Parents and educators enriching the lives of children at
Fuerstenau, Schavey Road, Scott and Herbison Woods
Elementary buildings in the DeWitt School System.

DeWitt Elementary PTA, P.O. Box 695, DeWitt, Michigan 48820

Homecoming Tailgate

Your PTA is joining forces with the DeWitt School District to bring you another spectacular Homecoming Tailgate event on Friday, September 28.  Look for the tents outside the stadium after the Homecoming Parade.  Bring your lawn chair or blanket and join us for a stadium picnic, music and friendship before DeWitt meets Ionia on the football field!  PTA Spirit items and clothing will also be available if you want to pick up your stadium cushion, blanket or Panther spirit wear before the game!  New this year:  Panther coolers - get yours before they’re gone!

Families new to DeWitt:  This is a great way to meet new neighbors and jump into the Panther Spirit!  Not planning to attend the game?  Come anyway!  We’ll be waiting for you under the tent!

Parade starts at 5:15 pm at the

High School Baseball Field.

Meal Deal: 

Hot dog, chips, drink and cookie: $3.00!

Questions?  Interested in volunteering?  Call Amy Tratt at 668-2321.

President's Message

It's hard to believe we are almost at the end of September. I hope everyone has gotten off to a great start of the year. I wanted to take some time to introduce myself. My name is Alison Kahl and I am the PTA president for the 2007-2008 school year. I am really excited for a lot of things happening not only in the PTA but in all of our school buildings as well. I look forward to serving the PTA and if have questions or need something, please don't hesitate to call, 669-5005.

I want to encourage everyone to join the PTA. We are conducting our annual fall membership drive. With your membership you receive a membership card which has many local perks from area businesses, a free 6-inch sub at Subway of DeWitt, and a membership directory- great for birthday party addresses or play dates! A portion of the money goes toward our own local chapter which we in turn give out to our four elementary schools. All of our children are in some way affected with the monies each school receives. Please help us to have a successful year and join your PTA!

FECC Update

We’ve had a great kickoff to the new school year! Hopefully everyone has settled into a routine.  A Parent Volunteer interest form was sent home the first week. Thank you to all who have already completed and returned it.  If you’ve not yet done this, you can still turn them in at any time to your child’s teacher or the office. We’re looking forward to the FECC Open House, BBQ, and Book Fair on September 25th.  See you there!

Amy VanTighem & Kim Kracko

Schavey Road Update

We are off to a great start at Schavey Road!  The students loved checking out their classrooms at the open house on August 29th!  Parents, you are invited to attend a curriculum night on Tuesday, October 2nd, where you will learn more specifics about your child's grade level program.  We hope to see you there!

We are looking forward to helping with many events this year at Schavey Road!  The volunteer forms went home in your child's Friday folder last week.   If you are interested in helping with such things as conference cuisine, carnival theme baskets, staff appreciation week, or mileage club, please fill out that form or contact us! 

Ann Castle Castleamc@aol.com
Tricia Briningstool, Briningstool@comcast.net

Scott School Update

Scott School has had its open house and book fair.  We would like to thank all the parent volunteers for making the book fair possible and especially the librarian, Mrs. Ball, for organizing this event.  Thanks for your help - Tammy Weiss, Jana Kennedy, Melissa Gray, Laura Beck, Joan Suab, Julie Courter, Caryn Klemizewski, Maria Baldino, Penny Lynch, Alee Ruddy, Alicia Hostetler, Rachel Helinski, Kerry Baldridge, Amy Hovey, Shannon Colarossi, Marcia Crawford, Cammie Cantrell, Ashley Erskine, Teresa Erskine, Ana Horn, Jen Irish, Lysne Tait, Bill Sullivan, Kate Jones, and Tracy Wescott.  

Our school is also looking for a volunteer in the library on a weekly basis.  The work would include shelving books, preparing bulletin boards and various other tasks.  Please contact the school office if you are interested.

Laura Beck and Shannon Colarossi – Scott School Reps.

Herbison Woods Update

Herbison Woods held 5th Grade Orientation on Monday, August 27th.  A big thank you to Connor Zamaira and Molly Benton (two Herbison Woods alumni) for their help with handouts and opening lockers.

And, the new lunch number keypad process was smoothed out for 5th graders with assistance from Sue Davis and Sue Kirnovic.  Thank you ladies!

 Many PTA Volunteer Forms have been turned in and the response has been overwhelming.  So, thank you for your willingness to help make Herbison Woods a great place to learn and grow.  We look forward to working with many of you this year.

Marsha Benton and Debby Hanna
Herbison Woods PTA Representatives 

Safe Routes to School

Safe Routes to School (SR2S) is getting off to an excellent start this year.  SR2S will kick off with a Walk to School Day (W2SD) on October 3rd.  Three of our elementary schools will be participating: Scott Elementary, Schavey Road Elementary (SRE) and Fuerstenau Early Childhood Center (FECC).  I have met with the principals and the Transportation Director, Suzanne Nelson, to discuss remote drop offs and walking routes for each school.  Scott students will be

Safe Routes to School cont.

dropped off at FECC.  They will walk up Scott Road to the field, over the bridge and to school for a fun cross country route.  SRE students will be dropped off at the Administration Building.  They will walk down Pride Drive to Schavey Road and follow Schavey Road to end their adventure at school.  FECC students will be dropped off at Scott School.  They will walk down Wilson Street to Main Street.  They will follow Main Street to Scott Road; turn down Scott to arrive energetic and ready to learn at FECC.  Volunteers will be placed at key locations along the routes to insure all our children arrive safely at school. 

We are fortunate to have awesome and supportive city and township police departments.  The City of DeWitt Police has volunteered to station a vehicle at Main Street and Scott Road to help children cross safely.  They will also have another patrol vehicle driving the Scott and FECC routes.  DeWitt Township Police will station a vehicle at Schavey Road and Pride Drive to help students cross safely.

Of course if you live close enough to school to walk or bike with your child, please do so!  Perhaps, a group of neighbors could start a walking school bus where a parent or two walk a group of children to school (this duty would be rotated and shared, of course!)

Walking to school is a great way to get our children active.  Studies have also shown that students who get 10 to 15 minutes of exercise before school are more ready to learn because their brains are awake and active. 

If you have any questions, please contact me at 669-9077. 

Now, get out and walk or bike with your child!