November 2008
A Message from our
PTO President
Hello Folger:
Thank you to all of you that attended our October
PTO monthly meeting. I would like to especially
thank those parents who stopped in simply
because they are interested in seeing what is
going on. We covered a lot of ground. Please
join us at our evening PTO meeting on November
11th at 6:30.
Karen Reynolds and the finance committees are
hard at work. Be Beep week begins November
29th and will run until December 6th. Sally Foster
sales have closed for your child to get credit
towards a prize, but on line sales to support the
PTO continue until January. Sally Foster sales are
currently at about $14, 000 and we keep 50% of
that total. We have reached 70% of our
projected sales. Spirit Wear is looking to offer an
item of the month, look for an ad in the
newsletter in coming months. The school store
has announced its intention to offer spirit wear
items.
Louise Allen reports that Mad Science has a full
class with more than 20 students learning the
mad ways of science. She is busy working with
Kathleen Wallace in preparation of the wonderful
Holiday Shopping night on December 2nd. Plans
are well under way to have a fabulous night with
all the trimmings. We are going back to our roots
and offering shopping for the children, pizza
sales which will support the 5th grade promotion
committee and we will have exciting raffle items
from teachers and a few more surprises.
Membership directories should be in your hands
by the first week of November. If not, please
contact Maureen Whittington. Harvest for the
Hungry gets underway on November 3rd and will
run for two weeks. You
may have noticed a few changes at the greeter
desk. Please bear with us while we put a new
system in place. New safety initiatives have
begun. A driver’s license or other state issued
identification is required to enter Folger
McKinsey. The greeters and school staff are
working hard at learning the new software and
procedures.
American Education week will be held the week
of November 17th. Folger will again be offering
staggered classroom visits. On Monday,
November 17th kindergarten parents are invited
into the classroom, 4th and 5th grade parents are
invited to visit their children on Tuesday, and
parents of children in 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade are
invited to attend classroom visits on Wednesday.
Check your child’s backpack for the first report
card of the year on Friday, November 21st and
enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday.
Kathie Hamlett, PTO President
sons4me2@yahoo.com
410-544-3368
Principal Coffees
The PTO/CAC would jointly like to invite you to
the next Principal's coffee on Friday, December
5th at 9:00AM. Mrs. Ruhsam is welcoming
a special guest, Mrs. Sharon Morrell, SPMS
Principal. Mrs. Morrell will be joining us to
discuss the change from a four period day to a six
period day at the middle school. This is an
informal and relaxing way to talk with the
principal. Please come for our two for one
special; two special principals at one time.
CAC Meeting Update
On October 21st the Folger CAC discussed many
items pertinent to our school and community .
The "hot topic" of the night was the
walker/bus dismissal process. The CAC has put
together an ad hoc committee to analyze and
make recommendations to the process. The next
few weeks will be spent gathering data on bus
and walker dismissal times. If you would like to
volunteer on this committee please send Chris
Myers an e-mail at myerschris@yahoo.com
Minutes for the meeting will be sent out via the
Folger listerserv and available at the Jan. 20th
CAC meeting (7pm).
CAC Update- Folger could
receive $20.7 Million
Folger is among three schools approved to move
forward in the Anne Arundel school budget
process. Dr.Maxwell and the Board of education
approved Folger in this years’ Capital Budget at
$20.7Million (construction costs only). Our
school could receive another $4 million for items
including technology, furniture and utilities.
Belle Grove Elementary School in Baltimore could
receive $18.3 million, and Point Pleasant
Elementary School in Glen Burnie could receive
$23.2 million.
However, all is not “said and done”; we’ll need to
monitor the budget process as the school system
and the county move forward in these tough
economic times.
Spirit Wear Committee
Hi everyone! We have some great news! Starting
in November the Owl's Outlet will be carrying
Folger sweat shirts and sweat pants. Also, if
you're interested in purchasing some Folger spirit
wear items for Christmas, stop by our table at the
Children’s Holiday Gift Shop night in December.
They make a great gift! And as always, don't
forget to show your Folger spirit by wearing our
school colors on Fridays.
Kudos to our Folger Volunteers!
Folger is so fortunate to have so many dedicated
volunteers! During the month of September and
October many Folger parents and friends were
busy giving their time and talents. A big thank
you goes out to Carla Deegan for taking on the
responsibility of coordinating the monitors for
the Kindergarten lunch period.
We'd also like recognize all those parents who
helped make the Book Fair a success. In addition,
thank you to all the bakers who provided the
delicious cookies and treats for the Folger 50th
celebration and Bus Driver Appreciation Day.
Finally, we do appreciate those parents who
helped with the Vision and Hearing Screening
testing.
Volunteer opportunities abound at Folger! If you
would like more information about how you can
be involved in upcoming PTO activities or events
please contact one of the Volunteer
Coordinators.
Lynda Gregg, 410-793-5600,
lcgregg@comcast.net
Leslie Schoener, 410-544-2550,
LeslieSchoener@aol.com
Sue Wright, 410-647-7888,
lshwright@comcast.net
Greeter Desk
The greeter desk is a great way to volunteer at
Folger. The greeter desk needs to be manned at
all times while the children are at school. It is the
first line of security. I am looking for volunteers
to help out with one or more shifts each month. I
will provide training to any who has not done it
before. It really is fun and easy. I enjoy the
greeter desk because you see so many parents
you know and get a chance to say hi to parents
and teachers. Please email me and let me know
if you have any interest and if you know what
shifts would work for you send that along too!
Thanks in advance.
Christine Joyce
Chris@AAcountyre.com
 Finally! Holiday Shopping that Uses Your Brain More than Your Pocketbook!

Looking for a toy that will last longer than Christmas morning? Consider buying gifts that
provide more than temporary enjoyment by being both fun and educational. When you enrich
your child’s mind and imagination, you can build their IQ!

A child’s intelligence is made up of many skills such as attention, memory, processing speed and
logic and reasoning. These cognitive skills are the underlying skills that we use to think and
learn. They are the foundations on which academics rely.

Get more bang for your buck when you purchase a toy that is both fun and challenges those
cognitive skills. Ask yourself the following when considering a new toy or game:

Memory:
Does the toy challenge your ability to memorize new information or promote recalling
previously learned information and facts?

Logic and Reasoning:

Does the game require problem solving skill and encourage creativity?

Visual Processing and Auditory Processing:

Is your child asked to use all their senses?

Attention:
Does the game challenge the three types of attention – Sustained? Selective? Divided?

Processing Speed:
Is there a time element to the game?

If you are interested in learning more about cognitive skills and on getting more specific ideas
for games and shopping ideas, join us at our free educational seminar. Bring a list of all the kids
your shopping for this holiday season and let us teach you how to stretch your dollar and your
brain!

Seminar Date: Tuesday, November 18th at 7pm

Location: 479 Jumpers Hole Road STE 306 Severna Park
Registration is free, but space is limited. Please RSVP by calling (410) 544-6850 or email:
severnaparkseminar@learningrx.net and include your name, number of guests, and your phone
number.
Placement of any ad is not an endorsement by Folger McKinsey PTO of any product or service
Community Service Corner
Thank you to all the families that brought
canned goods to last month's PTO sponsored
Story Night. We collected over 130 lbs of food
that was donated to the Anne Arundel Food
Bank. This amount will be applied to our Harvest
for the Hungry donations this November.
During the first two weeks of November, we will
be collecting can goods again for Harvest for the
Hungry/Kids Helping Kids Program. This is a
program from the Maryland State Department of
Education to benefit food banks in Maryland.
This is a great opportunity to talk with your
children about hunger, and about how 1/3 of
those who are served by emergency food
programs are children ages 18 and younger. By
talking with your children about this topic,
encouraging them to decide with you what
you can donate from your own pantry, and
having them physically bring the food to school--
you can teach them about the importance of
volunteering to help less fortunate children in
the area. There will be boxes in each classroom
to collect your donations. A box will be in the
school foyer during Election Day to collect
donations as well. Talk it up with your neighbors
who will be visiting Folger McKinsey that day to
vote to contribute to this great community
service program--it's our civic duty!
We will continue our Coins for Kids Program this
November. Once again, there will be a coin jar in
the cafeteria at lunchtime to collect extra coins
from students to be donated towards food gift
cards for those in need in our community.
Another great opportunity to teach children
about having compassion for others!
Thank you to our Human Relations committee, a
group of fourth grade students, who will be
helping to coordinate and promote our
community service programs through out the
year. The November Guidance theme is
gratitude. As we contemplate what we are
grateful for this holiday season, let us also
remember those less fortunate and be inspired to
help! All of these service programs are of course
voluntary.
Thanks for giving!
Julie Snyder jksnyder85@msn.com
Community Service Coordinator
Yearbook Pictures Needed
Now is your chance to send those beautiful
pictures of the kids for the 2008-2009 Yearbook.
We’re looking for pictures of the Folger 50th
anniversary, 5th grade Arlington Echo trip, and
any others you feel appropriate. Please send
them to Ladas1@comcast.net and don’t forget to
send the names of the students with the picture
and their grades if possible.
Yearbook Cover Contest
We're looking for a few great pictures drawn by
our resident Folger artists. The yearbook theme
this year is "Folger thru the Years" to help
celebrate our 50th anniversary. In honor of this
momentous occasion we're looking for pictures
narrating the decades. Please have your student
use an 8x10 white poster board to draw a picture
about their grade specific decade using lots of
bright markers. The Cover Contest ends
November 21st. Please submit the covers to the
front office and address them to the Yearbook
Committee (remember not to bend).
Kindergarten 2000 -2008
First 1990- 19990
Second 1980-1989
Third 1970-1979
Fourth 1960-1969
Fifth 1950-1959
If you have questions please contact:
Ladas1@comcast.net
Folger e-mail
The Folger e-mail distribution list has been
updated. If you are not receiving Folger Updates
by e-mail, please send an e-mail to
BoysX4inc@verizon.net to be added, or you can
join the group by going to
FolgerMcKinseyE-mail-
subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

Once Upon a Time…Continued
Once upon a time, two wonderful authors arrived
at Folger McKinsey and entertained more than
130 students with their fabulous stories, while
their parents were equally enthralled by the
talented and dedicated staff, learning about
things like Smartboards and the new math
curriculum. As the crowd bounded into school,
they came bearing canned goods to help the
County Food Bank in an effort to spread goodwill
to those in need.
On October 14, the Folger PTO Family Nights
began with an awesome start! Story Night
offered something for all ages and everyone had
a good time! Harriet Fishel read to more than 65
kindergarteners, first and second graders, as well
as some younger siblings. Her book I Wonder
delighted her listeners and inspired them to be
creative in their thinking. Each participant
received a coloring book that accompanied the
story and they were able to spend time together,
creating and wondering in a positive way. The
multi-purpose room was filled with older
students who listened intently to Katy Kelly as
she shared the funny and endearing antics of
Lucy Rose and her friends and family. Clearly the
group was entertained, enthralled, and inspired
as they asked questions about becoming an
author and getting published.
The break-out sessions provided by the staff
were very well received and attended. Parents
were awed by the technology and topics that
were presented. Staff shared information about
BCRs, discipline, math, science and technology.
Parents buzzed about the topics and were
grateful for the opportunity provided by the
following staff members:
Mrs. Brant, Mrs. McWilliams, Mrs. Quigley, Mrs.
Sexton, Mrs. Moody, Mrs. Gladmon, Ms. Edelstein,
and Mrs. Grieve. We have enormous gratitude to
Mrs. Ruhsam and Mrs. Zwainz who were so
responsive in promoting this event and
encouraging and supporting staff to participate.
The partnership between staff and parents is a
key component to the success of our school and
as parents, we are grateful to the staff.
Thank you to the volunteers who assisted at the
event to ensure that all ran smoothly: Michele
and Howard Bandler, Terri Ann Harger, Mary
Mabeus, Nina Echeverria, Mike McClare, Julie
Snyder, Sue Young, Kate Horrell, Rachel
Whitman, and the many Folger students who
lent a hand quickly and with a smile: E. Whitman,
A. Echeverria. A. McWilliams, W. Snyder, the
Young boys and the Myers girls.
We are so glad that the Family Nights are offered
free of charge. We’re equally pleased that the
Folger community responds so well to the plea
for community service as a suggested entrance
requirement. Many boxes of canned goods were
collected, as part of the Harvest for the Hungry,
which stocks food pantries to help those in our
immediate area. Harvest for the Hungry will
continue in November, during the school days, as
well on Election Day. (see separate article for
additional details)
We also appreciate the generosity of our donors
who contributed to prizes that were awarded
during a raffle, which also provided a high level
of entertainment! Thank you Barnes & Noble,
Border’s, Café Mezzanote, Chic–fil-A, and Carrol’s
Creek
The book may be closed on Story Night this year
but we hope that students are encouraged to
dive into more books, reading and writing their
own stories. Perhaps some day, a Folger alumni
will be featured at Story Night. It certainly can
happen…once upon a time!
Chris Myers & Kate Whitman
Business Recycling Program
Folger McKinsey participates in the
FundingFactory Recycling Program
(www.fundingfactory.com) Old ink jet cartridges
and cell phones can be placed in either the
collection box in the front lobby or the collection
box outside the kindergarten classrooms. Also,
any business or organization can also donate
used ink jet cartridges and cell phones directly by
calling FundingFactory at 1-888-883-8237.
Prepaid shipping boxes will be sent, free of
charge, for your convenience. When speaking
with the customer representative, use our school
identification number, 19150, and they will see
that the proceeds go to our school.
 Special Events!!!
• Session Enrollment – Begins now! Winter I session
starts on Nov 6th. Classes fill up quickly so call
today.

• Wine Tasting / Baby Disco – Nov 7th 6:30pm-9:30pm

($10/per hour). Presenting Hops and Vines of
Odenton for wine tasting while the kids do some
dancing and playing.

• Parent’s Night Out – Black Friday starts at 9am –

drop the kids off, beat the rush. And we are hosting
Parent’s Night Out all Friday nights (6:30pm-
9:30pm) in December – drop and shop!

Visit our website for details or call for details

www.rpsevernapark.com | 410-544-9002

Placement of any ad is not an

endorsement by Folger McKinsey
PTO of any product or service
5th Grade News
You can clip Box Top coupons from hundreds of
Families of graders, we need you! It’s time to
5th your favorite products like Betty Crocker,
begin getting ready for year end happenings by Cheerios, Yoplait, Juicy Juice, and more. You can
raising a few dollars throughout the year. We also earn more for our school by shopping at over
want our very capable, enthusiastic 5th grade 70 online stores at the Box Tops Marketplace
students to be very much a part of the process. It (www.boxtops4education.com/Marketplace)
all begins on Election Day. On Tuesday, Choose from stores like Kohl's, JcPenney, Land's
November 4, people will be filing into Folger in End, and more. A percentage of your purchases
droves to cast their votes. This means will go back to our school.
opportunity! The 5th grade will be sponsoring a
donut, coffee, and bake sale from 7am – 12noon Thanks to everyone sending in box tops!
(or possibly as late as 2pm, based upon the Students who have collected box tops this past
availability of volunteers). We need 5th graders month are:
and some parents to help with sales,
volunteering for 1 hour shifts, and we also need Connor E K-Philip 10
baked goods. Remember, when baking, please Kristen M K-Philip 140
no nuts. However, a word to all of our customers: Reid K K-Saunders 5
We cannot guarantee that any items are nut free. Ben K K-Smith 25
If you are interested in getting involved by Delaney L K-Smith 25
volunteering or baking, please send an email to Laney O K-Stansbury 5
Leslie Brown, designsbyleslie@verizon.net. It will Sean K K-Stansbury 79
also be a wonderful way to share the importance Adam M k-Stansbury 50
of Election Day with your child. Don’t miss it! Kaylin L 1-Jaska 50
Thank you for your help! Christa K 1-Jaska 10
Mackinzie B 1-Rodger 31
December also holds a great opportunity for 5th Mark B 1-Rodger 64
grade. Our class will be sponsoring pizza and Erin K 1-Rodger 20
beverage sales as part of the Holiday Shopping Toni F 1-Thomas 10
night on Tuesday, December 2nd. Based upon Caroline S 1-Thomas 36
the anticipated crowd at this event, we are in Sarah S 2-Brant 50
need of 5th grade student/parent teams to help Rachel M 2-Brant 50
with pizza sales. The event times are still being Matt B 2-Greene 64
finalized but we anticipate needing volunteers Connor O 2-Sebly 12
from 5pm – 9pm (to include event set up and Maxley K 3-Phelps 162
clean up). Please contact Leslie Brown, Noah A 3-Quigley 83
designsbyleslie@verizon.net, if you and your Holleigh B 3-Weiss 41
child are available to volunteer. Rachel L 3-Weiss 41
Rebecca B 4-Anderson 50
Joseph L 4-Anderson 50
Brandon V 4-Anderson 67
Ben G 4-Anderson 17
Justin E 4-Anderson 72
Box Tops Kate S 4-Leonardson 78
Julia R 4-Torrelli 9
The Box Tops for Education contest is off to a David P 5-Schlegel 11
great start! Last month we collected over 1500 Ashleigh C 5-Schlegel 150
box tops for our school. The classroom that
collects the most box tops by January 7, 2009 will In addition, there were some box tops that were
win a pizza party and the second place classroom submitted with the teacher’s name but without a
will enjoy an ice cream party. Please remember student’s name; their classroom will still receive
to write your child's FULL name, teacher, grade, the credit.
and number of box tops collected on the
envelope or baggie.
Children’s Holiday Gift Shop and
More!!
Mark your calendars for the Holiday Gift Shop
coming this year to Folger!! It will be held on
December. 2nd from 6:00-8:00pm. This evening
of holiday gift shopping is a great way to pick out
reasonably priced gifts for family members and
friends. We will also hold a raffle for exciting
items, and 5th grade pizza and soda sale available
that night, too! It is one night only, so please join
us!
We still need volunteers. If you would like to
donate just an hour or two of your time, please
give Kathleen Wallace a call. We need help
pricing items and setting up that day. Thank you!
Kathleen Wallace
410-544-1505
wallacegirls3@yahoo.com
Vendors Wanted
Do you have a home based business? Would you
like to get the word out to other Folger Families?
If you are interested in donating an item or gift
certificate/catalog to be raffled off at the Holiday
Gift Shop Night on Tuesday, December 2nd
please contact Stella Glady at 410-544-2524 or
email me at thegladys@verizon.net . We will
need your item by Monday, November 17th.
Teachers
If you would like to donate a service for the
Holiday Gift Night Raffle, please contact Marlo
Russel at seadish@comcast.net
Aluminum Recycling
Recycling has started I am hoping for a successful
year. I am not keeping track of how many cans
each student brings in so it is not necessary to
count the cans. Also please remember to send in
only Aluminum Cans. If you’re not sure you can
test it with a magnet. If it sticks, then it's not
Aluminum.
Thanks for your help.
Edwin Takemori
TakemoriJudo@cs.com
Weekly Folger Updates
Weekly Folger Updates will be emailed on
Fridays. If you would like your announcement
included, please email Kathie Hamlett at
sons4me2@yahoo.com by Thursday of each
week.
December PTO Newsletter
The December PTO Newsletter deadline will be
Monday, November 17th. All articles should be
sent to Stella Glady at thegladys@verizon.net . All
PTO Newsletters will be sent via email. I
encourage you to sign up for the Folger email
group at FolgerMcKinseyE-mail-
subscribe@yahoogroups.com to stay informed.
The PTO Newsletter will also be available on the
Folger McKinsey website under School Info.
Junior Great Books Program
Needs Discussion Leaders!!
The Junior Great Books program is an “in-school”
enrichment program for students in the 2nd
through 5th grades. Junior Great Books
encourages creative, interactive thinking and
discussion to help students dig deeper into
literature. Using Shared Inquiry discussion,
students develop higher level thinking skills, the
ability to listen to the ideas of others, as well as
the skills to put their own thoughts into words.
Parent volunteers act as discussion leaders for
small groups that meet during lunch periods
once a week. The program runs for 6-10 weeks
from January through May. A one-day training
gives volunteers all of the tools they need to run
an outstanding program for our students. The
training is paid for by the PTO. Please contact our
JGB coordinator if you are interested in leading a
group!
Bernadette Martin
Junior Great Books Coordinator
410-544-0002
bernamart@verizon.net
 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1

2 3 4 No 5 6 7 8
School 1:45
Election day Veteran’s
Day
Assembly

Harvest for the

Hungry --------------- --------------- --------------- ----------Æ
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
6:30 PTO
meeting

Harvest for the

Hungry --------------- --------------- --------------- -----------Æ
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Newsletter Report
deadline SIT Cards
1st,2nd,& 3rd
Kindergarten 4th-5th grade grade
classroom classroom classroom
visit 9:30-11 visit 9:30-11 visit 9:30-11

American Education Week

23/ 24 No 25 No 26 No 27 No 28 No 29
30 School School School School School
Conferences Conferences Thanksgiving Break --------Æ

8:00
community
sponsored
breakfast
 Folger McKinsey
Elementary Would Like
to Thank

For Supporting the

Instructional
Technology Leaders
Program!

Placement of any ad is not an endorsement by Folger McKinsey PTO of any product or service