December 6 2024

Hello Thunderbirds! What a fun-filled November we had with lots of opportunities to exercise our "thankfulness muscles!" We are truly thankful for all of our PTA volunteers who worked so hard to make all of the events fun and fantastic!

Our Fall Bookfair was a huge success and thanks to you, Mrs. Klein will be able to fill the library shelves once again with wonderful books for our students! Trailwood was full of excitement during the Special Persons Lunch, Book Fair Pancake Breakfast, and Blood Drive in Memory of Moira. Thank you to all who showed up and participated in these events.

Looking ahead to December-we anticipate lots of learning and fun with all of the scheduled field trips funded by our PTA and our Winter Classroom Parties.

To date, our PTA has supported $1425 in Mini-Grants for teachers and students to enjoy as well as just over $2500 in teacher stipends.

I would like to personally invite you to our PTA Member Appreciation Meeting on Thursday, December 12^th in the Band Room at 8:15. Please come and enjoy coffee and treats while hearing updates from the PTA. Hope to see you there!

Lori Tritsch

nurseholcomb@hotmail.com

Upcoming Important Dates

December 10: Kindergarten and 1st Grade Musical

December 12: PTA Meeting

December 19: Classroom Winter Parties 2-3

December 19: 6^th Grade Field Trip to Crown Center

December 20: Early Dismissal 12:30

December 23-January 3-No School/End of 2^nd Quarter

January 6: 1^st Day of 3^rd Quarter

January 9: Public Education in Kansas: What Parents Need to Know (at Trailwood)

January 10: Skate Party

January 16: PTA Meeting

January 30: Science Night 5:30-7:30

December Legislative Update

Save the Date- Jan. 9^th from 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Public Education in Kansas: What Parents Need to Know

Trailwood Cafeteria/Commons

Hear directly from your state senators and representatives here at Trailwood on Jan. 9^th! This is a special PTA event that we are organizing with Brookwood and Diemer elementaries!

Hear about the most important issues at the state level that impact our schools, including:

School funding- what’s new, what’s coming!
Voucher programs
Special education
State Board of Education updates

Bring your questions or submit them in advance! Fill out this survey to help us plan the meeting!

Invited Elected Officials ( as of Dec. 3, 2024):

Representative Stephanie Clayton (confirmed)
Representative Mari-Lynn Poskin (confirmed)
Senator Kellie Warren
Senator Cindy Holscher (confirmed)
State Board of Education Chair Melanie Haas

Winter Parties

Hello Room Parents,

Thank you for all you have done for the kids in 2024! Just a quick reminder we have Winter Parties Thursday December 19th at 2pm. This is a friendly reminder to send out your classroom email to have parents sign up to volunteer or bring in items for your party. Also don’t forget to collect for a winter gift for your class teacher in your email.

Here is the food policy for parties so you can plan accordingly:

- we encourage fruits and vegetables as much as possible

- soda and energy drinks are not allowed

- any non-fruit or vegetable food that is brought in must be prepackaged and include an ingredient label (no homemade goods)

- classroom teachers need at least two days notice to review ingredient labels before party days

Thank you for all you do and have a lovely winter break!

Best wishes,

Cher and Sarah

Room parent coordinators

Save the Date!

This is our primary fundraiser of the year and we would love to see you there! We alternate auction and trivia years. This year, we will be having KC Trivia Geeks host "The One Where Trailwood Does Trivia." Tickets will go on sale in January and there will be much more information coming out!

Safety Reminder

Parents-Please be mindful at pickup. We have received some complaints from residents in the neighborhood that some cars are speeding through the residential areas. Kids walk home through these streets and they are concerned about safety.

Staff Holiday Fund

Each year, Trailwood families recognize our amazing non-classroom teachers and staff who greatly impact your child daily. A suggested donation of $10 per family is much appreciated and will be used to purchase gift cards as a way of saying thank you to these important members of our Trailwood community.

You may leave your donation in the office or send it via Venmo to Sarah McGinnity @Sarah-McGinnity (last four digits are 7577) by Friday, December 13.

Purchase PTA Memberships, Yearbooks and Student Activity Fees

It's not too late to purchase a PTA membership, yearbook or student activity fee! By purchasing these items, you help ensure we have a strong and active PTA.

Becoming a member doesn't obligate you to attend meetings or volunteer, but your membership dues help fund so many fun Trailwood activities--the Popsicle Pop-In, Donuts With Grownups, staff appreciation events, the carnival and so much more. If it's a fun school event, chances are it's a PTA event!

Make your purchases here: https://www.trailwoodpta.com/form/m/297027

Can't remember if you already purchased? Log in to your account, and click "previous orders" under "my account."

Directory Reminder

If you choose not to become a member, please still remember to log in and update your information in the directory. Doing so allows us to communicate with you throughout the school year and gives you access to the online directory. *For others to be able to see your information, you must select that you want your information published in the directory.

Tip: Download the Membership Toolkit app to easily access the directory and make PTA purchases.

Questions? Contact PTA Membership Chair Jen McDonald at jenschmidt3@gmail.com

SUBJECT: December 2024 Newsletter