In our school, each teaching team or grade sends home a brief newsletter to let parents know what their children will be working on, feature art work, and let parents know about class-specific events. New this year is our PTA newsletter. I say new because there hasn't been anyone to do it for a couple of years and I have had to start from scratch with no template from the previous writer.

I have an outline of recurring articles to include along with requests for submissions by parents, teachers, the principal and our pres. I include a form for joining PTA, a calendar of school and county events, meetings, school closings,etc. There is a section called "tid bits" about interesting dates in the coming month (historical dates, famous births, etc.) Then I add some neat and fun ways for families to commemorate those occasions and books they can read together to learn more about them. "Overheard" contains submissions of funny things our kids say or bloopers made by our teachers. "On the Road" highlights field trips taken by the children; teachers fill out a form with the details of the trip (where, when, chaperones, purpose or educational value, quotes from kids about it, etc.) and I fill in the rest.

I also include a tips article for parents like on homework, conferences, and behavioral problems. Information gathered comes from sources like Nat'l PTA , American Academy of Pediatrics, or my state dept. of education . I have an occasional article specifically for fathers giving them tips on becoming more involved, overcoming the idea that PTA is for Moms only, and other neat little things for Dads.

We report our fundraisers, PTA sponsored events and projects, highlight upcoming events, report on the membership drive and even spotlight a teacher, student or class for a specific accomplishment or achievement (reading incentives, certifications, charitable acts, etc.)

Our newsletter will come out at the start of each season, the first one premiering in August, then one in Oct., Dec., March, and May. Right now, I am the sole writer, but it must be reviewed and edited by the pres. and principal before being distributed.

I make it interesting by inlcuding pictures, clipart, and various season appropriate shapes. Articles are separated by lines, or placed in boxes with the background shaded slightly.

By doing it myself, I know that the pertinent PTA info will be included...By asking for submissions (and often providing information forms to make it easier), I can be assured other school info gets in it as well. I think by having other people contribute, it will also give parents and teachers a greater sense of it being "their" newsletter.

It isn't easy...time consuming when print time rolls around, but worth it because I think folks will see the time that went into it and take the time to read it.

Our PTSO has a newsletter and our school has a newsletter. The school newsletter goes home twice a month and ours comes home monthly. We usually send them home on oposite weeks so as not to overwhelm the parents with too much information.

As for the printing and paper costs....it is a yearly expense on our budget. Our school has to send out all printing (over 75 pages suggested) to our district printing office. All jobs that we send in are costed and billed to the PTSO. If we use a standard color of paper it usually runs about $5.00 for 500 copies (single sided.) We run the newsletter double sided and it is usually 4 pages of information with maybe an attached flyer for an upcoming event, volunteer sign up sheet or a reminder for an ongoing fundraiser for something like Box Tops. We also use the district printing office for all our flyers, brochures neck tags, etc. We have all weights and colors of paper available to us and they also cut, stable, fold and hole punch upon request (additional cost, but very minimal and very worth it)

Last year we started a parents newsletter called THE PARENTS PAGES! It went home 1 time month usually the week after the Parent Club meeting. I would take the minutes (i was the secretary) and highlight the important info. in the newsletter. Also included would be a thank you to volunteers & a call out for new volunteers for that months activities. We would have a corner for the presidents message-somthing she would write about life and kids. of course or phone & email/contact info. upcoming events. And we would always try to include somthing light like kids say the funniest things-kids quotes or in the November newsletter we asked 1 kid from each grade level what they were thankful for. It was fun to write and included needed info for parents who did not make the meetings! [img]tongue.gif[/img] [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[ 07-22-2002: Message edited by: chic*mom ]</p>

Newsletters should inform and lice is an unfortunate fact in our schools. We are doing lice checks once a month and it is so noted on the school calendar in each month's newsletter. The more information the better.

Sorry our school nurse doesn't get to even send letters home stating that lice has been found in a class room anymore. That's why we're adding a column for her.
As told to me the Sun Ripened Raspberry gel will kill the lice/nits and it's safer than the chemicals. All you have to do is put it on the child's head, then put on a shower cap, and let them sleep in it. If you don't want them to sleep in it just let them run around all day with the shower cap on. They are then supposed to be dead and ready to comb. You always have to comb a lot. Some think it's a one time thing but with the no nit policies it takes a lot to get them out. Sorry if any were offended by this message. But information anyway you can get it is good information.

I should also add that our PTO puts out a newsletter once a month. We include dates of our events, thank volunteers, welcome new members, list our school lunches and in general remind parents of activities and programs. We also add any information our principal wishes to pass on to the school community. This newsletter is in addition to our school newsletter which is put out monthly. This however deals with educational, administrative issues. Most health issues are addressed by our school nurse (including lice!) under a separate notice.