Parkside Happenings:
Here is a full and complete list of what we've been up to at Parkside.Spring Garage Sale
Spring Garage Sale
Saturday, April 21,
7am – 2pm
here at Parkside!
Money raised will benefit our scholarship fund in order to help maintain the diversity of our sweet little school. We’ll be collecting items in the Serena Room (adjacent to the center courtyard) on Thursday, April 19 from 8:30-3:30. Drop off toys, baby items, children’s clothing, shoes and/or household items.
We’ll need volunteer hands for the following jobs:
Thursday, April 19
8:30-3:30 – receiving, sorting and pricing items (shifts available)
Friday, April 20
8:30-3:30 – receiving, sorting and pricing items (shifts available)
3:30 – set-up and “staging” for the sale on Saturday
Saturday, April 21
6am – set-up and get ready for open
7am – 2pm – friendly “salespeople” and extra hands on deck (shifts available)
2pm – clean-up and delivery of unsold items to Goodwill
Please contact Elizabeth with questions and to sign up for shifts.
Parkside Happenings’ Emails
Click below to read through any of the Parkside Happenings that have been sent out this year.
Yearbooks
Order your Yearbooks
Pre-orders are being taken now through Thursday, April 5, 2012 for Parkside’s 3rd Annual Yearbook. This is a great way to capture so many community memories from the school year in one great place. You may stop by the front office to take a look at those from the past to see what a valuable keepsake this is. We are also encouraging our families to consider “gifting” yearbooks to the teachers and staff.
Memory pages will be available for purchase at only $5 for each ¼ page. The purchased memory page spaces can be anything you want – a dedication to a teacher/classroom, a thank you or dedication from your family to Parkside, a congratulations for your child – really, the possibilities are endless. You provide us with the pictures and the verbiage and we can put it together for you. You could even have your child put the message in their own writing for us to include.
Yearbooks are $30 for one or two or more for $25 each.
Memory Pages – $5 for each ¼ page
Please return your completed Yearbook Order Form to Shannon in the front office along with your payment by Friday, April 5. Payments may be cash, check or paid by credit card online here. Memory page details must submitted to Jacqui by Friday, April 20.
Boys and the Brain 4/14
Parenting Workshop: Boys and the Brain
Saturday, April 14, 10am-12pm, $20 per family
Join Michael Zumpano for a hands-on workshop suitable for parents of boys ages 2-10. Do biological differences matter for boys’ thoughts and actions? Maybe. Maybe not. We know that all of us tend to communicate in the style that we ourselves most prefer. So for mothers what different communication styles may reach many boys? For fathers, when and how do we step back? What brain development differences may impact how boys learn? What needs could we meet by making a few adjustments in our parenting?
Please RSVP to Shannon if you plan on attending. Fee is $20 per family payable to Parkside Community School by check or cash (bring to Shannon) or by credit card here. Bring a yoga mat or cushion and wear comfortable clothes. No crazy bendy stuff, but we are going to move! Michael is the co-founder of Minds in Motion Experiential Learning. More about him at http://www.mimel.net.
Spring Campout: March 30-31
PEDERNALES FALLS STATE PARK SPRING CAMP OUTFriday – Saturday (March 30-31) What is it?Youth Campground of Pedernales Falls State Park is reserved for our Community Directions to the Park (about 40 miles): MAP to Park What to Bring:Pot Luck Dish to Share for Saturday night, utensils and plates for your Family’s use, Camping Gear, First Aid Kit, Swim Gear, Water Shoes, Musical Instruments, Bikes, Lawn Chairs, Drinking Water, Food for your Family, Fire Wood (illegal to gather), Warm Sleeping Gear (gets cold sometimes), Flashlights (no full moon – very dark once sun goes down), Headlamps, And anything else you might want or need. Plan to come and participate in any way your family can manage. Spend one or two nights, come for the day on Saturday, come for the pot luck and singing around the campfire Saturday night. You will be so glad you made the effort as soon as you step out of your car – it is an enchanting place! *We do such a great job reducing our footprint on the planet while at school, now it is time for us to try to reduce our footprint while we are camping. There is a program called “Leave No Trace” which teaches people how to camp and enjoy the outdoors while making as little impact as possible. In general, the rule is that if you bring it, you leave with it. There are a few simple steps we can all do to help “Leave No Trace” this camp out. First, after we finish our potluck dinner, everyone could pick up all of their dishes, food, plates and trash and put it away before the singing begins. The second part of the plan is that everyone make a sweep of their camping area in addition to the table area and the river area before they leave Pedernales Falls to go home. In an effort to protect our environment and still keep our kids safe, we are suggesting you bring some sort of reusable lighting device – flashlight, headlamp – instead of plastic glow sticks & necklaces. Come on out and join us for this wonderful Parkside tradition! |
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Music Matters 2012
Celebration
As we move into our 21st year, Parkside Community School continues to provide quality Montessori education to Austin families and their children ages three through 12. We offer “Montessori from the heart in the heart of Austin” – off Lamar and just south of the river. Parkside is once again hosting “Music Matters” this year at Shoal Crossing on Saturday, March 3, 2012 from 7:00-11:00pm. Our musical entertainment will feature Austin’s own Earl Poole Ball and The Cosmic Americans. There will also be live and silent auctions as well as delicious food and libations and of course, a general good time for ALL.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Parkside’s music and development programs. These programs include classical guitar, tuition assistance, classroom enhancements, teacher training and special workshops for our staff. These programs enable Parkside to maintain economic and cultural diversity within the school community while continuing to touch the lives of our children for years to come.
Join us for a another fun evening as we remember the past and look into the future of Parkside Community School.
When and Where
DATE: Saturday, March 3, 2012
TIME: 7:00- 11:00pm
LOCATION: Shoal Crossing
Earl Poole Ball & The Cosmic Americans
EARL POOLE BALL-Singer and pianist (Johnny Cash-Gram Parsons) along with rockin/blusey/rockabilly/original music band THE COSMIC AMERICANS. Members are: GLEN FUKUNAGA–BASS (Joe Ealey-Lloyd Maines-Dixie Chicks) JODI ADAIR–VOCALS (exciting new vocalist-songwriter-performer) CASPER RAWLS-=GUITAR (James Burton–Leroi Bros.–Buck Owens) DONY WYNN–DRUMS (Robert Plant–Brooks & Dunn) Based in Austin Texas since 2009–musically exciting and theatrically dynamic all at the same time.
Tickets & Tables
Who’s Invited? MUSIC MATTERS is open to all of Parkside’s families, alums, prospective families, faculty, staff and their families (adults only). In addition, the general public is invited and encouraged to attend. Tickets may be purchased online soon or by calling Shannon at Parkside (512) 472-2559. Tickets are non-refundable.
$1500 |
Table SponsorsFull reserved table in prime center location (seats 10) |
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$50 |
Individual Tickets |
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| ** Need sponsorship information by 2/22/2012 for program and presentation. Parkside will contact you regarding the details of your sponsorship. | |||
Live & Silent Auction Items
LIVE AUCTION
Classroom Projects
- Birdbaths – 6 total (stop by the courtyard to give them a peek)
- Glass Coffee Table with original artwork from LE2
Two paintings from Parkside alumni, Taylor Winn (hanging in the front office through tomorrow)
Vacation Destinations:
- White sandy beaches in Cozumel, Mexico (1 wk)
- Cozy Cabin in the woods in Carnelian Bay on Lake Tahoe (1 wk)
- Oceanfront Family Getaway in New Smyrna Beach, FL (1 wk)
SILENT AUCTION
Birthday Parties
- Blazer Tag
- Chapparal Ice
- Jump!
- National Elite Gymnastics
- Paul Cates Stables
Summer Camps
- I9 Sports
- Austin Sports Academy
- Bits, Bytes and Bots
- Champions
- Girlstart Camp
- Helping Hands Montessori
- Khable Summer Camps
- The Money Academy
- Paul Cates Stables
- Rippner Tennis at the South Austin Center
- ZACH Theatre
Entertainment & Dining
- Austin Film Festival Producer’s Badges
- The Paramount Theatre Film Passes
- Parkside (restaurant)
- SXSW Music wristbands
- La Traviata
- Uchiko
- True Blood DVD Set, Season One
Fine Art
- Signed lithograph print by Mark Miks
Health
- Teeth Whitening from Michael F. Lessner, D.D.S.
- Massage at 5 Fitness Training & Yoga
Homegoods
- Recycled Wine Bottle Trays from Lotsa Shimmer
- Services from Barton Springs Upholstery
- Organizing consultation from Laura Smith Organizing
- Zoku Popsicle Maker
- White Thermal Carafe by Alfi
Jewelry/Fashion
- One of a kind necklace from Lotsa Shimmer
- BLOOMERS
- Stella & Dot Jewelry
- T-shirts from One-Eared Cat Designs
Gift baskets of Local Wine, Beer and Spirits
And more items still coming in…
Evening Details
7:00 |
Welcome |
7:30 – 8:30 |
Earl Poole Ball & The Cosmic Americans |
8:30 – 9:00 |
Live Auction |
9:00 – 10:00 |
Earl Poole Ball & The Cosmic Americans |
10:15 |
Silent Auction Closes |
10:30 – 11:00 |
Auction Check-out |
11:00 |
Good Night and Thanks! |
About Parkside Community School
Our History: In early 1991, preparation met opportunity in the form a dilapidated former meat-packing plant at 1701 Toomey Road. Where others saw only broken windows and derelict real estate, Joe and Claire Bruno could see a school.
With financial backing from Mary Ann Justman and Wayo Longoria, and commitments from a group of like-minded parents, the Brunos determined to make their vision a reality. Months of frenzied construction ensued. By September 3, 1991, the old meat-packing plant had been transformed and on that day Parkside Community School opened its doors for the first time with 75 children attending classes. Today, two decades later, Parkside has an enrollment of about 130 students, from three-year-olds to 6th graders. And rather than being the new kid in town, Parkside has matured into one of the oldest Montessori schools in Austin.
Since 1991, Parkside has been providing Montessori-based education that cultivates social skills and a strong sense of community through school-wide activities and outdoor experiences. From group movement and cultural celebrations to swimming in Barton Creek, Parkside strives for academic excellence as well as rich social experiences that nurture the child, the family and the community.
Joe Bruno hopes to build on the music program at Parkside waxing poetically that “music is the math we hear.” He’s continuously inspired by the many musically inclined families who are a part of the Parkside community as well as Austin’s music heroes whose children or relatives have attended the school including Shawn Colvin, Eliza Gilkyson, Sara Hickman, Asleep At The Wheels’ Ray Benson, and Escovedo.
Our Goal/Mission: Our goal is for each child to become an independent, self-reliant person with the skills necessary to achieve their goals while also contributing to society. Toward this end, we base our educational approach on the developmental philosophy and educational methods of Dr. Maria Montessori.
Parent Ed. Workshop 3/20
Creating a more Effective Social Learning
Environment for 5 to 12 year olds
March 20th, 6:30 – 8:30pm
Parkside Classroom [TBD]
Presented by Pierce Green
This will be a wonderful workshop Parkside is offering to our parents, please plan on attending. Being a former Parkside afterschool guide and assistant teacher, Pierce has unique insight into our children and their needs. Many of us are in the power struggle with our children and are looking for some techniques to bring the peace, Pierce is here to do just that. The workshop will focus on children ages 5-12. We invite parents to join us as he addresses all of the following:
- The Power of Expectations
- Consciously Setting a Frame for Words and Deeds
- Riding the Rapids (their emotions)
- Responding versus Reacting (your emotions)
- Say it like you Own it (Walking the Talk)
- Specific Techniques
- Troubleshooting
Please RSVP with Shannon as soon as possible if you plan on attending. Childcare will not be available for this parent-only meeting. Please make other arrangements for your kiddos.
More from Pierce:
I got a call the other day from Parkside to come do another workshop. It feels good to be invited back. The feedback that I heard was that the recent Upper Elementary training had been received well and that there was some interest in a follow-up workshop for parents. Though I absolutely relish public speaking and interactive workshops, I feel it’s important to put it out there that I do not have any kids of my own. On the other hand, I do have a great deal of experience working with kids of all ages and with adults seeking relationship and family support.
I can also tell you that I seem to have a knack for getting desirable results for the people that I work with. I am trained as a family and relationship counselor and have been working indirectly and directly in this field for over 20 years. My experience includes: working on a psychiatric unit for abused teens, running Parkside’s after-school program, being an assistant teacher in Parkside’s upper elementary, teaching both character education (lower elementary) and bully prevention (middle school) in Denver, acting as a family counselor for 3 to 18 y.o. boys in Denver who had lost their fathers, managing both teen and adult emotional intelligence and critical decision-making trainings for court-ordered clients, facilitating organizational development workshops for small to mid-size businesses, providing services as a certified mediator, and running addiction recovery classes for Travis county. Currently I am facilitating three weekly domestic violence reduction groups in Austin, counseling and mentoring child through teen age youth, providing parenting support, and most importantly, offering private personal growth and relationship support for individuals and couples in my private practice.
It feels like a good list now that I am taking the time to type it up. Along the way, you might say that I picked up a few things that work. If you’re interested, have the time, or are just downright curious, Reality In Perspective Productions presents…Creating a more Effective Social Learning Environment for 5 to 12 year olds.
Cultural Challenge
CULTURAL CHALLENGE WEEK
LE1 – Tuesday, December 13, 10:30-11:30 am
LE2 – Wednesday, December 14, 10:30-11:30 am
UPE – Thursday, December 15, 10:00-11:30 am
It is time for the children to begin preparing their performances for the year’s first Cultural Challenge. All elementary students are required to perform a 1-2 minute piece. We encourage them to make a challenging choice in dance, music (vocal and/or instrumental), memorized prose or poetry, or a special skill (martial arts, gymnastics) that they’d like to showcase.
Cultural Challenge is a valuable opportunity for the children as it helps them hone skills such as poise, presentation, composure, and timing. Performing in front of a group of loving family and friends gives children a chance to face any fears they may have about expressing themselves in front of a group. Perhaps most importantly, Cultural Challenge is an attempt to stimulate latent talents and creativity in the children which otherwise may remain dormant.
The children must make their performance choices early – by Friday, November 18. Please consult your child’s teacher should you need additional guidance in helping your child narrow down a choice.
Preparation and practice are just as important as the performance itself. Preparing and rehearsing early is key in reducing stress and fears. We are asking that all elementary children practice at home (over the long Thanksgiving break) with guidance and coaching from their parents, so please help them as much as you can.
Parents are invited to attend this community performance. Mark your calendars with the date of your child’s Cultural Challenge performance and please take note of UPE’s earlier start time.
LE1 – Tuesday, December 13, 10:30-11:30 am
LE2 – Wednesday, December 14, 10:30-11:30 am
UPE – Thursday, December 15, 10:00-11:30 am
Cultural Challenge comes up time and again when we hear back from Parkside graduates and their parents. It is an instrumental part of their education at Parkside as we help prepare them for public speaking and performance throughout their lives.
We hope you can join us.
Holiday Bazaar
Tuesday, December 20, 9am – 2pm
This is the time to get ALL of your shopping done – not just the last minute stuff. There will be jewelry, clothing, toys, reusable bags, and MORE ranging in price from $2 – $200. And even better – 20% of all your bazaar purchases go to Parkside!
There will be plenty of food to take care of you throughout the day as well. Coffee, hot chocolate and breakfast tacos will be available in the morning. Tamales & vegetarian chile to warm your heart and fill your belly at lunch and plenty of baked goods (cake balls!) for dessert and in between. Please contact Elizabeth if you can donate any baked goods as we will be in need of plenty to get us through the day.
Take a look at our offerings and plan your shopping list:
Parkside Creations – student- designed greeting cards created with Lorin Bryce
Go Local Cards - $10 buy them for gifts & one for own family — Parkside earns $5/card – check out all the LOCAL discounts online.
Money Academy – Fundraiser for UPE workshop selling “The Money Trap” for $30 – Parkside earns $15/game
Kerri Blackburn – Melvin’s wife creates handcrafted & unique greeting cards & prints
Grace’s Gifts – homemade flavored butters & other creations by Grace Bruno
Moreno’s Tamales – the El Salvadorian version made by Jacqui Moreno – (pre-orders also available)
Aneelee – hot chocolate and Mexican Granola
Angeluz Jewelry Design- Toni’s sister-in-law makes gorgeous one-of-a-kind pieces
BooBooZoo – rice hot and cold packs for the entire family
Mary Thompson – beaded Garlands, cotton napkins & small cloth gift bags offered by Fair Aleshire’s mother
Fleegal Farms – soap & skin care from natural ingredients
The Goodwin Homestead - stained glass mosaics, felted wool, coin purses, bags, headbands & other gifts
Courtney’s CakeBalls – eat ‘em there or take ‘em with you
Stella & Dot – Anita Mennucci offers this jewelry line & invites you to shop before 12/20. Instructions for pre-ordering.
Miss Needle Beetle – reusable sandwich & snack bags
Jupiter’s Child - jumpropes, wooden animals & puzzles
Lip Glosserie – lip & skin care products
Kellydtees – cool t-shirts with pop iconic imagery
Petalwork Enterprises – hand-crafted jewelry, Spirit Art, reusable bags, doTERRA essential Wellness & oils
Original Designs By Jyl – reusable shopping & produce bags, coupon holders & baked potato bags
Ana Brasil Inc. – items from Brazil or handmade in Austin – jewelry, arts & crafts, boxes
BLOOMERS – our favorite flower hair clips
Lotsashimmer – upcylcled bottle spoon rests, glass fused jewelry & plates
Fall Festival – Oct. 22
