PTA EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

All School Dance: FEBRUARY 21, 2020

Sandburg Rocks!  Have you child get ready to join their friends at the All School Dance on February 21, 2020. 

Music, Dancing and a few other surprises will be happening from 7 - 9 pm. We look forward to seeing the students having fun at this always-popular event.

It takes a VILLAGE...to host an ALL SCHOOL DANCE!!

Volunteer's positions are available and include: Set Up, Check-In, Chaperones, Security, Clean-Up and Cafeteria supervision. 

• If you want to learn the latest dance moves, be a chaperone!
• Have an eagle eye, sign up to be security! 
• If you prefer to be behind the scene, try the cafeteria!

Trust me, there is something for everyone!

We also need donations of SNACKS & RAFFLE prizes!  

All items may be dropped off on in the school office during regular school hours or in the cafeteria before the dance between 6:00 - 7:00 pm.  Please label donations "ALL SCHOOL DANCE".

TO VOLUNTEER, PLEASE GO TO OUR SIGN UP GENIUS.

This event is sponsored by the Sandburg PTA. Questions? Contact Stacey Roginski

Sandburg PTA is proud to have hosted a Be Internet Awesome Workshop! To make the most of the Internet, families need to be prepared to make smart decisions. Google's Be Internet Awesome program allows parents to explore their excitements and worries about raising children in a connected world and to work through discussion-based, parent-to-parent sessions on topics like password security and safe websites. 

Together we explored the topics of being Smart, Alert, Strong, Kind, and Brave on and off the Internet.

For details of our workshop and links to tools and resources access the :

• Sandburg PTA Be Internet Awesome presentation at http://bit.ly/SMSBIA
• Google Be Internet Awesome Family Guide at http://bit.ly/BIAparent

You can also go to the National PTA website for more details on their PTA Connected programs.

National PTA has been a partner to parents on digital parenting topics for over 5 years, exploring in-depth the issues that are on the minds of today’s families, and connecting parents with tools, research and supports to make the best decisions for their children. 

Be Internet Awesome

Raising children in the age of smartphones and social media brings new challenges and concerns for all families. The Sandburg PTA is excited to host a Be Internet Awesome Workshop which promotes safer and more responsible use of online technology among children and families.

Tip of the Month:  Don’t “friend” or chat to strangers online. Your child should be able to tell you three things about the person they are interacting with online (e.g. he has an older brother at York, he lives on Geneva Avenue, and he has a dog named Buddy).

Our annual Book Fair is Friday, October 18th to Friday, October 25th.

Students will be viewing with the option to purchase books when their English classroom visits the fair. The Book Fair will be also be open during lunch time, after school and during parent teacher conferences on Thursday, October 24th and Friday, October 25th. Times vary by day.

We are looking for parent volunteers to help as general volunteers and cashiers during the event. Please click here to access our volunteer sign up.

Students can bring cash, parents can use cash, check or credit card. New this year...GO CASHLESS and set up a student EWALLET account.  Simply create a free account, preauthorize a spending limit, and have funds immediately available. You are only charged for the amount of your students purchase.

To set up an EWALLET account or shop online, click here to view the Sandburg Scholastic Book Fair website.

Every year, our eighth grade students participate in our annual Career Education Day.  On this day, students are given the privilege to hear presentations regarding a variety of careers. Professionals from all industries and areas of expertise present their own personal career opportunities to our students. In previous years our list of professions included firemen, police officer, author, teacher,  VP of finance, animal trainer, construction worker, attorney, librarian, chef, engineer, marketing and product development, emergency doctor, nurse, FBI agent, NFL security, veterinarian, Chief Operating Officer, and small business owner. 

We are committed to continuing this tradition as it enriches the lives of our children as they are inspired to follow their dreams. This is a great experience for students that they may remember into adulthood.

This event takes place at the beginning of the school year on September 27th. If you would like to be part of it by helping with planning, or coming to talk to students about your career path, please contact Laura Stukel.

The ever-popular 7th and 8th grade dance classes will start up again in March 2020. Read below for more information.

Spring Dance Class Registration for 7th and 8th Graders
The Sandburg PTA is offering a social dance class to students in 7th and 8th grade. As in years past, the class will be taught by Mr. Andy Fuzak from Those Kids Can Dance. The class meets eight evenings, beginning March 6th. The 7th grade class meets from 7:00 – 8:30 PM, and the 8th grade class from 8:30 - 10:00 PM, in the Sandburg Gym.  The cost per student is $71. 

DATES

• Friday, March 6th
• Thursday, March 12th
• Thursday, March 19th
• Friday, April 3rd
• Thursday, April 9th
• Friday, April 17th
• Friday, April 24th
• Friday, May 1st

Click here to register your child. 

Volunteer Opportunity: Each session of dance class needs parent chaperones. Please use the Sign Up Genius link below for your child’s grade:

7th grade volunteer

8th grade volunteer

Permission: Please be aware that this registration for dance class constitutes permission for your child to attend and participate in Sandburg PTA's social dance program.

Positive school behavior is expected at all after-school events, including dance class.  Always be polite and respectful to your instructors, adult volunteers, and your fellow Spartans.  Please adhere to the Dance Class dress code, which will be strictly enforced:

BOYS - button-down dress shirt (tucked in), with a tie, dress pants or khakis, dress socks and gym shoes.

GIRLS - dress, or dressy top with skirt or dress slacks.  Hemlines must be fingertip length.  Gym shoes. Shoulders must be covered. Shrugs or sweaters are okay.  No strapless or low-cut tops, cut-outs, bare midriffs, sides or backs.

FOR BOTH BOYS AND GIRLS - gym shoes only, NO hard bottom shoes or heels of any size/height.  No jeans.  

The PTA will provide chilled water for refreshment. No outside food/beverages/gum please.

Parents and guardians, please arrive and pick up students on time.  The school doors will open approximately 10 minutes before the start and end of class.  Drop off is at the front Cafeteria doors (facing St. Charles Road) and pick up is at the back Gym doors (facing the back parking lot).  Students will not be allowed to leave the building without a parent or adult guardian present, nor before the end of each dance class.  Responsibility rests with the parent/guardian for the whereabouts and safe transport of their children to and from Dance Class. 

On Friday, May 1, parents and guardians are invited to attend the last 30 minutes of class to see what the students have learned, and to share a dance with their child.  In keeping with the evening, Parents and Guardians are also encouraged to "dress nicely".

Questions? Contact Lisa Vasilopoulos (8th grade chair) and Mari Saenz (7th grade chair)

GET CREATIVE!

The Reflections program is here again for the 2020-2021 school year.  The National PTA Reflections program is PTA's cornerstone art program, offering students an opportunity to explore their artistic creativity and earn recognition for the artwork they create. 

The theme this year is: I MATTER BECAUSE... Reflections project categories include: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts. There also is a special artist division option for students with disabilities to ensure that all students have the opportunity to participate in the program. No experience is required to participate and all grade levels are welcome. Just have fun and express yourself - draw, paint, make a collage, write something, take a photo, compose a song, choreograph a dance, produce a movie. All students who participate will be recognized!

All rules and regulations for each category and downloadable entry forms can be found below.

If you have any other questions please contact Nikki Dolvig.

RuLES

• Dance Choreography
• Film Production
• Literature
• Music Composition
• Photography
• Visual Arts
• Special Artist (This is an option for students with disabilities who receive services under IDEA or Section 504.)

ENTRY FORM

Each project submission must include an official entry form. Feel free to attach an extra sheet if more room is needed for the Artist Statement, etc.

Download the Sandburg Entry Form (pdf)

Congratulations to all students advanced to State 2019-2020!

Congratulations to everyone who participated in the 2019-2020 Reflections program.  The Reflections committee chose the Regional winners who advanced to the State competition, and Sandburg had 3 finalists! The Sandburg Finalists include:

•    Amelia Morrow - Literature
•    Ava Passarelli - Literature
•    Rose Donato - Music Competition

Order your supplies online for 2020-2021.

For those who enjoy shopping, the school supply lists for each grade can be found below.

Congratulations to all the Sandburg students who participated and placed at the 2019 Science Olympiad Regional competition.

Varsity:

2nd - Road Scholar - Adam Bagdasarian and Tyler Melind

3rd - Elastic Launched Glider - Spencer Dirks and Henry Nelson

3rd - Roller Coaster - Ethan Carollo and Jovan Cholico

3rd - Thermodynamics - Dominic Begora and Ethan Carollo 

6th - Boomilever - Julia Clink and Caroline Fischer

6th - Heredity - Paula Derengowski and Aubrey Hall

6th - Water Quality - Ethan Carollo and Spencer Dirks

Junior Varsity:

3rd - Roller Coaster - Caruso Jara and AJ LaDeur

4th - Boomilever - Evan Carry and Saveen Shah

6th - Game On - Evan Carry and Saveen Shah

Illinois Science Olympiad is a non-profit organization devoted to improving the quality of science education, increasing student interest in science, and providing recognition for outstanding achievement in science education by both students and teachers. ISO accomplishes its goals through classroom activities, research, training workshops and the encouragement of intramural, district, regional, state and national tournaments. ISO tournaments are rigorous academic interscholastic competitions that consist of a series of team events, which students prepare for during the year. These challenging and motivational events are well balanced between the various science disciplines. There is also a balance between events requiring knowledge of science concepts, process skills and science applications.

ISO has divided the state into ten regional competition sites.  Each site hosts both middle school and high school competitions on the same day that run simultaneously. Approximately 24 schools send their team(s) to a local site to compete in these events on a Saturday in February or March. Each event is evaluated according to the scoring criteria that is published in the coaches' manual. The top students in each event receive medals according to their rank. The scores of the team in each event are then combined for an overall score for the team. At the end of the day, the top percentage of the teams then advance to the State Tournament. The scenario begins again there and the top teams advance to the national competition.

For more information about Science Olympiad, please visit the National Science Olympiad website at http://www.soinc.org/background.

Sandburg Spirit Wear is on sale now! Items available can be viewed and ordered online. The webstore closes at midnight on Sunday, May 31, 2020. 

Order HERE

Thank you for supporting Sandburg Middle School with your purchase.

Any questions, please contact Rachel Stockard.

You are invited to attend the 18th annual Summer Recreation Open House sponsored by Elmhurst District 205 and the Elmhurst PTA Council on Tuesday, February 4, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at York High School.  This is a FREE event open to all Elmhurst families and neighboring communities. Browse the tables of various organizations offering summer activities and camps for all ages and abilities. For more information, please visit facebook.com/sroh205.

Teacher Appreciation Week takes place during the week of May 4, 2020. For more information contact Amy Kinsella, Kristie Evers, Julie Poepping or Shawna Roubitchek.

The Super Bowl wasn’t the only big game over the weekend! Sandburg hosted their 2nd Annual Trivia Night at the Knights of Columbus.

The winning team took home a sweet trophy, a gift card and bragging rights for an entire year! Team “That’s What She Said” took home first place. Team members were: Nick Kanel, Michelle Cinq-Mars, Mata Spyropoulos, Jacky Oviedo, Josh Navarro, Elliot Sivewright, Kathy Fromm and Adam Fromm.  Congratulations!

Team “Worst of the Hurst” was awarded points for Best Team Name, while 4 teams were also awarded points for Best Table Decorations and Costumes: “Walk of Shame”, “C’s and D’s Get Degrees”, “Whatever It Takes” and “Trivia Bandits”. 

We also want to thank our judges: Liz and Mike Downey, Tina Ignat, Mark and Andrea Redfearn.

Our teen volunteers: Sofie Malagon, Evan and Nolan Montella, Katie O’Connor, Michael and Ben Rimington.

Our late night, take down crew of dads led by Dan Kinsella.

Thank you to all the parents, teachers and friends who purchased a ticket for the event, bought a heads or tails game plate or a mulligan.  All proceeds will go towards supporting the various activities and programs for our kids.  

Thank you to the Trivia Night Committee and a huge thank you to our fantastic Trivia Night leaders – Heidi Baird and Lisa O’Connor for a spectacular night and fundraiser.