School Announcements:

Halloween Costume Donation Drive – Each year Burns Park families donate Halloween costumes which are given to students without costumes to wear in the all-school parade and to take home and wear that night to trick or treat. If you have a gently used costume (sizes from Youth XS to XL) that you would like to donate, please place it in the box labeled “Halloween Costume Drive” outside of the auditorium. Students in need of a costume will have an opportunity to select a costume from the box on Halloween day.

Lunches With Love – This program will kick off this week! Students from two classes will be making lunches on Tuesday, October 21st in the cafeteria right after the 2nd bell.

UM vs. MSU Football Parking – This Saturday, October 25th, the MSU Football Players Parents’ Association will be parking and tailgating in the Burns Park parking lot from 10:00 a.m. until after the game is over. We are looking for volunteers to help staff the parking lot entrance to collect the parking fee, and make sure that only cars affiliated with this group park there. If you are available to do a one hour shift beginning at 10:45, 11:45, 12:45 or 1:45, please contact Elizabeth DeRose (ederose at comcast dot net). This is a great fundraiser for our school…the Parents’ Association will pay $20 per car, and also plans to make a donation to our PTO. Go Blue, Go Green!

Used Book Sale Update – Our Used Book Sale was a great success! We raised $1,074!! Thanks to all who helped to set it up and run it, and also to everyone who came out to shop! The silent online auction will continue to run through October 31st, so if you are still looking for a unique book (great gift for the holidays!), please be sure to visit the auction website ( http://www.burnsparkpto.org/auction/ ).

Native Plant Garden Update – The garden has been planted! The Penguins Care Club and volunteers worked hard over the weekend to place all of the new native plants in the bed along the sidewalk to the A-wing. PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL AS YOU WALK BY — many of the plants are very small and fragile!! There will be string tied to stakes to help protect these new plants, but please be sure to let your children know that they need to be extra careful in this area! If you can also please keep your dogs at a distance from the garden, it would be greatly appreciated!

Read-to-Feed Heifer International Update — Wednesday, October 22 at 8:55 a.m. Rachel Erdstein, our Media Specialist, writes: Last summer I was fortunate to participate in an Educator’s study tour of Heifer International projects in Honduras. Because our Burns Park students (and their families) have contributed to the success of Heifer’s efforts, I will be sharing my photos and findings from this trip first thing in the morning on October 22. Please join us at this assembly (we will make room for all) as our students learn how their own reading during last spring’s March-Is-Reading month can and did benefit impoverished families and communities in developing countries. Heifer’s program helped all of us to make a difference. I look forward to seeing you at our assembly.

Community Announcements:

Burns Park Players – Mark your calendars! Burns Park Players production of Annie Get Your Gun on February 5th,6th,7th,13th and 14th! Interested in getting involved? Email producers@burnspark players.org as soon as possible to find out more about cast and crew opportunities. Cast tryouts this week, Monday, October 20th and Tuesday, October 21st, callbacks Wednesday October 23rd! Please visit our website for more information, http://www.burnsparkplayers.org

Family Field Day – Come to Family Field Day on November 2, 2008 from 1:00 – 4:00 at Burns Park! Ann Arbor Active Against ALS (A2A3) is kicking off its fundraising efforts with a Family Field Day. This new non-profit has been created by a group of volunteers from the Ann Arbor community to show support for the Schoeni/Spreitzer family by raising money for ALS research (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease). Family Field Day will be a fun afternoon of games and activities for children and adults of all ages including relay races, kickball, a scavenger hunt, and sports clinics (lacrosse, field hockey, football, soccer). There will also be an information booth on ALS and a sale of baked goods, A2A3 t-shirts and books. Suggested donation: $20 donation per family, $10 per individual if registered before October 27 ($25 per family, $15 per individual after October 27). All proceeds will go to ALS research. For additional information or to register, email a2a3als@gmail.com. Registration forms and a collection box are located in the school office. We are looking for volunteers to help with games and tables on November 2nd. Email Suzanne Ross if you want to help! (srhross at ma dot com).

Animal Haunts- October 25, 6-9pm, $8/person, $30/family Celebrate Halloween at Leslie Science & Nature Center’s non-scary Animal Haunts. This year’s theme is “Creatures of the Night”! Come in costume, or just come and enjoy our costumes. Out on the trail you will meet our staff “creatures of the night” — possums, moths, and more — that will entertain and educate you with skits and songs. In addition to the guided hike we will have games, hay jumping, face painting, and fun! The guided hikes depart from the campfire every few minutes.

Days off Outdoors – When the public schools are closed for teacher service days, the Leslie Science and Nature Center holds programs for kids K-5. Here are the dates, and the Web description: When schools are closed, come discover the wonderful world of nature! Sled down the snowy slopes. Explore the forest, fields, and trails. Be a predator while stalking your prey in a dense thicket…A different adventure awaits you each day. November 4, January 19, February 16, March 9 / 8:30 am-5:30 pm, Pizza lunch is provided / $60 for each session, ages K-5th grade / Register on-line at: http://lsnc.kintera.org/08/fallwintercamps

Farm Fresh Fridays – Fall 2008 Farm Fresh Friday Schedule: Cabbage on 10/24, Acorn Squash on 10/31 These items will be available on the fruit and veggie bar.

DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? Please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Elizabeth DeRose, President
ederose at comcast dot net or 677-0882
Lynda Norton, President-Elect
llnorton at okno dot com or 761-1478