieces
plastic tubing
self adhesive Velcro
string
Pringle containers
styrofoam meat trays
empty thread spools
toy car wheels
any other household item
dowel rods
that might be useful for projects

ODYSSEY OF THE l\tlIND

by Dena Norton
Odyssey of the Mind is a group problem-solving
competition emphasizing creativity and teamwork.
Teams of up to seven kids , with the aid of an adult
coach, work on a problem chosen from a list. The
problems include such tasks as building a vehicle to
ride, writing a poem , painting a picture, making up
and acting out a tall tale, building a construction of
balsa wood, inventing something for the disabled , or
(in the practice problem for younger kids , presenting
safety rules.

OM continued on next page

Roosevelt PTA
NOVEMBER 1995

Power Up
PTA! by Nancy Schmidt

Preparing for
Roosevelt's 75th

elcome to all of our new

and returning members
of PTA as you Join the
Roosevelt Family Tree. After buying
school supplies, shoes, lunch boxes,
backpacks, etc. to prepare our children for school, we are now in the
midst of school and schedules once
again. Trying to find time for everything can be a major task in itself!
Finding time for PTA, however, can
help you get the most value out of
your membership.
Some suggestions of ways for
you to participate in PTA and your
school are:
1 Attend PTA Meetings and give
your input. Reminder notices
tell v.tiat is on the agenda.
2 Read the w! PTA-fiighlights
to find out v.tiat happened at a
meeting if you could not attend
(Sue Talley & Kathy Wildfong).
3 Check out the Parenting Area
in the Media Center established
by Natalie Baeckeroot & Donna
Siegmund for books, magazines
(11w! - Ml PTA magazines are
being added), videos, and articles that you can access for topics of current interest.
4 Use the PTA School Directory,
now diligently being prepared by
Karen Breen-Bondie, as a great
resource to stay in touch Vvith
other parents and to offer help to
committee chairs.
5 Peruse the PTA Bulletin Board
to the right of the office (thanks
Catherine Turczyn) to stay in-
formed about v.tiat PTA is doing
and v.tio's v.tio in PTA.
6 Volunteer as a Room Parent to
help your child's teacher in the
classroom and on field trips.
7 Create fresh ideas/projects/
programs for PTA to pursue.

eople at Roosevelt have

made this a great school
over the years and continue
to do so today. With that in mind, we
want to begin a nw! archival project.
Please clip any current news articles
on our school or people in our school ,
especially the children, and submit
them to the office for a Roosevelt in
the News Bulletin Board (idea of
Betty Nicholls). Older news articles,
or copies, can be placed in the
Roosevelt in the News Binder in the
Media Center. The first article,
courtesy of Margo Wider, is on
Roosevelt's dedication in 1921 !
We want to continue to improve
our schoolgrounds. Thanks to the
donation of Telly's Greenhouse, we
will see a great display of color from
tulips, daffodils and narcissus at the
front entrance come spring . Due to
the hard v.ork of volunteers, the
ground was cultivated and cleaned
up, bulbs, hostas and myrtle were
planted, and everything was watered.
Anyone interested in a spring
beautification project?
Roosevelt's new school sign,
partially funded by PTA grants, has
arrived and is now ready for
installation. Watch for this addition
soon on the grounds at the comer of
Oakridge and Pinecrest/Ridge.
Finally, Roosevelt School Vvill
eventually see renovations to its
building thanks to the passing of the
Bond Proposal in September! We will
follow developments as they occur.

PTA Members are

Advocates for Children.

As a member of our PTA, you

also belong to the Michigan PTA and
the National PTA. These groups focus on current issues, programs and
legislation that impact parents and
children. l\tsolutions adopted at the
1995 Michigan Convention are:
Mandatory Bicycle Helmet Use
for Children (supports to age 16)
Comprehensive Health Education Program (Michigan Model)
Novice Driver Entry Licensing
Procedure (#of occupants, hours,
parent authorization)
Playground Safety - Fall Zones
(handicap accessible, shock absorbing, uniform guidelines)
Charter Schools (level playing
field, no public funds for private,
open to all, new money must be
found, use certified teachers)
The 78th MPTA Convention will be
in Grand Rapids in May of 1996 and
National PTA will hold its 100th Anniversary Convention in June.

Special Volunteers
Many thanks to the following
who have graciously agreed to do
some demanding PTA jobs. Sue
Talley is now our Exec.V.P., (Jeff,
we'll miss you, but hope to still see
you!) Reflections is headed by Cindy
Goustin, Natalie Baeckeroot chairs
6th Gr. Banquet, Janet Morton takes
on Artist-in-Residence, and Dena
Norton organizes OM.

Reminders
Mark your calendars for
PTA Meetings - 7:30pm
Nov. 7, Dec.12,Jan.9
Book Fair and pick up of
Frankenmuth - Nov. 16