Get out your 2010 Calendars!

Crack open your brand new calendars and write these down!

Valentine's Day Dance
Thursday February 11th 6:30-8:00

Book Fair
March 8th-12th Open House is that week too!

Dollar Movie Night
April 9th
$1 for the movie ($5 tops for families), $1 popcorn, $1 sodas. What a deal!

Teacher Appreciation Luncheon
Thursday May 6th

Carnival
May 14th

Also calendar-worthy but not a PTO event is the school-wide Texas Tornadoes Hockey Game on March 5th. And don't forget there is a Box Tops Popcorn Party winner every month! I think 2nd grade was last month's winner.

2010!

I'm sure becoming more active in your child's school is at the top of your New Year's resolution list. Here's your chance to act on that by attending Tuesday's PTO at 4pm at Burks. We'll be talking about the Valentine's Day Dance so it will be short and lots of fun. I promise!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Santa and Ms. Stewart sing Silent Night.

Before the break Coach Klem told the kids they'd probably be getting tons of video games for Christmas and reminded them they need outdoor running around time along with all their indoor video game time. Hopefully when it snowed everyone got plenty of that outdoor time. If you are not fond of the cold weather like me, try McKinney's newest library, the John and Judy Gay Library, on El Dorado just past Sonic for a warm (and free!) place to roam around. Not only does it have shiny, new books, it also has a big video and books on CD collection. Enjoy!

Happy Hanukkah!

The Festival of Lights is an opportunity to bring up the Hebrew adage that prompts many a volunteer "If not me, who? If not now, when?" Thanks to all those who have answered the call to volunteer for PTO and at Burks Elementary.

Friday will be a day of dizzying excitement. Christmas caroling at Good Morning Burks in the morning and holiday parties in the afternoon. Too avoid surprises on Thursday night, check now with your student if you are supposed to bring something. Parents are always welcome at the parties!

Boys, Girls & Dogs on the Nice List

There are so many volunteers to thank for making Sweets with Santa a success:
Carol Woglemoth for getting yummy cookies from Kellogg's.
Melissa Drane and Carol for wrestling up the drawing prizes.
Mrs. Bendorf for arriving at school on a Saturday at 8:30 in the morning!
Robert Champigny and the D.O.G.S. for squeezing their hands into gloves several sizes too small and passing out cookies and hot chocolate.
Candi Carminati for agreeing to be photographer after we volunteered her for the job.
Burks Choir and music teacher Ms. Stewart/Stuart for wonderful performances.
All the PTO Volunteers especially president Teri Kirkpatrick, who spent HOURS getting everything ready.
And thank you, Santa, for taking time out of your busy schedule to stop by Burks!

The Gift Shop continues until Wednesday. It will be open before and after school.
2nd grade is having their Popcorn Party this week for bringing in the most Box Tops in November.
Mark your calendar for Friday the 18th. Good Morning Burks will have a Chrismtas carol sing-a-long and there will be Holiday parties in the afternoon.

'Tis the Season

My kids are in that mopey Sunday mood fixating on going to school tomorrow, only made worse by having a whole week off. I'm sure the teachers feel some dread as well, how will they keep the students focused when they have to compete with daydreams about Christmas presents?

PTO is doing our part to infuse the Christmas spirit. Please join us for Sweets with Santa on Saturday, December 5th from 10-noon. We'll have cookies, hot chocolate, pictures with Santa, performances by Burks' Honor Choir, the Holiday Gift Shop and coloring cards for soldiers.

The Holiday Gift Shop will continue December 7th-9th. Kids get really excited about this event. It's completely run by PTO moms and dads and we need all the help we can get! Reply to this email or return the volunteer form sent home if you can spare an hour or two.

Last chance for Lost and Found. Items in Lost and Found will be going to Goodwill on Tuesday afternoon. If your student has a jacket you haven't seen in awhile, remind them to check on Monday. We've got plenty of them!

Remember to keep an eye out for Box Tops while you're doing your holiday shopping and cooking!

On the Spanish side of the marquee Thanksgiving Week translated into "A Week of Giving Thanks." Says the same thing but makes you think a bit. Take time this week to give thanks for all the great things in your life starting with your family.

Check out Burks' "Kitschy Coo Christmas Tree" at MISD's Festival of Trees Friday through Sunday at the Performing Arts Center down at the Square.