In This Issue:

1 - Letter from Principal

2 - PTA Calendar

3 - Library News

4 - October Events

5 - October News

6 - Looking Ahead to November

Helen Baller NewsletterOctober 2014

A Word from Mr Parman October 2014 Dear Helen Baller Families,

I cannot believe it is October already. Hopefully the nice weather con-tinues to hold out for a while. It was a terrific first month of school. The only negative of the month was watching the Packers get beat by the Seahawks. The students are kind enough to remind me of that every day! I have enjoyed meeting all of the new students and families. It has been fun seeing all the returning students after summer break. I have been visiting the classrooms observing all the great things the students are doing. I am very impressed with the students’ work ethic, academ-ics and behavior.

Below are the Helen Baller Mission and Vision Statements. As a staff we collaborated to create them. The two statements guide the work we do at Helen Baller.

Helen Baller’s Mission Statement:Our mission is to support all of our students so they can grow academi-cally, socially and behaviorally.

Helen Baller’s Vision Statement:We believe all students can learn. Students are provided a safe envi-ronment with high expectations for all. The key to success is the funda-mental belief held by all staff members that Helen Baller students are our kids. Not yours, not mine, OURS! As a collaborative learning com-munity, we develop lessons that are aligned with the Common Core & Power Standards and use instructional strategies to engage and meet our students’ needs. We are committed to meeting all challenges with a positive attitude and following the school rules of being responsible, respectful and safe.

This month the students and staff have been hard at work learning the school rules and expectations. Everybody at Helen Baller is responsible for knowing and following the common behavior expectations of be-ing responsible, respectful and safe. In addition, we teach the children the six Pillars of Character which are being trustworthy, responsible, respectful, fairness, caring and demonstrating citizenship. The behavior expectations and six Pillars of Character are posted around the school and taught to the students throughout the year. We are working to create a positive school climate that fosters cooperation, academic excellence, respect and safety. If you have any questions about Helen Baller’s rules or expectations please contact me.

This school year the Camas School District is implementing a conference week for elementary students Octo-ber 27th through October 31st. Students will be released from school at 1:10 every day that week. Classroom teachers will be contacting you in the near future to set up a time for your child’s conference.

I want to say thanks to all the families and community members for helping make the start of the year a great one. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me in person, by phone or email.

Have a great October and go Packers!

Sincerely,

Aaron Parman Principal

Success Book Roll Call

Below is a list of students who have signed the Success Book during the month of Septem-ber. Any Helen Baller staff member can have a student sign the Success Book for being successful with academics, behavior or work ethic. Several of the students signed the Suc-cess Book multiple times, but I have only listed their name once.

Way to go Helen Baller Bears! We are proud of you!

Kaleah DeweyAiden Shoheen

Alex LionJoe Wright

Marquis MurchinsonBrandon PalmaBlake HoltcampLorelei McCarthyBrooklyn Jardine

Anna MartinAudrey Wagner

Owen TuttleRyan Melton

Adriana BjornsgardZealia HayesRory Jensen

Summer Craft

Keirrah SandersElla Wright

Presley DarlingSasha Greer

Grace LukensEthan Costa

Peyton DarlingIsabella SilvaTrinity Hale

Alexandra DufnerElla StaffordZach NelsonDean Clifton

Lily NeilKate Bacher

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday30Payback Payments Due

17:45am Drama Team Auditions

2 3Fun Run pledges DUE

4

5 6 7 8 9PICTURE DAY!

9am PTA Board Mtg

10NO SCHOOL

11

12 13 14 15 16 17

Birthday Table

Spirit Wear Order Dead-line

5:30 Shop Book Fair!

6:30 Movie Night & PTA General Mem-bership Mtg

18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 293-5pm Down-town Camas Boo Bash

30 31HALLOWEEN

October 2014

Helen Baller PTA Calendar

WSPTA Legislative Assembly

FALL BOOK FAIR

FALL BOOK FAIR

Conference Week: early release at 1:10pm

We have had a great start to library classes this year! It has been super exciting to see students check out brand new books, learn how to use the library, and to enjoy reading!

Library Check Out Rules:

Kindergarten students get one book at a time and they can enjoy the book for one week. The book is due when they come to library the following week. Mrs. Michener’s AM and PM are on Mondays. Mrs. Watson’s PM class is on Thursday and her AM class in on Friday.

1st-5th graders get to check out two books each week. They need to return their books or renew them before they check out new books!

Grade Level Library Focus

Grades K-2:• Character Traits – Book- Nugget & Fang Friends Forever – or Snack Time • Messages in folklore/story – Book – The Magic Bojabi Tree

Grades 3-5:• Library check out procedures • Using the computer system “Alexandria” to locate books in the library• Learning the Dewey Decimal System to locate books in the non-fiction section of the library• Introduction of the “Sasquatch” book selections and rules for attending the Second Annual Library Lock-In which will take place in June! • Theme- Friends!

Thank you for your support to the library! If you would like to volunteer, please contact me via e-mail: Laurie.brown@camas.wednet.edu

Sincerely,Laurie Brown

October Library News!

October Events

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE....

• 5:30 - 6:30pm: Family time to shop the Fall Book Fair • 6:30 - 8pm: Kids watch Hotel Transylvania (PG) Adults attend 1st PTA meeting of the year

Popcorn and Water will be available!We will raffle off the movie to a lucky winner!

....Can’t Wait to See You All There!

Family Fun Movie Night& PTA Meeting!

SAVE THE DATE: OCTOBER 17th

5:30 to 8pm

Money raised

during the book fair will fund

new books for our school library!

October News

Help us reach our goals...FUN RUN & Payback Books!

It is time to send your payment into the school.

Did you buy a Payback Book? Deadline: 9/30/14Did you pledge your child for the FUN RUN? Deadline: 10/3/14

Please make payment to: Helen Baller PTA and return to your child’s teacher or place in the PTA mailbox in the school office. Thanks!

PICTURE DAY is 10/9/14!

Please turn in your order form no later than picture day!

If you would like a volunteer badge with your picture on it -- parents are welcome to come in anytime that day

and get a volunteer badge with their photo on it!

SAVE UP, HELP SCHOOL & WIN!

Box Tops and Labels for Education Collection Drive

October 13-24, 2014

Please helps your kids save up box tops and labels and bring them into school!

The top 3 classes with the most box tops and labels will win PIZZA PARTIES!

The class with the MOST box tops & labels will also get their name engraved on our trophy!

JOIN THE DRAMA TEAM!Auditions: October 1st at 7:45am

4th & 5th graders are eligible.

No previous experience required.Everyone who auditions makes the team!

Fall Drama Team will learn:• Acting basics: dramatic plays/monologues/

musicals• Theater terminology & etiquette• Improvisation Techniques• Public speaking skills/improve self-esteem

Fall session: Oct. 1st - til Xmas break. Rehearsals every Wed 7:45 - 8:45 am.

For more information:drama@helenballerpta.org

October News

Support Our School...

Shop at Amazon and earn money for Helen Baller. Simply start from the Helen Baller PTA AMAZON website link at www.helenballerpta.org.

Shop at Fred Meyer and a percentage of your purchases go to support Helen Baller. Register your FredMeyer Rewards at www.fredmeyer.com/communityrewards and search for us by name or by our non-profit number 86503.

Fundraising Chair

Yearbook Photographer

Do you like to meet new people?

Are you unafraid to ask any question?

Are you a natural born sales person?

We need you!

Interested in being your classroom pho-tographer?

Would you like to take photos at events throughout the school year?

Have a picture you’d like to submit?

Contact: president@helenballerpta.org

Contact:yearbook@helenballerpta.org

FAMILY HALLOWEEN NIGHT*Saturday, October 18, 6:30-9:00pm

Liberty Middle School

• Carnival Games• Prizes & Candy• Fall Crafts• Refreshments for sale• Costume Contest (8:30)• Bring 2 cans of food to be eligible • for raffle.

For ages 12 and underChildren must be accompanied by an adult* Presented by : The City of Camas

Helen Baller Spirit Wear

Order your favorite Baller Bear Wear Now!

Next Order Deadline Oct 17th.

Order form at: www.helenballerpta.org/formsDrop in PTA box to submit

RECESS DONATIONS...

The recess team is looking for these items. If anyone is willing to donate to Helen Baller:

Cars(small) Cards Dinosaurs

Ping Pong Chess/Checkers Board Games

Pool Sticks Air Hockey Yarn

Hula Hoops Bubbles Chalk

Carpet Ball

Thanks for making RAINY DAY RECESS more fun!

October News

Each month at a Friday lunch period we hold the BIRTHDAY TABLE to celebrate the kids who

have birthdays during that month. You can find the date on the PTA calendar in this newsletter.

New this year the PTA is giving a ‘best-fit’ book to each student in honor of their birthday.

As always they also receive an ice cream and get their picture taken.

STAY CONNECTED!

The Helen Baller PTA newsletter is published the last Monday of each month.

Helen Baller PTA’s Website:www.helenballerpta.org

“Like” Helen Baller PTA on Facebook for news updates:

www.facebook.com/ballerpta

If you joined the PTA....

THANK YOU!The Helen Baller PTA is hard at work:

• Supporting Back-to-School Night• Planning the Fun Run• Gifting books at the Birthday Table• Kicking off Art Discovery

Show your support for the PTA’s work...

it is NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN!

Membership: $10 for an individual or $20 for a family!

To join the PTA: www.helenballerpta.org/pta-membership

October 24 & 25Washington State PTA Legislative Assembly

& Survey

On October 24 & 25 Washington State PTA will hold their annual legislative assembly. They will discuss priorities for 2014 & 2015. If you would like to be part of the conversation please plan to attend. Also, if you would like a voice in what the Washington State PTA prioritizes for 2015 you can complete a short survey.

Your voice is important! To find out more:http://www.wastatepta.org/meetings/leg_as-sembly/index.html

When is the Helen Baller PTA Carnival?(a.k.a. Baller Blast!)

The PTA decided to move Baller Blast to be a spring event this year in hopes of better

weather....

...More news to come leading up toMay 1st!

Looking Ahead to November

NOVEMBER 18th 4-9pmPapa Murphy’s Dine Around

Pick up a pizza to take home and bake! 20% of proceeds go to our school!

Two Participating Locations: 2406 SE 8th Ave, Camas, WA (360) 834-6907 3415 SE 192nd Ave, Camas, WA (360) 896-0833 (QFC Parking Lot)

November NO SCHOOL Dates:

• November 11th for Veteran’s Day• November 26-28th for Thanksgiving