E-Blast

Dear Parents,
Here are some important announcements and events at Creswell:

March 25-29 – Spring Break – NO SCHOOL

Wednesday, April 3, 7:30a.m.-8:30a.m. – Pastries with Principals (Creswell
Connections)
This is your chance to sit down, have a pastry and some coffee, and chat with Dr.
Murcray and Ms. Garrett. This is a great opportunity to get to know your administrators
and talk about anything going on at Creswell. We hope you can make it!

Tuesday, April 16 - Art Show and Auction, 6-7:30p.m.
Contact Mrs. Bryant at Carrie.Bryant@mnps.org by April 1 if you have any items you
would like to donate for the auction

2/19/13 PTSO Meeting

This month, we were fortunate to have a special presentation by John Lane, Family Involvement Specialist from MNPS Student  Services, on Tardiness.

• Tardiness has many causes, but the results are always damaging to the individual student - as well as to the teachers and classroom. Entering a class after it has begun is distracting for everyone, and is often embarrassing for the individual student. 
• Tardiness causes the student to start the day off behind, and generally enforces feelings of unpreparedness, as well as fostering an outlook of apathy and disregard towards the education process.
• Students who are consistently tardy also have higher rates of disciplinary action and suspension.
•  To avoid tardiness, prepare, prepare, prepare!  Do as much as you can the night before to eliminate the early morning rush:  lay out clothes, pack pantry/sundry lunch items, organize students’ backpacks, etc.
• Early to bed, early to rise!  The importance of a good night’s sleep cannot be underestimated.
•  Give ample traffic time: Nashville’s morning commutes are congested and hectic – expect this and be ready to leave with enough to account for delays.

Old Business

Clarification on the science fair issue was made by Ms. Garrett:  due to changes in curriculum/requirements based on Common Core standards, the Science Committee did not feel that there was enough time available to prepare and submit quality entries this year.

Sweetheart Dance / Parent Involvement

The evening was well received and successful, excellent job everyone!  Suggestions were made regarding buffet setup (place settings? drink carry/serve options) for next year, and the possibility of a less formal “dress down” event was discussed also.  An event scheduled to coincide with the end-of-year picnics was recommended and generally believed to be a good idea; more information will be discussed and presented at the next meeting.  Other options for parent involvement events are always welcome.

Spring Fundraiser(s)

• Due to the cancellation of the Sonic Card plan, and limited time to coordinate a new offering, there is no set schedule/plan for a spring fundraiser.  Questions were raised regarding the Little Lambs cookie event vs. other competitors (Otis Spunkmeyer or previous venues) = Little Lambs was much more efficient as far as time/value, and offers significant profit percentages.  One ITC parent presented the idea of another concert or showcase to raise funds – in particular those needed to improve the auditorium – but no final word/decision was made.  More details will be forthcoming, and any decisions were tabled until next meeting in order to avoid overlapping any school initiatives. 
• Candygram sales were very successful in the 5^th & 6^th grades! Funds were returned back to the individual grades for spending.  Ms. Garrett also commended the school on its strong Student Council initiative this year.  Great job! 
• Boxtops are due again on 2/26.  A small committee was established to have them entered / forms completed so that they could be mailed asap by Mr. Moore. Volunteers to help count the boxtops would be appreciated @ EOD 2/26 and/or afterschool until 4pm.

Principal’s Report – Ms. Garrett

• Dr. Murcray is hard at work writing a brand new song for this year’s Cressie Awards!  The students in attendance all agreed that they were looking forward to hearing this new masterpiece.  J
• There have been more walk-throughs as of late, and this process will continue to improve as the scheduling for these events is fine-tuned.  There is also a work-order in for a new “buzzer” in the front office that will help to keep the hallways secure.  Thank you all for your patience as we continue to improve the school’s security policies. 
• Ms. Julie Martin-Walker has been working with staff on improvements/moving to Project Based Learning.   Science, Literacy, and Math are all up to Common Core standards, and Social Studies is currently being integrated over the next two years.  Please feel free to look up (Google) PARRC for more info on Common Core.  (Common Core issues that are addressed through MNPS social media venues will be highlighted and shared, as well, on the PTSO pages.)
• Dress code rules were also clarified:  non-denim pants of any solid color are acceptable, though no “skinny/tight/legging” pants will be permitted.  Pants must have room to gather; tights or leggings must be worn under other school-appropriate attire.  Turtlenecks, polos, and collared shirts of any solid color are permitted as well.

Announcements

The PTSO Audit will be performed by Tax Planning & Defense; 501(c) status is still ongoing, though is a slow process.  Grant writing opportunities will be available once the status is official, and help searching for/completing these would be welcome!

Strengthening Families classes have been cancelled due to lack of reservation / participants; interested families can see Ms. Hall for information about rescheduling with other ongoing classes. Additionally, we are welcoming new ideas for raising parent participation – attendance in meetings and school events has been low, and we would like to put together a plan that coordinates more effectively with school walk-throughs, performances, and etc.  Please contact the PTSO emails with any suggestions!

NEXT PTSO MEETING: APRIL 16^th – there will be NO March PTSO meeting. 

Enjoy your spring break and intercession!

E-Blast

Dear Parents,
Here are some important announcements and events at Creswell:

***The Strengthening Families Program has been CANCELED due to not enough
participation. We did not reach the minimum number of participants Tennessee Voices
requires to run the program. There is good news! Creswell families are invited to the
exact same program at Beech Creek Church at 3101 Curtis Street, Nashville, 37218.
This program will meet every Tuesday night from 6-8 beginning on March 12. I have
attached the flyer for more information. If you are interested in signing up, please
contact Brenda Donaldson with Tennessee Voices at 269-7751.

Feb. 26 Box Tops Are Due Again!! Our Spring Semester Box Tops COMPETITION is still
going on and this time is the race tight! We will be giving away another VISA
GIFT CARD WORTH $25.00. Please turn your box top sheets in as soon as possible.
 The last day to turn your sheets in (which can be found on our website,
creswellms.mnps.org) is Feb. 26, 2013.

March 8 – Creswell Connections, 2-3pm: Appetizers with Administrators!
This month instead of having a speaker, we are giving you a chance to sit down, have a
bite to eat, and chat with Dr. Murcray and Ms. Garrett. This is a great opportunity to get
to know your administrators and talk about anything going on at Creswell. We hope you
can make it!

March 15 – Teacher Planning Day – No School

March 18-22 – Spring Intersession, 8am-12pm
Dr. Murcray will send home a letter with more information.

March 25-29 – Spring Break

E-Blast

Dear Parents,

Tomorrow, Feb. 7, 3:30-4:30
Creswell Connections will meet in the library. A representative from Tennessee
Voices will speak about Bullying Prevention. Light refreshments will be served. We
hope to see you there!

Today-Feb. 11
Creswell PTSO & Student Council are selling Valentine’s Day-Candy -Grams!!
That's right! You can pre-order your special someone a candy gram for Valentine’s Day.
Pre -order sales are underway now and end on Feb. 11. They will be delivered to your
special someone on Valentine’s Day during 6th period.

Feb. 15
We are currently getting ready for our 2nd Annual Father daughter/ Mother Son
Sweetheart dance. This is a semi-formal / Sunday's Best, Church wear event.
The dance will take place on February 15, 2013 beginning at 6:30 pm until 10pm. The
cost is $15.00 per couple and each additional person is $7.50. All tickets must be
purchased on or before Feb. 8th, 2013. (No Exceptions) This will be a catered event
and we need a head count by Feb. 9, 2013. (If your child did not bring a flyer home over
the last two weeks you may download one off the school website. Please fill it out
completely and return it in an envelope with your cash inside & child’s name on the
outside). We look forward to dancing the night away again this year. Volunteers ARE
NEEDED!! Please contact Paula Bishop at creswellptso@yahoo.com.

Feb. 19, (Tuesday) 6:00 pm
Our monthly PTSO Meeting will be held in Library (special Cluster Guest may be in
attendance this month.)

Feb. 21, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Strengthening Families Program
This will be the first in the 14 week series. The program teaches science-based parenting
skills, children’s life skills, and family life skills training program for families with
children 6-16 years of age. There will be a free family meal for the entire family at
every session as well as free quality childcare for children under 6 years of age
during the learning times.
* Learn and practice being a strong family unit,
* Strengthen family communication,
* Avoid problems with drugs and alcohol,
* Prepare for teen years,
* Learn how to make rules and consequences, Wednesday, February 06, 2013
* Learn ways to show love and support.
Parents and youth meet separately for an hour with their own group leader. Families
will have fun in activities and games and discuss what makes a family strong. It will
begin Thursday, February 21 and will meet once a week for 14 weeks with the
exception of Spring Break. Interested families will need to fill out an application to
secure your spot. This program is offered free of charge! Please lookout for more
information on how to register for this amazing program.

Feb. 26
Box Tops Are Due Again!! Our Spring Semester Box Tops COMPETITION is still
going on and this time is the race tight! We will be giving away another VISA
GIFT CARD WORTH $25.00. Please turn your box top sheets in as soon as possible.
 The last day to turn your sheets in (which can be found on our website,
creswellms.mnps.org) is Feb. 26, 2013.


Did you know that our PTSO has social media accounts to help keep you connected with
all of the activities and events going on at school? We invite you to join us, so that you
get the most up-to-date ITC information in the manner(s) that are most convenient for
you and your family!

https://www.facebook.com/itcreswell

https://twitter.com/ITC_Nashville

https://www.youtube.com/user/ITCreswell

Also, if you have photos, videos, or content of ITC students in action (concerts, special 

events, etc.) that you would like to share, please feel free to email the ITC Social Media 

account, i.t.creswell@gmail.com, and we would be glad to host it for you. 

We hope to see you there! 

Creswell Connections: January

For our January Creswell Connections meeting we were fortunate to have a guest speaker, Mr. James Martin from Tennessee Voices for Children, join us to discuss bullying prevention.  Here are some of the highlights from his presentation:

• Bullying is a national issue: 71% of students report bullying as an ongoing problem, and 90% of students grase 4-8 report being victims of bullying.  On average, 282,000 students report being attacked by peers in high schools throughout the country each month.*
• Verbal abuse can occur face-to-face, but increasingly these tactics are used via text and the internet - even (sometimes especially) during school hours, resulting in negative self-image and damaged self-esteem.  Physical conflicts are not limited to fights, but include such behaviors as pushing in hallways or bathrooms - acts meant to intimidate and establish dominance in front of peers by means of force.
• Bullying can be acted out by an individual student or by the social group(s) associated with this individual as well.  Family members and other adults have also sometimes initiated bullying tactics.
• The effects of bullying and intimidation (name calling, teasing, rumors and social exclusion) can be physical, but are often mental and emotional as well. Victims often distance themselves from peers and family, frequently describe themselves in a negative fashion, exhibit fear when in large groups of people, and often have changes in eating or sleeping patterns.  Victims of bullying often seem very intimidated when receiving negative feedback or are challenged on a topic/idea.
• The best ways to combat bullying are to develop youth confidence through daily positive communication.  Link youth with positive peer groups that are open to discussing such issues - Youth Move, Youth in Action Councils, etc.  Strengthen youth/adult relationships by making yourself available to talk about these issues, or just share positive time together.  

TN Voices has many programs to fit a wide variety of need and family situation - feel free to contact them at any time if interested in learning more.  Thank you again, Mr. Martin, for your time and information!

Tennessee Voices for Children, Inc. (TVC) was formally organized in 1990 by Tipper Gore as a statewide coalition of individuals, agencies and organizations working together as a Steering Council to promote children’s health and education services. TVC has progressed to become a statewide and national source of referral, support, and advocacy for families and the systems that serve them.

*Source Source Source

1/22/13 PTSO Meeting

With the new year underway, we're striving for more ways to keep parents and the community involved and educated about all of the great things we have going on at ITC.  One of those ways starts now: PTSO Meeting notes!

While these are not official minutes, nor do they provide the full details about everything that's discussed at the PTSO Meetings - which you're welcome to attend! :) - they should provide a bit of an idea about the things that are currently "on the table" for our school.

From the Principal's Report:

The school now has wifi!  The finishing touches of installation will go through from 3-6 pm this afternoon, 1/23, which means that phones and internet capabilities for that time may be disrupted.  Please be aware of this potential break in communication during this time.

Several new security cameras have been installed on campus, in line with ongoing update of campus security protocol.

Band Room storage renovation continues to improve, and we hope to have lockers soon, pending funding opportunities.

Our school is in-process of grant writing for the STEAM initiative, which will bring many new opportunities for our students!  If you would like to be involved in the grant writing process, or get more information, there will be a meeting held tomorrow, 1/24, in the library, from 4-6 pm.

Please welcome our new Encore teacher, Mrs. Julie Martin-Walker, to campus.  Mrs. Martin-Walker will be piloting a new style of gifted education, making ITC one of only two middle schools in the area with such a program.

Additional News: 

Continuation forms are being sent home 1/22-1/23.  Please complete the form and return it to school by 2/1/13, as this will secure each students placement at ITC for the next school year.

Thanks to the PTSO for funding the Choir/Select Singers attire; the singers participated in two events this month, and the new uniforms were well received.

Special thanks also to Mr. Helvig, who set up lights and was the DJ for our New Year's Dance!

We are taking suggestions for a Lunchtime Incentive program, which will encourage students to reduce the amount of mess and disorderly conduct that sometimes accompanies lunch breaks.

The 2013 Sweetheart Dance is coming up soon!  Friday, 2/15/13 will be the date for the Father/Daughter & Mother/Son Sweetheart Dance, and volunteers are needed!  Tickets will be $15 per student (parent or family member included) which provides a sit-down meal, dessert, and an evening of dancing.  Last year's dance was a huge success - this will be the event that you don't want to miss!

Welcome!

In an effort to get our community the best, most recent information about our school, we've picked up a little bit of blogspace.  Here you'll find content that was a bit big for a tweet or splash update, as well as info that isn't found in our e-blast newsletters. 

We hope you'll enjoy it, and - as always - let us know if you have ideas about content to include or ways that we can improve.  We're here to serve you!