As Healthy Lifestyles month comes to a close, this week is all about the “P” in “MVP”: Practicing healthy habits. Part of wellness is keeping our body AND mind healthy—but it takes practice! Look for ideas on how to do this in the Heathy@Home handout that your child  brought home earlier this month.

Before the fall break, Omar Barnhart and Tricia Jones led a session at our Community PTA Meeting with ways to make fitness and nutrition fun and easy for your family. They are now offering a free RAH! Power Fitness workout to the Brentwood Community!

Some perks of the workout:

• Convenient for parents, workouts are held near Brentwood Elementary (less than 5 minutes away) and fit easily into hectic schedules.
• It’s fun, community-based fitness: Lift weights and sweat it out with fellow Brentwood parents and neighbors.
• Discover how routine, accountability, and health (a.k.a., the R-A-H in R-A-H! Power Fitness) can decrease stress and help you become happier and healthier.
• The first session is free; use the code "RAHPowerBrentwood" at https://www.rahpowerfitness.com/.

In celebration of Giving Tuesday, Minted is offering a special one-day promotion for fundraisers such as the PTA. Thus, the Brentwood community can enjoy 25 percent off cards, calendars, and other photo gifts all while contributing to our very own Brentwood PTA. Simply use this unique code, FUNDRAISEBRENTWOOD, at checkout and take Giving Tuesday to the next level!

Don’t forget, 5th Grade Troop 42625 is hosting a babysitting night on December 15. Drop your kindergarten through fourth-grade students off from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Brentwood Elementary. They’ll have fun and you’ll get some shopping or downtime in—a win-win! Note that dinner will be provided and the event will be capped at 30 kids.

There’s still time… Choose a name for our bulldog mascot! For pre-K through 2nd graders, include your name along with your teacher’s and then fill in the following sentences:

I want to name the bulldog mascot ________. This is the best name because _________. _________’s favorite life skill is _____________.

For 3rd-5th graders, include the same personal information and then write at least 5 sentences about why our mascot should bear the name you suggest. 

Submissions are due by December 15 in a box located in the front office. We will announce the winner at the first Friday assembly of the spring 2024 semester!

Girl Scout Troop 42625 is still collecting coats as part of the Coats for Kids drive, running through December 2. Drop your donation in the Coats for Kids bin (wrapped in holiday paper) in the community room. Coats sizes 7/8 and 10/12 are especially needed. Alternatively, you can click here to donate funds, or text “GIVEATX” to 243725.

ATX Ballers will be at Brentwood with half-day co-ed basketball camps for kids ages pre-K through 9th grade during the upcoming holidays. Dates include December 27-29 and January 2-5. Sibling discounts and financial scholarships are available.

Looking for a worthy cause this holiday season? Brentwood has a long tradition of donating H-E-B gift cards to Bulldog families in need. Our counselor, Ms. McKenna, will identify and distribute cards to families in need.

You can drop off gift cards at the front office or email electronic gift cards to tess.mckenna@austinisd.org.

Subscribe to the Brentwood Elementary Google Calendar to be aware of upcoming school events, holidays, and PTA activities.

Brentwood PTA runs an annual, one-time per year, no-hassle fundraiser we call the Bulldog Fund. The funds collected are used for important programming like literacy and math software, library books, music, art, and more! Donate HERE.

Have a program, event, or volunteer need that you want published in the Bulldog Bark, on the PTA website, or on social channels? Email communications@brentwoodpta.com.

Learn more about sponsorship opportunities on the Brentwood PTA website.