Help Target help Lucas; "Give with Target" campaign supports schools one click at a time

Have you voted yet in the Give with Target campaign? This may be the easiest way ever to help raise money for Lucas.


The Target Corporation is giving away $5 million to schools through this campaign through Sept. 21. Every vote we get equals $1. Will you help us get up to 100 votes before the end of the day Saturday? Just click the link above to be taken to our voting page and encourage your friends and family members to do the same.

Then vote again on Sunday. Everyone can vote once per week (new week starts each Sunday.) Don't delay--last year Target reached the $5 million cap well before the official end date.

Girl Scout information night is Sept. 5 at Lucas

Attention all girls! Would you like a club just for you and your friends? Do you like crafts? Games? Songs? How about cookies, trips, or horses? 

All of this and more is available to every Girl Scout, even if you don’t want to be in a troop!  Girl Scouts will be visiting Lucas on Thursday, September 5 at 6:00 p.m. in the multi-purpose room to answer questions and help you get involved in scouting. Ask your teacher or the office for one of the colorful stickers that Girl Scouts provided us.  See you at Girl Scout night!”

 

Fall fund drive shows steady progress toward goals

A mighty big THANK YOU to all who have already contributed to our annual fall fund drive, Make a Mighty Difference. In just the first month we've raised more than $3,200 -- almost 1/3 of our financial goal!

We seek to raise $10,000 and 250 volunteer hours by November 1, 2013.

We are hoping for 100% participation among our school families, including both financial donations and commitment of volunteer hours. As you consider your family's contribution, keep in mind that all funds will go directly to our school for a wide variety of PTO projects and all volunteer hours will support projects that directly benefit our students.

Lucas PTO Makes a Mighty Difference by funding:

• Technology - Computers, Smart Boards, I-Touch
• Enrichment - Field Trips, Visiting Authors, School of the Wild
• Outdoor Educational Playscape - Outdoor classroom space, nature based play, prairie pocket, school garden, playground equipment
• Family Activities - DEED events, family supper, free family nights at Mercer, Fun Nigh

Lucas families Make a Might Difference by volunteering to:

• Prepare food for teachers on conference nights
• Assist on picture day (helping students move from classrooms to photo room)
• Set-up, serve, and clean-up Family Supper
• Organize games for Fun Night
• and MUCH MORE!

You can donate online by clicking here, or by downloading this form and sending in with cash or a check payable to 'Lucas PTO' to:

Lucas PTO c/o ICCSD Foundation
1725 N. Dodge St.
Iowa City, IA 52245

You can add your commitment of volunteer hours to our tally by filling out this online form.

Take some time to learn about school board candidates

School board elections are coming up on Tuesday, Sept. 10. Now is the time to get to know more about the nine candidates vying for three open seats.

Friends of Community Inclusion is sponsoring a school board candidate forum tonight, Monday, Aug. 26, at 6 p.m. in meeting room A of the Iowa City Public Library. All nine school board candidates are expected to participate, discussing issues related to special education in the district.

Also this week, the candidates will participate in a forum Thursday, Aug. 29, from 7-9 p.m. at the Iowa City School District Main Office, 1725 N. Dodge St. The forum will be cablecast live on Mediacom Channel 21 in the Iowa City-Coralville area and replayed at times still to be scheduled.

The Iowa City Educators Association will host a forum Tuesday, Sept. 3, at 6:30 p.m. at the Coralville Public Library.

More information about the candidates is available from several online sources:

ICEA candidate questionnaires

Press-Citizen editorial (8/21/13, pdf)

A Blog About School (written by a local parent)

Meet your teacher, share a popsicle with the principal Aug. 19

It's that time of year again--back to school! To get the year started off right, come to Popsicles with the Principal on Monday, Aug. 19, any time between 4-5:30 p.m. Check the class lists at the front door to find out who your teacher is and head off to your new classroom to drop off your school supplies. Then visit Principal Merriweather in the front drive and meet up with your friends for a cool popsicle treat.

You'll have opportunities to connect with PTO leaders to become involved with our events happening throughout the year. We'll also have information about the next phase of our Lucas Outdoor Education Playscape Initiative, which includes enhancements for the 3-6 playground.

If you have not already done so, you can pay your book fee at this event. And while you have your checkbook handy, why not Make a Mighty Difference with a donation to our PTO annual fund drive?

We're looking forward to a great year and hope you'll join us in support of our Lucas Might Hawks!

DEED planning meeting is Aug. 17

Calling all dads! The first DEED meeting of the new school year is this Saturday, Aug. 17, at the 1st Ave. Hy-vee at 8:30 a.m. DEED is starting out the year with a bang with three events in the first month--Night out with the Kernels, City High football Family Tailgate, and City High Homecoming Parade. We can use as many volunteers as we can get to help make these events a big success. For more information, contact Joe Bell. 

Take (the family) out to the ballgame with DEED Aug. 24

Please join us for Lucas Elementary night at the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Saturday, August 24 at 6:35 p.m. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and students who attend the game may be selected to participate in on-field activities and contests. The night will end with a spectacular fireworks show!

Lucas Elementary families can buy tickets at a special reduced rate of just $7. Tickets can be purchased using this flyer, by calling the Kernels ticket office at (319) 896-7560, or online at the URL below: (Please select the special Lucas elementary area of Section 112 when ordering tickets online.)

If we sell 200 tickets, then the Kernels will send us a fundraising check for $200. What a fun way to Make a Mighty Difference!

https://www.ticketreturn.com/prod2/Buy.asp?EventID=92625&promocode=rlucas

NOTE: After you click on the link above and the page loads, click on the + sign next to club seating and the special Robert Lucas Elementary price of $7 will be given as an option. This special link will be active until Friday, August 23, at midnight. 

DEED chair Joe Bell can answer any questions and will be available at the Aug. 19 Popsicles with the Principal event at school.

Make a Mighty Difference for Lucas this year

With the next school year around the corner, Lucas students are anticipating new classrooms, new teachers, and new experiences.

You can help make it another great year at Lucas by joining in our annual fall fundraiser, "Make a Mighty Difference."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_wfCH99Wxw

The money raised for Lucas PTO by "Make a Mighty Difference" directly supports Lucas Elementary School through:

Educational Enrichment like library books, field trips, visiting authors, and School of the Wild

Technology for Learning like SmartBoards, computers and iPod touches

Community Events like the Fall Family Tailgate, the Lucas Family Supper, and Family Fun Night

Lucas Outdoor Playscape Initiative, an ongoing effort to enhance the Lucas playground and outdoor learning space.

In 2013 we made visible improvements to the K-2 playground, and our goal this year is to make major progress on the 3-6 playground - but it can only happen with the financial support and volunteer energy of the Lucas community!

As of August 1st, Lucas PTO has already raised $2,450-- almost 25% of our goal! We need your help to reach $10,000 and 250 volunteer hours pledged by Nov. 1.

Make a Mighty Difference for Lucas today:

• Make a tax-deductible gift to Lucas PTO www.makeamightydifference.org
• Sign up to volunteer for a Lucas PTO event or project www.makeamightydifference.org
• "Like" Lucas PTO on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LucasElementaryPTO

Additional ways to help once school starts:

• Buy a 'Make a Mighty Difference' yard sign for $12 at Lucas School and show off your support
• Attend a Lucas PTO meeting (second Monday of each month at 7 p.m.; free child care provided)

Thank you for making a mighty difference for Lucas students!