Join us Saturday, September 11 at the first big hoedown of the school year! The PTF Tartan Round-Up BBQ welcomes everyone in the St. Margaret’s community to enjoy a barbecue dinner with ice cream and refreshments. The Round-Up BBQ will start at 4:30 p.m.

Special Dedication and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 5:00 p.m.: Headmaster Marcus D. Hurlbut, Middle School Principal Jeannine Clarke and the Middle School Student Council will announce the new name of the Middle School temporary campus and commemorate the opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony. A prayer and blessing of the site will be led by Father Earl Gibson. Classrooms and offices will be open for guests to walk through.

Bring your favorite lawn chair and blanket to listen to live music, watch the kids play organized games, spend time catching up with existing friends, meeting new families and welcoming this next chapter in St. Margaret’s history.

Children must be accompanied by an adult at the BBQ | Casual summer attire | Limited BBQ Seating | Last call for dinner is 7:00 p.m. | Sorry no pets

There’s still time to RSVP. Register online by going to www.smes.org/ptf, clicking on the Tartan Round-Up button and complete the registration information. If you have any questions, please call Beth Adamany, in the PTF Office, at 949.661.0108, ext. 351.

On Monday, October 4, and Tuesday, October 5, we begin our fourth year of Yoga/Pilates and Yoga/Stretch, respectively. These classes support PTF as a fund-raiser, and they are fun and invigorating, leaving participants centered and relaxed to begin their day. You don’t have to have prior experience in either discipline; our instructors tailor the classes to fit the needs of the participants. We are looking for 15 participants per class, so the participation is limited. The classes will close once filled on a first-come-first-serve basis.

The classes are taught in room “E” in the Ortega Business Center behind St. Margaret’s, to the right of the Advancement/Communications office. Both classes are 8:15 a.m.–9:15 a.m.

If you sign up and pay by September 24, the cost is $150 per semester for each discipline. This amounts to $10 a class for 15 classes. If you sign up by October 1, the cost is $160.

Please make checks payable to SMES – PTF, and write either Monday/Pilates or Tuesday/Yoga. You may turn them into Rosario Valdez in the Finance office, located in the Ortega Business Center. Checks must be in no later than October 1. If you have any questions please call Randi Larsen (949-533-7448). Give yourself the gift of feeling in shape with great camaraderie this semester. Come join us!

Join us for a cup of coffee, a continental breakfast and volunteer opportunities! As parents of the St. Margaret’s community, you are a member of the Parent Teacher Fellowship and welcome at all of our events. This long-standing social gathering will offer you the perfect opportunity to volunteer on all levels from school divisional activities to major fundraisers. Meet the chairs or our events, board members, the Advancement team, the Office of Admission team and the Headmaster. Visit with returning friends and meet new parents. With your involvement, we can continue to build a strong school community for our students, faculty and our parents.
If you are unable to attend but would still like to volunteer, please click here for the PTF Volunteer Form.

The end of the school year gives us a chance to look back and reflect on our many experiences, while celebrating the rewards of our hard work throughout the year. On Thursday, June 3, the St. Margaret’s Parent Teacher Fellowship celebrated its annual New Board/Old Board Breakfast at the historic Forster Mansion in San Juan Capistrano. The event brings together members of the PTF board leadership, trustees and school administrators, who have worked so hard to make this past year a great one for our school community. Officially, the event is held to recognize the dedication and efforts of the outgoing PTF board and to inaugurate the incoming board officers.

Chaired and organized by Christine Vartanian, the brunch, was simple and elegant. The brunch opened with remarks and a prayer by Father Robert Edwards. Holly Larsen, 2009-2010 PTF president, welcomed the attendees, including, Headmaster Marcus Hurlbut, Board of Trustees President Michael Berchtold and PTF members, and spoke of the PTF’s spirit of serving with integrity and in doing so, upholding the promise upon which our school was founded by Father Sillers 30 years ago.

Mrs. Larsen then thanked Mr. Hurlbut and Mr. Berchtold for their ongoing leadership, support and recognition of the PTF volunteers.

“This year, more than any other, the support and collaboration between the PTF, the administration and the Board of Trustees was amazing, and it greatly impacted the success of the programs and events throughout the year, said Mrs. Larsen.

Click here for photo gallery.

Many of these events, such as the Welcome Back Coffee, Tartan Barbeque, Tartan Faire, Christmas Tree Lighting, and Faculty/Staff Christmas Luncheon created opportunities for our families to come together as a community of friends and celebrate throughout the year. The PTF volunteers also chaired The Book Faire, the Boosters and the Arts Alliance, all of which benefit our students. In addition, PTF volunteers run the hot lunch program, serving lunch five days a week. For the first time, an online ordering system was implemented, allowing parents to change their children’s lunch options on a monthly basis throughout the year.

The highlight of the year was the Spring Fundraiser and Underwriting party. These two fundraising events raised more than $700,000 for the Building on a Promise capital campaign, and helped us to get one step closer to our goal of a new Middle School and Performing Arts Center. Equally memorable was this year’s “Teatime in Wonderland” Library Luncheon, which raised nearly $50,000 for our Library. This day brought our school community together in a beautiful setting to enjoy a time-honored tradition.

Through all of these efforts, the PTF was able to grant back nearly $200,000 for enrichment for our students, including monies to supply and outfit our first ever marching band.

After Mrs. Larsen recognized and thanked each PTF volunteer who made all of this a reality, she handed the reins over to, and officially installed, Tricia Raymund as PTF President for the 2010-2011 school year.

Looking ahead, the PTF encourages all parents to get involved in supporting these fun events that benefit our children. If you are interested in serving with the PTF in the coming school year, please contact Beth Adamany in the PTF office, or by attending the PTF Welcome Back Coffee in the Fall. The labor is one of love, because it benefits our children and makes a lasting impact on St. Margaret’s!

Last week’s Parent Teacher Fellowship Library Luncheon, “Teatime in Wonderland,” provided a beautiful occasion for our St. Margaret’s community to gather together at a parent’s home to support the Library by raising funds in a whimsical atmosphere. The Luncheon featured many beautifully decorated tables, the companionship of friends and family brought together by a great cause, opportunity drawings, and a wonderful view of Santa Catalina Island.

The word “Wonderland” evokes images of a mystical place with imaginary and peculiar creatures living in a dreamlike, whimsical world. In the literary classic, “Alice in Wonderland,” Alice falls down a rabbit hole and meets characters including the Queen of Hearts, and the Cheshire Cat, all of whom were present at the luncheon. The theme, and the story itself, remind us of the impact literature has on our lives. Guests transported to “Teatime in Wonderland” experienced the curious and the whimsical, all while supporting St. Margaret’s Library and the role of literature in students’ lives.

Click here for SMES photo gallery.

Approaching the magnificent entrance of the McMackin residence in Newport Coast, guests were greeted by the men of the St. Margaret’s community, who enjoyed their chance to serve for the day. Life-size playing cards welcomed guests into the foyer with refreshments and hors d’oeuvres, as guests mingled and enjoyed the beauty of the ocean view and the garden setting dotted with elaborately decorated tables.

The Queen of Hearts (Library Director Darla Magaña) stood in the courtyard, beckoning her guests to choose a bright red rose from the “giving garden” or be subject to the wrathful words, “Off with her head!” Mrs. Magaña explained that all money raised from the giving garden will go to fund book and online database purchases. She says, “I love the fun and festive atmosphere of the Library Luncheon. Heather Lasting and Lisa Cullingan-Foley and all the committee members are so dedicated. On behalf of the Library, I appreciate all the hard work that goes into this beautiful and friend-filled event.”

Anyone who has attended a Library Luncheon, a long-standing tradition, will agree that this is one of the most treasured afternoons of the year. In this beautiful garden setting, unique and creative table settings provided showcased the creative talents of our own parents.

PTF President Holly Larson says, “This year’s luncheon was sold out. It had the highest attendance, the largest number of servers and raised the most money for PTF grants and the Library. The ladies enjoyed shopping in our Wonderland Boutique and loved purchasing roses from the giving garden.”

Opportunity drawing items in the Wonderland Boutique included designer purses, concerts and shopping extravaganzas. Models showing off beautiful earrings by Lugano Diamonds tempted many to purchase more tickets. One of the most exciting potential prizes was a chance to win free tuition for a year. This prize went to parent Jennifer Wilson; the diamond earrings were awarded to Ashley Rosenhain. Other prizes were won by Gina Miller, Kia Westhead, Jaynie Poon, Stephanie Riley,

Liddy Lind, Felene G. Bayles, Luda Marron, Gretchen Scott, Priscila Knox, Holly Larsen, Barbara Massrey, Susie Yee,  Adeline Wilson,  and Pam Cruse.

The Library Luncheon would not have been possible without the help of these and other dedicated volunteers.

Hosts: Cindy and Ron McMackin

Her High Chairness: Heather Lasting

Lady in Waiting: Lisa Culligan-Foley

PTF President: Holly Larsen

PTF Office Manager: Beth Adamany

Event Treasurer: Karen Carnahan

Treasurer: Reiko Stauss

Reservations: Carolyn Mower

Technology: Heather Poujade

Hostess Management: Gloria Luna & Ellen Edington

Servers Management: Dan Horgan

Wonderland Boutique: Cindy McMackin

Photographer: Ted Parker

General Committee

Michelle Barnett, Bonnie Beck, Stacie Brewster, Caroline Burk, Kathleen Burke, Kelly Collier, Michelle Danly, Tanya Ebner, Margi Friedman, Linda Garcia, Diane McCalla, Arzu Osborne, Ellen Phelan, Kate Radar, Maria Sciortino, Krista Ursini, Kathy Victor, Joanna Weiss, Michelle Williams

Faculty and Staff Support

Karen Angus, Bonnie Bauer, Victoria Burnett, Andrea Canfield, Cortney Carlisle, Ryan Hubers, Aaron Kirkendoll, Anne Mack, Darla Magana, Lynn Ozonian, Jennifer Perez, Wendy Romagnino-Perry, Nina Rietsch, Ian Tacquard ,Tracy Van Nostrand

It’s still not too late to be part of the festivities. Go online to RSVP. Registration will close at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27.

Following are some of our wonderful opportunities—read all about our Wonderland Boutique to learn more!

Important reminder: No hot lunch will be served on the day of the Library Luncheon (April 30, 2010). In the event you will be running late for pick-up, please make arrangements with other parents/friends, or consider Extended Day.

• TUITION OPPORTUNITY: Tickets are still available to win one SMES tuition for 2010-2011 school year. You can purchase your tickets online or at the event for $100 each.

• DIAMOND EARRINGS: To win a pair of magnificent earrings “Fit for a Queen!” donated by Lugano Diamonds, valued at $8,600, purchase your ticket for $100 each online or at the event.

• WONDERLAND BOUTIQUE: Many luxury packages to choose from, enter the drawing of your choice! Click here to view. Tickets are $20 each or 6 tickets for $100 and will be sold the day of the event or you can purchase your tickets ahead of time in the PTF Office.

All ticket winners will be announced the day of the event, Friday, April 30, 2010. All winners need not be present to win.

The 29th Annual Library Luncheon is just around the corner. We don’t want you to miss out on all the fun and prizes! Deadline for reserving your seat is Friday, April 16. Please RSVP online before it’s too late!

Following are some of our wonderful opportunities—read all about our Wonderland Boutique to learn more!

• TUITION OPPORTUNITY: Tickets are still available to win one SMES tuition for 2010-2011 school year. You can purchase your tickets online or at the event for $100 each.

• DIAMOND EARRINGS: To win a pair of magnificent earrings “Fit for a Queen!” donated by Lugano Diamonds, valued at $8,600, purchase your ticket for $100 each online or at the event.

• WONDERLAND BOUTIQUE: Many luxury packages to choose from, enter the drawing of your choice! Click here to view. Tickets are $20 each or 6 tickets for $100 and will be sold the day of the event or you can purchase your tickets ahead of time in the PTF Office.

All ticket winners will be announced the day of the event, Friday, April 30, 2010. All winners need not be present to win.

By Order of Her Majesty The Queen of Hearts All Loyal Subjects: Your presence is requested!

Friday, April 30, 2010

11 a.m. til 2 p.m.

The Home of Cindy & Ron McMackin

Newport Coast

Please RSVP online at https://smesptf.ejoinme.org/teatime or call Wonderland at 661-4804 x688.

We are very excited this year to offer a variety of exceptional fund-raising opportunities to benefit St. Margaret’s Episcopal School Library and the PTF Faculty and Staff grants.

TUITION OPPORTUNITY

One St. Margaret’s family will win free tuition for the 2010–2011 school year. Tickets are $100 each, and available online at our registration Web site, at the PTF office, and at the luncheon. Winner need not be present to win.

QUEEN OF HEARTS GIVING GARDEN

Pick roses from the Queen’s Garden for $20 each or 6 for $100. For each rose purchased, your name will be entered in a drawing with the opportunity to win a $500 South Coast Plaza gift certificate with complimentary valet parking for one year.

LUGANO DIAMONDS

One lucky individual will win magnificent earrings “Fit for a Queen!”

Extraordinary pearl and diamond flower earrings set in white gold, valued at $8,600. Tickets are $100 each and available online at our registration Web site, at the PTF office, and at the luncheon. Winner need not be present to win.

WONDERLAND BOUTIQUE

Don’t miss the many luxury drawing items in our Wonderland Boutique. Tickets will be available at the luncheon or at the PTF office: one for $20 or six for $100. Winner need not be present to win. To view the complete list, please click here.