HUNTER HERITAGE VOLUNTEERS STEPPED UP!
THANK YOU to those folks that stood up and volunteered for a coordinator position.
We will have Hunter Heritage on April 30. It is one of our most popular events. We can still use help. Please be a HUNTER STAR and participate by purchasing tickets, volunteering for a shift or assisting in other ways. Contact Hunter Heritage co chairs
Rachel Trunkey rbtrunkey@yahoo.com
Kim Von Weihe kimvonweihe@hotmail.com

HUNTER HOSPITALITY
Unfortunately the weather on February 3rd postponed our annual "Casino Night" luncheon for the teachers.
We are trying to reschedule the event. Please hold on to any gifts that you would like to contribute. Upcoming hospitality events include: Author Visit Breakfast (April 8th), Teacher Luncheon (April 21st), Secretaries Day (April 21st), Muffins for Mom (May 7th) and Donuts for Dad (June 4th).
If you would like to help with any of these events, please contact Kerry Ann Martinez at jmartinez18@nc.rr.com

HUNTER HEALTH FAIR
1st Annual Hunter Healthy Heart Fair (In conjunction with our annual
American Heart Association (AHA) Jump In)
March 17, 2010 from 6-8 pm
Our own Hunter Jump Rope Elective students will be performing their new routines in the Gym. Families will have the opportunity to learn about healthy heart activities as local organizations come in to set up tables to promote their healthy food, activates, safety measures and many other exciting things. As space is limited, Hunter Families will be given the first opportunity to showcase a Healthy Heart related business.
Contact Vickie Adamson adamson.v@gmail.com or 844-3450 for more information

WRAL news VIDEO
Check out our students at the Jan. 22 assembly with Tri-Force jump rope team.
http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/healthteam/story/7003692/

YEARBOOK PHOTOS
Do you have some great photos of kids at Hunter?
The yearbook elective is currently looking for some great photos of students at Hunter. The kids love to see their faces in the yearbook. Anyone can contribute photos taken on field trips, in the classroom or at other school events. Submit clear, digital photos on a CD as soon as possible so we can start laying out the yearbook. We want to make sure that all classes are represented.
Any school related photo taken during the 2009-10 school year will be accepted. Photos will be accepted until April 1st. However, please submit what you have now as soon as possible so we can get started. Below is a brief guideline as to the pictures that work best in the yearbook.
In general, "overviews of the class" don't reprint very well. Close up photos work the best. All photos submitted must be clear, digital photos on a CD (300 dpi quality - we can resize.) Cell phone pictures are not going to be at a high enough resolution. Turn the CD into the PTA box in the office with "YEARBOOK PHOTOS/Class Name" written on it. Please note what grades/events are on the CD. If you only have one or two photos that would work, you may email them to Angie Parham at aparham@wcpss.net.

ORIGINAL ART WORK
Coming this spring - Original Works - the #1 art based program in the country. This program reproduces your child's artwork reproduced onto a selection of over 20 quality products. These products range from magnets, mugs and mouse pads to t-shirts, tote bags and tiles. The wide selection of professionally produced, full color products offers something for everyone. Your child will be creating their artwork in school, using the regular art curriculum as the basis for their work of art. You will then have the opportunity to order products this spring. We are thrilled to be participating in this unique and innovative program.

BOX TOP BATTLE of the GRADES:
The battle continues but will end February 15! Send in BoxTops for Education, Campbell's Labels for Education, and used ink cartridges to your child's homeroom. Each homeroom will have a collection bin for these items. Each item will be worth 1 point. The homeroom in each grade that has the most points collected will win a Popcorn party. Below are some tips that can make collection and counting easier for everyone:
BOX TOP for Education:
• Cut the coupon down to size (or close to it).
• The expiration date must be visible. (please make sure it is not expired)
o There are a few boxtops that do not have expiration dates, if you think you have one, just drop it in.
o Watch for "fake" box tops. (Like from ads, or a sample indicating there is a box top)
• Visit www.boxtops4education.com for a complete list of participating products.
CAMPBELLs Labels for Education:
• Campbells Labels for Education changed a couple of years ago, and now the only part of the label that is needed (and wanted) is the UPC.
• There are two products that require the lid instead of the UPC, Prego sauces and V8 juices.
• Please cut UPC label down to size. See sample to right.
• If the UPC is torn, you must have more than ½ of the barcode.
• Do not tape or staple the labels
• Visit www.labelsforeducation.com for a complete list of participating products
Used Computer Print Ink Cartridges
• Please place them in a sandwich bag and drop them in the collection bag.
It's all in FUN! It's all for a GOOD CAUSE!
Support Hunter by sending in your labels and Boxtops today!

TROPICAL SMOOTHIE fundraiser NIGHT
A Hunter family offers "school FUNDRAISING night" at their business. On March 17, Tropical Smoothie (located on http://tropicalsmoothie.com/flash/map/?searchvar=27612 Oberlin Road) will give a percentage back of their evening sales to Hunter.
Please join other Hunter families for a healthy dinner or call in your order for take out. Give back to our school while also supporting a Hunter family. See you there!

SHOUT OUTS
Check out our students at the January 22 assemblies with Tri-Force jump rope team.
http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/healthteam/story/7003692/

Heartfelt thanks to all of you who have supported Read-A-Thon this year. The active reading period for Read-A-Thon ended on Tuesday, 2/9. If you have not yet done so, please return your forms and any collected pledges or donations to your child's homeroom teacher or the PTA box in the main office no later than Tuesday, 2/16 so that your child remains eligible for prizes. Thanks!

We finished another successful PTA book exchange. I want to thank everyone that donated books and everyone that helped sort the books and distribute the books. It takes a team to make the exchange a success and I have been fortunate to have a wonderful team every year! K-3 students were able to take 2 books home each and 4-5 graders were all able to take a book home. Happy reading! Looking forward to it next year, Debbie King

ART CONTEST
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences' latest special exhibit - "Megalodon: Largest Shark that Ever Lived" - opens February 13 and runs through May 9, 2010. At more than 60 feet long and weighing 100 tons, Carcharodon megalodon was the most powerful marine predator that ever lived. Although the megalodon vanished 2 million years ago, its fascinating story continues to amaze and inspire.
To help celebrate this new exhibit, we are asking kids to illustrate their best and most realistic version of a shark in its natural surroundings. Judging will be based on artistic ability and scientific accuracy. Two winners from each of four age groups will receive a prize and have their illustration displayed in the Museum Store. All entrants receive one free children's admission to "Megalodon" (value = $5).
Illustrations will be accepted from February 1 through March 15, 2010.
Winning entries will be selected and artists notified by April 1.
Age Groups: Kindergarten & Under, Grades 1-3, Grades 4-6, Grades 7-9.
Entries can be submitted in person or by mail to:
The Museum Store
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
11 W. Jones St.
Raleigh, NC 27601
http://naturalsciences.org/about-us/news/?select=1262

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE HUNTER EDUCATOR?
Nominate your favorite educator to win $500 in classroom cash.
http://www.rbcbankusa.com/tribute/cid-141563.html
Now until March 14, 2010 you may nominate your favorite educator in RBC Bank's 7th Annual Tribute to Teachers program. Simply complete a brief nomination form online to tell us about the one word that best describes your favorite elementary or middle school teacher. He or she will then be entered to receive valuable school supply discounts & a chance to receive up to $2,000 in prizes to help fulfill classroom needs.
All Nominees will receive a limited time offer for special discounts with preferred vendors
70 Finalists will win $500 cash for use in their classrooms
4 Grand Prize Winners will each enjoy a $2,000 shopping spree for new educational supplies and resources
GO HUNTER Educators!

ANOTHER CONTEST:
Enter every day: http://cdwg.discoveryeducation.com/wawl/index.cfm
Think about how The 21st Century Classroom - interactive whiteboard, notebook computers, wireless cart, projector and document camera - could extend your teaching power.
ENTER NOW FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN ONE OF THREE GRAND PRIZE PACKAGES including a 21st Century Classroom and a $5000 digital media grant from Discovery Education. Plus, over 20 additional technology prizes! http://cdwg.discoveryeducation.com/wawl/index.cfm

SCHOOL BOARD
Are you interested in joining the group of parents advocating for diversity, magnets, and equity in the school system? Contact Hunter parent, Christine Kushner and ask to be added to her the email list which provides excellent summaries of meetings and general happenings with the school board. ckushner@nc.rr.com
Helpful tips on writing emails to School Board members:
1) Find the link at http://www.wcpss.net/Board/boeinfo.html.
2) Be brief and to the point. Write in your own words--they can recognize cut and pasted mass emails and those are generally disregarded.
3) Be civil and polite--incivility does not help your cause.
4) State the facts--use numbers, data and truth. Speak truth to power.
5) If appropriate, copy all board members so that they know what discussion is going on.
6) Email often--let them know we are paying attention to their work.