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Happy New Year Brinker Elementary! I hope you all had a relaxing and rejuvenating Winter break. This time of year, brings about reflection of the year that has past, as well as resolutions for the year ahead. For the PTA the new year is time of renewed commitment to the Brinker community and the continuing mission of enhancing the educational experience of every Brinker Bear. We kick off 2019 with the following events: January 14-18 – College Week is an opportunity to engage Brinker students in conversations about the value of higher education, as well as show “school spirit†in and out the classroom. Be on the lookout for more information from the Counseling department for each day’s festivities. January 25 – Cultural Diversity Day is an all-day event celebrating the diverse cultures represented in our community with experiential activities, cultural dress and a Parade of Nations through the school. Click here to signup to volunteer for this event. January 28 – Newcomers Get Together. Whether you are new to Brinker this year or want to get connected to the community, we will be hosting an in-home get together. Contact newcomers@brinkerpta.org for more information. Coming Soon- Movie Night with Dad is back by popular demand! This community favorite is being reinvented to accommodate the amazing turnout we have seen over the years. Contact programs@brinkerpta.org for more information. There are so many opportunities to get connected and keep involved in 2019! Please visit brinkerpta.org to explore the many ways you can get involved and interact with the Brinker community this winter and spring. Wishing you a year of health, happiness and community spirit!
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 | | DECEMBER TUESDAY TUNES PERFORMERS Make some noise for Second Graders: Aaina Golagani, Ash Moroni and Allie Moroni !!! Thank you for sharing your exquisite music with the school, this final month of 2018! Congratulations to every young musician who helped make Tuesday Tunes a success this first half of the 2018/2019 school year. All your performances were spectacular!
As we start the second half of the school year in January 2019, we still have some open time spots. Therefore, if your student musician would like to perform using any musical instrument for their friends, classmates and teachers in an informal setting on Tuesday mornings, please click here to register via the PTA Membership Toolkit. You can also e-mail tuesdaytunes@brinkerpta.orgwith any questions you may have.
Nearly everyone enjoys music, whether by listening to it, singing, or playing an instrument. Five reasons why music education is so important, and how it offers benefits even beyond itself.
1. Musical training helps develop language and reasoning: Students who have early musical training will develop the areas of the brain related to language and reasoning. The left side of the brain is better developed with music, and songs can help imprint information on young minds. 2. A mastery of memorization: Even when performing with sheet music, student musicians are constantly using their memory to perform. The skill of memorization can serve students well in education and beyond. 3. Students learn to improve their work: Learning music promotes craftsmanship, and students learn to want to create good work instead of mediocre work. This desire can be applied to all subjects of study. 4. Increased coordination: Students who practice with musical instruments can improve their hand-eye coordination. Just like playing sports, children can develop motor skills when playing music. 5. A sense of achievement: Learning to play pieces of music on a new instrument can be a challenging, but achievable goal. Students who master even the smallest goal in music will be able to feel proud of their achievement. |
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 | | VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH - MARIA CROSS Congratulations to Maria Cross, our Brinker PTA volunteer of the month for December!! Maria and her family relocated here in July 2018 from Southern California for her husband’s job. She has two kids in PISD, her son Cole is an 8th grader at Renner Middle School and daughter Cara is a 4th grader here at Brinker. Maria and her family could not be more pleased with the premier education and support the Brinker community and family provide. Maria is a 4th grade room rep, has helped in book fair and with pep rallies. In her short time here at Brinker, she says she is honored and grateful to be volunteering with stellar individuals who dedicate their time and talent to serve our school. Go Brinker Bears! |
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 | | PTA LIFE MEMBER RECIPIENTS
There are so many deserving individuals serving and helping our students at Brinker Elementary. One way we can publicly recognize and honor individual contributions of service to our children is through the Texas PTA Life Membership Award. This is one of the highest honors presented to individuals for outstanding service to our children and youth.
We are happy to announce our 2018-2019 Texas PTA Life Member Award recipients:
- Jessica Forbes
- Jamie Scott
- Anita Dewers
- Sarah Kissel
- Stefani Sereboff
- Amy Walker These giving and gracious individuals will be recognized at a ceremony in March hosted by the Plano ISD Council of PTAs. Thank you and congratulations ladies! |
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 | | REFLECTIONS We had a great year of participation in Reflections! We had 25 entries in categories including: visual arts, dance choreography, music composition, photography and literature. All of the artwork truly captured the spirit of "Heroes Around Me."
We had 11 entries progress to district judging with the following awards:
Award of Excellence - Visual Arts - Sophie Yoon (5th grade) Award of Excellence - Literature - Adelaide Geheb (2nd grade) Award of Merit - Music Composition - William Smallwood (3rd grade) Award of Merit - Dance Choreography - Jade Mityas (5th grade) Award of Merit - Photography - Ash Moroni (2nd grade)
We will be celebrating them and handing out awards to all participants at school and district level at the next PTA general meeting.
Thank you to everyone who participated this year and we are already thinking about the theme for next year: "Look Within."
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 | | HIGH TOUCH HIGH TECH VISITS KINDERGARTEN
Each year, the Brinker PTA sponsors science visits from High Touch High Tech of Dallas, to complement students’ STEM learning in their classrooms. On December 5, two High Touch High Tech scientists visited Kindergarten. The Kindergarteners became scientists for the day and explored each of their five senses with various hands-on experiments. They discovered how much we rely on our senses! Ask your little scientist what they learned.
Stay tuned next semester for High Touch High Tech visits in the other grade levels. Up next will be on January 24th, when Third Graders will explore structures and functions of plants and animals! |
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 | | SAM HOUSTON VISITS FOURTH GRADE
On December 11, Brinker 4th Graders enjoyed a visit from Texas Hero, "Sam Houston", as portrayed by Jack Edmondson. The students learned about Sam Houston and other interesting Texas facts, as part of the Texas History curriculum that they have been studying this unit. Bringing exciting, curriculum-based programs to Brinker is one of the many ways your contributions to the Brinker PTA are used. |
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CULTURAL DIVERSITY EVENT - JANUARY 25 Our Brinker Bears will learn about different countries and cultures. We have a lot of exciting activities planned for the students, and we need your help to enrich their growing minds. Volunteer Form is available here on the PTA Tookit. 2 Volunteer Shifts-
7:30 am - 10:30 - 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade
10:30am - 1:45pm (pizza lunch will be served) - Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade
NO OUTSIDE VISITORS OR GUESTS or individuals without security clearance are allowed to participate at this event. OPTIONAL - Feel free to wear any cultural clothing you already own. If you have any questions about volunteering for Cultural Diversity, please contact our chairs at diversity@brinkerpta.org. | | 
S.K.I. PLANO - FEBRUARY 9
The Plano ISD Education Foundation will host their annual SKI Plano event on Saturday, February 9, 2019. Buy tickets now to attend this fun evening at the Plano Marriott at Legacy Town Center featuring live band, dinner, dancing, big board, silent auction, raffle prizes and more. Tickets can be purchased here.
Plano ISD Education Foundation is an organization that assists the Plano School District in maintaining its high standards of academic excellence. The organization raises funds that support priority projects for which tax dollars are not available. The supported programs include:
•Grants to Educators for innovative classroom projects throughout our District
•Secondary science improvement initiative impacting all middle school and high school students
•Scholarships that allow all students to attend 5th Grade Outdoor Learning Camp
•Programs that recruit and retain the very best teachers
•Programs that promote college and career readiness for all students
•Programs that bridge the student achievement gap
•Innovative initiatives that inspire learning for all students | | 
PTA NEWCOMERS COFFEE JANUARY 28
It's hard to believe we are halfway through the school year. We have had a wonderful fall season with fun school events and activities! Our new Brinker Bears now walk through the halls with ease and confidence in their daily routines. Please join us for a newcomer parent coffee sponsored by the Brinker PTA to learn more about upcoming school events and volunteer opportunities starting in the new year. We will visit and answer any questions that you may have. Hope you can join us! |
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V.I.P. TUTORS NEEDED
Our VIP Program is an awesome, fun way for parents, grandparents or community members, to volunteer and help our Brinker students directly. You commit half an hour a week to assist a student who needs a little extra support in math and/or reading, as well as boosting the student’s confidence in their academics. If you choose to sign up to volunteer, you will submit your available days and times you can be at Brinker to tutor during school hours. You will be paired with a student or may also select whether you prefer to work with the younger or older grades and if you prefer to tutor in reading or math. You do not need to be a teacher or a former teacher to be able to tutor. The students’ teachers will provide you with the assignments and information for each tutoring session. If interested, please e-mail viptutors@brinkerpta.org. | | 
PISD VOLUNTEER APPLICATIONS Have you completed your Volunteer Application for the 2018-19 school year? PISD requires all volunteers to complete this application EVERY school year. We encourage ALL parents to complete and submit an application for security clearance - if you are one of our volunteers or just planning to attend a classroom party. Please visit the PISD Volunteer Application page to access the online application - it takes about 5 minutes to complete. If you have questions, contact volunteers@brinkerpta.org. Click here to go to the PISD Volunteer Application page or here to go to directly to the application. Thanks for volunteering! | | 
JOIN THE PTA
Please join us as a member of the PTA for the 2018-2019 school year. By joining for the first time or renewing your membership each year, the PTA is able to provide student programs to help make every child's potential a reality. We encourage all parents, grandparents, staff, and community members to join the Brinker PTA. PTA Membership does NOT require volunteering or any kind of time commitment. We only ask that you help support the programs and events that we provide for ALL students, ALL staff and ALL families throughout our community. Our goal is 100% participation. Only Members of the PTA will receive a Student Directory. Click here to sign up. If you have any questions, please contact membership@brinkerpta.org. |
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 | | PTA NOMINATING COMMITTEE NEEDED A Nominating Committee is needed to elect PTA Officers. At the next PTA General meeting on February 13th, a Nominating Committee will be elected to propose a slate of candidates for the 2019-2020 school year. The Nominating Committee will review forms submitted by the general membership naming candidates and their qualifications for office. The officers to be elected include:
· President
· 1st Vice President – Communications
· 2nd Vice President – Volunteers
· 3rd Vice President – Ways and Means
· Secretary
· Treasurer
Five (5) volunteers and two (2) alternates are needed to serve on the Nominating Committee. Volunteers must be Brinker PTA members, including parents and teachers. Volunteers should be familiar with the principles, policies, and procedures of the PTA and should also have some knowledge of the candidates who are being considered for the office. Volunteers should be able to assess the candidates’ qualifications and evaluate them regarding their desired positions. The time commitment for the Nominating Committee member is usually minimal: 1-2 meetings, as determined by the Committee, to review the applications. Meetings should be held fairly quickly to determine a slate of candidates and to allow sufficient time for publication prior to the March election.
If you are interested in volunteering for the Nominating Committee, please plan on attending the General PTA Meeting scheduled for 6:30 pm on February 13th. Self-nominations are allowed, so you may raise your hand to be considered.
Nominations will be made from the floor followed by a ballot vote.
We also need 3-5 volunteers who will serve as Tellers who will count ballots and record the vote. If you would like to volunteer as a Teller, or if you have any questions, please contact Merina Kovoor, Parliamentarian, parliamentarian@brinkerpta.org any time prior to the General PTA Meeting on February 13th. |
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LAST CHANCE TO SAVE $10 ON YEARBOOKS The yearbook is a 80 page hardbound book in full color filled with hundreds of photos to remember another great school year at Brinker. Click here to purchase a Yearbook the PTA Membership Toolkit. Be sure to purchase yours by Jan 31 before prices increase! **Yearbooks will be delivered directly to your student's classroom for Yearbook Signing Day in May 2018** VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – NO PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIENCE required. Just your smartphone. Click here to sign up to cover pictures of a school event.. In addition, ALL parents, not just volunteers, can DOWNLOAD THE IMAGE SHARE APP to conveniently upload your Brinker school event pics to the Yearbook website. Pictures can only be accessed by the yearbook Administrators. Our project ID is 911826. Ideally a minimum of 3 Brinker students in a photo. If you have questions about the Brinker Yearbook, please contact our PTA Yearbook Chair at yearbook@brinkerpta.org.
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COLLECT BOX TOPS Box Tops are each worth 10¢ for our school. The next submission date is March 1. Here is how Box Tops work: - BUY products you use every day.
- CLIP the Box Tops.
- SEND Box tops to school.
- EARN cash for our school.
If each Brinker child were to simply clip 10 Box Tops it would generate over $700 for our school. Imagine the possibilities - happy clipping! | | 
SPIRIT WEAR CLEARANCE We still have some of our most popular spirit wear in stock! Quantities and sizes are limited so don’t wait! Click here to place your order through the Membership Toolkit, and your spirit wear will be delivered to your oldest child's classroom.Questions concerning spirit wear orders? Email spiritwear@brinkerpta.orgRemember to show your school spirit by wearing Brinker Bear Spirit Wear every Friday! |
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 | | CHESS ENRICHMENT It's time once again to register for the Brinker Chess program. Classes will be held every Thursday, January 10-February 28th, from 4-5:15 pm at the Brinker library. An optional tournament will be on Saturday, March 2nd. The cost is $180 per student and all skill and grade levels are welcome. for any questions. |
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 | | TIME TO KEEP READING
Keep reading! Keep your students engaged this year by reading books from the Texas 2x2 Reading List and Texas Bluebonnet Awards. These award-winning books can be found at our local public libraries. Click on the links below for each reading list:
In support of these Texas reading programs and the extra efforts of our Brinker students, Brinker PTA recognizes 3rd-5th grade students who read at least 10 books from the Bluebonnet list and Kindergarten–2nd grade students who read at least 15 books from the 2x2 list. The students who read the books and turn in their reading logs by the deadline will be invited to attend a celebration in the spring.
A reading log was provided to your child by the librarian at the beginning of the year and can also be found at the links above. If interested, have your child read the books on the reading list and keep track on the reading log and turn in their log by the Spring deadline (tbd). Happy Reading!
Contact  our Literary Enrichment Chair if you have any questions literarysupport@brinkerpta.org. |
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 | | SPRING BOOK FAIR - FEBRUARY 11-15
SAVE THE DATE: BRINKER’S DINO-MITE SPRING BOOK FAIR
The students are going to stomp, chomp and read with us
Monday, February 11th through Friday, February 15th Mark your calendars for a prehistoric Family Night on
Wednesday, February 13th Bring your entire dinosaur family – even Grandpasaurus Rex! |
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