The PTO Is A Flat Circle, In a Good Way
Nietzsche, Squeaky Wheel Theory, and, as always, Doughnuts
Sunshine Committee needs you!
If you look around, leaves are brown, now, and the sky is a hazy shade of winter drifting wildfire smoke. But a dreary and gray fall sky isn’t going to stop the resolute Jenn Maeng and her Sunshine Committee from spreading a bit of light and thanks in this season of gratitude.
Before the Thanksgiving break, the Sunshine Committee will be giving out five dollar gift cards to various coffee houses, cafes, and other local eateries and drinkeries to each member of the Johnson Elementary staff as a small token of our appreciation for all they do. If you can help make this happen, please click the button below to sign up, and be sure to drop the cards off with Ms. Liz in the office this Monday morning, November 20.
If you won’t be able to make it out this weekend to pick up the gift cards yourself, just Venmo the PTO, leave a coffee or pastry emoji in the note section, and we’ll make sure the basket is full by distribution time. Thanks!
Ms. Rickabaugh’s Fourth Grade vs. The Impenetrable Bureaucracy
At the first PTO meeting of this school year, fourth grade teacher Ms. Nancy Rickabaugh told us about her students getting together to attempt to get the sidewalk in Johnson’s backyard fixed. Here is the letter the students wrote and sent to the school board and Charlottesville City Schools superintendent Dr. Gurley.
The students recently heard back from Dr. Gurley in the form of a video he addressed to them, in which he thanked them for advocating for their school community, assured them that their safety was important to him, and said he’d forwarded the issue to the city manager.
After reaching out to the city manager, Ms. Rickabaugh received word back that the project is now in the hands of the Safe Routes to School Program. After emailing them, Ms. Rickabaugh was told that the project is “super important” and “a priority,” but that due to complicating factors like tree roots and drainage issues, it is unlikely to be resolved particularly soon.
This is obviously somewhat frustrating and disappointing, if perfectly understandable. Ms. Rickabaugh had hoped to show her students that with a little organization and advocacy, they could be the motivating factor that got important steps taken to improve their school and community. Perhaps change is indeed coming! But perhaps not quickly enough for the kids to see their efforts pay off.
All that said, perhaps you can help, too! (No, this is not an invitation to ride your excavator up to Johnson and start doing rogue sidewalk repairs, but your enthusiasm is appreciated.) Say what you will about the pitfalls (and cracked sidewalks covered in ankle-deep mudpuddles) of representative government, but one nice thing about it is that the squeakiest wheels usually end up getting some grease—or at least an email back promising that there will be a meeting about the possible application of grease at some future date.
So, if you are so inclined, and would like to help Ms. Rickabaugh’s students make some noise about this particular issue, please consider clicking on the buttons below. Just let whoever is on the other end of those forms know that the sidewalk behind Johnson Elementary is in unacceptable shape, and needs to be addressed as quickly and effectively as possible. Thanks!
Leopard Laps Program Proving Popular; Skeptics, Haters, and Doubters Silenced
Nearly half of Johnson’s K-4th graders have already participated in Leopard Laps, with a few of those students already having exceeded 10 miles of circles around the green-top. Leopard Laps mastermind and child locomotion enthusiast Randi Jennings has assured us that the program is not about subtly teaching the children about Nietzsche's “eternal return,” but a way to get the kids’ day started with some light physical activity so that they are ready, mind and body, to learn.
Randi is always looking for more volunteers to keep Leopard Laps going every day. If you can donate just twenty minutes of your morning once every couple of weeks to keep an eye on the kids and count laps, please click the button below to email Randi. The kids very clearly love the program, and we’d all like to see it continue, with your help.
Fourth Grade Sneaker Ball
On Friday January 19, 2024, the PTO—with an assist from Principal Mickens—will be putting on an evening dance party for Johnson’s fourth graders in the cafeteria. We are looking for volunteers to help in all phases of this event, from planning to decoration to music to chaperones. Please reach out via email if you would like to be part of making this a memorable night for the fourth grade as they kick off their final few months at Johnson.
Chipotle Fundraiser Night
Mark your calendars, because Tuesday, December 12, is Johnson Spirit Night at Chipotle. If you get dinner from Chipotle that night, the PTO will get a cut of the proceeds. Further details as we get closer.
Krispy Kreme Fundraiser Ongoing
Click the button below to buy a code for a dozen doughnuts, redeemable at any Krispy Kreme in the country, and the PTO gets half of your purchase price. A truly spectacular deal for all involved.
I’m pretty sure that’s all we’ve got for you today, except to also mention that we are always seeking volunteers to help with our annual Bingo Night and Silent Auction. Please get in touch with Laura if you can help out in any way, big or small. Have a wonderful weekend!