Vito - I saw the ads and they are about as low as you can get. Disgusting.

Julie,

That's terrific news! Good for you for working on those connections. You might want to share a bit more about the gardens, because I hear that they are in the "kindergarten playground" and so are not visible to anyone who doesn't regularly go inside the school anymore.

I remember well when a former parent worked on a garden on Austin, but the bunnies ate everything. I also remember (14 years ago) when the science teacher planted and maintained a little prairie at the corner of Austin and Ridge. It was very cute and really stood out in the green grass.

I wonder if some day there could be a school "garden walk" and people could visit all the school gardens around town. I was thrilled to see the pictures of the raised bed across the school from ETHS, which was formerly the smoking "log".

Has anyone seen TV ads slamming Resurrection Hospitals (St. Francis Hospital is a member)?

Is SEIU starting another campaign?

On behalf of The Oakton School PTA, I would like to publicly thank St. Francis Hospital once again for its generosity. For the second year, St. Francis employees and medical staff have donated money to help fund Oakton's Edible Garden. Last year's $1000 was "seed" money to get our garden started. Last week, St. Francis Hospital presented Oakton with a check for $1500!

About $1000 was raised at the employee picnic Dunk Tank in September. The other $500 was donated by St. Francis medical staff.

Additionally, Whole Foods South donated a Rain Barrel to be used in the Edible Garden. And, Keep Evanston Beautiful kindly donated more than a dozen Earth Boxes which we used to plant our seedlings this past spring.

Oakton PTA has a master plan for creating raised beds on the school grounds. We are working on getting grants and donations to fund this plan.

I just think it's so great that Oakton School has bridged these amazing community relationships with St. Francis, Whole Foods South and Keep Evanston Beautiful. These organizations have really stepped up in supporting our school. Thank you!

Julie Fleetwood
Oakton PTA President

ADHD Support Group Forming

Last month was the first meeting of a new support group for parents with children who have or may have ADHD. The upcoming meeting will only be the second meeting. We have yet to choose a name and are still defining the scope of the group. If you have a child who is struggling with attention and impulsivity issues, please come and tell us what you would like our group to become.

This meeting will be on Wednesday October 28th at 7 pm at my home.

Please contact me by e-mail or by phone to let me know if you are interested and to get directions.

I only have access to the PTA discussion boards for Oakton, Chute and ETHS. If you are able to post this notice to other schools PTA sites, please do.

Diane R. Johnson
(847) 864-6792
drjohnson@fastmail.us

Oakton School needs your help! One of our major fundraisers of the year is going on right now... it is the Innisbrook Catalog sale. If you are in need of wrapping paper, chocolates, magazine subscriptions or other gift items for the holidays, please check out what is available at www.innisbrook.com. Enter our school # 112438 and the proceeds will benefit Oakton.

Our goal is $6000, and so far we have raised a little over $3000. The sale has been extended through Monday. Please consider ordering something or making a donation to Oakton PTA. This money goes to fund very important programs for our students like our Author Visit, Dia del Nino, buses for field trips, etc.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Julie Fleetwood
Oakton PTA President
julieort@hotmail.com

S.O.U.L. Creations Headlines Oakton School's 2nd Annual Fall Concert..

SATURDAY, SEPT. 26
11A-12:30PM
RIDGEVILLE PARK (Seward & Ridge)
Suggestion donation.. $5/adult, $1/child

Members of Evanston's own, S.O.U.L. Creations will lead families in an interactive drum circle. This event is open to the entire community. Please come and enjoy the musical and educational experience of S.O.U.L. Creations. They will perform from 11-11:45am, and there will be face painting from 12-12:30pm. Bring a blanket and a picnic lunch and stay to play.
Rain location: Oakton School's auditorium, 436 Ridge.
For more information, email julieort@hotmail.com

FYI: Current and Incoming Oakton Families!!!!



Happy Summer and Welcome to Oakton!

 
Whether you're traveling, day-camping or keeping it cool at home, we hope that it’s been a great Summer 2009! Before we start back to school, August 31st, we want to welcome you to a special ‘play and stay’ play date.
 
When: Saturday, August 8th (rain date Aug.15th)
Time: 11:00am
Where: Oakton School play ground
What: Play date & picnic
 
Come meet new Oakton students and parents and catch up with Oakton friends. A few teachers may even stop by! Bring a picnic lunch and blanket or chairs; the PTA will provide drinks and desserts/popsicles.

Also, the newly formed Oakton Beautification Committee will be making its debut as they clean up the grounds and weed our gardens to get ready for the new year.

No need to RSVP -- we'll see you there!

Oakton Elementary PTA


Questions?
Contact: Kimberly Counts, Oakton PTA Vice President
skcounts@yahoo.com or 847.563.8281

I just wanted to share some information about Buildings and Grounds improvements that are happening at Oakton School this summer....

    * New Parking lot--finished
    * Replacing wood playground with updated, more modern playground before school
    * Exterior windows painted
    * Doors painted
    * Main hallway painted.. .new floors to be installed before school
    * Sink in Cafeteria added
    * New sink and countertops in Teacher's Lounge

As I've said in a previous post, we are working with District 65 on a Beautification Plan involving perennial gardens, plus we're planning to expand and improve our new Edible Garden. If anyone is interested in helping with the Edible Garden, please email me at julieort@hotmail.com.

Thanks!
Julie Ort Fleetwood
Oakton PTA President

Thie is an important meeting if you live east of Asbury and South of Oakton to the city limits. Everyone is invited.


8th Ward Community Meeting July 30

8th Ward Alderman Ann Rainey will be holding a Community Meeting on Thursday, July 30 at 7 p.m. The Community Meeting will be held at the Howard Street Police Outpost, 633 Howard Street.

Items to be discussed:

1. Discussion of City of Evanston’s effort to secure a $40,300,000 grant. What does it mean for the 8th ward?

The City of Evanston has submitted to HUD a Neighborhood Stabilization Funds Part 2 Application requesting a grant of $40,300,000.

Of the 2 areas in Evanston qualified for the use of the money, one is the area bounded by Oakton, Asbury, Chicago Avenue and Howard Street.

If received, the money will be used to purchase undeveloped land for redevelopment and to purchase approximately 100 foreclosed residential properties, including condo units, in the two eligible census tracts (our neighborhood is one of the two). Once purchased and rehabbed, the units will be rented or sold.

2. Full Circle Grant funds received in the of amount $18,000

This is a project that involves the analysis of Howard Street businesses and owners of buildings with an eye toward improving safety on the street.

3. Public Art Projects – Custer Bridge and Clyde Brummel Park

City Planner Sue Guderley, Peter Levavi from Brishore Development Partners and Alderman Ann Rainey will be present.

Thursday, August 6th
7:00 pm an informational meeting will be held in the King Lab Library for parents of kindergarten-age students who are interested to learn more about the district's plans for inclusion of children with special needs in the general education classrooms. King Lab School is located at 2424 Lake Street, Evanston. For more information about this meeting or to learn more about the inclusion model, please contact Assistant Superintendent, Mr. Robey at 847....

Tuesday, August 11th
7:00 pm. An information meeting will be held in the King Lab Library for parents of pre-k age students who are interested to learn more about the district's plans for inclusion of children with special needs in the general education classrooms. King Lab School is located at 2424 Lake Street, Evanston. For more information about this meeting or to learn more about the inclusion model, please contact the Director of Special Services, Ms. Oatman at 847 859-8091.

The Beautification Committee is seeking members of the Oakton Community
interested in making the Oakton School grounds safer, prettier and better
than they already are. We are looking for people with the ideas and the
energy to help us improve the school grounds in any number of ways,
including landscaping, safety, and improved usage for our children.

Our first meeting will be held on Monday, June 22 at 8:00 pm at my house.

Please contact me by e-mail at mccandlishj@BCBSIL.COM... or by phone at 847-733-7268 if you would like to join the committee and/or plan to attend the meeting.


Jaylene McCandlish
(mom of 3 Kindergarteners at Oakton)

Welcome incoming Oakton Kindergarten parents! There is a social event coming up on Monday, June 1st..please email me for details...julieort@hotmail.com.

Also, weekly playdates for incoming Kindergarten families start Saturday, June 20 from 10:30a-11:30a. Come with coffee and donuts, or just to hang out and chat with other parents and let the kids play and get acquainted with the school.

Incoming Oakton Kindergarten Playdates
Every Saturday 10:30a-11:30a (starting June 20)
Oakton School, 436 Ridge

Please contact me with further information.. julieort@hotmail.com
847-491-1606

Looking forward to an exciting new year!!

Julie Fleetwood
Oakton co-PTA President

Mark Your Calendars!

Pony Rides! Moon Walks! Games! Food!
It's the Oakton Fun Fair!!
Saturday, May 30
11a-3pm
Oakton School, 436 Ridge

Bring the whole family for an afternoon of fun...
Tickets are 5 for $1.00 in advance
4 for $1.00 at the door

If you would like to reserve tickets in advance, please email me and I can put them on hold for you..

Thanks!
Julie Fleetwood
julieort@hotmail.com

Thrilled for Becky! She joins Ann Covode, Leslie Warner and Shirlene Ward as Oakton PTA Volunteers who have been given that award. Did I miss anyone else?