Spread the word to your family, friends, neighbors, and co- workers. Everyone can participate. We are in greatest need of TV consoles and computer monitors but all e-waste is welcome. Stay tuned for more information.

We will also get an update from Principal Ivy Sarratt on the latest Benchmark scores and how we are tracking against past years.

Child care will be provided by TGIF so feel free to bring your kids along.  They will be well taken care of during the meeting by a group of teens who will ensure that they have fun and stay active.

If you are interested in helping organize and lead this event in the future, please get in touch with the HSC.

Thanks again to Jill & Jason

Scrip Order Forms – Go to the Resources Page to download the latest Scrip Order Form.  Consider using Scrip Gift Cards to purchase your gifts this holiday season.  You can even use the cards themselves as gifts.  Also, if you are planning to purchase a small gift for your child’s teacher, think about giving them a Scrip gift card.  They are available from a variety of stores including teacher favorites like Barnes & Noble and Starbucks.

Book Fair – Our Book Fair is underway and will go through Friday, November 20th.

Staff Appreciation Luncheon – Our Staff appreciation Luncheon is set for Wednesday, December 16th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.  we are looking for donations of soups/stews, breads, desserts, paper goods or cash!  We also need volunteers to help in many different areas.  Setup will begin at 9:30 am and go to 11:00 am and clean up will go from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.  Please watch for a volunteer sign up sheet in your Monday envelope soon.

Health Office Needs Clothes – The Health Office is in need of pants and underwear for children to borrow.  We especially appreciate elastic waistbands.  Sizes most in need are 5, 6 and 7 (especially boy’s pants).

School Holiday Schedule - Please be aware that there will be no school on Wednesday, Thiursday or Friday of next week due to the Thanksgiving Holiday.  Enjoy a safe and happy holiday with your loved ones.

Site Updates

• Moved photos to their own Photos Page
• Added FFF photos
• Added before & after Garden photos
• Updated the Resources Page to include:
  • Current Scrip Order Form
  • Minutes from the November HSC meeting – Please review prior to December Meeting
  • Current Issues of the Courier

FFF Info – Initial tally of our Fall Family Festival revenues and expenses shows that we are very close to meeting our budget target of $5,000.  Thanks to all of those involved in planing, organizing and closing out this great community event.  Final reconciliation of the event should be complete within the next few days.

Innisbrook Summary – We also heard that our Innisbrook Gift Wrap Drive was a huge success.  We beat our budgeted goal of $18,000 by over $2,000!  Thank you to all the students, their friends and family, and especially to Alison French (also our Treasurer this year) who has volunteered to lead and organize this event once again this year.  Though our big focus for Innisbrook fund raising centers around the pre-holiday time, don’t forget that orders entered throughout the year via the Innisbrook website and referencing our school, will continue to drive additional money our way.  Orders will be arriving at school on Monday, November 16th and we will need help with sorting and delivering to corresponding classrooms.  If you are able to volunteer, e-mail Alison at treasurer@castlemont-hsc.org and plan to be at the cafeteria after drop off on that day.

eScrip – Another way you can help raise funds for our school is by initiating your online shopping from the eScrip website (also linked in the sidebar).  May popular online stores are represented and as long as you start your online shopping from the eScrip site, our school receive a portion of the proceeds.  Our school number is 137318210.

Grant Writing Chair – It was decided during the meeting that we would implement a Grant Writing Chair to begin as soon as we are able to fill the position.  There are a variety of grants and funds available to our school and one of Kindergarten parents volunteered to head up the effort.  If you have experience writing grant requests or want to help, we welcome your participation.  The more people we have on the grant writing team, the better.

Book Fair – Our Book Fair is on its way!  It will run from Monday, November 16th through Friday, November 20th.  The Family Event will be on Wednesday, November 18th from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.  Volunteers are needed for setup, recess, lunch and Family Night.  If you can help, please e-mail Sara Cerillo or Dawn Marines at bookfair@castlemont-hsc.org.

Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 1st, at 7:00 pm.  As usual, we will meet in the Staff Room and will have a movie available for the kids if you are unable to find child care.  The HSC meetings are open to all interested parents and we hope to see you there.

As always, if you have any questions or if you would like to volunteer your time to help with any of our school events, please contact me at president@castlemont-hsc.org.