Sporting wild hairdos, zany socks, and silly hats, members of our community hosted the first annual “Spirit Week” in April. To promote school pride and unity, students and teachers participated in a number of fun activities, including dress-up days and a sports day, and showed the spirit of giving by donating items each day. All the clothing, canned goods, and candy collected during the course of the week were donated to local community charities, shelters, food banks, and the U.S. troops.

The Scholastic Book Fair came to our campus in April. Sponsored by the Imagine Andrews PTO, this two-day event promoted reading and family involvement. Students, teachers, and parents browsed and purchased the newest selections of children’s books. The Imagine Andrews PTO raised funds that will be used to support reading instruction in the classroom.

Download the most recent PTO information calendar here. And click here to download and read the latest issue of “ImagiNation,” the monthly e-newsletter for the schools of Imagine Maryland.

April marks national “Month of the Military Child,” which was established to underscore the important role children play in the Armed Forces community. In recognition of this celebration, Imagine Andrews invited all staff and students alike to participate in “Purple Up! For Military Kids” Day, to be held on Friday, April 13th. On this day, everyone wore purple as a sign of support and thanks to all military children for their strength and sacrifices. Why purple? According to Operation: Military Kids (OMK), which is organizing the event, purple symbolizes all branches of the military because it is the combination of Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue, Marine red, and Navy blue.

Congratulations to Bonita Gunn, a Grade 2 Math/Science teacher, who has been selected as the 2012 Imagine Andrews Teacher of the Year. The annual Teacher of the Year award, which recognizes individuals for their outstanding work and dedication to their school community, is one of the highest honors an Imagine school can bestow on a staff member. Gunn, who is the first winner of this award for Imagine Andrews, is eligible to be considered for the Maryland Region Teacher of the Year award. The regional winner will then be nominated to enter the Imagine Schools Teacher of Year award, announced later this year.

The Imagine Andrews PTO is sponsoring the first annual “Family Fitness Night” on March 26 at the Community Activity Center located on Joint Base Andrews. All students and parents are welcome and encouraged to attend this new and fun-filled event, which runs from 6-8 pm. Among the night’s activities will be games, exercising, dancing, and health and nutrition education. So dress comfortably and plan to “learn and burn” (some calories)! Admission is free to PTO members, and $5 for non-PTO members (proceeds will directly support the students of Imagine Andrews). We hope to see you there!

Imagine Andrews students recently got a “living history” lesson. Trent Dudley, president of the East Coast Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Inc., was the guest speaker for the school’s Black History Month celebration on Tuesday, February 28.

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Dudley, who flew aircraft during his career in the USAF, addressed students in Grades 2-4, discussing the history of the Tuskegee Airmen and their mission, and how his organization works to provide outreach to students through scholarships to encourage them to become aviators.

In preparation for Tuesday’s lecture, Imagine Andrews students watched video clips of the Tuskegee Airmen. Lieutenant Colonel Dudley, who has met film producer George Lucas and many members of the cast of “Red Tail,” a new movie that tells the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, delivered a 15-20 minute presentation to each class and answered questions from the students.

For more information, please contact the school at (301) 350-6002.

Imagine Andrews students recently got a “living history” lesson. Trent Dudley, president of the East Coast Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Inc., was the guest speaker for the school’s Black History Month celebration on Tuesday, February 28. Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Dudley, who flew aircraft during his career in the USAF, addressed students in Grades 2-4, discussing the history of the Tuskegee Airmen and their mission, and how his organization works to encourage students to become aviators. Read more here.

Imagine Andrews welcomes Sharon Moore as the new School Liaison Officer for Joint Base Andrews (JBA). Moore’s role is to serve military families in matters concerning school-age children, such as relocation and deployment issues, school transition, student/parent advocacy, school- or district-level special education system navigation, home-schooling support, post-secondary school preparation, and other family-related issues. Click here to learn more about the office or to contact her for an appointment.

The Imagine Andrews PTO recently sponsored a night of “fun” for all Imagine Andrews families. The “Family Fun Night,” held February 16, at the Chick-fil-A in Capitol Heights, featured food, entertainment, and a “special surprise.”