Great, thanks!!

JULIE -I AM WORKING ON SOME ITEMS FOR THE AUCTION.

Mark your calendars...Community is welcome, and encouraged!!

"For the Love of Oakton"
Saturday, Feb. 7 3-6pm
Oakton School Auditorium, 436 Oakton

LIVE MUSIC FEATURING MEMBERS OF THE CHICAGO AFRO-LATIN JAZZ ENSEMBLE!!!
SILENT AUCTION!
FREE FOOD!
FREE CHILDCARE!
$5 SUGGESTED DONATION AT THE DOOR...

Please come and support Oakton's Artist-in-Resident program, and here some amazing live music...

Questions?
Email Julie Fleetwood, Oakton co-PTA President
julieort@hotmail.com

If anyone is interested in helping Oakton without spending any extra money, here's how you can do it. We are selling "Scrip Cards" which are grocery gift cards. You buy them in advance in $25, $50 or $100 increments and Oakton gets back 4-7% of what you purchase them for. We sell them for Dominicks, Whole Foods and Starbucks.

Here is an example. If you buy a $100 gift card, you get the $100 gift card for the exact cost, but Oakton gets $4-7 of that $100. We take orders once a month and deliver the cards on the 1st Friday of each month.

The next order is due Friday, Dec. 19. You pay with cash or check in advance. The check will be cashed on Dec. 30, and you'll have your card on Friday, January 9.

Please contact me directly if you're interested. I can drop off cards to those who purchase them. julieort@hotmail.com This is a great way for the school to make money, and, as always, it goes to fund new and existing programs at the school.

Thanks!!

If anyone is looking for a private drumset and percussion teacher, I'd like to recommend Sean Kopp. He has been our daughter's teacher since her Oakton days (she's at ETHS now), and we think he's terrific. You can email him at seankopp (at) gmail.com or call 773 472 1045. Replace the (at) with @ for his email address.
Also, I have a big stack of Box Tops for Schools saved. I'm in the 100 Block of Asbury. If anyone wants to pick them up, you are welcome to them. Email me at richard (at) petheatre.com

Oakton School's PTA hosts its first annual Family Fun Dance Night on Friday, November 14 from 6-9pm. The event is being held in Oakton School's auditorium at 436 Ridge in Evanston. The event is part of a new ongoing Family Fun Series at Oakton. The evening will begin with a half-hour instruction of Hip-Hop Dance, followed by Latin Dance and Ballroom Dance instruction from Lamar Lockett. Lockett teaches at Ridgeville Park District and is ESPN's World Salsa Chicago Finalist.

If you purchase in advance, tickets are $10 a ticket or $15 a pair (bring a dance partner and SAVE!!). To buy them at the door, tickets will be $15 for one ticket, $20 for a pair.

Family Fun Dance Night includes more than two hours of professional dance instruction, plus a chance to meet other Evanston families. There will be free food and non-alcoholic drinks for a small fee. Free childcare will be provided.

All profits from the event will go to provide additional student programming and activities at Oakton.

To purchase tickets, please call Julie Fleetwood at 847-491-1606 or email julieort@hotmail.com.
*****

Community Strategies Division, Evanston Police Department
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
Suspicious Incident - Oakton School
The Evanston Police Department would like to make you aware of an incident that occurred on October 9, 2008 at
approximately 5:13 p.m. involving a suspicious person and vehicle near Oakton School.
EVANSTON CASE 10-09-08 17:05 hrs.
On the above date and time, police responded to Oakton School on report of a juvenile possibly being approached by a
male subject in the parking lot. Police responded and upon investigation learned that the juvenile was walking on the
west side of Oakton School, in the area adjacent to the parking lot, when a male subject exited his vehicle and called over
to the juvenile to “come here”.
At no time was the juvenile grabbed or forced into a vehicle. The offender only spoke to the juvenile, asking the juvenile
to “come here’. The juvenile then ran to some friends who were playing on the playground.
Police checked the area with negative results.
The subject was described as:
Male black, “tall and heavy”, with white hair and clear glasses. He was wearing a black jacket, a red scarf and dark blue
jeans.
The vehicle was described as:
A blue or grey pick up truck, last seen heading southbound on Ridge from Oakton.
Police have had no other incidents reported in the area involving this vehicle or subject. However, children should always
follow safety rules to and from the school and playground.
SAFETY TIPS
Always check first with a parent, guardian, or trusted adult before going anywhere, accepting anything, or getting into a car
with anyone.
Do not go out alone. Always take a friend with when going places or playing outside.
Say no if someone tries to touch you, or treats you in a way that makes you feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused. Get out of
the situation as quickly as possible.
Tell a parent, guardian, or trusted adult if you feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused. There will always be someone to
help you, and you have the right to be safe.
Speak to your children in manner that is calm and non-threatening. Children do not need to be frightened to get the
point across. In fact, fear can thwart the safety message, because fear can be paralyzing to a child.
Speak openly. Children will be less likely to come to you about issues enshrouded in secrecy. If they feel that you are
comfortable discussing the subject at hand, they may be more forthcoming.
Teach your children that safety is more important than manners. In other words, it is more important for children to get
themselves out of a threatening situation than it is to be polite. They also need to know that it is okay to tell you what
happened, and they won’t be tattletales.
If you have any questions regarding the above incident, please call Commander Tom Guenther of the Evanston Police
Department at (847) 866-5026.
SPECIAL BULLETIN
Evanston Police Department
Richard Eddington, Chief of Police
1454 Elmwood Ave., Evanston, Illinois 60201
http://www.evanstonpolice.com

Another reminder...

"Oakton Beat," A Fall Family Concert
Saturday, September 20
10:30a-12:30p
Ridgeville Park District, 908 Seward (Seward & Ridge)
Suggested Donation, $5/adult, $1/children

Oakton School hosts its first annual "Oakton Beat," A Fall Family Concert featuring Brazilian Percussionist Dede Sampaio (www.dedesampaio.com) on Saturday, September 20 from 10:30a-12:30pm. The concert is being held at neighboring Ridgeville Park District, 908 Seward (Seward & Ridge).

The morning of fun culminates with Sampaio performing from 11a-12pm. Sampaio has played and recorded with Miles Davis and opened for Sarah Vaughan. We encourage families from across Evanston to bring picnic
lunches and blankets and enjoy a morning of the "Sounds of Brazil."

There is a suggested donation of $5/adult and $1 for children. Each person who donates has a chance to win one of Sampaio's instruments called a berimbau. All proceeds benefit Oakton Elementary School's PTA , whose aim is to raise funds to support diverse enrichment programs and experiences for their students, including before and after school classes and clubs, special assemblies and field trips.

Hope to see you all there! If you'd like to volunteer to help out with the event, please contact me at julieort@hotmail.com.

Thanks!

Hi to all, I work at the McGaw YMCA and I would like to pass this event and volunteer opportunity along...

The McGaw YMCA is hosting a family fun day and campout at the lakefront this weekend September 13th and 14th and we are in need of volunteers. We also want to get the word out to families in the community about the event. If you are able to volunteer for even an hour, the campout and all activities will be free for you and your family.
 
Here are the volunteer opportunities and times we need to fill:
 
Sat, 9/13:
Games (moonwalk, 3-in-1 sports challenge, baggo, relays): setup 12-1, games 1-6p
Face Painters, 12-6p
Arts-n-Crafts, 12-6p
Food and Refreshments (grilling hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers, help participants with food & beverages), 3:30-7pm
Security and Safety (watch tent area while participants are at performances & activities, ensure safety of all), 9a-9p
Entertainment (assist with set-up, clean-up and help entertainers), 9a-6p
Assist with clean-up, 6-9pm
 
Sun, 9/14:
Food and Refreshments, 7-10am
Assist with clean-up, 7-10am
 
If you have any hour to spare this week, please consider volunteering for this event. Even if you are unable to volunteer, please come and enjoy the event with your friends and family and please spread the word to other families in the community.
Thank you for your consideration! Oh, if you have any family or friends who would also be able to volunteer, that would be great!
 
Miriam
 
 
 
Miriam Haak Barnett
Group Exercise & Massage Therapy Coordinator
McGaw YMCA
1000 Grove St, Evanston IL 60202
847.475.7400 ext. 260

Oakton School hosts its first annual "Oakton Beat," A Fall Family Concert featuring Brazilian Percussionist Dede Sampaio (www.dedesampaio.com) on Saturday, September 20 from 10:30a-12:30pm. The concert is being held at neighboring Ridgeville Park District, 908 Seward (Seward & Ridge). The morning of fun culminates with Sampaio performing from 11a-12pm. Sampaio has played and recorded with Miles Davis and opened for Sarah Vaughan. We encourage families from across Evanston to bring picnic lunches and blankets and enjoy a morning of the "Sounds of Brazil." There is a suggested donation of $5/adult and $1 for children. Each person who donates has a chance to win one of Sampaio's instruments called a berimbau. All proceeds benefit Oakton Elementary School's PTA , whose aim is to raise funds to support diverse enrichment programs and experiences for their students, including before and after school classes and clubs, special assemblies and field trips.

Hope to see you all there! If you'd like to volunteer to help out with the event, please contact me at julieort@hotmail.com.

Thanks!

Hi Ann. I am the Oakton co-PTA President... you can email me directly at julieort@hotmail.com. Thanks, Julie

can someone connect me to the president of the Oakton PTA. Thanks

Just recieved this from D65 E-News; I like how it clearly outlines the hierarchy for parents:
A shift in some of the administrative roles and functions was announced Tuesday, August 20th at the District 65 Principals' meeting.

As in the past, families will continue to work directly with their child's school to resolve questions or concerns. The shift is in administrative responsibilities and is designed to foster and improve collaboration and create a more comprehensive system of accountability from the central office to the school level. In the past there was an Assistant Superintendent responsible for School Operations and an Assistant Superintendent responsible for Curriculum and Instruction.

The reorganization of responsibilities makes each Assistant Superintendent responsible for Curriculum and Operations. It establishes for each school one primary point of supervision, management and leadership for all aspects of curriculum, instruction and accountability. It also more appropriately aligns other responsibilities across the departments.

Assistant Superintendent, Susan Schultz is now responsible for all aspects of curriculum and operations for Chute, Haven, Nichols, Bessie Rhodes, King Lab, Park and Rice. The title for this position is Assistant Superintendent for Middle/Magnet/Special Schools Curriculum and Operations.

Assistant Superintendent, Michael Robey is responsible for all aspects of curriculum and operations for Dawes, Dewey, Kingsley, Lincoln, Lincolnwood, Oakton, Orrington, Walker, Washington, and Willard. The title for this position is Assistant Superintendent for Elementary School Curriculum and Operations.

Ms. Schultz and Mr. Robey will jointly coordinate the Curriculum Advisory Council, District Improvement Plan, Response to Intervention (RtI), ifferentiation and Enrichment,and other districtwide programmatic implementation. Elementary curriculum department chairs will work with Mr. Robey while middle school curriculum department chairs will work with Ms. Schultz.

Other responsibilities reassigned are as follows:

* Special Services Director Geneva Oatman, in addition to her current assignments including special education, also will supervise the directors and program coordinators for our family center, school-age child care, our early childhood education and 21st Century grant programs and services. These are programs and services that supplement the K-8 mandate. The reassignment of these responsibilities fits withthe changing definition and scope of responsibilities for the array of "special services" our district offers for our families.
* CIO Paul Brinson's office, which already has overall responsibility for student registrations, which include residency, will also handle all residency verification processes.
* Communications Director Pat Markham will now be responsible for managing the development of our school calendar and coordinating school and district crisis planning to ensure that each school and the district have current and responsive emergency plans.
* Family Center Coordinator, Angela Johnson will supervise the District's
African-American and Bilingual Family liaisons.

The simplest recipient may be the Oakton PTA.

Edited by author 08-22-2008 04:37 PM
Another worthwhile program that I think is funded through the Artist in Residency program...Author Visit.

My children have also enjoyed the Author Visit program very much. The students get to meet an author who has published works. It's very encouraging for students to see someone who has actually written a book and had it published.

My suggestions:

Artist in Residence Program
or
Chess Club

There are many deserving endeavors at Oakton School but I would recommend one of those efforts because many students would benefit. My children have enjoyed participating in both of those programs.