Arlington Science Focus School PTA

September 20, 2023

• Monday, September 25th: NO SCHOOL (Yom Kippur)
• Tuesday, September 26th: Kindergarten Grade Level Coffee, 9:00-9:45am
• Wednesday, September 27th: 1st Grade Grade Level Coffee, 9:00-9:45am
• Monday, October 2nd: 2nd/3rd Grade Level Coffee, 9:00-9:45am
• Tuesday, October 3rd: 4th/5th Grade Grade Level Coffee, 9:00-9:45am
• Tuesday, October 3rd: ASFS PTA Meeting, 7:00-8:30pm
• Monday, October 9th: NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS

Please visit the ASFS Master Calendar for all 2023-24 school year dates.

ASFS Grade Level Coffees

The ASFS PTA is happy to host in-person grade-level parent coffees this fall. Parents are invited to discuss grade level information and talk as a grade level parent group at these coffee chats. These events will include grade level chairs and administration representatives. ASFS location to be confirmed.



• Tuesday, September 26th: Kindergarten, 9:00-9:45am
• Wednesday, September 27th: 1st Grade, 9:00-9:45am
• Monday, October 2nd: 2nd/3rd Grade, 9:00-9:45am
• Tuesday, October 3rd: 4th/5th Grade, 9:00-9:45am

Join The ASFS KidsGiving Club!

KidsGiving teaches students about philanthropy through partnership with local nonprofits. We work with many different types of organizations so our children can learn about the numerous and unique needs of our community, as well as the positive impact they can make. Our hope is to make giving a lifelong habit!  

Each month students have an opportunity to participate in 2-4 activities, with one nonprofit in the spotlight. Three kinds of activities are offered: 

1.    Educational - a chance to learn about a non-profit, what it does, who it serves, and how it works.

2.    Volunteering - an opportunity for a hands-on activity to help others.

3.    Giving - the option to donate either directly or with in-kind gifts (e.g. books, coats, food) 

Join using this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScbt6WUhdtYPi7wkiSNWVlThahLpAEXtoY9FsIEl5UyqnGotg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Special Discount to Get Greener!

The PTA sincerely thanks Greener landscape services for their generous sponsorship of the School's front garden and courtyard.

To commemorate the new school year, Greener is offering all Arlington Science Focus families a 10% discount off a selection of services including an Autumn Organic Top Dressing to enrich and strengthen your lawns. For details, contact Greener at [email protected] or 571.251.1465.

Show Your ASFS Lightning Pride!

Get your ASFS Merch Here!

New designs for the '23-'24 School Year! Order now to get items just in time for the beginning of the school year!



*T-shirts *Sweatshirts *Shorts *Tank Tops

*Long Sleeve Shirts *Water Bottles *Hats *Backpacks

PTA Spotlight - The Fundraising Committee Needs Your Help!

ASFS Fundraising campaigns are starting very soon and we need your help to make them great! Help us to generate fundraising ideas, create event communication, including flyers and social media, and educate the community about the importance of fundraising and how it directly supports ASFS students, families, teachers and staff! Interested in joining the Fundraising Committee? Please email: [email protected]

School Pictures: How to Order Photos

Now that picture day is over, you can still order photos!

Order online: my.lifetouch.com

Please note that there is a different code for ordering individual pictures and class photos.

Individual Picture ID code: EVTFB2KS2

Class Picture ID code: EVTSHRWPF

Orders are processed in the order that they are received and the turnaround time for all orders is approximately 3-4 weeks. Orders can be placed up to 11 months after Picture Day.

Proofs will be sent to the school 3-4 weeks after picture day. If you would like to wait to receive the proof, they will come with instructions on how to place an order online or through the Lifetouch Customer Success Center.

If you have any questions please feel free to reach out Picture Day leads Angela Malone ([email protected])or Kristen Jeffreys ([email protected]).

Lifetouch: 1-800-736-4753

SEPTA Updates: ASFS Special Education Family Picnic

Please join us on Sunday, October 1, from 3pm to 5pm, at Hayes park across from ASFS to get to know other ASFS families and enjoy some ice cream and play time. 

For questions, or if you would like to be included in the ASFS Special Education distribution list, please send an email to [email protected].

Save the Date: Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day, October 4, 2023

Join Arlington Public Schools on October 4th and choose to walk, bike or roll to school!

Walking and Biking promote healthier habits, increased safety, and a cleaner environment!

Learn more at walkbiketoschool.org

Congratulations, Luise! 

Second-grade student Luise Schmidt-Eisenlohr won first place in the 2023 National Braille Challenge Finals! Luise competed in the 1st-2nd grade division finals in California over the summer. We are so proud of her!

SEPTA News



• Arlington SEPTA Pupatella fundraiser: Foil your dinner plans and stop by Pupatella at 5104 Wilson Boulevard on Wednesday, September 27, 11:30am – 9:00pm. Just mention the fundraiser at checkout and they’ll donate 20% of the proceeds to Arlington SEPTA! Click here for more details.

• Special Education Family Picnic: Please join us on Sunday, October 1, 3-5pm at Hayes Park across from ASFS to get to know other ASFS families and enjoy some ice cream and play time.

• Monthly SEPTA meeting: Join us for the first SEPTA meeting of the school year on Thursday, September 28, 7.30-9pm at Syphax Education Center or on Zoom. More info is here.

• Mini-Grant Program: Calling all teachers and staff! Apply for a SEPTA Mini Grant and fund a creative endeavor that will enhance the education of students receiving SpEd services. Deadline to apply is October 16!

For questions or if you would like to be included in the ASFS Special Education distribution list, please email [email protected].

APS News: 2024-30 APS Strategic Plan Questionnaire 

APS is in the process of developing the 2024-30 APS Strategic Plan, which guides the work of the school division. An important part of this process is capturing the voice of students, staff, families, and the community to help guide the future direction of APS. 

Please help APS by taking an anonymous questionnaire designed to gather community input on the hopes and aspirations for APS students, the greatest opportunities and challenges APS faces, and what APS should prioritize in its next strategic plan. The responses will be used to help inform revisions to the current Strategic Plan. 

The questionnaire is available to be completed until Friday, October 6, 2023, and is available in English, Amharic, Arabic, Mongolian, and Spanish for students, families, and community members. 

Link to Questionnaire: all APS Parents/Guardians received an individual, one-time use link to the questionnaire via email. Please check your junk or spam folder if you have not received the email, and if it is not in one of those folders, please contact [email protected]. 

We love to hear from you! Please reach out to Heather McDougle ([email protected]) with any feedback or questions.

The ASFS PTA Electric News (EN) is a weekly newsletter that informs the ASFS community about school, PTA, and relevant APS and community news. Please send any newsletter submissions to [email protected] by noon on Monday for inclusion in Wednesday's EN.