Ridgecrest Elementary Website

The Gift of Giving Week - December 11 through 15, 2006

During this time of year, many people are filled with the giving spirit. It is often said that it is better to give than it is to receive and we here at Ridgecrest Elementary feel the warmth of the season in our hearts by dedicating 12/11 - 12/15/06 as "The Gift of Giving Week".

The purpose of this week is to spread the spirit of giving, help those in need and share the warm feeling of the "Gift of Giving". Please give a little of yourself and join us in celebrating this wonderful week.

Monday, 12/11/06 - THE GIFT OF READING

Monday has been designated the "Gift of Reading Day" and the purpose is to raise money to purchase new books through Scholastic Books for Benjamin Banneker Elementary, a school in New Orleans that was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Our All Pro Dad's Program is driving this initiative and hopes, with the help of our Panthers, to raise over $800.00 throughout this Giving Week.

Here's how the book drive will work:

• Send a donation to school (checks made payable to Ridgecrest Elementary PTA) in a sealed envelope labeled All Pro Dad's Book Drive. Envelopes will be collected in the front office throughout the entire week. Any donation amount is appreciated and cash is acceptable.
• Donations will be accepted the entire "Gift of Giving Week" which is 12/11/06 - 12/15/06.
• Books will be purchased through Scholastic Books and shipped directly to Ms. Trudy Lenz a Kindergarten teacher at Benjamin Banneker Elementary. Purchasing the books this way saves us the expense of shipping thus allowing us to provide even more books.

Please join us this week and send in a donation to help this worthy cause. Should you have questions or would like additional information, please contact Charles Derexson, PTA All Pro Dad Chairperson at 588-3580. Thank you for your support and for Giving the Gift of Reading!

Tuesday, 12/12/06 - A PRESENT FOR OUR PANTHERS DAY

Today, Tuesday 12/12/06 will kick off our Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) activities. RIF will continue until we break for winter holiday. Throughout this week and next each student will receive a RIF book and each classroom will have a scheduled activity relating to the book. These RIF books are our "gift" to the students to help encourage a love of reading. Many of the RIF activities are hosted by our wonderful volunteers, so parents, if you would like to help us by giving a little of your time for this fun event, please contact Jeanette Short at pshort@tampabay.rr.com. Classroom activities will be scheduled Tuesday 12/12/06 through Thursday 12/21/06. Help us celebrate "A Present for Our Panthers" during the Gift of Giving Week.

Wednesday, 12/13/06 - GIVE BACK TO THE RIDGE DAY

"Give Back to the Ridge Day" serves as a reminder of the many things our Panther families can do to give back to Ridgecrest. For full details of all of our fundraising opportunities click here. The following is a summary of what you can do, with very little effort to support your school:

* Collect: Nestle Pure Life Bottled Water labels, Box Tops, Campbell Soup Labels and used ink cartridges and cell phones.

* Shop: Target, Albertsons and Office Depot all give back to our school if you designate Ridgecrest for your purchases.

* Subscribe: Direct TV and The St. Petersburg Times will send Ridgecrest money for each new subscription or renewal.

* Eat: Everything Thursday is Ridgecrest Night at Domino's Pizza where we get a portion of the total sales.

Thursday, 12/14/06 - THE GIFT OF MUSIC

Tonight our 5th Grade Chorus will entertain us with their "Gift of Music". Join us this evening, Thursday, 12/14/06 from 6:00-7:00pm in the Multi Purpose Room for a beautiful Holiday Concert. Our 5th Graders have worked hard all year preparing for this event. You won't want to miss it! Come and enjoy the Gift of Music provided by our own 5th grade students. Celebrate the sounds of the seasons with us and the 5th Grade Chorus.

Friday, 12/15/06 - GIVING CLOTHES TO KIDS

Friday kicks off our Clothes to Kids drive. Clothes to Kids provides new and quality used clothing to low-income children in Pinellas County, free of charge.

We are asking our Panthers to dig through your closets and pull out those clothes and shoes you've outgrown. We all know that kids grow like weeds, so lets put those outgrown clothes to good use! We are looking for "GENTLY" used items, clothes and shoes, free of stains, holes or fraying. If you prefer you may certainly purchase new items. Underwear and socks are always needed. All sizes and shapes are needed and welcomed.

Our collection of donated items will begin on Friday, 12/15/06 on our "Giving Clothes to Kids Day" and continue until Thursday, December 21, 2006. Place your items in bags and drop them off in the front office.

This is a WIN-WIN situation! It not only helps by providing needy families with new clothes, it helps to motivate all of us to finally clean out those closets! If you have questions or need additional information regarding this clothing drive, please contact Melissa Folks, PTA President at folksfam@tampabay.rr.com.

LET THE SPIRIT OF GIVING WARM YOUR HEART AND JOIN US BY PARTICIPATING IN THE GIFT OF GIVING WEEK, DECEMBER 11 - 15, 2006.

PTA HOME

PROGRAMS MAIN