The Green Teams of Maplewood and South Orange have teamed up with the PTAs of the South Orange/Maplewood School District to present the PTA Eco Forum. The purpose of this forum is to build stronger Parent-Led Environmental Programs through experience sharing and collaboration. The Green Teams offer support and assets.
To begin the meeting there will be a presentation of the environmental programs and upgrades that are currently in place or underway in the school system. Then the group will discuss experiences and ideas for parent-led projects. This will also be a time for us to compile a list of questions and requests for the District’s Administration and Board of Education.
We will focus our efforts on four categories:
Recycling, Grounds/Gardens, Transportation, Supplementary Curriculum.
For more information, please contact Tracey Woods at traceywoods@verizon.net 
find the flier here

FROM FATHERLESS TO FATHERHOOD – Tuscan’s own Mr. Kevin Mason, Assistant Principal, is ready for his close-up!  Come see this timely documentary starring Mr. Mason Thursday evening in the Tuscan Auditorium.  Filmmaker Kobie Brown and Mr. Mason will conduct a panel discussion about the film after the screening.  Reception at 7pm in the library; screening at 7:30.  Do not miss this Maplewood premiere!

Friday December 20th Tuscan will celebrate with a special school spirit day by wearing pajamas!
This will also be the collection day for our annual PJ Drive coordinated by kindergarten teacher Mrs. Sinclair and Your Tuscan PTA Community Outreach Committee.  Students are welcome to participate in the school spirit day by wearing pajamas regardless to whether a donation to the pajama drive is made.

Last year students enjoyed PJ day during the Snowflake assembly, you can find it here
http://www.tuscanpta.org/1/post/2012/12/pjs-and-snowflakes.html

Monday Nov. 18 thru Wednesday Nov. 27 we will be collecting non-perishable food items for families within our school community. A drop off box will be located in the front lobby of the school. Turkeys can be dropped off the morning of Wednesday November 28. The items will be delivered to the families the morning of November 27.
Any questions contact:
Bill Fitzsimmons (973) 202-9663 billheatherfitzsimmons@yahoo.com 

Holiday Toy Drive from November 18th ~ December 10th
Please donate toys for needy children within the South Orange & Maplewood School District.

Please drop off an unwrapped toy (or gift card) for children ages infants – 16 yrs at:
the drop off box at Tuscan  orThe Parenting Center, 525 Academy St., Maplewood
Share your holiday cheer and help put a smile on the face of a child this holiday season. 

Girls Leadership Institiute is a national non-proift offering programs for girls.  For the second year classes are being offering in our area hosted at district schools.  Four additional workshops are available for 2013/2014 in SOMSD:

Elementary School Level:
4/5 Grade  - Say How You Feel, Ask for What You Need 
4/5 Grade  - Navigating Challenging Friendships  
K/1  - Tools for Sunny and Cloudy Days with Friends
Middle School Level.....

Saturday November 2, 2013 from 9am – 11:30am
Kids, parents, and friends,
Bring your rakes, leaf blowers, tarps and pruners! Come for as little or long as you’d like, but come help keep Tuscan beautiful.

We’ll supply the coffee, cocoa and snacks!

Organized by your PTA TLC
Please contact Lisa Schnorr lschnorr@verizon.net or Karen Rutberg klrutberg@aol.com if you have any questions 

On October 17th the PTA President's Council and the League of Women Voters hosted a candidates forum for the Board of Education candidates.
You can find the footage of the forum here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ScH_dEjEi4

The election for Board of Education members is Tuesday November 5th - plaase vote!

(click the image for the schedule)
Parenting can be joyous and rewarding as well as challenging. As parents meet the many demands faced by families today, they often need support to supplement their own knowledge and skills. The South Orange - Maplewood School District has established The Parenting Center to support parents as they help their children grow and develop.

The Parenting Center grew out of community requests expressed in many focus groups and surveys conducted by Schools for Success, a district educational research project funded by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.
The Center's goal is to be a dynamic resource in our community addressing the full range of children's needs and parent's

For distribution to all families on behalf of the PTA Council:
Find the PDF of the notice here
District Public Forum

• Renew District facilities to meet the educational and enrollment demands of the 21st Century 
  
• Provide educational, performance, and athletic facilities that will benefit the larger South Orange-Maplewood community 
• Renew Columbia High School buildings and grounds to reflect a legacy of excellence and to support advances in STEM education

The Board of Education is particularly interested in garnering community feedback regarding possible continued funding and maintenance of a swimming program and aquatic facility at Columbia High School.
Elected officials from South Orange and Maplewood will have an opportunity to ask questions and discuss the proposals following the presentation. Members of the general public are invited to share feedback during the “public speaks” portion of the meeting.