District 96 schools are celebrating Inclusion Awareness Week Dec. 2 – 6. Throughout the week, you are encouraged to talk with your children about what inclusion means to them, and how we can hold to the idea that although each of us is different, we all fit together in this community. Students will be creating murals, hearing special daily announcements, and talking or writing about the Dr. Seuss story The Sneetches through the lens of inclusion.

Also, Wednesday, December 4, is “Mix It Up Day,” when kids can really express themselves and further illustrate that we are more alike than we are different. Students are encouraged to wear creative, silly, mixed-up clothing that day.

The week’s activities were organized in conjunction with R.A.I.N., the Riverside Area Inclusion Network.

In addition, watch for information about screenings of Dan Habib’s documentary “Including Samuel” at the Riverside, Brookfield and North Riverside libraries.

For more information about the national Inclusive Schools Week, visit inclusiveschools.org/inclusive-schools-week/.

Hauser’s Annual Holiday Food Drive kicks off after Thanksgiving break, but it’s not too early to start collecting:

• Ask your friends and family to bring donation items to your holiday get-together.
• Send an e-mail or post on Facebook asking your friends and family to support Hauser’s Annual Food Drive with monetary donations.
• Go (with a parent) around your neighborhood asking for canned food donations.

Students learned about the Food Drive during advisory meetings last week. Food and money drop off begins Monday, Dec. 2.

We will need a lot of adult help to collect donations. Click the button below to sign up for a slot online. This year, you can make your financial gift online, too, through WePay. Look for the “Contribute $” tab on VolunteerSpot or the “Donate” button on the PTO home page.

Donations to the Food Drive will help our local Riverside Food Pantry and the Salvation Army in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood. We are asking all Hauser families to collect financial or food donations from their friends, family and neighbors.

Hauser has been the #1 collector of food for the Salvation Army in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago for more than 40 years. Together, with your help, the school and PTO can continue to make this tradition meaningful and fun.

Download the Food Drive flyer for more information on drop off dates.

For volunteer info, contact PTO Food Drive Chair Romy Vargas (Gil).

Hundreds of people in Washington, Ill., lost their homes and possessions on Sunday. They are in desperate need of even the most basic supplies. To help support them, there will be a gift card collection during the play performances tonight and tomorrow. Cards for gas stations, Target, Walmart, Home Depot, chain restaurants — in any amount — would be a huge help. Girls from Cadette Troop #40129 will be accepting donations.

The Bolton family will be traveling to Washington next week for Thanksgiving, and will deliver the gift cards to St. Patrick’s Church, which is coordinating the gift card collection. If you cannot attend the play and/or want to make a contribution directly to St. Pat’s (705 E Jefferson St, Washington, IL 61571) please call (309) 444-3524.

If you would like to help survivors in other ways, visit the Washington Tornado Recovery page on Facebook.

Thank you!

Hauser PTO will be providing dinner in the library (LRC) for the Hauser staff during Parent-Teacher Conferences on Monday, November 25, 2013.  Can you help set up or clean up? Can you donate salads, drinks or desserts?

Please click on the link below to sign up now! You can drop off items in the library between 3:30 and 4:30, volunteer to set-up from 3:30-4:30 or clean-up from 5:30-6:30.

 Questions? Contact Melinda Brom, Jeannine Glavas or Jane Wilhelm.

Riverside Area Inclusion Network (RAIN) is working with all District 96 schools to celebrate Inclusion Awareness Week, Dec. 2 through Dec. 6.

We want to borrow copies of Dr. Seuss’ “The Sneetches” to be used in the schools. If anyone has a copy to lend, which would be returned when the week is over, please contact me. I can pick it up from you at your convenience.

Thanks for supporting Inclusion Awareness Week!
Paige Fumo Fox

The PTO will meet on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013, at 6:30 p.m., in the Hauser LRC. It will be our last meeting before the new year. Come learn about plans for Hauser’s annual Holiday Food Drive, and other upcoming activities.

Download the agenda for the Nov. 7, 2013 meeting.

Download minutes from the PTO’s Annual Meeting on Sept. 5, 2013.

The PTO depends on parents getting involved. So, we hope to see you there. Bring a friend.

Spiritwear orders will be distributed by advisory teachers this week.

If you have questions, please contact Karen Dachota or Diane Cervanka.

The 2013-14 District 96 calendars have been sent home. If you ordered one and haven’t seen it yet, check the backpack.

Hauser Student directories are being printed, and will be delivered soon.

The WePay store for ordering calendars and directories is closed, but you can still purchase them by downloading the order form and turning in to the office.

Thanks to everyone who’s been clipping labels for the Hauser PTO.  But don’t put your scissors away—keep clipping!

We participate in the both the Box Tops for Education and Labels for Education programs.  It’s easy, and it doesn’t cost you anything.  Simply clip the labels from products you’re already buying, put them in an envelope, and have your student drop them off in the collection boxes in the school office.  We can earn cash from the Box Tops program (up to $20,000 a year!), and points from the Labels for Education program to earn great products for the school.

For a list of participating products, see the Box Tops Education  and Labels for Education websites.