Learning Gate News 2018-19
Learning Gate Garden Party
Thank you to our vendors and sponsors for supporting our Garden Party!

Risse Brothers Uniforms
Heron Outfitters
InterState Studios
King & Walker CPA
Tazikis Northdale 
Uncle Maddios Lutz
Urban Roots
Main Ingredient Lutz
Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP
Traditional Taekwondo Center of Lutz
Bach to Rock
Our LG Staff & Volunteers!
Learning Gate PTSA
The survey results are in! Out of 191 survey votes the option picked was option number 4: single family event, with light snacks provided $10-$20/ family. More information to come.

We are still looking for the following positions:
Chair for heron hike
Chair for Teacher Appreciation Week
VP of advocacy
These positions will help with getting your required 30 volunteer hours. Please email  president.lgcsptsa@gmail.com  if you are interested.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday!

Thank you,
Jennifer Crooker
PTSA President
PTSA Reflections Art Contest
Congratulations to our Learning Gate Community School Students! Their Art/Literature entries are moving on to County for the 2018/2019 National PTA Reflections Art Program~ 
Kennedy S.
Patrick A. 
Ty B.
Evelyn F. 
Molly B.
Julia M. 
Ariana B. 
James N. 
Keller M. 
Erik N. 
Christian C. 
Grant Awarded
Learning Gate teacher awarded Innovative Educator grant from the Foundation for Blended and On-line Learning.

Congratulations to Environmental Science teacher, Jim McGinity, for being one of eight educators nationally awarded the 2018 Innovative Educator grant from the Foundation. The winners are from all around the country and are a mix of traditional, public charter and Catholic schools. Applicants use the funds to support a unique project that utilizes technology, on-line learning and traditional methods to assist students with their individual learning. 
Jim’s project will involve an in-depth investigation of wintering Ovenbirds on the Learning Gate campus with our 3 rd , 4 th  and 5 th  grade students. An integral part of the project will include partnering with USF’s Florida Center for Instructional Technology and former teacher, Nate Wolkenhauer, on the technology training, implementation and hosting of lessons on their web-based portal. This is an exciting opportunity to deepen our students’ understanding and connection with the natural world in addition to enhancing their learning using technology. 
For more information about the Foundation and the Innovative Educator program visit: 
Learning Gate Blood Drive
Florida Wildflower Gardens
Florida wildflower gardens are popping up around LGCS!

If you have walked around campus in the last month or two, you may have noticed new wildflower gardens around the classroom buildings (and by the library). These are all brand new Florida Wildflower Gardens that have been adopted by LG families. We are so thankful for these volunteer families and what they are doing to help beautify our campus. Also, they have been including very creative plant labels so that students and visitors can learn new types of plants that are beautiful and make our campus a friendlier place for all the pollinating insects.

If you get a chance, please thank these families for all their hard work. Feel free to contact Mr. Jim if you are interested in adopting a wildflower garden bed or would like to donate some Florida native wildflower plants.
Box Top Standings
Here are the standings for the box top contest for the first half of this year. Congratulations to the top 3 class winners!

Top 3 Classes:
Ms. Alisa: 389
Ms. Alex: 375
Ms. Lindsay: 366

All others by grade:
Ms. Karoliina: 199
Ms. Leah: 3
Ms. Ruelo: 51
Ms. Vicky: 67
Ms. Wendy: 174
Ms. Nicole: 55
Ms. Ellie: 86
Ms. Anna: 103
Ms. Linda: 44
Ms. C: 76
Ms.Hayley: 194
Ms. Beth: 229
Ms. Alyson: 109
Ms. Ilene: 35
Ms. Holly: 21
Ms. Kara: 158
Holiday House
Winter Wonder Week
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
Lutz Lake Fern Campus Volunteers
Please help lend a hand to bringing nature and serenity t o the Lutz Lake Fern Campus on Friday 11/30.

Holiday House Volunteers Needed

Winter Shopping Bazaar & Glee Showcase
Thursday Dec 13th is our Winter Shopping Bazaar & Glee Showcase! We need help with set up, help during the event, and clean up after. We need adult & student volunteers (NJHS/Student Council)
10 Volunteers are needed:
from 3:30-5:30
from 5-8
from 4-8
from 6-8

Razzle Dazzle Volunteer
I n need of one person to earn 20 at home hours. You will be managing the Razzle Dazzle Raffle items. Needs to be creative & good with tracking the items, creating a board & making them look nice (adding fluff). 
Please email Michele N at  michelen@learninggate.org

Are You Crafty? Please join the Crafty Crew Group!
 
Are graphics your thing? Please join the Graphic Gurus Group!
 
Want to build items for LG? Please join the Carpenter Crew!
 
Are you a baking master? Please join our Baking Bunch Group!
 
Lunch Information
Lunch Accounts/Ordering:
Food Service Contact:   jill@learninggate.org
Monthly Menu : November Menu

Kona Ice on Hanna campus: last Friday of the month: 11/30, 12/14
Kona Ice on Lutz Lake Fern campus: first Friday of the month: 12/7
Volunteer During Lunches!
Hanna Campus — 10:45am–1:15pm
Lutz Lake Fern Campus — 10:50am–12:30pm
No sign up necessary, please just come in!
3 shifts = one free dress pass
Family and friends welcome!
Library Volunteers
We need assistance during the times classes are coming in and out of the library. Volunteers will work the circulation desk for checking books in and out, assist the children with locating books, light cleaning, and shelf returned books. Opportunities available throughout the school year!
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