KNIGHTLY NEWS

January 12, 2024 | Norton Elementary PTA Newsletter

President's Message

Happy New Year, Norton Knight Families!

I'd like to take a moment to thank everyone who has volunteered their time and/or made a contribution to our school this past fall! We love seeing you show up for your students by attending meetings, planning a program, serving at a function, sending supplies, donating food, bidding for auction items, purchasing a book, and bringing your family to school events. We hope to see your continuing involvement in the spring.

As of today, the newly appointed PTA Nominations Committee will start seeking candidates who are interested in joining the 2024-2025 Norton PTA Board. No experience is necessary--just a positive attitude and willingness to learn. Even if you have the slightest interest, contact nominations@ptanorton.org and we'll help you find a role. There are many training resources available to guide new leaders. We welcome new faces and fresh ideas to our Norton PTA team. Informal meet ups will be scheduled to help you gain more information.

Have a wonderful start to 2024!

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

In this Issue

2024-2025 Board Nominations
Upcoming Events
Membership Update
Volunteer Guidelines
Volunteer Opportunities
Meet the Board
Dad's Club/Watch D.O.G.S.
Knight of the Month
Staff Birthdays
Allen ISD Council of PTA/Allen ISD Events
Around the Castle
Everyday Fundraising
PTA Meeting Dates
Calendar
Connect with Us

2024-2025 Board Nominations

Are you ready for it?

The PTA Nominations Committee is looking for interested candidates to serve on the Norton PTA Board for the 2024-2025 school year. No experience is necessary! Join our team with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn.

Contact nominations@ptanorton.org if you are interested or if you have any questions.

Learn more about PTA Board positions

Upcoming Events

SAVE THE DATES: MUSIC PERFORMANCES & FRONT SEAT AUCTIONS!

Feb 1 - 5th Grade Performance

Feb 29 - 4th Grade Performance

Apri 2 - 2nd Grade Performance

May 7 - Singing Knights Choir Performance

Secure a front row seat! Seat auctions will open 2 days prior to each performance and end at 9:30 pm the evening before the performance. There are 4 sets of 4-seats together up for bid for each performance. More details to come!

World Cultures Day 2024

The time has come to begin to prepare for Norton’s Annual World Cultures Day on February 23, 2024!

Sign-Ups are now LIVE and will CLOSE on February 2nd.

How can you help? Host a Interactive Country Booth, Serve a tasty treat in the Cultural Cafe, showcase your performing skills on the World Stage, show off your cultural attire in the Parade of Nations, or come help during the day or evening to make sure the event goes smoothly.

The goal this year is for every culture in our school community to be represented on this night. Please make plans to volunteer and attend!

View Flyer & Sign Up by Feb 2nd

Allen Eagle Run - Saturday, March 2, 2024 - Register

Membership Update

Norton PTA is 456 members strong!

Thank you to the individuals and families who have already joined the PTA. We continue to welcome members through out the year. JOIN NOW to help us support our Norton students and faculty.

We are honored to receive these membership awards from TXPTA. Our membership is comprised of individuals who are dedicated to the common goal of making our school a better place for our students and teachers.

JOIN NORTON PTA

A Knight's Guide to Volunteering

Volunteer Guidelines

These guidelines and expectations are set forth to ensure 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.
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.

Submit Allen ISD Volunteer Application

Read Norton Volunteer Guidelines

Join Norton PTA

Volunteer Opportunities

We would love your help. For certain events, we ask that you sign up for one spot only in order to include more individuals. Sign ups are first come, first serve.

World Cultures Day (2/23)
Spring Book Fair (3/4-3/7)
Love Cart (3/7)
Spring Picture Day (3/28)
Spring Carnival (4/26)
Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day (5/8)
Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week (5/6-5/10)
6th Grade Celebration (5/23)

Use the button below to find upcoming volunteer opportunities through out the year. Links will be added to the sign up page linked to the button as the event nears.

Meet the PTA Board

Marisa Dunagan

Current Role: VP of Programs, Committee Chair - Spring Carnival

Years in Current Role: 1st year

Roles/Positions in the past: Room Parent

How many students do you have at Norton? Gracie, 6 years old, in 1st grade

When did you join the PTA?  2022

How many years have you been active? This will be my second year.

Why did you join? I wanted to be involved in my child's school and assist with various programs and events at the school.

Why did you choose your current board position? After attending the events from last year, I wanted to take on the challenge of helping to plan the events as well. I've always loved being involved and felt this was a good opportunity.

What is your favorite event/memory? My favorite memory is listening to my kids laugh.

What is one piece of advice you would give to a new board member or someone interested in joining the board? Just do it! It doesn't matter if you feel like you don't know what you are doing, there are plenty of people who are around to help you. Being involved is a great feeling and helps everyone at the school succeed.

Catherine Parrish

Current Role: Council Delegate & Legislative Action Chair

Years in Current Role: This is my first year on the Board.

Roles/Positions in the past: The past few years I have just been a general PTA volunteer at Norton.

How many students do you have? I have one daughter, Emma, in 4th grade.

When did you join the PTA? I joined the PTA in 2019 when my daughter started Kindergarten at Norton.

Why did you join? I joined PTA as a way to become more involved at Norton. I love volunteering at school. My time spent at school helping students and staff is so rewarding.

Why did you choose your current board position? I chose to become the Council Delegate after attending a few of the AISD Council of PTA meetings with our President Faye Cagle last year. The meetings provided an opportunity to learn about events happening throughout our district on the various campuses. I really enjoy learning about how the Council of PTAs helps facilitate so many programs through our district.

What is your favorite event/memory? One of my favorite memories was attending the Veteran's Day program in 2019. My husband is an Air Force Veteran, and it was so moving to see the staff and students come together to honor our Veterans. I loved seeing all of the students line the hallways, waving their flags for the parade. It was so awesome! It continues to be one of my favorite programs every year.

What is one piece of advice you would give to a new board member or someone interested in joining the board? Don't be scared! The experience of our PTA leadership is phenomenal. They will help guide you in your new role and help out anyway they can.

Dad's Club

Be a Watch D.O.G.S. Volunteer

Sign up for one of the many available dates this spring!

WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) is a national program with the goal of providing positive male role models for the students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important. For more information, visit the Norton PTA Watch D.O.G.S. page or contact the coordinators below to sign up.

WatchDOG Coordinator: Jeff Clark, Dads Club Chair, dadsclub@ptanorton.org
Program Coordinator at Norton: Peyton DeLeon, Norton School Counselor, peyton.deleon@allenisd.org

GET WATCH D.O.G.S. Sign-up Link

Knight of the Month

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.

January Knight of the Month

Congratulations to Ms. Meis! She inspires her students and fellow colleagues to use their creativity for musical expression. Whether she is teaching songs from around the world, leading a drumming circle, guiding students to create their own musicals, or writing a holiday parody, you can expect the end product to be amazing. We are so lucky to have Ms. Meis and her talents at Norton.

Norton Staff Birthdays

Allen Council of PTAs / Allen ISD Events

Last Chance to Order a Love Week Shirt

Place your Love Week 2024 shirt order by Monday, January 15th.

Allen ISD Middle School EXPO Night

If you're a family with a 6th grader or new to the district, save the date for Middle School Expo Night, January 23 from 6-7:30 p.m. at all middle schools! Come learn about the school, meet staff members & students, and learn about course offerings and programs/clubs. Learn more >> https://www.allenisd.org/article/1364204

Allen ISD Parent University

Allen ISD Parent University provides free programs and resources to parents and guardians. Check out their Calendar of Events.

Join us for the next Parent University, Thursday, January 25 from 6:30-8 p.m. online. Our topic is The Power of Nutrition with our Allen ISD Student Nutrition Department. Learn more and RSVP! https://allenisd.org/parentuniversity

Around the Castle

A glimpse into the holiday festivities on our campus--Cocoa & Candy Canes and Winter Parties! Thank you to all of the staff and volunteers who helped with these fun events!

Everyday Fundraising

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.

Kroger Community Rewards Program

Register online at Kroger Rewards to add Norton Elementary NPO # BH491 to your Kroger Plus Card. Your everyday grocery purchases will benefit Frances E Norton Elementary PTA.

Walmart Round Up Program

Sign up for Walmart's SPARK GOOD program & round up your register total to the nearest dollar to support Norton PTA when you make everyday purchases online at Walmart or using the Walmart app. Start by making Norton PTA your preferred charity.

PTA Membership Meetings

General membership meetings are a great way to stay informed about PTA matters. Everyone is welcome at the general PTA meetings (members & non-members), but only members can vote. There will be an opportunity to join PTA at each meeting. It is important for members to attend the meetings so we will have quorum to vote on PTA business. We pair our membership meetings with a program for parents & guardians after the business portion is complete.