Welcome Back  ...


Ox Bow parents ... Join us tomorrow evening from 6:30-7:30 in the library for our first meeting of the year. We want to get to know you and let you know all the fantastic ways we will be making this an amazing year!  Friends, Snacks and FREE child care will all be waiting for you.  If you filled out an info card at the Back To School event, you could win a $25 certificate for book rental or lunch fees!

Hope to see you there!

PTO CHATTER:

Thank You, Parents ….Thank You, Teachers …Thank You, Organizers….  With your help the 2012 Zaar was an enormous hit.  We raised over $23,000, and the numbers are not quite finalized!   This is $3,000 more than last year.   The Zaar was made entirely possible by resilient working people. Thank you all for coming together to support Ox Bow School.   It was a marvelous way to spend a Saturday afternoon. 

Last year the PTO assigned over $4,000 towards study trips, and over $5,000 on assemblies, and programs such as Olweus, Literacy, Birthday Books, Red Ribbon Week the student leadership team/student council, and Minds In Motion.  We were even able to start up a tutoring program and pay for a new courtyard inside of the school.  This beautification project will begin soon and is scheduled to be completed by the end of this school year.   PTO was also very excited to purchase three ipads for three teachers and a couple of digital cameras for the computer lab.   

When parents and teachers work together the possibilities really are endless.  The definition of a PTO is parents and teachers working together to make a good school superior.  This is the heart and soul of a strong PTO. 

The 2012 Zaar is an example of our PTO at its finest.  2012-2013 is looking first-rate; more money will now be able to be added towards many of our line items such as study trips, classroom supplies, classroom technology and books for the library.  We plan to continue to provide money where corporation funds fall short. 

Plan to attend April’s meeting.  It is your opportunity to nominate yourself or a friend for a position on next year’s Executive Board.  The positions of President and Secretary are open.  If you’re searching for ways to become more involved while making an incredible difference, please consider becoming an Executive Board member or a PTO Chairperson.

Other things to remember as we approach the end of the school year:

·         PTO General MTG 7pm April 10th

·         Family Dinner Night will be April 17th

·         Fuel Your Sole 5k/2k Race April 21st

·         Grandparents Day is scheduled for May 18th, (the time not set yet)

·          Teacher Appreciation Week is May 7th - 11th   

Ox Bow Fuel Your Sole 5K Run    Website Saturday, April 21, 2012 9:00 AM Ox Bow County Park Elkhart, IN	Map Data - Terms of Use Get Directions
Distance:  5k Sports:  Running Summary: 5K RACE, KID 2K RACE, & FAMILY FUN WALK Saturday, April 21, 2012 KID 2K RACE start time at 9:00am 5K RACE & FUN WALK start time at 9:30am Packet pick-up: Friday, April 20 from 6-8pm at Ox Bow Elementary School Event Details: WHERE:  Ox Bow County Park Goshen, IN REGISTRATION:  5K fee - $20 –pre-registration (before 4/9/2012 - $30 after 4/9/2012) and race day registration (8am-8:45am) KID'S 2K  &  1 MILE FAMILY FUN WALK  fees: $10 – pre-registration per person (before 4/9)  $15 –late (after 4/9/2012) and race day (8am-8:45am) *KID 2K RACE FOR STUDENTS IN KINDERGARTEN – 6th GRADE ONLY!  DIVISIONS:                KID 2K RACE: boy & girl (Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd Grade, 3rd & 4th Grade, 5th & 6th Grade)                                                 5K RACE: male & female (14 & under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 0ver 60) AWARDS:                   Top 3 overall male & female, top 3 in each age group, Door prizes, Goody bags,                                                 Ribbons to ALL finishers in KID 2K RACE, Snacks at finish line, Kids TREK Bicycle raffle

For more information, click here:  Fuel Your Sole 5k/2k

Ox Bow Zaar Fun Facts

Make This Year Your Best Zaar Experience

Saturday, March 10, 2012 ~ 10:30 am – 2:30 pm

Fabulous Food!  - Come hungry!  This year we are excited to welcome back Ben’s Pretzels and The Wiener’s Circle Famous Gourmet Hot Dogs.   The pretzels will be warm and go perfectly with cheese or sweet mustard dipping options.   A new addition that we are thrilled to offer…everyone’s favorite pizza; Little Caesar’s!

When You Arrive at Ox Bow Zaar – Purchase as many Zaar game tickets as you wish.  The tickets are the form of payment for all games and snacks, with the exception of the hot dogs…they will ONLY take cash.  Game tickets are 2 for $1.00.  Make sure to visit the Cakewalk, Cookie Walk, Goldfish Toss, and see what amazing ideas the face painters will have this year!  New to the Zaar is “Fun Doos”, which offers colorful, creative styles for your hair!  Grab a few friends and play basketball knockout in the gym, and test your tic tac toe skills with ping pong balls. 

Attend the Silent Auction – Each class has put a lot of thought and effort into the class baskets this year.  These are always fun for the students to try and win.  Come prepared with the winning bid to take home the FREE set of braces valued up to $4,500.  Maybe you will bid on the 5 hour vehicle detailing, or the horseback riding lessons.  You must be present and pay for silent auction items at the conclusion of the Zaar.  Minimum bids will be in effect.  Thank you for paying with checks and cash only. 

Raffle Prizes – Don’t forget to buy your RAFFLE TICKETS to have a chance to win amazing prizes!!!  They are on sale NOW and can be purchased on the day of the Zaar.  6 tickets for only $5!  This year’s GRAND PRIZE is an Apple iPad2!  Other fantastic prizes are:  8 G iPod Touch, 32” LED TV, Xbox 360 Kinect, Nintendo DSiXL, digital camera and Trek bicycle, as well as many area gift cards.  You need not be present to win raffle prizes.

Snacks – Yum!  Always a hit at the Zaar, we will offer a variety of snacks available at the snack bar located across the hall from the gymnasium.  Cotton Candy, Soda, Candy…no Zaar could be without them!  Snacks may be purchased with Zaar tickets or cash.

ATTENTION!!! ATTENTION!!!  Prize Redemption – This year each participant will receive a prize redemption stamp card.  As each person plays games they will receive a stamp/stamps on the card for playing and winning.  When you are finished playing games, you may take the card to our prize redemption center and choose prizes based on the number of stamps you acquire. 

Zaar Does Not Happen Without You!  Volunteers are always appreciated and it is never too late to offer.  Bake a cake, help that day, and just ask us…we will put your services to good use.  Contact us at cjspon@yahoo.com

Save the Date!  Saturday, March 10, 2012

The newest box top contest is now in full swing.  We have a giant stuffed animal.  The individual that brings in the most BONUS BOX TOPS during the month of January will win... This includes teacher too.  Come see the big stuffed dog on display in the library and remember keep collecting those box tops!