Transportation Passes
At Mantua, we have a pass system established for when your student is not going home from school by the assigned method. This system has been set up to safeguard your children and is required by the FCPS Transportation Office. To arrange a change in transportation, please send an email to Barbara Hinton at BKHinton@fcps.edu and to your student’s teacher. If you cannot email, then either call the school office or send in a note with your student. On Mondays, notice is needed by 11:00 a.m. On Tuesdays-Fridays, notice is needed by 1:00 p.m.

Starting in October, your student can receive a pass to take a bus home with a friend; however, the office needs notice from both families before a pass can be issued.

 
Picture Day
Fall Picture Day will be on Wednesday, October 2nd. Picture order envelopes will be sent home the week before. If the pictures are not paid for on picture day, a proof will be sent home and parents can order online. Picture make up day will be November 6th.


Join MemberPlanet
... and save the world as well as your sanity - one piece of paper at a time! MP allows us to share important forms, waivers, and sign-ups electronically, which you can sign and submit using any computer or smart device without ever leaving your favorite chair. Can't find your invitation? Email Paige Rushing at PaigeRushing@gmail.com for another one.


Online Back to School Packet
Linked below is our back-to-school packet, oozing with fun and important stuff like an activity-wide permission slip, a directory release, fall enrichment information, and so much more. We're affectionately calling this packet: "Business in the Front."

1. Log into MemberPlanet if you have an account (if you don't you can still fill the form out, but your known information won't auto-populate)

2. Click this link:
memberplanet.com/packetview/mantuaelementaryschoolpta/welcomebacktoschoolmantua



Enrichment Programs Registration
Registration for fall enrichment classes is open and is processed on a first come, first served basis.

Everyone will register for classes through Member Planet. The link to online registration is https://memberplanet.com/s/mantuaelementaryschoolpta/registrationptaclassesclubs. You can also go to www.mantuapta.org website. If you have any questions please contact Shannon Murphy.


Academic Competitions Interest Meeting
Does your student have an interest in learning more about Destination Imagination, Odyssey of the Mind, or Science Olympiad? There is a host of programs available for students to stretch their minds and challenge their brains. The PTA will be holding an interest meeting on Monday, September 30th at 7:00 p.m. in the cafeteria for students to meet other students who might be interested in forming teams and getting involved with one of these opportunities. If you are a parent already familiar with any of the programs listed here or others and would be willing to share your knowledge, please contact Lesley Kowalski at kowalskifamily4@verizon.net.


Kids Care Club
Mantua's Kids Care Club was established in 1997 as part of the nationwide Kids Care Club. The mission of the Mantua Kids Care Club is to help those less fortunate and encourage Mantua students to participate in community service activities. The Kids Care Club is open to all children in Kindergarten-6th grade and is run by parent volunteers. We meet after school on the third Thursday of the month in the upper pod from 4:00-4:45 p.m.

The first meeting is planned for Thursday, October 17th. All are welcome!

Following are examples of this year's planned activities:

• Raking leaves for senior citizens in the Mantua neighborhood
• Assisting with the annual Roberta Romano "Raccoon Run" 5K fundraiser for Life With Cancer
• Organizing various donation collection boxes throughout the year
   

To sign up, please use the following link to MemberPlanet: https://memberplanet.com/packetview/mantuaelementaryschoolpta/registrationptaclassesclubs. If you have any questions, please contact Amy Smith at ndbames@gmail.com or 703-383-5808. Amy is looking for 1-2 parent volunteers to assist with each meeting.


Run for Rocky!
The Mantua PTA is excited to announce our new fall fundraiser: we are going to Run for Rocky!

Run for Rocky is a fun and healthy way to raise money and build community spirit! The event will be held on Saturday, October 26th – 100% of the funds raised from this event will benefit our students and school families by helping to fund programs, field trips, technology, teacher training, and much more! Be sure to check your child's Tuesday folder for a complete information packet or visit http://www.mantuapta.org/documents/run4rockyreg.pdf to print out all the information that you need. All Mantua students and their families can participate. If you have any questions, please contact Meri Farling at merifarling@hotmail.com.


Chat ‘n’ Chew
Attention Book Lovers! Mantua's popular lunchtime book club, Chat 'n' Chew, is returning this fall. All 3rd-6th graders are invited to participate. The club will meet once a month, December through March, during the students' lunch and recess time, and books will be provided. The cost is $25 for PTA members and $30 for non-members. We are also looking for parent volunteers to host the discussion groups each month. This is an amazing opportunity to spend quality time with kids discussing great books. Sign up is now available through Member Planet at https://memberplanet.com/s/mantuaelementaryschoolpta/registrationptaclassesclubs and closes on September 30th. Contact Kathy Phillips at kathyphysics@hotmail.com with any questions.



Advertise in the Mantua Directory
Please go to memberplanet.com/packetview/mantuaelementaryschoolpta/busads if you or your business would like to advertise in the PTA Student Directory or contact monika.brenner@dhs.gov for a form. Ad fees help us cover the cost of printing the directory and start at $45. Know a business that may be interested? Please pass along their info to Monika and she'll reach out to them! 


Registration is Now Open for Foreign Languages
The Mantua PTA in conjunction with FCPS is pleased to offer a foreign language program before and after school. Languages will be taught through conversation using games, songs, drama, drills, dialogues, maps, and culturally-related activities. Please sign up at https://memberplanet.com/s/mantuaelementaryschoolpta/registrationptaclassesclubs. The deadline is Friday, October 4th. If you need assistance or require a paper registration, please e-mail Jennifer Rade at radejk@gmail.com.

Classes will begin the week of October 14th and continue for 15 weeks. You will receive a class confirmation notice and room assignment one week before classes begin. Classes must have a minimum of 8 students, so ask your friends to sign up so the class will take place! Tuition is $199.

CLASS       COURSE     SECTION #      DAY / TIME        GRADES
German 1    FP06115          0002                  Thurs 8-9am                  3-6
Spanish 1    FP08115          0001                   Fri 8-9am                       1-3
Spanish 1    FP08115          0002                  Tues 8-9am                    4-6
Chinese 1   FP04115          0001                  Thurs 4-5pm                  K-3
Chinese 3* FP07704        0001                   Fri 4-5pm                       1-6
*This course is for native speakers or children who have completed a Level 2 Flex Chinese course.



Spirit Wear
New spirit wear for the 2013-14 school year is now on sale! T-shirts, polo shirts, performance shirts, hoodies, sweat pants, basketball shorts, and pajama bottoms are available in many colors and sizes. Order forms were sent home in last week's Tuesday folders. Please return the forms with payment to the PTA mailbox by Friday, October 11th and allow three weeks for delivery. All purchased items will be sent home in your child's backpack. Contact Kathleen DeCarlo at kdecarlo@verizon.net with any questions. Show your school spirit and order something today!


 
Box Tops Contest
The Fall Box Tops Contest is under way! Please send in your box tops through Friday, October 18th. Send in Box Tops and Labels for Education labels in a plastic zip bag with your teacher's name and grade on it. Labels should be dropped in the collection box by the front office. Please do not send in expired labels. A special prize will be awarded for the class bringing in the most labels. Please contact Sandy Spector at sandy.spector@gmail.com with any questions.


Grocery Club Cards
It's time to renew your Grocery Club cards to benefit  Mantua! You can renew in one of two ways. Fill out the grocery flyer that you received in your child's Tuesday folder, send it back to school, and we'll do the renewing for you.  Or, there are links for Giant, Harris Teeter, and Safeway on www.mantuapta.org under the "About the PTA" tab. Happy shopping!



Reflections 2013!
It's time to Dream, Believe and Inspire! If you want to showcase your talent in the areas of dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts, then the PTA Arts Reflections program is for you! Take some time to reflect on the theme - "Dream.  Believe.  Inspire" - then let your creative juices flow! All entries must be submitted to the PTA mail room no later than November 7th. To obtain an entry form  and participation rules visit the Mantua PTA website. If you have additional questions, please contact Lori Prendergast at loripren@yahoo.com.
 
 

Registration Open for Mantua Basketball
All Mantua students in 3rd-6th are eligible to register for the PTA basketball league. Early registration: $50 for PTA members, $55 for nonmembers. Late registration (October 1-11): $60 for PTA members, $65 for nonmembers. Registrations cannot be accepted after Friday, October 11th.

Find more information at the Mantua Basketball website at http://www.mantuabasketball.org. Contact Dan Lash at commissioner@mantuabasketball.org with any questions.


Advanced Academic Programs Parent Conference
This conference will be held on Saturday, October 26th at West Springfield High School. The time of the conference is 8:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The topics covered will include Levels of AAP Services, Identification, Creative & Critical Thinking Lessons, Parent Forum, and more.


CogAt for Students in Grades 3-6
All new students to Fairfax County Public Schools that are attending Mantua will be administered the CogAt test during the testing window of October 15th-25th. If you are interested in re-testing for possible acceptance to AAP Center, please contact Eva Bousbouras at Vaitsa.Bousbouras@fcps.edu by Friday, September 27th.


Translators
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Para obtener una copia en Espanol favor de contactar a Ana Castelan. 

 
Important Upcoming Dates
September 24: Take Home Reading Training, 10:30 a.m.
September 30: Academic Competitions Interest Mtg, 7:00 p.m.
September 30: Chat 'n' Chew Registration Deadline
October 2: School Picture Day
October 4: FLEX Classes Registration Deadline
October 11: Basketball Registration Deadline
October 11: Spirit Wear Orders Due
October 17: First Kids Care Club Meeting, 4:00 p.m.