Arlington Science Focus School PTA

December 13, 2023

• Wednesday, December 20th - ASFS Global Celebrations
• Thursday, December 21st - Friday, December 29th: NO SCHOOL (Winter Break)
• Monday, January 1st: NO SCHOOL (New Years Day)
• Tuesday, January 9th: ASFS PTA Meeting

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

ASFS News and Information

Thank you: ASFS + R.E.A.D. Book Fair

Thank you to our amazing ASFS community for such a successful Book Fair...you made it our most successful to date! The best part? Besides new books? A percentage of the revenues will support both the ASFS PTA and R.E.A.D.! A huge thank you also goes out to the Book Fair PTA lead, Heather Buck, as well as the parent/caregiver volunteers, and of course, our fantastic librarians. Without all of you, our Book Fair would not have been so organized, seamless and successful! We appreciate you!

Thank You: Kidsgiving Fair

Thank you to everyone who attended the 2nd Annual KidsGiving Fair on Saturday! It was a huge success! Twelve local nonprofits set up booths to teach our community about the incredible work they do (and how we can all help). A giving fair is a shift from our norm, but such an important gift to teach our growing philanthropists - and it can be fun!

  Before School Spanish Enrichment: Registration Opens December 11

Berlitz will continue to offer before-school Spanish classes during the second half of the school year. Is your child interested in learning a new language? Now is the perfect time!

• Classes are offered mid January through May and take place 7:45am—8:35am.
• Beginner classes run Monday and Thursday, continuing learner classes run Tuesday and Wednesday.
• You can register between 12/11 and 1/11.

  After School Enrichment: Registration Opens December 11

Baroody will continue to offer after-school activities during the winter. Our exciting lineup of classes includes pottery, chess, cooking, dance, and robotics.

• Classes are offered every day of the week from 3:55-4:55pm, from late January until spring break.
• You can register between 12/11 and 12/22.
• A lottery will be used if there is more demand than available space.
• Scholarships are available, please indicate on your registration.

ASFS NO-FRILLS 2023 UPDATES AND THANK YOU!

Thanks to the generosity of our community, we are over $20K which is more than 80% of our $25K goal.

Please consider making a gift to ASFS PTA this Holiday Season.

No gift is too big or too small, and you will be making a tangible difference in the lives of ASFS and its students.

We know you have a lot of choices when it comes to donating, and we are so grateful that you chose to donate to ASFS!

Help your grade level win extra recess and a treat!

Grade level with highest participation (not donation amount) will get extra recess and a treat.

With First Grade still in the lead. Second and Third Grades are tied and following First really close, K is next. Fourth and Fifth are not that far away, anything can change in one day:)

Take a look at what this year's PTA funds will support: 2023-24 ASFS PTA Budget

How You Can Help: Please donate and spread the word! All donations, including from family and friends, are greatly appreciated. No donation is too small or too big. Visit asfspta.com/nofrills to donate today. You can also use your Fidelity or Benevity accounts to support ASFS PTA.

Employer Matching Gifts: If your workplace has a matching program, the ASFS PTA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Please feel free to contact fundraising@asfspta.com for more information.

Please contact Olga Kasyan, ASFS PTA VP Fundraising, with any questions.

Thank you for supporting ASFS students!

ASFS Buddy Family Program



Welcome to a new ASFS Buddy Family Program designed to partner existing and new ASFS families together! This new program will kick off in January, but in the meantime, we need you! Please sign up below if you are interested in either being a Buddy Family or being paired with one! Thank you!

• If you're interested in being a Buddy Family (EXISTING ASFS families): https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_DhrDnKT55pL5HkkSVRhwy-olv4J3h7ayYpXFU2NECFee7Q/viewform
  
• If you're a new ASFS family looking to be paired with a Buddy Family (NEW ASFS families): https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc3Vq2JDqa8m4Hm77T3abF5COVG19zbHXN5Z11xO0VqeXcFKg/viewform

Social Emotional Learning @ Home: DECEMBER

 Self-management is the ability to manage one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations and to achieve goals and aspirations. This includes the capacities to delay gratification, manage stress, and feel motivation and agency to accomplish personal and collective goals. Learn more about self-management at home by watching this video and read more about the importance of it in this article.

ASFS School Spelling Bee

ASFS will participate in the Scripps Spelling Bee competition this year! Per the Scripps website, participating in a spelling bee can: inspire a love of learning; develop language skills and increase vocabulary; practice poise under pressure; strengthen life skills including work ethic; build confidence; and have fun!

Please talk to your student(s) about participating in the ASFS spelling bee. Here are the important dates to know:

• Wed., Dec. 6: Registration permission slips will be sent home in backpacks
• Fri., Dec 15: Permission slips must be returned to classroom teachers by 4pm (no late entries accepted)
• Wed. and Thur., Jan. 3 and 4: First Round grade level written tests
• Fri., Jan 5: Grade level winners announced at school dismissal and via Parent Square
• Mon., Jan 22: School-wide bee for grade level winners at 1:45pm (livestream for parent viewing)
• One winner will move on to the district level competition in February

Questions? Please email Kathryn Kaiser at Kathryn.kaiser@apsva.us

SEPTA News

• Monthly SEPTA meeting: Join us for the next SEPTA meeting on Thursday, December 14, 7.30-9pm at Syphax Education Center or on Zoom. More info is here.

• SEPTA Online Auction: Please consider supporting Arlington SEPTA and participate in its online auction, which runs through December 11. See flyer and more information here.

For questions or if you would like to be included in the ASFS Special Education distribution list, please email Friederike.Niepmann@gmail.com.

GoFundMe for Smith Family

Many of you are likely very aware of the Smith family of four who lost their entire home during the awful December 4th explosion just a couple miles away in Bluemont. As you might imagine, they could really benefit from our support this holiday season, especially with 2 children. If you are interested, please find the link to their GoFundMe page here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/yqu87u-draft?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer

We love to hear from you! Please reach out to Heather McDougle (president@asfspta.com) 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 newsletter@asfspta.com by noon on Monday for inclusion in Wednesday's EN.