August 30, 2023    |    Norton Elementary PTA Newsletter 

Welcome back, Norton Knight Families!

I'm excited for the opportunity to serve as the president for Norton PTA for another year. My gratitude goes to our board volunteers who worked alongside me over the summer to plan events, design spirit gear, attend training workshops, and do all that is necessary to prepare for this school year. 

We had a hiccup with the vendor for our school supply kits this year. As a result of the unsatisfactory experience with SchoolKidz, our school supply coordinator has started to research and vet other school supply kit vendors for next year. Based on the feedback from Norton families, we want to find a vendor that offers a longer ordering window and the flexibility for families to omit supplies that they already own from their kit. Am I the only one who owns a million pairs of gently used kid scissors?

My goal for Norton PTA this year is to increase our membership and to encourage families to engage more with our school whether through attending an event or lending a helping hand. 

Let's have a wonderful year together.

Faye Cagle
President of Norton PTA
president@ptanorton.org
Join the PTA! ptanorton.org

Norton Family, Friends, and Community members, 
Please help Norton PTA reach our fundraising goal of $20,000 by donating to our GOOD TO GLOW campaign. No fuss, no selling--just a monetary donation using our online donation form or writing a check. 

This is our biggest fundraiser of the year and 100% of your donation goes back into the programs at Norton. By meeting our fundraising goal earlier in the school year, we can focus our resources and energy on implementing the fun and educational events we have planned for our students. Your contribution will also be used to support teachers, their classroom needs, and community building to make our school even better than it already is! Check out our school-wide and individual levels of incentives on the GOOD TO GLOW Fundraiser page.

If a student fundraises $50 or more by Friday, September 1st, they will receive a GOOD TO GLOW! Norton Knights holographic sticker.

Any student who makes a donation to the fundraiser will have their name added to the GOOD TO GLOW Bulletin Board by the Gym.

There are three ways to donate:

• Donate Online (for registered users)
• Donate Online (for community guest users)
• Donate by Check (using a paper form)
  • Make check payable to: Norton Elementary PTA. Attach your check(s) to this donation form and return it to the Norton front office. 

Don't forget to request an employer match of your contribution. You can check if your company matches at Charity Navigator, or ask your human resources department. Questions about employer matching can be directed to Ermelinda Kraft-- treasurer@ptanorton.org.

Thank you for your support!

These guidelines and expectations are set forth to insure the safety of our students and staff. Before anyone can volunteer at Norton, they must COMPLETE the Allen ISD Volunteer Application and receive notice that they have CLEARED the background check. This must be done/renewed each year for every volunteer.

Please complete the following before signing up for a volunteer role:

• Complete the Allen ISD Volunteer Application
• Read the Norton Volunteer Guidelines and return the signature page to the front office.
• Join Norton PTA

Always bring your ID or driver's license with you to check-in with the front office. The receptionist will give volunteers a visitor ID sticker and a volunteer lanyard to wear while you're on campus. For the safety and clarity for all, please keep these two identification items on you at all times. Return the visitor ID sticker and the lanyard to the front office when you sign out.

We'd love for volunteers to help fill the remaining board roles for 2023-24. 

AVAILABLE BOARD POSITIONS:

**Standing Committee Chairs**

• Volunteer Services Chair

**Sub-Committee Chairs**

• Arts in Education/Reflections  
• Red Ribbon Week  

Contact president@ptanorton.org if you have any questions.

We would love your help, great or small. sign up for one or sign up for all.

• Love Cart #1: https://signup.com/go/SSbhKZX
• Fall Picture Day: https://signup.com/go/vsJiEEP
• Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day: https://signup.com/go/YHFVLcc
• Glow Party Setup/Chaperone: https://signup.com/go/gAWtYFJ
• Fall Family Fun kNight: Sign Up Coming Sppn

Join other Norton families for an evening of food and fun at the Fall Family Fun kNight on October 6th 5:30-7:00 pm. Admission is FREE. Try the corn maze, human foosball and bounce houses. Food & beverages will be available for purchase from Boardwalk Bites Food Truck (serving corn dogs, funnel cake, and other delicious fair foods) and Kona Ice snow cones. Thank you to OPD Smiles Dentistry for being one of our sponsors.

Name: Devita Widmer
 
Current Role: Hospitality Chair

Years in Current Role: First year on Norton PTA Board

Roles/Positions in the past:  Volunteered for the SPED classes for 6 years, volunteered last year for multiple events.  Way, way back - I started a  PTO for the Coevorden American School in Coevorden, The Netherlands.

How many students do you have? Ages, Grades? Paxton Widmer, 7 in September, 1st grade  (my grandson)  and Lily Rowe, 14 in September, 8th grade at Ereckson (my bonus grand)

When did you join the PTA?
 How many years have you been active? 2021, 2

Why did you join?  I joined the PTA to be more involved in our great school, support our teachers and our students, and hope to make a difference in everyone’s experiences.

Why did you choose your current board position?  I like to be busy and I certainly am !  The fact that I chair quite a few subcommittees is important in that I am able to meet more members and offer my assistance in  more areas.

What is your favorite event/memory? For school?  The first time I volunteered for Lily’s class trip to the Dallas Zoo.  Watching the excitement and increased activity levels of these children made my heart soar!     

In life?  Holding my grandson for the first time just an hour after his birth.

What is one piece of advice you would give to a new board member or someone interested in joining the board? You can make a difference just by showing up. Your child will notice. Your children will remember that you were there for them and supporting their learning, growth, and fun events. Once you join the board, ask questions, be supportive, and volunteer to serve others. (And ask your spouse to be involved also - mine is!)

Name: Jennifer Dartez

Current Role: VP of Ways and Means

Years in Current Role: 2nd year

Roles/Positions in the past: At Norton - VP of Programs, Celebrate Me Chair, Castle Run Co-Chair, 6th Grade Celebration Chair, Fall Auction Chair, Fall Festival Chair, Spirit Night Chair

How many students do you have?  Ages, Grades? 3 kiddos- Madeline (8th Grade at Ereckson), Annabelle (6th Grade), Louis (1st Grade)

When did you join the PTA?
 How many years have you been active? Have been active in several PTAs since 2013.  

Why did you join?  To show support to our teachers and to spend extra time with my kids. 

Why did you choose your current board position? I am in my current position because I wanted to take on the responsibility of Castle Run last year.  I look forward to raising money to support our school again this year. 

What is your favorite event/memory? Holiday Parties - I have loved helping out with these every year.  The kids have a wonderful time and I like presenting the teachers with an extra gift. This is also a great time to meet your kids' friends.

What is one piece of advice you would give to a new board member or someone interested in joining the board? Jump in with both feet and enjoy the ride! 

NORTON'S AUGUST KNIGHT OF THE MONTH!
Congratulations to Mrs. Cole! She goes above & beyond for her students every single day. Her patience, grace, and kindness are a gift to us all. We appreciate her dedication and positive attitude- she’s a true example of doing MORE!

Thank you to Montgomery Insurance Agency / Farmers Insurance for sponsoring Norton's Knight of the Month. This program recognizes a Norton teacher or staff member every month for their outstanding work and dedication to our school.

Norton PTA Volunteers were busy preparing for the school year over the summer. 

Bulletin board decorating, kindergarten social, stock the teacher's lounge, and Back to Castle night kept us busy.

Did you know you can make donates to the Norton PTA through your everyday shopping and grocery purchases? All donations go directly to support the programs and events our organization offers. No amount is too small - please consider signing up with the shopping partners programs. For more information, go to Norton PTA Shopping Partners.

Frances E Norton Elementary PTA (Allen ISD, TX)

1120 Newport Drive

Allen TX 75013

www.ptanorton.org