The Back to Bret Harte BBQ was a smashing success!  Alumni, community members and the Bret Harte community came out and we had us some BBQ.  The BBQ was free thanks to the generous support and sponsorship we received from local meat markets, grocery stores, businesses, 4th R and Bret Harte families.  Every student received a free backpack full of snacks compliments of Target and the Sacramento Food Bank.  The Bret Harte PTA BBQ committee worked long hours to make this event a success. They learned valuable lessons about one another and were deeply encouraged that they met the goal of not spending one dime of PTA funds on the event.  Estimated people served: 350

Garden News:  Weeding Wednesday's will continue through out the fall.  8-10am adults in the community are invited to help prepare the garden for winter.  Students are invited to join the fun during their morning recess time.  Wednesday, September 19 kicks off our student initiated GARDEN CLUB.  The Garden Club is a lunch time club meeting on Wednesday's focused on caring for the garden, sustaining the garden program and providing leadership opportunities for students.  The club will have one adult adviser (others are welcome to participate) but will be primarily student lead.

Saturday, October 6 the Bret Harte Garden will be one garden stop on the Curtis Park/Land Park Garden tour.  Tickets are available through Slow Food Sacramento.  

Also, Saturday, October 6 is Curtis Park's Wine and Beer tasting event.  Bret Harte 6th grade families will volunteer behind the scenes for service hours that go toward funding their winter trip to Sly Park. 

Yep, Weeding Wednesday's ya'll.  This Wednesday we will continue pulling weeds in the main garden.  Once we are done with that we will move on to tree pruning and relocating the compost bin.  Fun times, family bonding and otter pops...Come help the Children's Center kids water and pull weeds!

This Wednesday...more weeds to pull.

Come out to the Bret Harte Garden and help the Children's Center kids pull MORE weeds.  It's a never ending battle but we will not give up the fight. 

8-11am. Wednesday, July 18.   Free otter pops at the end of the day for people who help.  Hosted by The Bret Harte PTA Garden Committee.  Lynetta Hughes will be your leader for the morning.  Check in with her for a weeding area.

Next Week:  Fruit tree maintenance. 

What Our School Needs

Yes, it's the lazy days of summer, but you still got a brain!  Bret Harte PTA is gathering together as many as can make it for a "What Our School Needs" brainstorming time.  We will discuss an overall goal for the year, focus our fund raising efforts, brainstorm fun/inclusive events, discuss what sort of programs we want to host and whatever else we have time for.  We are hoping to throw a back to school party to remember and will put together a TEAM to do this thing right.  The backyard brainstorm will be a good time with snacks too.

location:  2208 3rd Ave, Sacramento, Ca 95818  In the backyard.  Go through the side gate.

Weeding (& Watering) Wednesday's!

Come celebrate and participate in our community garden!  Every Wednesday thru Aug 22nd, 2012 we will be holding a weeding, watering and whatever else needs to get done PARTY.  The Children's Center kids are coming out to help, how about you?  Grandma's, grandpa's, aunties, uncles, teachers, neighbors, retired folks or stay at home mom's or dad's are ALL invited.  8-11am.  Come for an hour or stay til the end and get a free otter pop.

Coffee & Conversation

EVERY DAY from 8-9 am in the Parent Center.

Stocked with FREE coffee, tea and sometimes morning treats,  it is the ideal place to connect with other parents before you head off to work or your daily routine.  

Two computers with internet access and other resources are also available.

THURSDAYS:  Spanish only.  Challenge yourself to learn or practice spoken Spanish. Or come help others learn a second language. 
Culture, conversation and community!  Come get connected.

Every DAY 8-9am in the Parent Center (room 35), Bret Harte Elementary

Welcome Back Bret Harte

Welcome Back or welcome to this family.  It's going to be a great year.  Some dates and details to get on your calendar.

•  Tuesday, September 6, 8am.  First Day of School
• Vote for the Bret Harte Garden to receive a $5,000 grant from Raley's Reach online Program.  www.raleys.com/reach  Cast your vote DAILY. Voting opens Sept. 6 and last through Sept. 23.  Go to the website, create an account, click Raley's Reach, browse nominations, click Region 3/Sac, vote for Bret Harte Garden.  It's that easy. 
• Saturday, September 24- Back to School Breakfast 8-10am. Meet your teachers, interact with other parents and children and enjoy a morning together.  Cost is $5 per adult (includes PTA membership and breakfast)
• Wednesday, September 28-Back to School Night.  Meet your child's teacher and hear what is planned for the classroom.  Sign up to volunteer on a PTA committee or in your child's classroom at this event.
• First GENERAL PTA MEETING- TBA.  School year plan and Budget will be presented and voted on.  Come get involved and make your voice heard.  EVERY CHILD- ONE VOICE is the PTA motto.