Dine Out to End Childhood Hunger!

There are 12 million hungry children in America! Many right here in Santa Clarita. Here's an easy way to help...and an opportunity to talk with your kids about helping the hungry.

Dine out at participating SCV-area restaurants between now and Sept. 28th...the restaurants will make a donation to Share Our Strength. Check this link for details:http://join.strength.org/site/PageServer?pagename=GADO_homepage

I did a quick search by zip code and found 4 restaurants in SCV participating: Elephant Bar on McBean, Corner Bakery, Buca di Beppi, and Claim Jumper. Please check the website to verify which restaurants are participating near your home.

If you see an event or program supporting children, use the comment function below and let us know about it.

Food and Nutrition Site for Your Family

How many of you struggle to get your children to get five servings of fruits and vegetables each day? It's a struggle in our house. Here's an interesting and informative site from the Department of Health and Human Services, BAM (Body and Mind). The website was created for kids, primarily kids ages 9 through 13. If you want to help your child to make healthy fitness and nutrition choices, preview this site for your child. It's easy to remember: http://www.bam.gov/

Do you know a great website that promotes the health and education of children? Use the comment tool below and let us know about it.

SCV PTA Council Meeting

Reminder: Santa Clarita Valley PTA Council Meeting - Thurs., Sept. 18th - 7:00 pm

This month only, we are meeting at Northlake Hills Elem. 32545 Ridge Route Dr.Castaic, CA 91384

What happens at a council meeting? We discuss issues, events, and opportunities for the PTA units in the Santa Clarita Valley.

What is SCV PTA Council? We are the organization to which all Santa Clarita Valley PTA units belong.

What is a PTA unit? The PTA (Parent Teacher Association) at the local schools are called PTA units because they are units of the larger PTA organization.

If you are a PTA member or considering membership, you are invited to attend the council meeting.

Street Art Festival

The street art festival is an event Santa Clarita area families look forward to each year. It's just around the corner, so mark your calendars.

Old Town Newhall

September 27-28th

10:00 am until 6:00 pm

Watch local artists create art right there on Main Street in downtown Newhall. Enjoy live music, arts and crafts, and participatory craft opportunities. Visit http://www.streetartfest.com/ for more info.

Hurricanes: How to Cope and How to Help

We are watching yet another major storm approach the United States. This one is heading toward Texas. Often it is our children who ask about how those families will be affected. Will the kids miss school? What if their homes flood? What happens to the pets? Can birds fly in that strong wind? Those are the things on our young children's minds. Their concern may be heightened if you have relatives in affected areas. If you are looking for tips on how to talk with your child about the hurricanes, follow this link: http://texashelp.tamu.edu/001a-hot-topics/web-2005-sept/children-as-victims-of-hurricanes.php#5

There is a book that you may want to recommend to families in the hurricane-affected areas. It is titled, Yesterday We Had a Hurricane, and was written by Deirdre Mercier.

Most experts say the best way to help is to send a donation. Here is a list of charities to whom you may want to make a donation. The relief funds for charities that are active in disaster work allow them to mobilize immediate assistance to people in need.

American Red Cross (comprehensive emergency aid)

Best Friends Animal Society (aid to displaced pets)

Feed the Children (nutrition for affected families)

Operation USA (networks of community health clinics supporting victims of catastrophes)

There are many, many more. If you search google, you will find them. **Please note that SCV PTA does not endorse or sponsor these organizations. ** We merely provide these links in response to families looking for ways to support families affected by the recent and upcoming hurricanes. If you are interested in helping, we encourage you to research your options and make a choice based on your research.

Food Services Vendor Faire

Here's a message from our local food services agency:

SANTA CLARITA VALLEY SCHOOL FOOD SERVICES AGENCY
5th ANNUAL VENDOR FAIRE
DATE: Wed., Sept. 24, 2008
TIME: 2:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Central Kitchen
25210 Anza Dr.
Valencia, CA 91355

Principals, PTA, ALL School Staff, Parents, Family members and Especially STUDENTS
Come to the Central Kitchen to an “Open House” and sample new products and discover what’s
“cool to eat @ MY school”
Want some input in school lunch & snack foods offered at your school? Visit with manufacturers, sample their wares and evaluate their products.
Chance to win Fun Door Prizes
We hope you’ll join us!
Please call to let us know approximately how many from your school or family will attend no later than September 19 by calling (661) 295-1574 Jane Crawford x113 or Laurie Kudroff or x103.
Parking in the Industrial Center is limited – carpooling is an option you might consider.

Historical Exhibit

Check out this piece of American history...

Forever Free - Abraham Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation
The Reagan Library
Phone: 1-800-410-8354
Admission: $12 general admission; $9 seniors 62 and over, $3 children 11-17, free for children 10 years of age and under Visit Web Site

Exhibit designed and staged by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, follows the story of slavery and Abraham Lincoln's role in ending it.

As part of the Forever Free exhibit, the Reagan Library is proud to announce that from September 19th through September 23rd, the Reagan Library will place the original Lincoln hand-signed Emancipation Proclamation, on loan from the National Archives and Records Administration, on display.

Showing days:
Friday, September 19 from 9:30am - 6pm;
Saturday, September 20 from 9am - 7pm;
Sunday, September 21 from 9am - 6pm;
Monday, September 22 from 9:30am - 6pm; and
Tuesday, September 23 from 9:30am - 6pm.
** Please check with the library to confirm dates and times! **

September is SCV Parenting & Teen Awareness Month

At the Sept. 9th City of Santa Clarita City Council meeting, the public safety issue will be Parenting and Teen Awareness Month.
Follow this link for the entire council meeting agenda: http://www.santa-clarita.com/cityhall/agendas/council/web_agenda_face.asp?Meeting_ID=4591

September is Parenting and Teen Awareness month in Santa Clarita. This will coincide with the City’s popular Teen Scene Unplugged program for teens and their parents. Also included this month are parenting classes and “do’s and don’ts” for those with teens. Messages will also include: “how to get help,” “how and where to obtain resources,” and “how to parent.” The City is also planning a public safety workers appreciation day on Thursday, September 11, in conjunction with the Red Cross “Heroes” program.

Remember to check this link for more info on parenting classes offered by the city this month.

http://www.scyouthandfamily.com/pdf/2008_2877%20Family%20Education%20brochure.pdf

Reflections 2008-09

Below is an overview of the Reflections program from the capta.org website. Ask your local PTA for more information about the Reflections program at your child's school.

"The National PTA Reflections Program is an arts recognition and achievement program for students. The Reflections Program provides opportunities for students to express themselves creatively and to receive positive recognition for original works of art inspired by a pre-selected theme, while increasing community awareness on the importance of the arts in education."

"Participation and appreciation for the arts is the Reflections Program's goal. Although the Reflections Program follows a "contest" format, winning should not be the emphasis.
Participation in the Reflections Program is a great way for students to explore and learn about various art forms. Creating art is a valuable learning process that challenges students to use their critical thinking skills as well as their creative talents to create art that supports a specific theme.

Students may submit an entry in any of the six arts areas listed below. Only original works of art are accepted. Depending on local PTA guidelines, students may enter more than one work of art. The six arts areas are as follows:
Literature
Musical composition
Photography
Visual arts
Dance Choreography
Film/Video Production

Participation in the Reflections Program is organized by school grade. Student works are critiqued against others in the same grade division. This allows recognition and judging of artworks by appropriate developmental age and skill levels. The four grade divisions are as follows:
Primary Preschool Grade 2 or up to age 7
Intermediate Grades 3-5 or ages 8-10
Middle/Junior Grades 6-8 or ages 11-13
Senior Grades 9-12 or ages 14+

The Reflections Program is structured for PTAs to recognize students at the local unit, council, PTA district, state and national levels. Entries are first judged at the local unit level, where selected works are chosen to represent the PTA at each subsequent level. Once entries reach the level of the California State PTA, entries may be selected for submission to the National PTA. Award of Excellence and Awards of Merit are recognized at the annual National PTA convention and are displayed as part of the program's traveling exhibit.

Participation in the California Reflections program is open to all students in attendance at PTA/PTSA schools where the program is sponsored. Entries are forwarded through channels. Each unit, council and PTA district establishes their own deadline dates, allowing adequate time for displaying and judging of entries. PTA units should acquire deadline dates from their council and PTA district. Only PTA districts may submit entries to the California State PTA."