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Originally delivered on 1/13/2022 12:01 pm

SUBJECT: Cougar Connection - January

I hope you each had an enjoyable, restful holiday. We're so happy to be back! The PTO is already at work planning the most anticipated event of the year: Creekfest. Kids and family members always have a great time at this annual event. Get ready for rides, games, amazing food and sweets, as well as a raffle and auction. This is a time for us to come together and celebrate our amazing CFES community. It also serves as our biggest fundraiser of the year. This year's Creekfest will be held the evening of Friday, March 4th and our theme is Destination Fun! Read below for details about what to expect and to learn how you can help make Creekfest a success!


Sincerely,

Amanda Hartshorne

CFES PTO President

Fun Run

Creekfest will kick off with a Kids Fun Run during the school day. Be on the lookout for more details regarding logistics and t-shirt orders.

Creekfest Raffle

You can help with one of the most popular aspects of Creekfest. Each neighborhood will come together to contribute funds toward unique items as part of our raffle. Tickets will then be available for families to purchase and students will have opportunities to enter for their chance to win.


Neighborhood representatives began reaching out to their neighbors yesterday and will collect donations through Friday, 1/21. Representatives are listed below. If you are not contacted (particularly if you are new to our community or CFES), please reach out to your representative directly or to Lindsay Bull at 832-563-2026.


Arrow Canyon - Lindsay Bull

Bacopa Bay - Kristin Irick

Havergate - Christine Cooper

Palmoas - Shelley Brownrigg

Tupelo - Alex Leslie

Victoriana Glen - Rebecca Joseph

Wilde Creek - Amanda Hartshorne

Creekfest Auction

In addition to our Creekfest raffle, we also hold an online auction. The items up for bid will include a variety of packages for kids and adults, as well as theme baskets developed by each CFES class. Room moms will be in touch as they gather contributions!

Sponsor The Fun

Creekfest is made possible through the hard work of CFES parents and because of sponsorships from local businesses and families. Sponsorships of all sizes are available. For more information, contact Carrie Mills, Sponsorship Chair, at sponsors@cfespto.org.

We've Got Spirit Day and Night

Visit local favorite, The Rib Tickler, on Monday 1/20 from 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. to support CFES!

Get Water-Wise

Don't forget to participate in the Water Wise Village Challenge. Pledge to turn off your sprinkler system or stop watering grass between now and 4/15. When you do, you'll earn points for Creekside Park Village Association that will translate to donations to CFES! Click here to sign the pledge!

Whether you have a an hour each month or a few hours each week, we have volunteer opportunities for you.

Creekfest Entertainment Chair: Love to lead the fun? Consider serving as Creekfest Entertainment Chair! You will work closely with PTO Vice President, Natascha Vogel, to coordinate the fun and games.

Marquee: Pick a Friday to update the sign at the CFES driveway with the latest important happenings and Cougar birthdays.

Community: Assist in annual community events, such as Arbor Day, Walk to School Day, Chili Cookoff, and Earth Day Green Up.

Hospitality: Help with set up, clean up, and donations to show our wonderful teachers and staff just how much they are appreciated.

Teacher Support: Stop by the CFES Activity Room the 1st and 3rd Friday afternoon from 1:30-3:30 or the 2nd and 4th Thursday morning from 9:30-11:30, and help with tasks that are often very simple but time-consuming for one teacher, such as cutting or assembling packets. This easy opportunity requires no regular commitment.

Photographer: Assist the Photography chair by taking pictures at events throughout the year.

Fence Cups: Design and change out fence cups located on the fence on the perimeter of the school.

General: Sign up for our email “shout out” list to help when possible throughout the year.

It's easy to volunteer. Step 1) Complete the TISD Volunteer Application Form. Step 2) Complete the CFES Volunteer Form. Current opportunities include:

Questions? E-mail volunteer@cfespto.org.

January Holiday

Don't forget: CFES will be closed Monday, 1/17, in observation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

2021-2022 Yearbooks

2021-2022 Yearbooks are on sale now for just $28! Students will receive them at the end of the year in time for Yearbook Signing Day. Purchase yours now!


How to purchase:

  • Go to Balfour.com
  • Search and select Creekside Forest Elementary 
  • Click Order Now in the Yearbook Products & Ads section
  • Follow the instructions by selecting, grade level and typing your childs name
  • Click shop for this student 
    • (If you are purchasing for more than one child then click Shop for Another Student, Add Another Student and repeat the steps)
  • Click Get Started under the Yearbook package option
    • 5th GRADE ONLY: If you have a 5th grader, you can also find the 5 GRADE ONLY 1/8 PAGE AD in this section of the page. This is optional and not required to be purchased
  • Select their home room teacher
  • Add any optional items if you wish
  • Add to cart
  • Check out (or keep shopping to add another purchase)

Should you have any questions please contact yearbook@creeksideforestpto.org or text Jennifer at 210.861.6437.


Did you know you can support our Cougars when you shop at Amazon? Just type AmazonSmile.com into your browser and select CFES. Amazon will donate a portion of your purchase to our school!

As a PTO member, you should have received an invitation to join the CFES PTO Members Forum on Facebook. It's a great place to learn about the latest happenings and ask questions. Please contact president@cfespto.org with any questions.

Beth Clark: 1/14

Abigail Franks: 2/10

Lori Herriford: 2/5

Melissa Mielitz: 1/17

Casey Morrow: 2/4

PTO Meeting

Our next PTO Meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, 2/8. Join us in person in the Activity Room or by Zoom (link will be provided soon).

PTO Leadership

The PTO Board and Committee Chairs are here to help. Feel free to reach out anytime!


Amanda Hartshorne, President: president@cfespto.org

Natascha Vogel, Vice President: vicepresident@cfespto.org

Darcy Rechtien, Treasurer: treasurer@cfespto.org

Julie Bridenstine, Secretary: secretary@cfespto.org


Committee Chairs

Amanda Nalley, 5th Grade Celebration: 5thgradecelebration@cfespto.org

Carrie Mills, Community Sponsors: sponsors@cfespto.org

Liz Green, Cougar Connection: newsletter@cfespto.org

Myrna Wilson, Community Relations: familyevents@cfespto.org

Lindsay Bull, Friends of Creekside: friendsofcreekside@cfespto.org

Shelly Browning & Frida Hanson, Garden: garden@cfespto.org

Natalie McCrea, Hospitality: hospitality@cfespto.org

Amy Scott, Marquee: marquee@cfespto.org

Gail Dagg, Membership: membership@cfespto.org

Julie Bridenstine, Parliamentarian: secretary@cfespto.org

Ambreen Sarfaraz, Photographer: photography@cfespto.org

Gina Webster & Kris Archuleta,
Room Mom: roomparent@cfespto.org

Staci Loftus, Spirit Nights: partnershare@cfespto.org

Amanda Shirley, Spirit Wear: spiritwear@cfespto.org

Michelle Sonnier, Teacher Support: teachersupport@cfespto.org

Carey Stanteen, Volunteers: volunteers@cfespto.org

Jennifer Rivera, Yearbook: yearbook@cfespto.org

Lindsay Bull, Website: website@cfespto.org

Diamond Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
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