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News & Updates

Art from the Heart 2022

1/5/2022

 
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2022 Art from the Heart
March 10, 2022; 6-9 pm.
Byrne Hall at Spring Hill College, 4307 Old Shell Road

Ticket Link: Art from the Heart

Join us for this fun, adults-only evening featuring a student art show, live and silent auction, and heavy hors d’oeuvres as we raise money for year-round arts education at Mary B. Austin! Attire is dressy casual.

Tickets are $20 in advance, and $25 at the door, and are on sale now!

Help us meet our goal of $25,000 - become a sponsor here. 

In the 14 years since its inception, Art from the Heart has successfully raised the funds necessary to ensure every child at Mary B. Austin can develop his or her artistic abilities and experience first hand how fun the arts can be!
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The Mobile County Public School System generously provides weekly art instruction for 3rd - 5th graders during the first semester of the school year. Art from the Heart helps us bridge the gap in funds provided by MCPSS and make weekly art instruction and supplies available to all students in grades K-5 for the full school year.



Fall Festival - October 22, 2021

10/19/2021

 
Please see below for printable versions!
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This year’s Fall Festival theme is ‘Carnival’ and will be held outside by the playground area Friday, October 22, 2021 from 5:30pm-8:00pm. We hope you are just as excited as we are! 
We thank you so much for volunteering. The Fall Festival is one of the many fundraisers held by the PTA to raise funds for certain projects around the school, such as the playground equipment, beautification of the school yard, Art teachers, AR store, teachers luncheon, classroom free parties, and much more. We appreciate your help in making it all possible.  
Thank you to those of you that have made donations towards this year's Fall Festival. If anyone or a business is interested in donating any items for sponsorship, please contact Christie via email at crissyr09@gmail.com or Catherine at catherine3972@gmail.com. We will recognize all sponsors on a sign displayed at the festival.  
Time slots will range from set up at 4:00 pm to clean up at 8:30 pm. Some volunteers will be needed for pre-carnival duties such as ticket distributions, shopping, etc. Volunteering is arranged in 1 hour increments, but you may do more. 😊
Games: Most games will require 2 people at each game. One person to assist with collecting tickets and passing out prizes and, the other to assist with rules or directions of the game. Some of the games we have so far are slap shot, bucket throw, duck pond, go fishing, nail polishing, hair spray, glow shop, soda ring toss, cake/treat walk, spoon and ball race, and corn hole, and face-painting. Keegan McWhorter is the chairperson for games and can be contacted at admoniphoto@gmail.com for any game ideas or donations.
Decorating committee: They will put up an arch that will serve as the entrance to the festival prior to Friday, if possible. There will be a carnival theme and fall theme area to serve as photo booths. 
Concessions: We would love to have 4 people working the concessions. Someone will need to know how to operate a popcorn machine. There will be 2 concessions to minimize the long lines and wait times. Help will be needed to package the hotdogs and corn dogs. 
Thank you all and please send any questions, donations, ideas, etc to Christie via email at crissyr09@gmail.com or by phone at 251-289-1176. Please check your PTA membership toolkit to sign up for a preferred time slot. Thanks!

Ticket Information:
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Volunteer Info
File Size: 331 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Ticket Info
File Size: 540 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

ART TEACHERS - Welcome!

10/11/2021

 
**Change is on the horizon! We want to wish Ms. Caldwell the very best as she moves on to other focuses in her art career and appreciate the short but wonderful time she spent with our students.

We are excited to welcome Mrs. Lisa Hicks on board, who will join our PTA art teacher veteran Mrs. Scott. We know they will make a great team! Mrs. Hicks has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from South Alabama with a focus in ceramics and painting. She also has a background in childcare, specifically on art in the classroom. As a parent, Mrs. Hicks has already been part of the Mary B. Austin family for six years now and is excited to join the teaching side and be hands-on in the classroom. Please welcome Mrs. Hicks when you see her!
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​The PTA is excited to welcome Laura Scott back to her second year of teaching art at Mary B. Austin Elementary! Mrs. Scott comes from an education background and has been an avid art maker her whole life. She is an Austin parent and co-owner of New Hand Signs. She is thrilled to have Ms. Caldwell join her this year as they work in tandem to offer weekly art lessons to every student at every grade level throughout the year. Welcome back, Mrs. Scott!

October Lunch/Breakfast Menus

10/8/2021

 
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https://www.mcpss.com/childnutrition

Fall Festival is Coming! We need Volunteers!

9/28/2021

 
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Greetings from Mary B. Austin PTA. We need you to volunteer!
​The Fall Festival is scheduled for 
Friday, October 22nd from 5:30 - 8p.m. The theme for this year’s festival is Carnival. We are in need of volunteers to help make this event a success. You do not have to be a part of the PTA to volunteer, but we would greatly appreciate if you join. If you are interested in volunteering or have any ideas, donations, or sponsors for donations please feel free to reach out to Christie, Fall Festival Chair, by emailing crissyr09@gmail.com with Fall Festival Volunteer in the subject line. Thank you!

We need committee members to assist over the next few weeks leading up to the Fall Festival. These volunteers will be responsible for organizing the supplies, and making sure volunteers the evening of the event know what to do. Maintain communication with the Fall Festival Chair (Christie). Please note that help will be needed before, during, and after the Carnival process.


Concession -Pick up food items and supplies, set up, clean up and food handling during festival.

Tickets - Order tickets, organize tickets for presale and distribute to teachers. Assist volunteers with tickets distribution and consumption at the festival for the activities and concessions.

Games - Organize games, get supplies, and set up volunteers for each activity in hour increments. Some of the games are: bucket toss, Ring a Pumpkin, Cake Walk, Ring a Coke, Balloon Pop, Face painting and Tattoos, Nail polishing, Duck Pond, Go Fishing, Pumpkin Decorating, Cornhole, etc. More games and ideas are welcomed.

Decorations- Responsible for decoration supplies, decorating, and photo back drop.

Bake sale- Create list of NUT FREE store bought items to be donated by each grade level, collect items, and divide them up to have some used for sale and some used for Cake Walk game. 
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volunteers_for_carnival_fall_festival_2021_new.pdf
File Size: 240 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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September Lunch Menu

9/14/2021

 
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www.marybaustinelementary.com/lunch

August 2021 School Menu

8/9/2021

 
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PTA 2021/2022

8/6/2021

 
We are so excited to jump in and have a great year!
If you have any questions, you can reach us at marybaustinvolunteer@gmail.com


Please meet Your 2021/2022 PTA board members:
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President: Ryann Wilcoxon
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Vice President: Stephanie Bradford

Secretary/Parent-Communications Coordinator: Catherine Rainey

Treasurer: Annie Strange

Student Opportunities/Recognition Coordinator: Taja Mack

Teacher Appreciation Coordinator: Erin Cooke

Yard Improvement Coordinator: Raven Johnson

Special Events Coordinator: Christie Rothschild
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Art from the Heart Coordinator: Shellie Teague


Mary B. Austin is the place to BEE!
President: Ryann Wilcoxon
Art from the Heart Coordinator: Shellie Teague
Teacher Appreciation Coordinator: Erin Cooke
Special Events Coordinator: Christie Rothschild
Treasurer: Annie Strange
Yard Improvement Coordinator: Raven Johnson
Student Opps and Recognition Coordinator: Taja Mack
Vice President: Stephanie Bradford
Secretary/Parent Communications: Catherine Rainey
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May 2021

5/17/2021

 

Thank you 2020-2021 PTA Board!

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As we wrap up the 2020-2021 school year, we want to thank our dedicated and hard-working PTA Board for a job well done in this most challenging pandemic school year! Our PTA board, along with countless other parent volunteers, worked hard to make sure our students and faculty had the best year possible. A huge thank you goes to:
  • Johnny Peters, President
  • Raven Johnson, VP - Membership
  • Erin Cooke, VP - Volunteers & Spirit Store Coordinator
  • Stephanie Bradford, Secretary & Social Media Coordinator
  • Annie Strange, Treasurer
  • Andy Rodriguez, Parliamentarian & Membership Toolkit Coordinator
  • Crystal Galloway, Faculty Representative
  • Melissa Whigham, Mary B. Austin Principal
We are eagerly looking ahead to next year with the hope of returning to our "normal" PTA events and offering new opportunities for involvement with our wonderful school.

Celebrate the Staff in May

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To show our love and gratitude, the PTA coordinates with a different grade level each month to provide our teachers/staff with some special treats or snacks. Our teachers and staff loved their Old Dutch ice cream provided by our fourth grade parents in April! As we close out the 2020-2021 school year, its time for our fifth grade parents to show our faculty some love! Fifth grade parents are assigned the month of May and are collecting donations to cover the cost of Frios pops for teachers/staff on Monday, May 24. Thank you to those who have already contributed. Fifth grade parents still wishing to help out can send a contribution via Venmo to @Austin-PTA. For questions or more information, contact your child's room parent.

Box Tops for Education

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As the school year wraps up and summer break begins, don't forget to scan your grocery receipts in the Box Tops for Education app! The Mary B. Austin PTA can earn CASH year-round through the Box Tops for Education program. If you haven't done so already, make sure to download the app and start scanning your grocery receipts today! Visit the Box Tops for Education site to learn more and get started.

Amazon Smile

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Even during summer break, your Amazon purchases can continue to support Mary B. Austin! Through the Amazon Smile program, Amazon will donate a portion of qualifying purchases to the Mary B. Austin PTA. Please take a few moments to set up Amazon Smile in your Amazon app, or in your browser. Every little bit helps and this is a no-brainer way to support our PTA and school. For a quick step-by-step to get started, visit this page.

April 2021 - Art from the Heart edition

4/16/2021

 

Art from the Heart 2021 - a virtual Student Art Show & Fundraiser

Monday, April 19, marks the start of the 14th annual Art from the Heart Student Art Show & Fundraiser. Due to continued Covid-19 precautions, the event will be held virtually this year. Art from the Heart raises the funds necessary to continue Mary B. Austin’s PTA-supported fine arts program, which includes year-round, weekly art instruction for ALL students and weekly music instruction for 1st and 2nd grade students.
 
The event will take place online and includes an opportunity to view and purchase student art, as well as an auction featuring some amazing and unique Mary B. Austin experiences. All of the info you need for the event can be found in this newsletter, on the Art from the Heart web page, on the Mary B. Austin PTA Facebook page and the Art from the Heart Facebook event. We can’t wait for a full week of celebrating and supporting Mary B. Austin’s PTA-supported fine arts program!
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Student Art Show - How it works!

Our student art show will be open from Monday, April 19-Friday, April 23 and can be found HERE. Here’s how it works:
Go to the Student Art Show anytime between Monday, April 19-Friday, April 23.
  • Navigate through the site to locate your child’s grade level and teacher name.
  • Once on your child’s class page, locate your child’s artwork, which is listed by first name, last initial.
  • Jot down or take note of the number listed beside your child’s name. You’ll need this at checkout when you purchase the artwork.
  • At the top of the class page, click “Purchase Art” to be taken to Checkout.
  • Once on the checkout page, select a donation amount ($5, $10, $20, $50, or $100), and select your child’s number (the one you jotted down previously) from the drop down box labeled “Student Art Number.”
  • Select “Add to Cart” and then navigate to the Cart to complete your purchase.
  • Artwork purchased during the Art from the Heart Student Art Show & Fundraiser will be sent home following the event. Our art teachers are taking great care to get the treasured keepsakes home to parents/guardians in a way that prevents wrinkling or damage (i.e. not stuffed in backpacks).
  • If a student’s piece of artwork is purchased more than once (perhaps by a parent/guardian AND by a grandparent or other relative/friend) then an additional piece of artwork created by the student will be sent home, along with the one featured in the art show.
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Online Auction - How it works!

Would your student love to be a teacher for the day, or maybe even principal for the day?  Or maybe your student would enjoy the chance to smush a pie in a teacher's face?  How do you feel about a prime spot in the carpool line? The Art from the Heart 2021 online auction will provide the opportunity to bid on "teacher for the day" experiences, special Mary B. Austin privileges, and "pie in the face" opportunities, all in support of our PTA-supported fine arts program!  Here's everything you need to know about this year's Art from the Heart auction:
  • The auction will be held on Facebook within the Art from the Heart 2021 event page. The direct link to the event is bit.ly/afthauction
  • A description of each item that will be included in the auction will be posted tomorrow (Monday, April 19).
  • The auction will open at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 20 and close at 8pm on Thursday, April 22.
  • There will be an individual post for each item on the event page once the auction begins. Bids will be made by commenting under the specific post for the item(s) you are interested in. Bidding will start at $10 for all items, and a minimum of $5 will be required for new bids.
  • Bidding will close at 8pm on Thursday, April 22. The highest bid that is posted BEFORE 8:01pm will be the winner of the item. Any bids posted at 8:01pm and after will be invalid. Auction moderators will use timestamps on comments to verify the final winning bid on each item.
  • Winners will be announced on the event page at 11 a.m. on Friday and instructions for payment will be provided at that time.
  • All principal, assistant principal and teacher experiences (including pie in the face) will take place on May 19 before the end of the school year.
  • Carpool fast passes and private parking spot opportunities will begin next school year (starting August 2021).
**Please remember that this is the first time the PTA has planned or executed a fully virtual event. We have worked hard to anticipate and plan for all aspects of the event and we are hopeful everything will go as planned. In the event of any hiccups, your patience is much appreciated.
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We extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to the following sponsors of the 2021 Art from the Heart Student Art Show & Fundraiser!
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Platinum Level - $1,000
  • Austin Bradford, Merrill Lynch
  • Anonymous

Silver Level - $500
  • Aeiker Construction & Recreation
  • Hancock Whitney Bank
  • Michael Oliver

Partner Level - $250
  • Caroline Alvarez Smith
  • Bluebird Pediatric Therapy Services, Inc.
  • Gulf Coast Elder Law, LLC (Stephanie L. Booth)
  • Gulf South Asphalt
  • Kendall & Marshall Hayden
  • Louise Houston
  • Lou Lou & Ra Ra (grandparents of Lila Aeiker)
  • The Jansen Family
  • BeautyCounter by Louise McCown
  • New Hand Signs
  • Spring Hill Presbyterian Church
  • Jade & Brian Sullivan

$150
  • John & Kay Aeiker

Supporter - $100
  • Susan & Jack Cecil, grandparents of Sidney Cecil
  • Mary Lee & Charles Gay
  • Amanda & Charles Harris
  • Daniel & Sara McGough
  • Old Familiar Tattoo
  • Fay Phillips
  • The Law Offices of Teague and McBay
  • Max & Pat Turner, grandparents of Caroline & Turner Bradford
  • Micah & Hannah Wheeler
  • Allen Wilcoxon & Pat Harrison
  • Ryann & Buz Wilcoxon

Thank you volunteer committee!

A big shout out to the amazing Mary B. Austin parents who joined together to make Art from the Heart 2021 a reality!
  • Hill Aeiker
  • Stephanie Bradford
  • Erin Cooke
  • Crystal Couch
  • Mary Lee Gay
  • Johnny Peters
  • Laura Scott
  • Annie Strange
  • Andy Rodriguez
  • Ryann Wilcoxon
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"Austin Artists" T-shirts

If you ordered a special edition "Austin Artists" t-shirt for your student(s), please have them wear their shirts on Friday, April 23 in celebration of Art from the Heart week! These shirts are official Mary B. Austin spirit shirts and can also be worn on Fridays during the rest of the school year (and future school years). We only have a few extras available, so check out the Mary B. Austin Spirit Store to snag one while they last.
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