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Originally delivered on 12/15/2021 8:21 am

SUBJECT: Cougar Connection - December

Thank you all for making the holidays special at CFES! Between our Thankful for CFES Goodies Drive, Tiff's Treats deliveries, and holiday barbecue feast, our staff feels the love!


Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season!

Get Cozy

Tomorrow, Thursday 12/16, just roll out of bed and head to school - it's Pajama Day!

The Perfect Gift

There's still time to be part of this year's Gift Crowd for staff. The deadline for contributions is tomorrow, Thursday 12/16 at 9:00 p.m.

To contribute to a group gift card for any CFES staff member(s), click here. Select the staff member(s) you want to give a gift to, input the amount you wish to contribute to each, add a personal message for the recipient if you’d like, and pay online.

Gift Crowd will pool all the contributions for each individual and send it to the recipients after the gifting event closes at 9:00 p.m. Thursday, 12/16. Every gift recipient will receive an email indicating the total gift amount he/she received together with the personal greetings from all the contributors. Please note, the recipient will not receive information about the specific gift amount from each contributor – they will only receive the names and notes from contributors and the total gift amount. They will be able to redeem their gift by selecting gift cards of their choice from a large and robust selection of stores and brands.

This is not a fundraiser for the school or PTO - it is just a resource we are sharing to make the holidays a little easier. 100% of your gift goes directly to the recipients you choose.

If you would like to learn more about Gift Crowd, visit their website.

Holiday Parties

We're looking forward to our holiday parties this Friday, 12/17! Thank you for those who donated and those who are volunteering their time. As a reminder, the parties are scheduled as follows:

  • Kindergarten & 3rd 9:15-10:00

  • 2nd & 4th 10:15- 11:00

  • 1st & 5th 11:15- 12:00

Please refer to Mrs. Trammell's Travel Plan for important information about entry and parking.

Have A Great Winter Break

Don't forget, Winter Break begins Friday, 12/17, an early dismissal day. The school day will end at 12:40 p.m., but parents are welcome to take students home immediately after their party. We'll see you when we return Wednesday, 1/5!

Enjoy Sonic on Thursday, 1/6 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., and a portion of your purchase will benefit CFES!

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!

Please consider donating time to CFES, too! Whether you have a an hour each month or a few hours each week, we have volunteer opportunities for you. It's easy to volunteer. Step 1) Complete the TISD Volunteer Application Form. Step 2) Complete the CFES Volunteer Form. Current opportunities include:


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.


Questions? E-mail volunteer@cfespto.org.

Save The Date!

Save Friday, 3/4 for Creekfest! We're excited to bring back the most anticipated event of each school year. It's always sure to be a great evening and it serves as CFES's biggest fundraiser. Stay tuned for details!

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.

Lindsey Hurst: 12/16

Kara Haefele: 12/16

Gail Dagg: 12/25

Katherine Pontin: 12/31

Beth Clark: 1/14

Jennifer Ayre: 1/16

Melissa Mieltz: 1/17


December PTO Meeting

Our next PTO Meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, 1/11. 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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