Community Awareness

KITTENS: There are a few stray cats that call our campus home and one has had a litter of 3 kittens. A couple of the teachers are coordinating efforts to find homes for these little ones. If you are not able to adopt but would like to sponsor the neutering of the mamas that keep reproducing (this is the 3rd liter we’re aware of), I am sure the teachers would be grateful. Contact PTO and we will get you pointed in the right direction.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING: Last year our PTO invited a speaker from ALERT (traffickingaz.org) to share with us the dangers and reality of human trafficking in our area. We were taught how easily our children (middle school aged) are targeted and trapped. It was horrifying and educational. We have several teachers at Pueblo who are actively involved in helping to put an end to this worldwide epidemic. It is through their efforts that we were given the following information about an upcoming event about human trafficking. Please click on the photo below to enlarge.

What is a Courage Retreat?

Curious about this myself, I attended one of the Courage Retreats last year so that I could share with parents what it was all about.

I was amazed! The group from Youth Frontiers was astonishing. I was in awe the way they engaged the middle school students. The message that they send is one that we could all benefit from, “Be a catalyst for change”. They not only encourage our kids to accept people for who they are, resist following the crowd and act with moral courage despite their fears – they TEACH them through real-life example how to do that. How to act with moral courage. How to resist following the crowd and how accept people for who they are.

If any of you have had 8^th grade students that have attended Mini-Town, think of these Courage Retreats as “mini” Mini-Towns! These high-energy, day long Courage Retreats are ran by extremely well trained staff from Youth Frontiers (click here to be taken to the Youth Frontiers website) and supported by several amazing High School Students who are volunteering their time to help make a difference in the lives of these middle school students.

Two things to remember:

#1- ASK, ASK, ASK!!! Inquire about the Courage Retreats when your child comes home. Find out what they learned and talk about ways that you can support them in trying to be a catalyst for change. I would even suggest talking with your child before the event. Talk about what your child thinks will happen. How they think this message will be received by the students. I promise you they will be blown away by how many students want to make a change. These are amazing kids. They are strong and confident. They do have the ability to make a difference and once they realize that there are many, many others out there who think the same way they do, they will be even more empowered to stand for what is right.

#2 – Come prepared. Your child should wear comfortable clothing and shoes that they can move in. I would suggest tennis shoes. This isn’t a sit down and get lectured kind of event. Your child will be engaged the entire day!

The school is requesting a $10 donation from each student’s family to help cover the cost of the Courage Retreats. The Prevention Services Grant that was used in the past is no longer available. ALL children WILL participate regardless of donations. However, if you are able, please consider sending in the donation to your child’s teacher to help offset the costs. They are also asking for students to bring a sack lunch if possible. A sack lunch can also be purchased through the cafeteria.

ALL students MUST HAVE a SIGNED PERMISSION SLIP to participate. Students should have already received one from their teachers. More are available, just ask your child’s teacher.

All in all, the Courage Retreats are an unbelievable opportunity for our students. They will help set the tone of the school year and for years to come. This is something your child will not forget.

Thanks Pueblo for helping to make our children well rounded, well educated individuals! You’re the best!

-Tammy Schick, 2010-2011 Pueblo PTO President

Pretzel Donations Needed

We need pretzel donations for the upcoming Courage Retreats. If you can donate individual prepackaged pretzels by Monday it would be greatly appreciated!

Busy weekend? We will also take monetary donations – make checks payable to Pueblo PTO and write “Courage Retreats” in the memo line and we will shop for you.

All donations should be turned in to Pueblo’s office by Monday, 9/14. Please label donations “Courage Retreats”.

THANK YOU PARENTS!

 

What is a Courage Retreat?

“The kids will be learning to have the Courage to stand up for each other, themselves and stand up for what is right. It is about making our school a place where our students and staff feel safe and treat each other with respect.

We are asking the students' caregivers for a voluntary contribution of $8.00. It is an expensive undertaking which is why we have narrowed it down to 2 days for grades 6 and 7 instead of the recommended 3 days. The event will take place in our gym on September 16 and 17. The Wednesday retreat will run from 8:15-1:45 and Thursday will be from 9:45-3:15. Students will have lunch at their normal time, and we are asking them to bring in a sack lunch or purchase one from our cafeteria. (students on free or reduced lunch can still purchase at their normal fee).

We truly believe these are worthwhile events for our community and plan to continue these Retreats in the following years.”

-Julie Jaskolski, Pueblo School Counselor

Retreats presented by Youth Frontier Organization

Help @ Pueblo!

WANTED:
Volunteers to help in Pueblo's Workroom
making copies, cutting things out, grading papers, etc
Commitment would be one day a month for 1-2 hours
On Tuesday or Friday, time of day is flexible

INTERESTED?
Send us an email PuebloPTO@hotmail.com

Eagle Scout Projects

Eagle Scout Projects ideas to benefit Kyrene del Pueblo

· Touch up the paint design on the outside east walls (by the front office) that was previously done by another eagle scout

· Repair and freshen up area near 7^th grade pod (needs plants and trees, painting and removal of some pavers)

· Pavers installed from track shed to the track (so they can move hurdle carts and high jump equipment out)

· Planting of plants in planters in the grade level pods

· Xeriscaping of rock area just to the right of the front office doors

· Painting of classrooms

Contact Tammy Schick, PTO President for information