ReadySetMom

What does your get-ready-for-school morning look like?

I know some boys who go to sleep in the shirts they'll wear to school the next day.

Another family sets out bowls, cereal and spoons at night. In the morning, they just add milk and breakfast is served.

For me, my morning timesaver is to have lunches made the night before. I don't care how dragged-out tired I am, I will fill the lunch containers, write the notes and line up the lunch bags before I go to sleep.

Also, backpacks have to be grab-and-go ready the night before. I will not tolerate (hear my fist banging on the kitchen counter?) hunting for homework assignments or show-and-tell items in the morning.

School is starting for many of us next week. We all could appreciate tips on getting our morning routines on track. How do you keep things rolling smoothly in the morning? What's your secret weapon for getting your kids to eat breakfast, brush their teeth and get dressed in time for school?

Kudos to our school staff members

What's going on at your school for Staff Appreciation Week?

Thanks to parent volunteers in my neighborhood, the adults who take care of our kids at school will get specially ordered Starbucks coffee drinks delivered in class, gorgeous individually arranged bouquets of blooms brought in by students and a luncheon buffet to close out the week. Our principal will make his annual breakfast for the staff, and students can put notes and cards of appreciation in special folders all week long.

It's a great week of recognition for people who deserve it all year long. I cannot fathom managing a classroom of children five days of week (not to mention all of the out-of-classroom preparation).

A big thank you from me to all teachers out there!

You can help get books back in Vernonia schools

Among the casualties of last month's flooding in Vernonia were hundreds and hundreds of school libary books. With help from the public, two bookstores are helping to restore these collections, which were ruined by several feet of mud and river water.

From January 24-28, Barnes and Noble Tanasbourne will be holding a book fair to benefit the school district. Customers who want to participate can have a percentage of their purchases donated to the school district. Book wish lists from district teachers will also be posted in the store.

Meanwhile, Powell's Books is accepting donations of new or used books at its Cedar Hills Crossing store. The donations will be delivered to Vernonia schools.

Unfortunately, it may be some time before any donated books are read by Vernonia students, many of whom are attending schools outside of the district. If you want to donate directly to Vernonia schools, you can send a check to Vernonia School Libraries, Vernonia School District, Attn: Marie Knight, 475 Bridge Street, Vernonia, OR, 97064.

"You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" at Robert Gray School on May 17-19

Robert Gray Middle School students will present the musical "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" on May 17 at 6:30pm, May 18 at 7pm, and May 19 at 7pm. The musical is appropriate for all ages.  Tickets are $5 for students, $7 for adults, or $20 for a family pack (up to 5 people). The school highly recommends that you purchase your tickets in advance as seating is limited.  Please e-mail Rosemary Schwimmer or call her at 503-484-6921 to place your order.

I have to add that I just love this musical. It was the very first play I was ever in during my high school drama club days. It's such a sweet story -- and although my kids don't really have any familiarity with the "Peanuts" characters, I think they will enjoy this show. I know a lot of kids have gone to see lots of plays by the age of 5 (the age of my oldest), but my daughter doesn't really go for movies or plays with any mean parts, sad parts or conflict (pretty much all of them). So I really can't recommend this light-hearted show highly enough. And, it'll be a lot of fun to see what the neighborhood middle school kids can do!