Sales Tax Holiday August 20, 21, 22

If you’re shopping for Back to School clothes or supplies in August, mark your calendars. Texas shoppers get a break from state and local sales taxes on August 20, 21 and 22 – the state’s annual tax holiday.  For a complete list of tax exempt items, go to the Texas Comptroller’s website below.

http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxpubs/tx98_490/tx98_490.html

Directory Ads

The Barton Hills Elementary PTA is working on the 2010-11 school directory and is selling advertising space to cover printing costs. The cost is nominal.  In addition to your printed ad, your company info with url will be published on our website and reported to AISD as our school’s Partner in Education.  With 50% of our students residing in Barton Hills your ad will be distributed not only to families who live in the neighborhood but also to families all over south Austin.

Ad sizes and prices:
• Business card $25
• Quarter page $40
• Half page $75
• Full page $100

If you or someone you know is interested in advertising in the Barton Hills Elementary Directory please contact us at bartonhillsptaprez@yahoo.com.

Artwork (pdf, tif, jpg or word document) and check made out to BHE PTA can be mailed to the school:

Barton Hills Elem. PTA
Attn. Directory Ads
2108 Barton Hills Drive
Austin, TX 78704

School Supply Lists

If you missed the deadline to order your school supplies online, be sure to check out the Barton Hills school supply lists!

Click here to see what your kids need, organized by grade level.

School Supply Ordering

For those that would rather not run from store to store this summer, PTA is providing an on-line school supply ordering service.  This is not a fundraiser, just something we offer for your convenience.  Please visit the EPI home page where you will be prompted to enter the following school ID:  BAR061

THE DEADLINE FOR ALL ORDERS IS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30TH, 2010.

Open Forum to Discuss Spanish Language Instruction at BHE

Thursday, June 10^th, 6:00 pm
Barton Hills Elementary Library

In the spring PTA Budget Survey, there was overwhelming parent feedback regarding the desire to have a Spanish Teacher on campus.  If you are a parent interested in the implementation of Spanish Language instruction at Barton Hills Elementary, please join us June 10^th.   We will be discussing the many challenges involved with introducing a foreign language class not supported by the school district.

Our timeline follows:

• Program Investigation and Planning: 2010–2011 school year.
• Potential Program Implementation: 2011–2012 school year.

We need enthusiastic parents willing to serve on an exploratory committee. Let’s come together, investigate, lay groundwork, and determine whether we can pull this off!  Kati Achtermann and PTA board members will be present.  Please contact me with any questions or concerns.

We look forward to talking with you!

Kelly Tagle

PTA President 2010 – 2011
thetagles@gmail.com
784-5788

News from the Library

ALL Library Books are due May 21st.

BOGO Book Fair  May 24 – 28  ***  Volunteers Needed!

The sign-up sheet will be posted in the library.  Let Mrs. Day know when you’d like to volunteer and she will add you to the list and reply. jcday@austinisd.org or 414-3486.

Remember to READ 1,500 minutes this summer for a party in the Fall!  Packet going home last week of school.

Barton Hills Elementary is going GREENER!

In addition to paper and plastic recycling, BHE is prooud of our new composting program!  The pilot began on Monday, April 12th.  Children in the cafeteria now put ALL organic material into specially-marked buckets.  The only things that cannot be composted are metals, glasses, plastics, and Styrofoam.  Custodial staff monitor and empty the buckets into carts near the dumpster, plus collect their organics in the kitchen.  Organics By Gosh, owned by Phil Gosh, a Barton Hills dad, maintains cleanliness of carts, picks  up the organic material three times a week, and composts it at his facility.  The sixth graders, with the assistance of Mr. Gosh, have built a small composting bin at the school for educational and gardening purposes, and this bin will receive small amounts of raw organic material.  Lisa Kerber is serving as the Parent Liaison for this program to ensure its success.

Think for just a moment about how much waste will be diverted from our city’s landfill in a whole school year.  If you are excited about this pilot program, please show your appreciation to our Principal, Kati Achtermann, the custodial and cafeteria staff, and Phil Gosh and Jason Sanders of Organics By Gosh.

PTA Survey

Our PTA Board is currently seeking feedback regarding the 2010-2011 budget and some other areas. Your input is VERY IMPORTANT.
Will you please take a moment to visit the site below and complete the survey?  It is completely anonymous and takes just a few moments. Please don’t miss out on this terrific opportunity to provide feedback.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7D2SWZJ

Silent Auction Numbers $$ are IN!

The Barton Hills Elementary PTA Silent Auction “Unplugged” raised well over $11,000 for BHE PTA!  This nearly doubles the original goal.
These funds go to the budget to support programs that benefit our students.

Thank you to all of the volunteers, musicians, live auctioneer, in-kind donations, business, parent and community donations.  The baskets were a big hit and thank you to Matt’s El Rancho for such a fine location.  Also, special thanks to Collins Van Nort and Faith United Methodist for the childcare facilities and staff.    Also, thank you to the 165 attendees who graciously supported the school and bid generously at the event.  I think that everyone had a great time and it was a very positive community fundraiser!

Sincerely – Maureen Carlson, Silent Auction Chair 2010 & the Silent Auction Committee

Childcare for Silent Auction

The 2010 Silent Auction is right around the corner – have you lined up a sitter?

Thanks to Collins Van Nort and Faith United Methodist Church, there will be childcare available right next door to the event at 2701 South Lamar Boulevard.

Space is limited and reservations are required. Childcare available for ages 5 and above. Details:

Drop off and pick up: between 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm

Location: Faith United Methodist Church, 2701 South Lamar Blvd.

Total Cost: $5 per child for the entire evening!  Please bring cash for payment.

Reservation: To reserve your spot, please email:

Tina Donahoo at: BHE_Childcare@yahoo.com and include the following information:

• Name (s) and age (s) of your child
• Your first and last name
• Phone number (s) to reach you during the event

Reserve your space now – there are only 50 slots available! First come, first served. You will receive an email confirming your spot.