CORRECTION: Hawkeye Women's Basketball Game is Saturday (not Sunday) January 8

Please note that both the Robert Lucas Newsletter and a post to The Mighty Hawk Messenger blog inadvertently stated that the DEED-sponsored Lucas Day at the Hawkeye Women's Basketball Game was Sunday, January 8. In fact, the game is SATURDAY, January 8 at 3 p.m. Please note the chance. For more information see the corrected blog post here.

Iowa City School District adds two staff members

From today's Gazette, news about the hiring of two new administrators by the The Iowa City School District. David Dude will be the district's director of information services and Kathryn Moreland its community relations coordinator. The school board still must approve the hires, which typically is a formality. Read the entire story here.

Join us for Lucas Day at the Iowa Women’s Basketball game January 8!

This is a corrected notice. 

Dads Engaged in Engineering Dreams (DEED) is sponsoring Lucas Day at the Iowa Women's Basketball game at 3 p.m. Saturday (not Sunday, as originally reported), January 8, in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes take on Ohio State.

Tickets for this fun, family event are just $5 per person. To get this price, orders are due to DEED member Joe Bell by Monday, January 3. Send your payment to Joe at 5 Dunuggan Court, Iowa City, Iowa, 52240.

You can pick up tickets from Joe outside the Lucas school office between 3 and 5:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7.

For more information, contact Joe at 354-2281 or jk.bell@mchsi.com.

Go Hawks!!!

Lucas December newsletter now online

The December 2010 Robert Lucas Newsletter is now available online. Be sure to check it out as it's filled with lots of great news, including:

* Great news about Lucas' receiving more computer-wired Smart Boards for classrooms.
* Information about Lucas lunch hours
* Dates for upcoming Conversations with the Principal

And much, much more!

Thank You to First Presbyterian Church

Lucas was blessed to receive three bags of beautiful hand-knitted gloves, scarves and hats from the Prayer Ministry Folks with First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City. These items will be greatly used by many of our students in need. Thank you First Presbyterian Church!

Holiday Gift Bag and Tissue Paper Donations

Lucas is conducting a special school project that is in need of holiday tissue paper and gift bags of all sizes. These items are needed by this Friday, December 17. If you have bags and tissue paper you can donate, please send them to school with your child. Your child can give them to their teacher. If you have questions, or want to know more, contact third grade teacher Laurie Martin at Martin.Laurie@iccsd.k12.ia.us.

Lucas Elementary clarifies student lunch times for parents

Some of you may be aware that a number of Shimek Elementary School parents are unhappy about the amount of time that school gives students to eat lunch — 15 minutes. The parents are meeting with Iowa City School Superintendent Steve Murley at 6 p.m. tonight to discuss the issue and to ask that the time be extended to 20 minutes, the time alloted by other schools in the district.

In light of the meeting, some Lucas parents have called our school to find out how much time Lucas students are given to eat lunch. Lucas students get 20 minutes for lunch, followed by a 20 minute recess. Lucas Principal Julia Burton said students can be given extra time to finish their lunches if needed.

For more information on the Shimek meeting, see the Press-Citizen article at http://www.press-citizen.com/article/20101212/NEWS01/12120314/Murley-parents-to-meet-about-lunch-period.

Movie Night CANCELLED!!!

The Lucas Elementary School DEED Movie Night, scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. today, Saturday, December 11, has been CANCELLED because of the Blizzard Warning in place tonight through tomorrow morning. Stay warm, dry and safe!!!

DEED to decide at noon Saturday whether to cancel Movie Night

A winter storm is forecast to bring sleet, ice, snow and very cold temperatures to Eastern Iowa Saturday and overnight into Sunday. So at noon Saturday, DEED will determine if Movie Night should be canceled for safety reasons. If Movie Night is canceled, Lucas will make a Blackboard Connect phone call home alerting families, and information will be posted on this blog, so please check back here for updates.

Meanwhile,  stay safe, warm and dry!

Share your hopes and dreams for Lucas during conversations with the principal

Lucas community members:

If you are interested in visiting with other parents and with Lucas Principal Julia Burton regarding your hopes and dreams for Lucas Elementary School, please come to one of the following focus group meeting times:

Tuesday, December 14 @ 7 p.m. in the multi-purpose room

Wednesday, January 12 @ 8:30 a.m. in the multi-purpose room

Monday, January 24 @ 12 p.m. (noon) in the art room

If you are not able to attend any of these sessions but you still have ideas you would really like to share, email Principal Burton at burton.julia@iccsd.k12.ia.us

Last reminder -- Toy Story 3 is Saturday night!

One more reminder to join Buzz Lightyear, Woody and the gang as Lucas Dads Engagement in Engineering Dreams hosts a free Movie Night featuring "Toy Story 3" this Saturday night!

Doors to Lucas open at 5:45 p.m., and the movie starts at 6:30 p.m. Hot dogs are for sale for just 25 cents (while supplies last), and free popcorn and lemonade will be provided. Be sure to bring your own lawn chairs and blankets! And remember, all children must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.

Hope to see you there!

Sick of Paying $25 for Peanut Brittle to Support Lucas? We are too!

PTO to Vote January 10 on Ending Fall Fundraising Sale

Each fall Lucas students sell things like chocolate-covered macadamia nuts and holiday wrapping paper to raise money for our school.

The problem is, just $4 of every $10 in sales actually goes to the school. The rest—a full 60%—goes to the company that provides the items students sell during the PTO fall fundraiser. So you end up with expensive treats and merchandise you may not want, and Lucas ends up with a lot less money to pay for field trips, visiting authors, playground equipment and technology for the classroom.

Kinda takes the “fun” out of fundraising, doesn’t it?

The Lucas PTO Fundraising Committee agrees and believes there’s a better way. At the Monday, January 10 Lucas PTO meeting, the committee will recommend that Lucas end the fall fundraising sale in 2011 and launch a campaign in its place to ask the Lucas community for direct, tax-deductible donations--so 100% goes straight to our school!

If you want to make your voice heard on this important issue, please attend the meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. in the Lucas Art Room. As always, free childcare will be provided.

Meanwhile, look for FAQs and other information about the proposed “direct-ask” campaign on the PTO’s blog, The Mighty Hawk Messenger, at http://themightyhawkmessenger.blogspot.com (click the Fundraising link in the left-hand column). Or contact PTO Co-Presidents Stephen and Melinda Pradarelli at 319-341-6106 or pradarelli@mchsi.com.

Signed,

The PTO Fundraising Committee: Brooke and Ben Hill, Joey Young, Dave Snyder, Steve and Melinda Pradarelli, Renee Speh, and Ruthina West.

Join the Conversation at the Monday, January 10 PTO Meeting at 7 P.M.!

DEED movie night Saturday to feature 'Toy Story 3'!

Lucas Dads Engaged in Engineering Dreams invites Lucas families to watch "Toy Story 3" in the Lucas gym starting at 6:30 p.m. this coming Saturday, December 11.

Doors open at 5:45 p.m. Come early and enjoy a hot dog (just 25 cents each!). Free popcorn and lemonade will also be provided.

The floors are hard, so be sure to bring lawn chairs, blankets or pillows to sit or lay on during the movie. And parents, please remember: all children MUST be accompanied by an adult.

Also, any dads (whether members of DEED or not) who can help with setting up the movie or preparing and serving the goodies, please let us know right away! We'll be setting up and testing the movie equipment at 2 p.m. Saturday, and then return to Lucas at 4 p.m. to start popping popcorn and prepping the hot dogs.

Questions? Contact Joe Bell at jk.bell@mchsi.com or 319-354-2281.

Hope to see you there!

Lucas dads group, DEED, gathering for coffee Saturday

Lucas Dads Engaged in Engineering Dreams (DEED) is gathering for coffee and discussion about upcoming events at 8 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4 in the First Avenue Hy-Vee dining area. If you're a longtime DEED member, or just a dad interested in learning more about our group, stop by and say hi. Among other things, DEED will be talking about the upcoming DEED Movie Night on Saturday, Dec. 11 at Lucas, and Lucas Day at Iowa Women's Basketball Saturday, Jan. 8.

Hope to see you there!

Press Citizen reports on Saturday recycling drive at Lucas

The Press-Citizen sent a reporter to Lucas Elementary Saturday to cover the recycling drive, which was organized by Joe Pavelich, Michelle Bacon-Curry and Nancy Cassady. Great job, everyone!

Lucas recycles to raise extra money for school
Can collection buffers PTO funds

Annabelle Cooper and her brother, Henry, helped unload the bags of empty cans and bottles from the back of their mother Kelly Cooper's van Saturday morning at Lucas Elementary.

Annabelle, 9 and a fourth-grader at Lucas, said she hoped the collection, which was a fundraiser for the school, would help purchase new equipment for the school's playground. Regardless of how the money is spent, however, she said she was glad to be rid of the cans.

"I'm glad to get them out of our garage," Annabelle said.

[Read the full story]

Thank You to Elise Denniston and Kohl's for Family Fun Night Support

A huge thank you to Lucas School Secretary Elise Denniston for connecting us with Kohl's department store. Kohl's has generously offered to give the Lucas PTO $500 for our annual Family Fun Night on April 8, 2010. Kohl's will also provide five volunteers to help staff the event. Thank you to Elise and Kohl's!

United Action for Youth offers free, gently used clothes for teens

United Action for Youth (UAY) is holding a Teen Clothing Drive. On Thursday, Dec. 9, young people ages 12-18 are invited to "shop" for free clothing items between 2 and 7 p.m. at the UAY Youth Center, 355 Iowa Ave.

All clothing items will be distributed free to junior high and high school students. Please invite young people from your program, agency, or school to UAY on this day to receive winter clothing items.

Meanwhile, if you have young adult clothing to donate to the cause, please drop your gently worn, winter clothing off at the UAY Youth Center Wednesday, Dec. 8, to allow for time to launder, sort and organize it for the Dec. 9 event.  (Please, no baby clothes, older adult clothes or clothing items that would not be appropriate for young adults.) For more information, contact Mickey Hampton, UAY volunteer coordinator, at 338-7518, or visit
http://www.unitedactionforyouth.org/.

November 2010 Lucas Newsletter now online

The November 2010 Lucas Newsletter, which is going home in students' backpacks this week, is also available to view online. In this issue, you'll find information about:
-- The next DEED Family Movie Night
-- Important information about an upcoming recyclable bottle and can drive
-- Information about this year's Student Council

And much more!

View the newsletter here, or click the link in the left-hand column of the blog.

Scholastic Book Fair a Success

Connie McCain wanted to share the great news about the Lucas book fair! The school sold $3530.00 in books and received $2218.00 in free books from Scholastic! Great job, Lucas community!

Futon Donation Update

An enormous thank you to a very generous and thoughtful Lucas family who stepped up to donate a futon to a family in need. As one of our Lucas staff members said, "I love it when our Lucas Family comes together!!!"

Seeking Futon Donation

If you or someone you know has a futon that can be donated for a special need within the Lucas community, it would be greatly appreciated. To make a donation or to find out more, please contact Melinda or Steve Pradarelli at pradarelli@mchsi.com or call 341-6106.

Thank you!

November 29 meeting offers tips on dealing with 'cyberbullying'

"Cyberbullying," or using Facebook and other social media sites to harass someone, has been in the news lately after some bullied students took their lives. To learn more about this trend, and what parents can do about it, consider attending a meeting titled "Cyberbullying: What Parents Need to Know" from 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, November 29, in Iowa City Public Library meeting rooms A, B and C.

Dr. Justin Patchin, co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center, will discuss cyberbullying, how it affects children, why awareness is important, and how parents can get involved.

This free event is co-sponsored by the City and West High Parent Student Teacher Organizations, the Iowa City Community School District and MECCA.

Drop off recyclables at Lucas Saturday, raise funds for school November 20!

Families can drop off their redeemable recyclables (pop and beer cans and bottles, as well as wine bottles) during a Recyclable Collection Drop-off Event from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, November 20, in front of Lucas Elementary, 830 South Lawn Drive. The recyclables will be taken to the Can Shed, and any money raised will be used to support Lucas.

Also, if you’re willing to volunteer during this two-hour event, your help will be greatly appreciated. Please contact event organizers Joe Pavelich at j.pavelich@mchsi.com or Nancy Cassady at cassadyim@mchsi.com to volunteer or for more information about this event.

Minute from Monday PTO meeting available online

The minutes from the Monday, Nov. 8 Lucas PTO meeting are now available.

To view the minutes as a Word document, click here. To view them in PDF format, click here.

October 11 PTO minutes now available

Minutes from the October 11, 2010 meeting of PTO are now available for review either as a Microsoft Word document or as a PDF. Also, a reminder that PTO is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Monday, November 8 in the Lucas Art Room. Childcare will be provided.

Another way to earn $$ through Box Tops for Education

See image below for details and click here to sign up.

A Thank You to All Who Helped Make the Halloween Dance a Success

To all of the Lucas Mighty Hawks out there:

Thank you so much for all the help from our parents and teachers for the Halloween Dance. Some parents who hadn’t volunteered were there to lend a hand too and we thank you. We cannot name you all but it didn’t go unnoticed. We wanted to acknowledge that because of all the help it made for a really fun activity for our kids to be involved in.

It’s great to be a Mighty Hawk.

Michelle Bacon Curry and Nancy Cassady

Halloween Party and Parade are Friday

Don't forget Lucas students will be celebrating Halloween tomorrow! Students in grades K-2 will be wearing costumes and parading through the school. An all-school Halloween dance will be held after school from 3 to 4:30 p.m. In order to attend the dance, students must have returned permission slips plus $2! Costumes are allowed, but they cannot be gory or suggest violence. If you have a question about your child’s costume, please call the school. We want this celebration to be enjoyed by all students.

PTO Fliers

PTO Chairs and Volunteers: When you create event fliers to put into teachers' mailboxes for distribution schoolwide in students' backpacks, can you also give a copy of the flier to Elise Denniston in the front office. This will help her stay up-to-date on information in case parents, teachers, or students ask her about a particular event. Thanks!

Our friends at City High would like to encourage Lucas families to help support an online contest sponsored by State Farm. The school stands to win $17,500, money that it would love to use toward ongoing improvements at Bates Field as part of its "Stand Up for City High" campaign.

Once you are registered, you can vote daily until Nov. 24. (PS: More info about the Bates Field fundraiser itself is available here.)

Here are the details:

City High is in the top running to receive $17,500 from “Friday Night Feats,” a national online contest sponsored by State Farm Insurance that highlights key moments in high school football. The contest asks users to vote for the top video at http://fridaynightfeats.com/fnf/. Voting continues until Nov. 24. Users must register and confirm registration via email, then log into the site and choose “heartland” from among the zones that are available on the web page. The video is titled “Last Chance Field Goal" and you can access it directly by clicking here.

The school made it to the contest’s second round and is consistently a top vote-getter, based on a video clip from the City-Xavier game on Sept. 17. City won the matchup 26-24, thanks to a 27-yard field goal by Drew Cornwell with several seconds remaining in the game.

School supporters are currently raising funds for improvements to Bates Field facilities. Proceeds from the contest can be used for any purpose, according to State Farm.

DEED seeking babysitters for November 6

Dear parents of babysitters:

On Saturday, November 6, during the University of Iowa Hawkeye football away game against Indiana (kickoff time is 11 a.m.), Lucas Dads Engaged in Engineering Dreams (DEED) is organizing an Adults Afternoon Out at Blackstone restaurant, where Lucas parents can watch the game on TV, eat, hang out and get to know one another better. To make it easier for parents to attend this event, DEED is gathering the names of qualified babysitters to share with parents who are in need of someone to watch their children. DEED will not post this information on the Web but rather share the list of babysitters, along with contact information, with parents who request it. It will be up to the babysitters to work out arrangements with parents, where the childcare will take place, the hourly fee, etc.

If you have a babysitter in your family who might be interested in providing this service, please contact DEED member Joe Bell at jk.bell@mchsi.com or 319-354-2281.

Thank You for Two Very Successful PTO Fundraisers!

The PTO is proud to announce that the Lucas community helped us increase our fundraising dollars for both the Fall Fundraiser and the Family Supper and Basket Auction.

Fall Fundraiser with The Chip Shoppe

Lucas students helped to raise more than $21,313.50 during the Fall Fundraiser with our partner, The Chip Shoppe. The portion of that money that goes directly to Lucas to fund PTO programming is $10,013.20. That is $2,224.40 more than last year!! Thanks to everyone who participated and a big thanks to Brooke Hill for organizing the fundraiser.

Basket Auction and Family Supper

This year the PTO made $1,819 during the Basket Auction. That is $103 more than last year. Thank you to our organizers, Ashley Cahoon and Cathy Fehr, and to the parents, teachers and room parent leaders who helped create so many beautiful baskets. We also served 461 meals during the Family Supper, exceeding our budget expectations and making it a great community-building event. Thank you to Ania McComas and Emily Spellman and a host of other volunteers for running a very smooth and fun-filled event!

Family Supper and Basket Auction is tonight!

We hope to see all of you at the annual Family Supper and Basket Auction tonight at Lucas Elementary School!

The Family Supper runs from 5:30 to 7p.m. in the Lucas multipurpose room and features food from Carlos O'Kelly's. Each meal includes beef tacos, refried beans, chips and salsa, dessert and a drink. Dinner tickets will be sold at the door and cost $5 for a two-taco dinner and $4 for a one-taco dinner. Payment of cash or checks will be accepted at the door, with take home containers available.

The Basket Auction runs from 5 to 6:45 p.m. in the gym. Families can bid on a wide range of fun baskets, whose themes this year include Art Supplies, Give Thanks, Read ‘n’ Feed, Ice Cream Sundae Toppings, Family Night, Movie Night, Baking and Holiday Treats, Hawkeyes and many others.

If your family created its own basket, or has craft or food items it wants to donate to the cause, please drop the items off in the teacher's workroom after 3 p.m. today.

Proceeds from both activities benefit Lucas Elementary students. Please join us!

Volunteers needed to hand out Fall Fundraiser orders October 20

Orders from the Lucas Fall Fundraising effort will be distributed from 3-7 p.m. Wednesday, October 20, and volunteers are needed to help hand out items.

Volunteers are invited to work the entire shift or select from two timeslots:

3-4:30 p.m. -- 1-2 people
5-7 p.m. -- 2-3 people (including, preferably, volunteers who can speak Spanish and Vietnamese, especially if calls must be made to homes of families who forget to pick up their orders)

Questions? Please contact Brooke Hill at brookemhill@gmail.com.

Thanks!

Reminder to Parents: Basket Auction donations due Thursday

Parents:

This is a reminder that students need to bring donations for baskets that will be auctioned off next Monday to school by tomorrow, Thursday, October 14. If you don't know or remember the theme for your student's class baskets, you can find a list here.

The baskets will be auctioned off as part of the Lucas Basket Auction and Family Supper Monday, October 18. This is an important fundraiser for PTO, so please donate as you're able to help fill up our baskets! Also, if you are a room parent leader, please be in touch with your teacher to discuss when you will pick up the donated items and assemble them into a final basket. Room parent leaders should drop off their baskets with a list of each basket's contents on Monday, Oct. 18 in the Lucas teacher's workroom after 3 p.m.

And don't forget, separate from the baskets, individuals and families are welcome to contribute baked goods, crafts or other items that can be auctioned off to raise money for Lucas Monday. Families can even donate their own baskets of goodies if they'd like. If you plan to donate these kinds of items, please bring them to the Lucas multipurpose room after 3 p.m. the day of the auction.

Questions? Contact Basket Auction PTO Chairs Ashley Cahoon at 351-4024 or Cathy Fehr at trcfehr@aol.com.

Lucas Library in need of vinyl love seat

Connie McCain needs help finding an affordable vinyl love seat for the Lucas library to replace an older piece of furniture. The love seat currently in the library gets lots of use, so the sooner Connie can find something the better.

The PTO has $100 that it will provide to purchase this furniture. But if you have a vinyl love seat you can donate, or spot one in good condition at Goodwill, Stuff Etc., Housewares or similar places, please email Connie at McCain.Connie@iccsd.k12.ia.us

PTO Meeting Tonight at 7 pm.

Please join us for a PTO meeting tonight (October 11) in the art room at Lucas at 7 p.m. We will discuss the results of the Fall Fundraiser and t-shirt sales as well as talk about upcoming events such as the Family Supper and Basket Auction. Child care is provided.

Basket Auction Themes Picked: Donations Due By Oct. 14

Lucas students and teachers have selected some exciting themes for baskets for which they will be gathering items over the next week or so. Parents should have already received a note at home this week that explains what the themes are. (Note that some classes have selected to do more than one basket and may have two themes.) If you didn't receive a take-home sheet, you can always find the list of themes by grade and teacher under the blog's Pages section here.

Please be sure to send one or more items for your student's classroom basket no later than Thursday, October 14. The baskets will be auctioned off during the annual Basket Auction and Family Supper Night on Monday, October 18, and the proceeds will be used by Lucas PTO for the school.

Unless teachers specified otherwise, donated items may include merchandise, food or even gift cards that fit with their themes. Feel free to use your imagination – the more fun, the better!

Once the items are donated, Room Parent Leaders will work with their designated teacher to put the baskets together.

Separate from the room baskets, families are welcome to contribute baked goods, crafts or other items that can be auctioned off to raise money for Lucas. Families can even donate their own specially themed baskets if they'd like. If you plan to donate these kinds of items, please bring them to the Lucas multipurpose room after 3 p.m. the day of the auction, Monday, October 18.

Questions? Contact Basket Auction PTO Chairs Ashley Cahoon at 351-4024 or Cathy Fehr at trcfehr@aol.com.

Thanks again for all your support!

Steve and Melinda Pradarelli
PTO Co-Presidents

Themes by Grade and Class

Kindergarten

D. Smith: Art Supplies

Jude Jensen: Kids in the Kitchen (cookbooks, aprons, hats, colorful cooking tools, fun-shaped pans, sprinkles, etc.) (Please note: Ms. Jensen is separately putting together a basket with the theme of “Cat Adoption Kit.” There is no need for families to donate to this basket unless they want to).

Sanders/Jensen: Halloween

1st Grade

Kessler: Give Thanks. Parents can donate between $2 and $10 or bring in one of the following items:
• Turkey baster
• Can of cranberry sauce
• Can of pumpkin
• French's fried onions for green bean casserole
• Mini marshmallows for sweet potatoes
• Thanksgiving themed kitchen towels, napkins, paper plates, etc.
• Taper candles for the table
• Table runner
• Hy Vee gift cards

Humrich (2 basket themes): Desserts (cookie cutters, mixes, sprinkles, candles, etc.) and Halloween (no candy -- just decorations, flashlights, pumpkins, stickers)

T Smith: Family Games

2nd Grade

Turnquist: Read 'n Feed (Books and Treats)

Hill: Hawkeye Tailgate

Brown: Write on!

3rd Grade

Jeffrey: Ice Cream Sundae Toppings

Martin: Dinner In! (Series of smaller baskets featuring a family meal: Mexican, Italian, Pizza, Soups)

4th Grade

Gugliuzza/Vincent: Sweet Tooth

Wieland: City High

Ryan: Family Night (examples include movies, popcorn and other food; board games, books; pumpkin-carving items)

5th Grade

Moore: Candy

Dixon: Pets

6th Grade

Dostal: Movie Night

Meade: Baking and Holiday Treats

5th/6th Grade

Newell: Hawkeyes

Lucas On Campus (LOC)

Dolezal: Souper

October 16 DEED meeting cancelled, but help needed for two events

The DEED (Dads Engaged in Engineering Dreams) meeting scheduled for 8 a.m. Saturday, October 16, at the First Avenue Hy-Vee has been cancelled since a number of people will not be available. However, the dads group does need help supporting two important upcoming events.

First, DEED members are needed to help staff the Basket Auction on October 18 (help keep an eye on the items). The auction takes place in the gym from 5-6:45 p.m. (The Family Supper Night, which takes place the same night in the Multipurpose Room, runs from 5:30-7 p.m.)

Then, on Friday, October 29, during the Lucas Halloween Dance from 3-4:30 p.m., PTO needs help from DEED to pop popcorn and make sure students don't leave early. DEED will also serve as crossing guards to make sure students who need to cross Muscatine Avenue after the dance get across safetly. Joe Bell will begin popping popcorn around 2:30 p.m., and some dads will be needed at 4:30 to make sure kids get on their way home safely.

If you can help with either or both of these activities, please contact Joe at jk.bell@mchsi.com.

Until Further Notice: PTO Will Need to Make Photocopies at The Print House instead of at Lucas

Attention PTO members. We know that many of you need to make photocopies in order to get the word out about various Lucas events. Unfortunately, Julia Burton contacted us today to let us know we will not be able to make copies at Lucas, at least until further notice. If you make photocopies at The Print House please keep your receipt and turn it into Ruthina for reimbursement.

Here is what Julia had to say about the copier:

"Our somewhat problematic copier is becoming more so every day. I have asked staff to limit their copying to class sets. We are averaging one repair a week. So, while I know this is going to be a huge headache, I have asked staff to have any copying of more than 60 at a time to go to the Printing House. I know that PTO is used to running copies here, but we will need to move that to the Printing House or other print shop until we get a copier that is more reliable.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Thanks,

Julia

Lucas Halloween Dance is October 29!

The Lucas Halloween Dance will be held from 3-4:30 p.m. Friday, October 29 in the Lucas gym and multipurpose room. But for students to participate, parents must sign this permission slip and have their students return it with along with the $2 admission fee made payable to "Lucas PTO" by October 26.

The dance will feature great music, great costumes and snacks. Hope to see you there!

September 13 PTO Minutes now available online

In the interest of saving trees, we're now posting the minutes from each PTO meeting on the blog -- in fact, you can find the minutes from our September 13 meeting online now on a new Agendas and Minutes page (the link is in the left-hand column of the blog). Or, you can just click here for a Word document or here for a PDF. (Thanks to Renee Speh for taking such detailed notes, too!)

We encourage you to review these ahead of our meeting at 7 p.m. next Monday, October 11, so we can vote on them. We'll bring one printed copy for folks who need to review it Monday (especially those not on the blog or new to PTO).

Finally, please let Steve and Melinda know if you have any agenda items for next Monday's meeting by this Wednesday, October 6. We'll also post the agenda to the Agendas and Meetings page of the blog when it's finalized, but also bring copies for the meeting.

Fall Fundraiser a Big Success!!!

The PTO is proud to announce that Lucas students helped to raise more than $21,000 during the Fall Fundraiser. The initial total raised was $21,313.50, but that does not include online sales. As soon as we know the grand total, and what portion of that will go directly to our school, we will be sure to let you know!

A big thanks to Brooke Hill for organizing the fundraiser. And don't forget that fundraising items will be ready for student pick up and distribution on October 20 from 3 to 7 p.m. in the MPR at Lucas. Thank you to everyone who participated!

Halloween Party Volunteers Needed

PTO is in need of multiple volunteers to help make this year's Halloween Party at Lucas on Friday, October 29 a success.

The event organizers need volunteers for three shifts. Two shifts are needed during the party: multiple volunteers are needed from 2:50-3:45 p.m. and 3:35-4:30 p.m. The third shift is for cleanup from 4:30-5 p.m. As part of the cleanup, four volunteers are needed to act as hall monitors.

If you are interested in volunteering, please email Nancy Cassady at cassadyim@mchsi.com

Reminder: Lucas Classroom Open House is Tuesday night

Lucas parents, don't forget -- the Lucas Classroom Open House is 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. tomorrow night, Tuesday, September 28. Formerly called Back to School Night, this is your chance to meet your child's teachers, visit classrooms and learn about the curriculum being taught. Students are welcome -- but not required -- to attend with their parents.

September Lucas newsletter now online

The September 2010 issue of the Robert Lucas Newsletter is now available online! Click here to view it.

Photos: Lucas marches in City High Homecoming Parade

Lucas families showed up in force Wednesday to march in the City High Homecoming Parade Wednesday afternoon. Lucas Dads Engaged in Engineering Dreams (DEED) organized the Lucas participation. Students chanted "Lucas, Lucas," handed out candy and had a great time. Below are some photos from the event.

Some Fall Fundraiser Order Forms Submitted Without Checks

Dear Lucas families:

Thanks for everyone's participation in this year's fall fundraiser through the Chip Shoppe, which officially ended yesterday. We've had lots of great participation and are getting ready to send in your orders.

However, a number of students brought back order forms with some items marked "paid" without including checks to cover the full cost of the orders. While we will do everything we can to honor all the orders, we hope you understand that PTO can't order items without having the money to pay for them.

If you think you may have sent in an order form without enough money, please contact Brooke Hill, our PTO fundraising chair, right away at brookemhill@gmail.com. Brooke will also try to contact Lucas families whose order forms were missing money directly.

Thanks again for everyone's help in raising funds for Lucas students, teachers and staff!

2010 Run for the Schools registration now open

Hey, runners and walkers -- great news! Registration is now open for the 2010 Run for the Schools.

Sponsored by MidWestOne Bank and hosted by Iowa City Road Races, Inc., the annual run will take place at 8 a.m. Sunday, October 17. Races include 1/2 mile and one mile Fun Runs, 5K, 10K and Half Marathon. Runners and walkers of all ages are welcome.

Students and race participants are encouraged to collect donations for Lucas Elementary and other Iowa City schools through this great family event.

Click here for a printable race registration form.
Click here for Online Race Registration Option

Race registration materials are available at all 25 schools and online registrations will also be accepted.

You can also make a donation to the schools on behalf of the Run for the Schools.

Click here for a printable Donation Form.
Click here to make a Secure Online Donation to the ICCSD schools!

100% of all donations collected for the ICCSD will support our local public schools through the Foundation's Excellence Fund and provide funding for educational activities and equipment throughout the district.

For more information, visit http://www.iccsdfoundation.org/runforschool.htm

Reminder: City High Homecoming Parade is Wednesday

Hey, Mighty Hawks! Remember that Lucas Elementary School families are invited to march in the City High Homecoming Parade Wednesday afternoon.

Lucas families march in the 2009 City High parade.

Please gather at Mercer Park no later than 5:15 p.m. and look for the Lucas Mighty Hawk Banner. The parade begins at 6 p.m. and ends at Bates Field (City High), where a snack will be provided by City High.

All Lucas families are invited, but students MUST be accompanied by an adult.

Wear a Lucas shirt if you have one (DEED members are encouraged to wear their DEED t-shirts). And bring a bag of candy if you want to hand it out along the parade route.

If you have questions or are a dad who wants to order a DEED t-shirt, contact Joe Bell at jk.bell@mchsi.com or 319-330-1386.

Hope to see you all there!

Thanks for Making the Big Blast a Big Success!

The Lucas Big Blast Fall Festival was a huge success!  Great fun was had by all who attended.  The weather was perfect and so was the popcorn.  A special thank you to all of the volunteers that helped the event run so smoothly.

Leslie Veit, Free Family Night Chair for PTO.

P.S. Thanks also to Leslie Veit for chairing this great event! It wouldn't have been possible without her great organizational skills.

Stephen and Melinda Pradarelli

Here are some photos from tonight's big event:

REMINDER: Meet at Lucas Tomorrow to Help Us Fill Up and Organize the PTO Shed

PTO is holding a "help us fill up and organize the shed" event on Saturday, Sept. 18 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. If you can spare any time we would love to have you help us move PTO items out of the teacher workroom and into our shed. Also, PTO members who have been storing Fun Night games and/or anything else PTO-related at their homes should bring those items on Sept. 18 to be stored. If you have any empty rubbermaids or storage bins at your house please consider donating them to PTO for this event. If you can help with this event email Melinda Pradarelli at pradarelli@mchsi.com

Help Lucas Elementary School win an interactive White Board

Hy-Vee is promoting a contest that will award an interactive White Board to 200 schools who earn the most points through purchases of certain brand protects at local Hy-Vee stores.

Here's the scoop, from Hy-Vee's corporate Web site:

For every $20 of Procter & Gamble products you purchase at Hy-Vee from September 1 to November 30, you earn 100 SMART Points to donate to the school of your choice. Get 100 additional points when you spend $5 or more on Sara Lee Bakery products in the same transaction as your qualifying $20 Procter & Gamble purchase. Find the promotional code printed on your receipt of purchase, and enter it by clicking on the "Donate Points" button. From there, select the school for which you would like to make a donation.

More than 200 schools with the most points will win!* Plus, this year the participants with the most points earned from each winning school will win a MacBook® computer for their child. We encourage you to invest in the future of our schools and share the details of this promotion with your friends and family during the promotional period.

To learn more and to register to participate, sign up here. When you purchase the right kind and amount of items, you will receive a slip stating the number of "Hy-Vee Smart Points" you earned at the checkout register and a code to enter at the contest Web site.

Good luck!

March with Lucas Elementary in the City High Homecoming Parade September 22

Help celebrate Mighty Hawk and Little Hawk pride Wednesday, September 22, by marching with Lucas Elementary School in the City High Homecoming Parade.

Lucas families are invited to gather at Mercer Park no later than 5:15 p.m. and look for the Lucas Mighty Hawk Banner. The parade begins at 6 p.m. and ends at Bates Field (City High), where a snack will be provided by City High.

All Lucas families are invited, but students MUST be accompanied by an adult.

Wear a Lucas shirt if you have one. And bring a bag of candy if you want to hand it out along the parade route.

Questions? Contact Joe Bell at jk.bell@mchsi.com or 319-354-2281.

General Music Concert Dates

At last night's PTO meeting, music teacher Nathan Kelley announced the 2010-11 General Music Concert dates. The dates are as follows:

Thursday, April 14, 2011

1 p.m. - 1:20 p.m. - Kindergarten

1:30 - 1:50 p.m. - 1st Grade

Thursday, April 21, 2011

1 p.m. to 1:20 p.m. - 2nd Grade

1:30 - 1:50 p.m. - 3rd Grade

Thursday, May 5, 2011

1 p.m. to 1:20 p.m. - 4th Grade

1:30 - 1:50 p.m. - 5th Grade

Sixth graders will perform at their graduation.

Flip Flop Friday fields funds for family

Congratulations to Lucas students and staff for making "Flip Flop Friday" yesterday a huge success!

Students and staff were asked to give a donation in exchange for getting to wear flip-flops to school Friday. The school donated a total of $655 for Kim Evans and her family, whose home and possessions were destroyed in a house fire this summer.

Way to go Mighty Hawks!

Lucas PTO to hold first meeting Monday, September 13

Please save the date! The Lucas PTO will hold its first meeting of the new school year at 7 p.m. at the school. We have lots of new faces to meet, and lots of business to discuss. So please attend if you're able.

Free babysitting will be provided.

We hope to see you there!

Stephen and Melinda Pradarelli
PTO Co-Presidents

Fall fundraiser kicks off Tuesday!

Lucas PTO kicks off its fall fundraiser on Tuesday Sept. 7 with a school assembly. Students will bring home a packet of information from The Chip Shopped in their backpacks. Students then have just two weeks to collect and turn in orders.

This is Lucas' one and only large school fundraiser. Proceeds from the sale will be used for items that are not covered in the school's budget. Things such as author and artist visits, instructional materials, yearbooks for every student, technology, playground equipment, teacher appreciation, and various items to enhance the educational experience for all!

We encourage all families that can to participate in this fundraising sale. Friendly sales are made by contacting family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. NO DOOR-TO-DOOR selling. SAFETY is our number one concern!

Help Us Fill Up and Organize the PTO Shed

The PTO Shed is finally complete -- shelves and all! PTO is holding a "help us fill up and organize the shed" event on Saturday, Sept. 18 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. If you can spare any time we would love to have you help us move PTO items out of the teacher workroom and into our shed. Also, PTO members who have been storing Fun Night games and/or anything else PTO-related at their homes should bring those items on Sept. 18 to be stored. If you have any empty rubbermaids or storage bins at your house please consider donating them to PTO for this event. You can bring them on the 18th or bring them to our first PTO meeting Monday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. We can use any and all help! Questions, email Melinda at pradarelli@mchsi.com

Reminder: DEED Family Tailgate this Friday!

If you don't already have it marked on your calendars, save this Friday, September 3, for the annual Lucas Family Tailgate, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., in the lower parking lot of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, at the corner of East Court Street and South 1st Avenue.

Sponsored by Dads Engaged in Engineering Dreams, the tailgate will feature free hot dogs, chips and lemonade. Even better, it takes place right before the City High Little Hawks football game against Waterloo West right across the street from Our Redeemer. So feel free after the tailgate to head over, buy a City High ticket and cheer the Little Hawks on to a victory!

Also, if you're a member of DEED or member of the Lucas community and want to help volunteer for the tailgate, please contact DEED member Joe Bell at jk.bell@mchsi.com or call him at 354-2281.

City High Principal Bacon reaches out to elementary schools

John Bacon, the new principal of City High School (and husband of PTO member Michelle Bacon-Curry), has launched a newsletter for families of Iowa City elementary schools, encouraging future Little Hawk families to get involved in City High events and keeping them informed of City High activities.

You can view a welcome letter, and a calendar of upcoming events, either as a Microsoft Word document or PDF by clicking on one of the following links:

Principal Bacon Welcome Letter: doc | pdf
September 2010 City High Newsletter: doc | pdf

Mighty Hawks shine at Kernels game

The Lucas Elementary Mighty Hawks were well represented at the Cedar Rapids Kernels baseball game this past Sunday, when Lucas Dads Engaged in Engineering Dreams (DEED) sponsored Lucas Day at Veterans Memorial Stadium. An estimated 20 Lucas families, as well as teachers and staff, watched as the Kernels handily defeated the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, 10-2.

Mary Olesberg welcomes everyone to the game.

Abby Pradarelli throws the first pitch.

But the real action took place before the game and between innings, when Lucas students and parents were invited to help with special activities. Abby Pradarelli threw out the first pitch; Mary Olesberg welcomed everyone to the game on the stadium sound system; Michelle Buell was invited to yell "play ball" to start the game; Lucas dad and DEED member Joe Pavelich won a geography quiz -- and an enormous bag of popcorn; and DEED leader Joe Bell, who organized Sunday's outing, went on the radio to talk up Lucas and the dads group. Additionally, some Lucas students, parents and teachers carried a large flag to center field for the singing of the National Anthem while nine Lucas students who made up the day's "Dream Team"  took positions on the field next to Kernels players during the song. Dream Team members included Kiera Bell, Maisie Snyder, Noah Pavelich, Jamie Dykes, Doug Everleigh, Will Everleigh, Zachary Fields, Kylea Greve and Kate Goodvin. (Thanks, too, to Jon Olesberg for the great photos!)

Thanks to all the Mighty Hawks who attended the game and showed the world what great school spirit looks like, and to DEED for organizing the event!

Lucas students, parents and staff carry the Stars & Stripes to the field for the National Anthem.

First Lucas newsletter of the year available

The first fall issue of The Robert Lucas Newsletter, produced by PTO member Emily Spellman, is now available online in PDF form and will be coming home in your children's folders in the next few days.

You might notice that the newsletter is a bit slimmer than in previous years. In fact, it's just one page, front and back. Though future issues may be a bit longer as we get deeper into the school year, this is part of  PTO's effort to cut down on the amount of paper we use -- and reduce the cost of printing hundreds of copies -- while still keeping Lucas families apprised of school news and events. But we're not cutting back on content. Though we'll include lots of short news items, many will link to the PTO blog, where you can read the full story. Either way, you'll be sure to be kept in the loop!

Speaking of the full story, look in this issue of the newsletter for profiles of seven new (and one returning) Lucas staff and teachers, information about how to order the new Lucas t-shirts, and other great information.

Meet & Greet roundup, T-shirt order forms and new Lucas staff

Meet & Greet

New kindergartner Adi Driscoll, with mom Stacey and dad Cam.

Thanks to everyone who showed up at the Lucas Meet & Greet and Popsicles with the Principal event Tuesday! It was a huge success, and we were grateful for the chance to see lots of new and returning families, including some new parents interested in volunteering with PTO. We look forward to talking with you more about how you can help in the coming school year. Thanks, too, to the PTO volunteers and Lucas staff who helped run Tuesday’s event.

 Principal  Burton and Family Resource Center Director Yolanda Spears

We especially got a kick out of seeing some of the new kindergartners walking around with their school supply kits and “Class of 2023” T-shirts (provided by PTO) and beaming as they shared the names of their very first teachers and anticipation of the first day of school. Their excitement, and huge grins, were infectious and reminded us how fortunate we are to be part of a school like Robert Lucas Elementary.

T-Shirts

We know many of you are anxious to show your Mighty Hawk pride by buying our new Lucas T-shirts. If you didn’t place an advance order on a shirt at Meet & Greet, your student will be bringing home an order form with his or her school materials in the next few days (you can also find a copy here and on our Download Center page and print one off at home). The deadline to order is September 3. Not only can you buy a T-shirt, but you can order cool Mighty Hawk water bottles and decals (we bear one proudly on our own minivan back windshield). We’ll also be selling the new shirts at upcoming PTO events, including the September 17 Big Blast Fall Festival. If you still have questions about the shirts, shoot PTO member Heather Lowry an email at chlowry@mchsi.com

New Lucas Staff

PTO wants to give a big welcome to the eight new staff members joining Lucas this fall. While many of you may have had a chance to meet our new principal, Julia Burton, during Popsicles with the Principal Tuesday, there are seven other staff members who will be working with our students this coming year. They are:

Lisa Collier, Reading Teacher
Elise Denniston, School Secretary
Travis Mead, Sixth Grade Teacher
Cheryl McCoskey, Reading Teacher
Kirk Ryan, Reading Intervention Teacher
Lauren Trolley, Orchestra Teacher

Helene Volkert, Language Arts Resource Specialist and Reading Teacher

Learn more about each of them in the printed Robert Lucas Newsletter (produced by PTO member Emily Spellman) coming home in your child’s folders next week, including which one has a dog named “Peanut,” which one enjoys windsurfing, which one was born in a car while his parents rushed to the hospital and which one spent 15 years living in China.

Save the Dates

Here are a few upcoming events that you’ll want to keep on your radar:

• Sunday, August 22: Lucas Day at Kernels Game, Gates open 1:05 p.m., Veterans Memorial Stadium, Cedar Rapids 
• Friday, September 3: DEED Family Tailgate, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Our Redeemer Lutheran Church parking lot 
• Monday, September 13: PTO Meeting, 7 p.m. 
• Friday, September 17: Big Blast Fall Festival
• Saturday, September 18: Dads Engaged in Engineering Dreams (DEED) meeting, 8 a.m., First Avenue Hy-Vee cafeteria

As always, be sure to check back on the PTO blog for other updates and information. And if you aren’t already subscribed to receive updates by email, we encourage you do so – that way, you’ll know right away if there’s new information up there.

Thanks, and we hope everyone has a successful first day of school Thursday!

Stephen and Melinda Pradarelli

PTO Co-Presidents

Don't forget Meet & Greet Tuesday! Also, a call for Volunteers

Just a reminder that Lucas will hold its Meet & Greet and "Popsicles with the Principal" from 12 to 1 p.m. and 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 17. This is a great chance to meet your child's teachers, visit classrooms, pay your child's lunch money in advance, learn more about the Lucas PTO and dad's group, Dads Engaged in Engineering Dreams (DEED, find out about special activities and volunteer opportunities and have a popsicle with our new principal, Julia Burton.

Speaking of volunteers, Heather Lowry is still in need of two volunteers to help Lucas t-shirts during both periods of the Meet & Greet. If you can help from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. and/or 3:45 to 5:45 p.m., please let her know right away! You can reach Heather at 351-3074, or by email at chlowry@mchsi.com.

See you Tuesday!

Hy-Vee school supply donations featured in Press-Citizen

Hy-Vee helps out: Donations gets students ready for school

Emily Schettler • Iowa City Press-Citizen • August 11, 2010

A full book bag of supplies will be standard issue for each Lucas Elementary student when school resumes next week.

Employees from the Hy-Vee grocery store at 812 S. First Ave. dropped off four large boxes of school supplies at the school Tuesday. The store collected the supplies for the children as a part of its annual Million Stem Rose Sale.

Lucas Elementary Principal Julia Burton said the donation of backpacks, crayons, notebooks and folders will make a big difference for students when they return for classes Aug. 19.

"These donations are critical," Burton said. "We have a lot of new families moving to Iowa City, and school supplies are expensive."

Full Story...

Deadline for buying Kernels tickets extended!

The Lucas dads group, DEED, has gotten an extension to sell discounted tickets for Lucas School Day at the Cedar Rapids Kernels Game.

Lucas families now have until next Tuesday, August 17, to buy tickets -- at $6.50 apiece -- for the Sunday, August 22, game in Cedar Rapids. You can buy tickets two ways: by contacting PTO DEED Chair Joe Bell or, in person, at the Lucas Meet & Greet, which runs from noon to 1 p.m. and 4 to 5:30 p.m. next Tuesday.

The tickets can be picked up at a special DEED table outside the gates of Veterans Memorial Stadium ahead of the game on August 22. Gates open at 1:05 p.m., and the first pitch is 2:05 p.m.

More information about this fun event can be found here.

Meet your 2010-11 Lucas PTO Board!

A big Mighty Hawk welcome to all the volunteers who have agreed to fill important chair positions on the Lucas PTO for 2010-11! All the great things PTO does throughout the year wouldn't be possible without great volunteers like these. So if you see one of these folks at a school event, or in the hallways at Lucas, or out in the community, please be sure to tell them "thanks" for helping make Lucas Elementary School such a vibrant, inviting and successful place to learn.

And for other parents or Lucas staff who are interested in helping out with PTO, don't hesitate to ask! We don't imagine any of our chairs would turn down some additional help.

PTO Board Members (2010-11)

Basket Auction: Ashley Cahoon
Basket Auction: Cathy Fehr
Big G Labels: Mara Goodvin
Campbell’s Soup Labels & Swiss Valley Milk Caps: Brooke Hill
Can Recycling Drive: Michelle Bacon-Curry
Can Recycling Drive: Nancy Cassady
Can Recycling Drive: Amy Greazel
City High Homecoming Parade: Joe Bell
Co-President: Melinda Pradarelli
Co-President: Stephen Pradarelli
Coin Drive: Brooke Hill
DEED Rep: Joe Bell
DPO: Michelle Bacon-Curry
Free Family Night Events: Leslie Veit
Free Family Night Events: Andy Veit
Fun Night: Amy Greazel
Fun Night: Sarah Holmes
Fundraising–Pizza Hut: Joelle Dickerson
Fundraising-Pizza Hut: Carol Greve
Fundraising–SCRIP: VACANT      
Fundraising--T-shirts: Heather Lowry
Fundraising-Fall: Brooke Hill
Hospitality: Ana McComas
Hospitality: Ashley Cahoon
Hospitality: Emily Spellman
Kernel’s Game/Lucas Night at the Ballpark: Joe Bell
Lucas Day at Iowa Women’s Bball Game: Joe Bell
Membership/Publicity: Cathy Fehr
Movie Night: Joe Bell
Newsletter: Emily Spellman
Past President: Lisa Ringen
Pre-packaged School Supply Kits: Carol Greve
President-Elect: VACANT
Principal: Julia Burton
Room Parent Coordinator: Heather Roth
Safety/Playground: Carol McDonough
Secretary: Renee Speh
Teacher Rep: Ann Kessler
Teacher Rep: Mindy Wieland
Teacher Rep: Tres Brown
Teacher Rep: Laurie Martin
Treasurer: Ruthina West
Volunteer Coordinator: Heather Roth
Yearbook: Emily Spellman

Buy tickets for Lucas School Day at Kernels Game now!

Time is running short to buy advance tickets for Lucas School Day at the Cedar Rapids Kernels Game on Sunday, August 22!

To receive the special Lucas discount of $6.50 per ticket, tickets must be purchased by Friday, August 13. Send a note with your name, contact information and the number of tickets you want to purchase, along with a check for the exact amount made out to the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Then mail it to Joe Bell at 5 Dunuggan Ct., Iowa City, IA 52240-2831. Or contact Joe at 354-2281 or jk.bell@mchsi.com to make other arrangements or ask questions.

The tickets can be picked up at a special DEED table outside the gates of Veterans Memorial Stadium ahead of the game on August 22. Gates open at 1:05 p.m., and the first pitch is 2:05 p.m.

The event is being organized by Lucas Dads Engaged in Engineering Dreams (DEED) and is open to anyone in the Lucas community. Lucas students will get special recognition and call-outs as part of Lucas School Day.

Additionally, August 22 is Sunday Family Day, which means fans can get autographs from the Kernels on the concourse prior to the game and kids can run the bases and play catch in the outfield after the game. Meet Cinderella, Snow White and others, presented by Glass Slipper Entertainment, and enjoy the balloon artistry of Papa Balloon on the main concourse

Cast votes to win Lucas Elementary $500,000 through Kohl’s Facebook contest

Kohl’s Cares, a philanthropic subsidiary of Kohl’s Department Stores, is holding a contest to see which 20 public K-12 schools in the United States will win $500,000.

The competition – which can be accessed at http://apps.facebook.com/KohlsCares/ -- gives Facebook users a chance to cast up to 20 votes on behalf of their favorite schools: a maximum of five votes can be cast for one school. So after casting your first five votes for Lucas (make sure you pick the one in Iowa City! There are several in the U.S.), consider using your other votes for Southeast Junior High, City High, or any other public school of your choice.

The contest began July 7 and ends September 3. Winning schools will be announced in September, based on the total number of votes cast for them.

Through its community giving and volunteer program, Kohl’s Cares support kids' health and education, environmental initiatives and women's health. Its vision is a future where kids are healthy, resources are plentiful and breast cancer is a thing of the past. More information about Kohl’s Cares can be found at http://www.kohlscorporation.com/communityrelations/community01.htm.

Please note that Lucas PTO’s sharing of this information should not be considered an endorsement of the contest. We encourage anyone considering entering contests like these to do so at their own discretion.