2009 Spring Planting With Re-Tree WNY

IBers - why not organize a tree planting for CAS?

Re-Tree WNY is partnering with the City of Buffalo to again provide free trees and supplies to plant within the public right-of-way (between sidewalk and street curb) and non-Olmsted parks in neighborhoods this Spring on May 2 nd & 3rd.

If you are interested in doing a neighborhood tree planting this Spring in the City of Buffalo, Re-Tree WNY is asking all interested groups to follow the steps outlined below in order to secure trees for the planting:

Step 1: Register your group here: www.city-buffalo.org/retreewny

Step 2: Once your registration has been received and accepted, you will be able to access the online tree-planting database at the same site.

Step 3: The online tree-planting database will show specific locations in your neighborhood that have been pre-approved for tree planting. From this database, you can reserve your tree planting locations for the spring.

Step 4: After you have chosen the locations for your trees, you may choose a species from the suggested list provided by the database for each location. At this time, we cannot guarantee that the species you choose will be the species you receive, but we will do our best to honor selections.

Step 5: If this is your first neighborhood tree planting with us stay alert for further information regarding a MANDATORY tree planting informational session provided by the Olmsted Parks Conservancy. Otherwise all groups will receive regular reminders on upcoming dates and steps to be taken before the planting weekend.

All trees must be reserved by March 16th, 2009!

If you have any questions about the availability of trees or planting location please call the City of Buffalo at 311.

Important Dates:

March 16th – Reservation closes for City of Buffalo
In April – Training dates – Locations to be announced
May 1st – Pick-up of trees by groups/ organizations
May 2nd & 3rd – Planting of Trees

Additional information on Re-Tree WNY is available on-line at www.re-treewny.org

Reminder of ongoing volunteer opportunity

Buffalo ReUse is always looking for volunteers to work on their projects.

Go to: http://www.buffaloreuse.org/ for more information

Mayor's Kids Summer Reading Challenge - Volunteers Needed

This year, for the 7th year in a row, Mayor Brown hosted his Kids Summer Reading Challenge, where students were asked to read 7 books over the summer and write a summary on each. As a reward, the students are invited to a prize ceremony, which will be held on Saturday, October 18th at the Buffalo Convention Center

In order to make this event successful, over 300 volunteers are needed. There are a variety of tasks to accommodate all ages and physical abilities. Both teen and adult volunteers are welcome.

There are three volunteer opportunities available:

1) Moving Prizes: Wednesday, October 15th - 12 - 1 PM. Able-bodied volunteers are needed to help carry bicycles (many small children's sizes) from City Hall to the Convention Center (We will be raffling the bicycles and want to keep them in pristine condition).

2) Set Up: Friday, October 17th from 10 AM to 6 PM at the Buffalo Convention Center. Please consider helping on your lunch break or after work.

3) Prize Ceremony: Saturday, October 18th. Volunteers are needed anytime from 10 AM - 4 PM. Different tasks include registration and certificate and prize distribution. There will be both sitting and moving tasks available for those with varying physical abilities.

This is a great volunteer opportunity for both adults and also for teens and college students who need community service hours.

If you are able to help, please contact Jessica Maglietto at jmaglietto@city-buffalo.com or X4172.

Volunteer Opportunity

This Labor Day weekend is Wing Fest in Buffalo. Literacy Volunteers will have a table at the event to do crafts and activities with children, recruit new volunteers, and to spread the word about Literacy Volunteers and our mission. It will be a fun, upbeat event with a lot to keep you entertained.

They are looking for volunteers to help out at their table for both Saturday, August 30th, and Sunday, August 31st. They have different shifts to accommodate everyone. The shifts for Saturday and Sunday are from 10-2, 1-5, and 3-7. If you would like to help out, and get into the event for FREE, rather then paying $5 admission, please contact the office at 716.876.8991 to check shift availabilities. You can speak to the receptionist about the times you would like to volunteer. They can be flexible with your schedule if the times are not perfect for you.

Any volunteer hours would help out LV tremendously!!!!

For those of you who missed the Summer Institute....

Class of 2010: you can go to School #8 and the forms are on the counter - grab one of the study skills packets and one on the new CAS guidelines. I'll be meeting with you after the annual class meeting to go over some important information.

Class of 2009: I'm still working on a date to meet with those of you who couldn't make it to UB. It should be sometime in mid-August. There are extended essay packets and study skills packets for you to pick up at School #8 as well. They are on the counter. Please remember that your FINAL rough draft is due the first week of school. It would greatly benefit those of you who didn't make the program to talk to someone who went to find out what we did.

City Honors International Baccalaureate Facebook Page

I will be using the Facebook page I created to send out important messages, via Facebook, to all current IB students. If you want to be able to receive a message (instead of checking the blog on your own), then join the group.

Last minute info for c/o 2009 Summer Institute

1. I have parking passes for the three days. I will be in the Fronczak Lot by 8:45 am with them and will wait until 8:55 am.

2. Bring your rough draft on a thumb/flash drive. You'll have time each day to do research and/or work on it on UB's computers.