Originally delivered on 2/16/2024 10:26 am

SUBJECT: NORTON PTA Knightly News - FEBRUARY 16, 2024

KNIGHTLY NEWS

February 16, 2024 | Norton Elementary PTA Newsletter

President's Message

Hello Norton Knight Families!

We only have 3 (three!) more months left of this school year!

It's amazing how our PTA board and school staff are busily planning events for this spring, while also preparing to welcome the fresh faces of Kindergarten Knights-in-Training to Norton this fall.

Spring brings nomination season with it. PTA members can recognize exceptional volunteers for the The Lifetime Membership Award. If there was a PTA groundhog, it would predict--'it's great time to join the 2024-2025 PTA board'. Come to the April 2nd membership meeting for the board election.

World Cultures Day, Spirit Night, Music Performances, Book Fair, and the Allen Eagle Run are events to add to your calendar in March. Don't miss other important dates at the end of this newsletter--be sure to click the link in your email to view the newsletter in its entirety. To ensure you don't overlook important newsletter content, I'm going to tell a joke that my lovely daughter told me on Valentine's Day

Question: Why did the fish cross the ocean?

Find the answer at the end of this newsletter. Happy reading!

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

In this Issue

2024-2025 Board Nominations
Next PTA Membership Meeting
Upcoming Events
Membership Update
A Knight's Guide to Volunteering
Volunteer Opportunities
Kindergarten Knights-in-Training
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
Spirit Wear
Everyday Fundraising
Calendar
Connect with Us

2024-2025 Board Nominations

The Norton PTA Nominating Committee is seeking amazing parent volunteers to serve as our 2024-2025 Officers and Committee Chairpersons. Submit your self-nomination form using the button below by Friday, March 1, 2024.

The Nominating Committee will slate the following officer positions President, 1st VP, VP of Programs,VP of Membership,VP of Ways and Means,Secretary,Treasurer, Parliamentarian.

All positions are considered open, and nomination does not guarantee the position as an offer. All nominations will be held confidential. Final candidates will be notified in March. The general membership will vote on the Executive Board Officers in April.

Standing Chair position nominations will be forwarded to the Newly Elected Officers for consideration.Standing committee chairpersons are appointed by the new officers at their first meeting (within 30 days of election).

Have any questions? Email the Norton PTA Nominating Committee at nominations@ptanorton.org.

Learn more about PTA Board positions

Submit Self-Nomination Form

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.

Please attend our next Membership Meeting for the election of officers for the 2024-2025 school year on Tuesday, April 2 @ 5:30 pm.

Upcoming Events

Spirit Night

Take a break from cooking while supporting Norton Elementary! Dine-in or order take-out from Wayback Burgers (380 East Bethany Drive, Suite 130, Allen, TX 75002) for the family on Wednesday, February 21st from 5 pm - 9 pm. Waybackburgers.com

World Cultures Day 2024

We are so excited to celebrate cultures from around the world next week at Norton’s Annual World Cultures Day on February 23, 2024, 5:30 pm - 7 pm! Admission is FREE.

Come out to experience Cultural Foods, Country Immersion Stations and Crafts, Performances, and Photo Stops.

There are still spots available to help on the day of the event. Sign up by February 21st.

Music Programs & Front Seat Auctions

WIN FRONT ROW SEATS!
Save the dates for the music performances & Front row seat auction!

Feb 29 - 4th Grade Performance | 4th Grade Seat Auction*

Apri 2 - 2nd Grade Performance | 2nd Grade Seat Auction*

May 7 - Singing Knights Choir Performance | Choir Seat Auction*

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.

Allen Eagle Run

Allen Eagle Run Registration is Open Until March 2, but we want to reach our goal of 200 registrations so our students can PIE THE PRINCIPALS!

Membership Update

Lifetime Membership Awards - Nominations Open

Receiving an Honorary Life Membership Award is one of the highest forms of recognition to let a volunteer know how much you truly appreciate their dedication to our children and community. Recipients are not required to be current members of the PTA but should have contributed significantly to the work of the PTA or to the Norton Elementary community. Only current Norton PTA members can submit a nomination.

Please help us nominate 2 staff members and 2 individuals/parents (moms AND dads!) to be honorary Texas PTA Life Members. We ask that you include a supporting reason for each nomination. Nominations should be submitted by Monday, February 26, 2024 at 11:59 pm.

Questions? Email Vanna Oberholz at membership@ptanorton.org.

Submit Nomination

Norton PTA is 463 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.

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) - Sign Up
Spring Book Fair (2/29,3/1,3/4-3/7) - Sign Up
Love Cart (3/7)
Spring Picture Day (3/28)
Spring Carnival (4/26)
Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day (5/8) - Sign Up
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.

Kindergarten Knights-in-Training

INCOMING KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS 2024-2025

Do you have an incoming kindergarten student attending Norton for the 2024-2025 school year? Join the Facebook Group to meet other parents. Please answer the membership questions to be approved. Please share with friends and neighbors with incoming kindergarten students.

Facebook: Norton Elementary INCOMING Kindergarten 2024-2025 (Allen,TX)

Meet the PTA Board

Vanna Oberholz

Current Role: VP of Membership

Years in Current Role: 1.5

Roles/Positions in the past: Treasurer, Allen Eagle Run Coordinator, PTA Council/Legislative Rep

How many students do you have? 3 children 11th/7th/5th grade

When did you join the PTA? 11.5 How many years have you been active? 11.5

Why did you join? To be more informed about what happens behind the scenes, know other parents and teachers better, and be able to help the staff when needed.

Why did you choose your current board position? The record keeping aspect involved in the membership position speaks to me, and I enjoy talking to people and drawing on my long history to share what the Norton PTA has to offer.

What is your favorite event/memory? All of the events the single year all 3 kids were Norton Knights.

What is one piece of advice you would give to a new board member or someone interested in joining the board? Enjoy the ride, make new friends, make a difference at the school where you can, and don’t be worried about a lack of support: the Board works together amazingly well!

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.

February Knight of the Month

Congratulations to Ms. Scarborough, a beloved kindergarten teacher at our school. She is a GLOW GETTER who is always willing to help her colleagues. From writing resource grants to providing a comfortable space for all students, she always does MORE to help everyone on campus. Ms. Scarborough is a wonderful educator. We are so grateful to have her here at Norton!

Norton Staff Birthdays

Allen Council of PTAs / Allen ISD Events

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

The Allen Eagles greeted our students early one morning and helped us promote the Allen Eagle Run.

Spirit Wear

LAST CHANCE TO PURCHASE SPIRIT WEAR

Do you regret not ordering the cute Norton spirit gear? We are selling all of this year's spirit wear inventory we have on-hand. Limited sizes and quantity are available. Shop now before it's gone.
https://nortonpta.membershiptoolkit.com/form/m/240526

Orders placed by Wednesday of each week will be sent home with your student by Friday. Questions? Contact spiritgear@ptanorton.org

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.

Looking Ahead

Friday, February 16

LOVE WEEK

LOVE WEEK: Dollar Day!

Monday, February 19

Presidents Day - Student and Staff Holiday

Tuesday, February 20

Student Holiday/Staff Development Day

Wednesday, February 21

4:00p SPIRIT NIGHT: Wayback Burgers

Friday, February 23

5:30p World Culture Day