MEMBER (& PARENT) AGENDA & INFORMATION SHEET

04/20/09

END-OF-THE-YEAR  TRIP  -  New York

JTOTAL TRIP AMOUNT MONEY DUE  May 15, 2009 (Friday) – all candy sales must be

complete before that date (any unsold candy can be returned – if the boxes are unopened) – any boxes signed out must either be paid for in full or returned (I have the sign-out sheet and receipts for clarification if needed.

JItinerary (List of times & events of the trip) will be sent this week – I will put names on them

            and hand them out at car rider dismissal as soon as I get it.

JT-Shirt in the past we have ordered a “trip t-shirt” from $10-15 that had our names on the

      back – do we want to do this again? Think it over and let me know (send an email/note).

J Mandatory Parent Meeting –May 19 (Tuesday) in the CMS Cafeteria at 6:00pm – we will

            discuss any/all issues, suggestions, etc. dealing with our NYC Trip. *for members

            and/or adults going on the New York Trip*

FUNDRAISING:

JCandy Sale: Candy will be sold until May 15 – ENTIRE TRIP AMOUNT DUE Friday, May 15. 

            All money – and unopened candy boxes must be returned Monday (May 18).

**the only way that we can help you with selling candy is if you (the member) go sign a box of candy out and give it to a sweet teacher who will volunteer to help you sell it (most teachers will help – all you have to do is ask)**

JCoupon Card:  I still have about 14 cards if anyone is interested.  Selling these is

totally voluntary (cards cost $6.00 – you sell them for $12.00 and make a $6.00 profit that can be applied directly to your trip) – for every 5 cards that you sell – you get one card free (and can keep for yourself – or turn the entire $12.00 amount in for your trip).

2-Liter Drink – ALL MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO BRING AT LEAST ONE 2-LITER DRINK BEFORE THIS FRIDAY (any extra 2-Liters you can bring would be very helpful – since the dance benefits Parkinson’s Fund)

SERVICE PROJECTS:

Members complete service projects (4 hours of unpaid service for an individual/group/school/community) based on their number of years in NJHS: (1^st Year – 4 projects) (2^nd Year – 6 projects) (3^rd Year – 8 projects)

Remaining school-wide projects:

April:  Parkinson’s Dance For Hope (April 24 – CMS GYM – 6:00-9:00pm)- helpers will stay after school from 3:45 until

the dance starts to help set up and from the end of the dance until9:30-45pm to help clean-up – sign up sheet outside Mrs. Cox’s room. Cerebral Palsy Donation Drive (see M.J. Benefield for details) Rock-A-Thon (see K. Golden for details).

May: Softball/Baseball Game (clean-up area around the field after the Softball vs. Baseball Game – date TBA)

Ongoing Projects (throughout the year):  School Store, Recycling Project (every Friday)

INDUCTION & REPORT CARDS:  All members must bring a COPY of their report card to

Mrs. Cox BEFORE school is out (I will be here at Post-Planning if you need to bring it then – it does not have to be signed).  Induction will be held at the beginning of the year next year (in the future, we will have a September and a February Induction – to ensure all members are Inducted properly).

ïQuestions, comments, concerns, complaints, suggestions:

JLaura Cox (770)324-5084  lcox@polk.k12.ga.us  (Room #626) OR (770-749-8850 - Ext. # 1626)J

Have a great day!  Thank you!

MEMBER (& PARENT) AGENDA & INFORMATION SHEET

02-18-09

END-OF-THE-YEAR  TRIP  -  New York

Trip Dates:

If we go by plane (which is highly likely - but we will not know for sure until late February due to late-release ticket sales) our trip dates will be: June 4-6 (leave very early Thursday-fly home late Saturday)

If we go by bus:  June 2-7 (leave early Tuesday - start home late Friday - get home mid-Saturday)

Trip Cost:

The estimated cost for airplane trip to New York is ($575.00).  So far, we are going by air – if the sale price is a good enough deal (we will not go over $600.000 as a total for the trip).  Due to the cost and limited number of tickets, THERE WILL BE A MANDATORY $200.00 due BEFORE February 27 (Friday) – of CASH or CHECK made payable to: CMS (candy money cannot be applied to the deposit .  This will be a nonrefundable deposit that will ensure each person will have a “spot” on the trip – because airline tickets are nonrefundable/ nontransferable.  If we end up having to go by bus – and you wish to not go – you will be given your deposit back (but we are crossing our fingers and hoping for the airplane to work out – at an even cheaper rate too J).   The remainder of the cost can be paid through cash or check (made out to CMS – with student/parent name in subject line) – OR- through candy/coupon card fundraising (more information on fundraisers below).

Specifics/Sites/Activities of the Trip:   

We plan to visit:  Statue of Liberty- Empire State Building - Central Park - NBC studios tour - riding tour of Chinatown and Ground Zero- St. Patrick’s Cathedral - United Nations-Wall Street - take a ride on Staten Island Ferry - do a play (Grease/Lion King maybe) – baseball game- and  shopping time in Chinatown and Times Square.

Extra Details:

Parents can attend the trip with their member.  Cost is the same (candy money can be applied to parent trip AFTER child’s trip has been totally paid for).  Parent/guardian must pay the $200.00 deposit prior to Feb 27, 2009.  No student/child will be permitted to attend unless they are a current/active member of the Cedartown Middle School National Junior Honor Society.

FUNDRAISING:

Candy Sale:  The first box of candy sold goes directly to the club (we only make $10.00 off the first

box – so we let this one go for the club – and let the kids have the higher money boxes for their trip costs).  Candy boxes vary in price depending on the manufacturing company and total number of candy bars/bags in each box.  Below is the amount each child/parent gets to put toward their individual trip cost for each box sold (after 1^st box is sold and money is turned-in):  

Coupon Card:  Selling these is totally voluntary (cards cost $6.00 – you sell them for $12.00 and make a $6.00 profit that can be applied directly to your trip) – for every 5 cards that you sell – you get one card free (and can keep for yourself – or turn the entire $12.00 amount in for your trip).

SERVICE PROJECTS:

Members complete service projects (4 hours of unpaid service for an individual/ group/community – individually or with the school) based on their number of years in NJHS:    (1^st Year – 4 projects)     (2^nd Year – 6 projects)        (3^rd Year – 8 projects)

Remaining school-wide projects:

March: (Intercession volunteers is being considered by CMS Administration)

April: Rock-A-Thon (see K. Golden for details) – Parkinson’s Walk Volunteers & donation drive.

May: Softball/Baseball Game (clean-up area around the field after the Softball vs. Baseball Game)

Ongoing Projects (throughout the year):  School Store, Recycling Project, Out-of-School Projects.

(see Mrs. Cox to sign up for any/all of these – except Rock-A-Thon)

CLUB DAY MEETINGS:

All Club Day Meetings are MANDATORY for every member.  Our Club Day will always be the 2^nd Club Day of the month (usually the 4^th Wednesday of the month).  We scheduled two club days so that members could attend.  We will now be meeting in the Media Center (our club has become too large for my classroom J).  When the bell rings at 8:05 (or there is an announcement to report to clubs at 8:05) – members will need to get to the Media Center as quickly as possible – be seated at the tables and waiting for all the good information! J

DUES & T-SHIRT:

Members must pay $5.00 dues and buy an official NJHS T-Shirt for $15.00 (preferably before their Induction ceremony) – but we have to be flexible because the shirt orders are at times late in arriving (at this time small shirts are on back-order and should be in before the end of the month).  If you would like to order a shirt and/or pay dues, please pay the $5- $15 – OR $20 in cash (with your child’s name and t-shirt size on a note) or check (made payable to CMS) with your child’s name and shirt size in the “subject area.”  Shirts will be delivered to each member when they arrive. *IF YOU ORDERED A T-SHIRT, they should be in this week.

GRADES & REMAINING A MEMBER:

Once a student has been Inducted, they remain a member as long as they remain active (complete and document their service projects), participate in club-wide service oriented fundraisers, and maintain an overall average (of all classes) each quarter/semester of an 85 or above.  Behavior issues will be addressed if they arise by the NJHS Faculty Council and CMS Administration.  Failure to comply with these above requirements, will result in a one quarter/semester (depending on report card type) probation.  If the member continues the negative grades/behaviors, they will be dismissed from NJHS and will not be allowed to reapply during their middle school career.  If they change/improve the negative grades/behaviors, they will be taken off probation and treated as a current/active NJHS member.

CMS - NJHS – WEBSITE: 

It is in the very earliest stages (I am working on improving it weekly – please be patient with me J)  Go to www.schoolnotes.com – You will have to put in the Cedartown Zip Code (30125) – then click my name (Laura Cox).

ïQuestions, comments, concerns, complaints:

JLaura Cox (770)324-5084  lcox@polk.k12.ga.us  (Room #626) OR (770-749-8850 - Ext. # 1626)J

Have a great day!  Thank you!

NJHS Member Information Agenda

January 09, 2009

ïReport Cards:  EVERY MEMBER MUST bring a copy of their report card to Mrs. Cox (BEFORE next Thursday – January 15, 2009).

ïInduction:  We will have our first (of two) Induction ceremonies this month.  Those students who are “new” to the club this year (and have not participated in the “candle-lighting ceremony” need to be sure I know you are being inducted this time in order to receive an invitation.  We will tell you specific dates next Tuesday (we have to wait for all report card copies to be turned in and checked for All A’s).

*Officers need to see me ASAP for your paragraphs.  *Any current member MUST bring a refreshment/snack the day of Induction (all officers must attend induction and deliver their paragraph).  Any member wishing to use this as a service project (unless you are being inducted) can help set up and clean the day of induction (about 5:00p-7:00p).  We will have a sign-up sheet next week – if you want to help.   

ïT-Shirts: Some shirts have arrived (small, medium, extra-large).  We have to order more large sizes (they should be here next week).

ïEnd-of-the-Year Trip:  New York:  estimated cost for bus trip to New York ($575.00).  The trip coordinator is checking plane costs and will contact us (hopefully) soon with specifics.  If we go by plane, a $200.00 a NONREFUNDABLE deposit will be required BEFORE February 26^th – We will let you know ASAP.

ïFundraisers: We will begin selling candy this month.  When the candy arrives, we will make an announcement  to tell you when/where/how to pick it up; detailed instructions about the sale and if/how it can be applied to your New York trip will be given out at the when you pick-up your candy. Every member must sell 1 box to help with club funds – after that, candy sales are voluntary (for those who wish to use a portion of the money will to help fund your personal New York field trip cost J).

ïRecycling Project: We are currently recycling paper and aluminum cans at CMS.  NJHS members have been invited to help with this – to count as a service project.  If you wish to help, please let Mrs. Cox know by next Friday – we will set up a schedule before or after school – one day a week to empty the large containers throughout the school. J It should be fun J

ïTeacher of the Year Banquet:  This ceremony celebrates the Polk County Teachers of the Year and serves as a club-wide service project.  It will be held Tuesday – January 27, 2009 at 6:30pm in the CMS Cafeteria. EVERY MEMBER MUST bring a drink/dessert/covered dish Tuesday January 27, 2009 (you can bring it in the morning and we can put it in refrigerator).  Any member can count this as a service project by helping to set-up, serve, and clean.  We will have a sign-up sheet next week – if you want to help.   

ïService Projects (ARE YOU WORKING ON YOUR  PROJECTS)â:

January: Induction(bring refreshment, set-up cafeteria, serve dinner to guests, clean-up)- details coming SOON.

January: Teacher of the Year Banquet (bring a dish, set-up cafeteria, serve dinner to guests, clean-up)- January 27,2009

February: Dance (set-up, work concessions, clean-up). * ANY PARENT VOLUNTEERS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!

February: "Thank you" Roses (present roses to all female faculty) – See Mr. Bryan Smith for details.

March: Intercession Volunteer & Peer Tutoring (help students at Intercession) - details will be available in late February.  

March: Rock-A-Thon (to raise money for charity - you "rock" for donations on a Friday night after school) – See Mrs. Golden

April: Parkinson’s Walk (more details to come – from Mrs. J. Hulsey).

April: Keep Polk Beautiful (volunteer to collect trash around CMS campus) - details will be available in late March.  

May: Softball/Baseball Game (clean-up area around the field after the Softball vs Baseball Game)-details available early May. Ongoing Projects (throughout the year):  School Store, Out-of-School Projects, Recycling Project

ïQuestions, comments, concerns, complaints:    Laura Cox (770)324-5084   

lcox@polk.k12.ga.us     -OR-   (770) 749-8550 (Room #626) (Ext. # 1626)