The Sword & the Shield
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Blanton Elementary School PTA The Sword & The Shield April / May 2013 Historic MoMent Blanton Elementary Principal Karen Satterwhite assists Cayce Rodriguez (left) unveil the Official Texas Historical Marker as Kyle Whileyman, the school’s assistant principal, and A.J. Widner also help out during a ceremony honoring Dr. Annie Webb Blanton at the school Friday, March 1. The historical marker, the first in Denton County to honor a woman, recognizes Dr. Blanton’s contributions to public education and her status as the first female elected to a state office. In This Issue: Blanton Staff Articles Calendars Volunteer Opportunities Upcoming Events Noble Knight Fun Run Spirit Wear Scenes From The Dedication: Blanton Elementary Honors Dr. Annie Webb Blanton The spring prior to Blanton Elementary opening its doors, zoned students had the privilege of choosing their mascot and school colors. My own son, a kindergartner, came home excitedly waving his brightly colored letter. The students were given several choices to vote which they’d most like to see as their new home’s identity. They had several choices. From Longhorns, Wolves, and Hawks, to name a few, our students chose to be Knights. It seems fitting that those students chose the blue, black and silver noble knights among all the rest. Why you ask? Exactly what does being a Knight entail? The Knight: Noble in his or her cause, a trendsetter, protector of the weak and helpless. A defender that stands for the general welfare of all. Dr. Annie Webb Blanton was such a woman, who led the charge for education in the state of Texas. Credited as being one of the true heros of our state, the future students of Dr. Annie Webb Blanton Elementary in Denton ISD chose their identity well! Dr. Annie Webb Blanton Annie Webb Blanton (1870-1945) was elected the first woman president of the Texas State Teacher’s Association in 1916 and became the first woman elected to a public office in Texas when she was named superintendent of public instruction in 1918. For more information about Dr. Annie Webb Blanton: http://www.utexas.edu/gtw/blanton.php I encourage you to stop by and see the Historical Marker, commemorating the many educational contributions of the original Noble Knight’s example for our students... Dr. Annie Webb Blanton. Leslie Haralson Communication Chairman Save the Date The annual BlanTon elemenTary Fun run is scheduled For Friday, april 12Th! Get Ready! Get Set! Let’s GO!!!!! “April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.” William Shakespeare This is truly my favorite time of year - - - a chance to plant my garden and watch my trees bloom. This year I am branching out with some apple, pear and peach trees, along with an extra large watermelon patch, just like my All of the signs of spring are here! The trees are Grandpa had ‘back in the day’! Although I don’t anticipate getting their leaves, flowers are starting to bloom and a road-side stand any time soon, I am hoping for at least a storm season has arrived. With it being chilly in the few pieces of fruit some day!! mornings and warm by lunchtime, a lot of sweatshirts and jackets are likely to be lost. Remember to either This is also a busy time of year at Blanton - - we have label your jackets or periodically check the lost and STAAR testing beginning the first part of April and found for missing clothing. continuing throughout the month. Even though we still have very little information regarding this assessment, our focus Dust off your running shoes as Blanton is preparing remains on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills and for its 4th Annual Fun Run! It is scheduled for Friday, district grade level curriculum. Of particular interest this April 12th. Information regarding the time of day your spring is the direction DISD is moving regarding total on- student is running will be coming home soon. You are line student registration, including Kindergarten registration. welcome to come watch or run with your student. Our We have been working closely with classroom teachers to Blanton Knights really enjoy this active day. update/verify parent email addresses in ESchool Plus - - which will be the method used to communicate information Be sure to look for pictures from the Big Canyon regarding registration for the 2013-2014 school year. Experience assembly that took place on March 8th This is still a work in progress, so you can expect more in this newsletter. This great educational experience information to follow in the next few weeks. was funded by the PTA. There are plans in place to host another assembly in May. In closing, I would like to personally thank all of our staff and children for helping us make the Historical Marker Congratulations to the newly elected officers for your ceremony such a huge success. This was a joint effort 2013-14 PTA! I know they will do a fabulous job! between Denton ISD and the Historical Society, based on the educational contributions of Dr. Annie Webb Blanton. I received MANY compliments about our students, who truly Warm Regards, demonstrated Noble Knight characteristics throughout the Janet Malmquist program! President, Blanton Elementary PTA I am continually grateful for the support our school and [email protected] students receive from our PTA, parents, and community members. It is the culmination of these efforts that make Blanton an exceptional campus, where children thrive. Please do not hesitate to contact me when needed either at school (940-369-0700) or at home (817-219-8041). Karen Satterwhite, Principal 940-369-0700 (school) 817-219-8041 (home) Phys-Editorials We hope everybody had a great spring break! The Open 7 Days - No Appointment Needed! weather is getting warmer and more and more kiddos are Convenient Online Sign-In at www.rapidmed.com coming to school in sandals. Please make sure to send School Physicals a pair of tennis shoes with your child if it is their PE day. Sports Physicals The specials schedule can be found on the individual Immunizations teacher’s websites. Without proper footwear, the students Primary Care are not allowed to participate in the group activities for the day! Concussion/Head Injury Well Woman Exams Field day is coming up May 3rd. K-2 will be from 8:30- Acute Illnesses & Injuries 10:30 and 3-5 will be 11:30-1:30. We need many parent On Site X-Ray volunteers to make this day a success. If you would On Site Labs like to volunteer to work a station, please send us an email! You can email [email protected] to sign up to volunteer. If you have any questions about field day, please email [email protected] or kbirdwell2@ Proud to be a Blanton Knights Sponsor! dentonisd.org. 2940 FM 407, Ste. 302, Highland Village Please keep sending in your box tops. Box tops are 972-966-1980 collected on Friday. We award individuals with prizes for the amount they turn in. Please include teachers name PROUD PARENTS & SUPPORTERS and students name on the baggie! OF THE BLANTON KNIGHTS! Thanks so much for all of your support We are dedicated to making the process of buying, selling or Mrs. Dorrell and Mr. Birdwell investing for your new Blanton Elementary PE home as smooth as possible. Give us a call... Stephanie Seay, it’s always “Smooth Realtor Sailing with The Seay 214-636-8485 Group!” [email protected] Dianne Cagianello, Realtor Amy Berry, Realtor 914-262-3886 214-533-7248 [email protected] [email protected] May 3rd, 2013 Keller Williams Realty www.TheSeayGroupRealty.com Congratulations to the newly elected 2013-14 PTA Officers! President – Kristin Jenkins 1st Vice President (Programming and Aide) – Kim Noble 2nd Vice President (Membership) – Stefanie Lagomarsino 3rd Vice President (Fundraising) – Lisa Jackson Secretary – Heather Watson Treasurer – Maggie Jernigan Founder of CleaningForAReason.org Helping women with cancer receive free house cleaning. Voted BEST OF DENTON COUNTY 2011, 2012 Voted #1 READERS CHOICE Award 2011, 2012 Serving Business People for Over 30 Years. The following is the Denton ISD’s policy regarding weather procedures: TAMSA is a statewide, grassroots organization The decision to close schools based on inclement comprised of parents and other community members concerned with the overemphasis on high stakes weather is made when possible by 6:30 a.m. school STAAR tests and the misallocation of hundreds of closing decisions are reported on the denton isd millions of taxpayer dollars to the tests that should be Website, the denton record-chronicle online and on going to the classroom. TAMSA’s vision is for a strong the major television networks: channel 4 (KdFW), accountability system for our schools and student channel 5 (KXas), channel 8 (WFaa), channel assessments that are meaningful. We support the 11 (KTVT), channel 23 (KuVn) and channel 39 use of nationally normed tests, supplemented with (KXTX). The major radio stations include: Fm 88.1 state tests where appropriate. Please join us as we (KnTu), am 820 (WBap), am 1080, (Krld), and advocate in Austin for our children and their schools! others. it is also announced on the district’s main telephone line at (940) 369-0000. This year, we will use our auto- mated call-out system for weather alerts. please be sure to have your current contact information on file with each school your child(ren) attends. you can also sign-up to receive an e-alert in your email. http://www.tamsatx.org Accredited Curriculum Infants through uidance School-Age Preparatory Summer camp Academy www.guidanceprep.org 940-455-7123 It’s that time of year again.