October, 2013

INSIDE THIS

ISSUE:

Catch the Reading Bug 1

Cardboard challenge 2

Book Fair & Library news 3

Meet the PTO Board 4-7

Volunteer of the month 7

News &

Events CATCH THE READING BUG WINNING LOGO

Congratulations to Shion Chie, a 5th grader in Mrs. King’s class.

Shion’s logo is featured on our Read-a-thon t-shirts and posters. Find

the complete list of winning artists on the home page at

www.monumentacademy.net

KICK-OFF RALLY

MONDAY, OCTOBER 14th

READ A THON T-SHIRTS

COUNT AS SPIRIT WEAR ON

FRIDAY’S!

We simply could not do this without all of our wonderful sponsors. Please visit them, use

their services and thank them in person. Many thanks to the following:

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Our librarian, Kelly Collier, is currently in need of volunteers for: 1) ongoing "library assistant" shifts to help with general library tasks and classroom visits, and 2) the Scholastic Book Fair to be held October 14-18.

All available volunteer shifts through

December are posted on VolunteerSpot.com.

Here's how you sign up:

1. Click this link to go to the library's invitation page on VolunteerSpot: http://vols.pt/zV2eMD

2. Enter your email address: (You will NOT need to reg-ister an account on VolunteerSpot)

3. Sign up! Choose your spots through December.

VolunteerSpot will send you an automated confirmation and reminders. Easy!

Kelly is also looking for two volunteers to help with MA's Annual Young Writers Contest. If you're interested, please contact Kelly or email Cara Twibell, library volunteer coordinator, at malibraryhelp@yahoo.com.

BOOK FAIR IS COMING OCTOBER 14-18

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Meet your 2013-2014 PTO Board Page 4

Paula Knepper, Vice President Fundraising, Box Tops, Labels for Education and outside grants are a FEW of the things she oversees. Paula is married to Matt Knepper. Their daughters Maddie (4th) and Abby (2nd) attend MA. Born and raised in Midland, Texas, she attended Texas Tech, where she majored in dance (GO RED RAIDERS!_ Her parents still live in the house where she grew up. Prior to becoming our rock star VP, Paula taught high school for four years. Settling in Monument six years ago, the Knepper family has also lived in Texas and Virginia. In addition to her PTO involvement, Paula has done a variety of volunteer work for Monument Academy, including Spirit Wear, copy room, classroom and library parent. This year she is excited to be on the staff as the 3rd grade para. Say “hi” when you see her in the halls. When she’s not working or volunteering, she enjoys reading, knitting and makes the occasional attempt at skiing.

Gayle Petty, Secretary/ Communications & PR Gayle is married to Sean Petty. They have 11-year-old twins Morgan and Travis in Mrs. Ward’s 5th grade. She also has two stepdaughters, Erin (28) and Kristen (25) and one dog. Gayle was born in New Haven, Connecticut, and spent most of her childhood in Guilford, Connecticut. Having moved to Colorado in 1983, she considers herself practically a native. Gayle attended Penn State University and graduated with a degree in journalism, with a minor in sports history. She has worked in a variety of sports & media organizations including as Assistant Sports Information Director at Northwestern University, at the University of Florida as the Women's Sports Information Director; and at the U.S. Olympic Committee as the Associate Director of Public Information and Media Relations from 1983-1999. Her work as a USOC media liaison took her to more than 30 national and international multi-sport events, including 10 Olympic and Olympic Winter Games. In addition to colorful Colorado, she has lived in Illinois, Florida and Pennsylvania. When she’s not making complex things look easy, she likes reading, crosswords and Sudoku as well as biking, garden-ing and skiing. Gayle has been volunteering at MA since her twins were in Kindergar-ten. You might have seen her as a room parent, copy aide, lunchroom aide, front office aide and three-time co-coordinator of core knowledge days. She’s also an assistant Girl Scout troop leader.

Julie Galusky - PTO President Responsible for leadership of PTO Board, Volunteer Management, and Community Events. Julie has been married to her husband Peter for 26 years. Three of their kids, Rita(7th), Anna (5th) and Matthew (2nd) attend MA. Julie was born in Roanoke, Virginia, and attended the University of Virginia where she received a BA in Environmental Science and continued on at UVA as a Research Associate. After living in Virginia, Maryland, Ohio and Texas, the Galusky family moved to Monument three years ago. Our fearless leader has a heart for volunteer work, having previously served many organizations. Among them, a Pregnancy Center Director, National Board of Di-rectors for a Homeschool group, Family Support Program Leader, Youth Group Leader, Regional Homeschool Support Group founder and today as Treasurer for American Heritage Girls troop. On her down time (WHAT DOWN TIME?), Julie likes hiking, biking, motorcycling, scrapbooking and photography.

Amber Gallegos, Treasurer Amber has been married to Ted Gallegos for 15 years. They have two girls at MA: Morgan (4th) and Megan (1st). She was born in Woodstock (Illinois, not the event) and moved to Colorado with her family when she was 15. She has lived in Monument for six years. Amber graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a de-gree in Information Technology and worked in the IT field for 10 years administrating tech systems and database systems. She has also volunteered with “Mothers of Preschoolers” and with MA as the copy room coordinator. She considers herself blessed to have lived throughout our beautiful state including Longmont, Littleton and Glenwood Springs. When she’s not working diligently on PTO, Amber enjoys photography, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Lorri Halenkamp, Middle School Representative Lorri was born in Cottonwood, Arizona, and grew up in the Portland, Oregon, area. She attended Oregon Health Sciences University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in nursing. After graduating, she joined the Navy Nurse Corps and while stationed in Pensacola, Florida, as a labor and delivery nurse, she met her husband, Tim. After they married Lorri, left active duty and joined the Navy Reserve, serving 22 years in all. They have lived in too many states to mention all by name (11 total) and also spent three years in Naples, Italy. They have lived in Colorado Springs for two years and hope to retire here. They have four children at Monument Academy, in grades 8, 6, 4, and 2. Lorri earned her Master of Nursing Degree at the University of Utah and is a Certified Nurse Midwife and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, though current-ly not in practice. She substitutes as the school nurse for Monument Academy when needed. Lorri has always been active in Military Spouses Clubs, serving as President on two separate occasions and Vice President once, as well as serving on her Church Parish Council as Secretary. She has also been a room mom since her 8th grader was in Kindergarten. Last year she became involved with the PTO and loves to help out when and wherever needed.

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Sonya Camarco, Family Services Chair

Sonya is our wonderful “Hospitality Goddess”. When you enjoy coffee with Mrs.

Richard, thank Sonya (and her volunteers). When the teachers are rewarded

during conferences with a nice lunch set up, thank Sonya. When the teachers get

a nice dinner during conferences, thank Sonya. And when it’s time to have

appreciation luncheons...I think you are getting the picture about how hospitable

and great this lady is. Sonya is married with three kids, including 5th grader

Dominic at Monument Academy. When she’s not working or volunteering she

enjoys spending time taking care of and riding her horses.

Deena Hartje, Communications & PR Chair

Deena and Tim Hartje have been married for 20 years and have 2 boys. Carson is a freshman at Palmer Ridge HS and Jack is in Mrs. Wards 5th grade class. (Yes, THAT Jack.) Born a “military brat” in Hawaii and mostly raised in Colorado Springs she moved to Monument 4 years ago after 17 years of Air Force life that took the family to Alaska, Texas, Florida, Georgia and Belgium. She attended CU, Boulder and graduated with a BS in Journalism and Advertising. She also holds an MA in Business Organizational Management from University of LaVerne. Over the years she has held a variety of marketing, media and advertising positions. She “retired” from agency work when Carson turned one and crossed over to full-time Mom/Air Force wife. Additional volunteer experience includes MA copy room, newsletter editor, SHAPE American school scholastics, Human Justice Ministry & Anti Trafficking Task Force. When she’s not asking Tracey Naranjo how pinterest works she enjoys movies, travel, reading, watching her son play lacrosse and sleeping in (Okay, that NEVER happens.)

Tracey Naranjo, Volunteer Chair

Tracey is wife to Matt, mom to Keyonna (9), Kaiya (6), and Kenzie (4). Tracey graduated from Western Michigan University with marketing degree and moved to Colorado from Michigan in 2000. She continues to work in the field from home for a health and wellness company. Prior volunteer service includes classroom aide and room parent. When Tracey isn’t teaching a few of us befuddled board members what in the world “pinterest” is all about she enjoys volleyball and all things 'fall' -football, food, family gatherings.

Jim Cunningham, Media Relations & Outreach Chair Jim Cunningham is a retired Air Force Public Affairs Officer. He joined the Air Force in 1990 and during the past 24 years his assignments have included Greece, Portugal, Texas, Hawaii, South Dakota, Florida and Colorado. Notably, he served two tours at the Pentagon as the Senior Executive Assistant to the Director of Air Force Public Affairs and Public Affairs Operations Officer for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He has deployed to Operation Desert Storm in Kuwait; Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan; Port-au-Prince, Haiti; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; and Hanoi, Vietnam. Most recently, he served as a squadron commander at the US Air Force Academy and was media coordinator for the commander of Air Force Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base. He has conducted exclusive television interviews with Diane Sawyer of ABC News and President Bill Clinton. His awards include the International Film and Video Festival Gold Plaque Award, University of Florida Graduate of Distinction, Press Club of Dallas Katie Award finalist, and the Air Force Public Affairs Professional of the Year. He holds a Master of Arts degree from the University of Florida in Public Relations and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs in Counseling and Human Services. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Texas State University in Broadcast Journalism.

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Shellie Small, Community Chair

Shellie Small is new to Colorado and to MA! She is originally from California, but spent the last seven years in Florida. She has been married for 10 years to a Marine Corp veteran and currently has two daughters in 1st and 3rd grade at MA. Shellie has a Masters of Business Administration-Healthcare Management degree and works at USAA as an Auto Claims Adjuster. She enjoys playing an active role in her children's education and is the new PTO Community Chair. Outside of work and volunteering, Shellie loves spending time with her family, attending church and helping in the local community. She is looking forward to this upcoming school year and hopes to foster and develop a "family community" throughout MA!

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PTO VOLUNTEER OF THE

MONTH

Meet Anna Hoffman

I have one child at MA, she's nine years old. We've lived in Colorado for seven years. I first became interested in recycling when I moved to San Francisco in my 20s and the city was making a big push for curbside recycling. Over time, it just became a habit and a part of daily life. I worked for the Public Broadcasting Station in San Francisco and then the San Diego Natural History Museum. My husband's work brought us to Colorado and we have enjoyed the proximity to the mountains. Our family loves the outdoors and we hike, ski and camp as often as possible.

Last year a group of about 12 parents and staff created the Green Team.

Our goal was to restart a school-wide recycling program (MA had a robust recycling program in the old building). Brian Beland, at Tri-Lakes Disposal, donated bins and recycling services and we were off and running. Last year we recycled about four tons of paper and saved about 71 trees. Tanja Curtis also introduced classroom party kits, which saved 1,000 plates, cups and utensils. Special thanks to Brian at Tri-Lakes Disposal, and all the students, parents and staff who have helped make recycling possible.

From the Green Team Recycling Program

VOLUNTEER HOURS COUNT IN A BIG WAY! In the month of August, 143 volunteers worked 502 hours & 15 minutes

at MA! (214.25 hours outside the school and 288 inside). At $10 per

hour, this translates to $5,022.50 in volunteer time money value.