Arlington Science Focus School PTA

October 11, 2023

• Thursday, October 19th: Early Release (Parent-Teacher Conferences)
• Friday, October 20th: NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS (Parent-Teacher Conferences)
• Tuesday, October 24th: Picture Retake Day (details below)
• Tuesday, October 31st: Halloween parade & classroom parties
• Tuesday, November 7th: NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS (Grade Preparation Day)
• Friday, November 10th: NO SCHOOL (Veterans Day)

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

Support the ASFS Fall 2023 No-Frills Fundraiser 

100% of your donation directly supports the ASFS PTA 

Thanks to the generosity of our community, the ASFS PTA can support our students, teachers, staff, school, community, and many programs and events that provide the best possible experience for our children. The ASFS PTA plans to spend $150 per student this year. 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, and all donations are tax-deductible. Visit asfspta.com/nofrills or click below to donate today:

You may also download the ASFS PTA No-Frills Fundraiser Donation Form to donate by cash/check (payable to ASFS PTA). You can also donate through Fidelity Charitable Electronic Funds Transfer and Benevity Causes Portal.

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

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

Thank you for supporting ASFS students!

COMPLETE THE VOLUNTEER PROCESS IN TIME FOR HALLOWEEN!

Interested in attending your child’s Halloween classroom party? Are you a room parent? Interested in attending upcoming in-school events? Want to be a field trip chaperone? 

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, APS requires all parents who plan to be in the classroom/school to complete the Volunteer Process to ensure the safety of our students, staff and visitors. 

The great news? Once completed, it lasts 3 years! So if you’ve already completed this within the last 2 years, you’re covered for '23/'24. If not, please start the application process by completing the Volunteer Application Form. 

ASFS Holiday Helpers 2023

Donate Gift Cards to Support ASFS Families

Through the ASFS Holiday Helpers program, our generous school community helps ensure ASFS families have a wonderful holiday season. This year, we are collecting gift cards to distribute to ASFS families. Sign up below to purchase $25 gift cards to Giant, Safeway, or Target and drop them off at the ASFS front office by Friday, November 17^th.

ASFS Holiday Helpers Gift Card Donation Sign-up

Please contact Mary Mueggenborg if you have any questions. Thank you for supporting our ASFS community!

Join the ASFS PTA!

Be sure and sign up or renew your membership for the 2023-2024 school year! Our calendar year runs from July 1st through June 30th, which means you must register every year if you wish to continue being a member of the PTA.  

Visit asfspta.com/join to join the ASFS PTA! ASFS PTA annual dues are $10 per individual member or $20 per family. PTA Membership Sponsorships are also available so that all ASFS community members may join the PTA.

ASFS KidsGiving October 2023

Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC)

We are excited to support Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) this month as our first KidsGiving project this year! AFAC’s mission is to feed our neighbors in need by providing dignified access to nutritious supplemental groceries. We want to help by collecting the six items they need most.

Drop off your food donations in the marked bin in the ASFS front lobby and gym lobby through Friday, October 20th. Each grade is assigned one item - we will count them at the end of the food drive to see which grade donated the most! The grade level that donates the most items will earn extra recess! Make sure all items are unexpired and no glass please.

• Kindergarten: Cereal (low sugar if possible)
• 1st Grade: Boxes of plain pasta (no mixes or mac n cheese)
• 2nd Grade: Soup (with pop-top lid if possible)
• 3rd Grade: Canned fruit or apple sauce (pop-top lid if possible)
• 4th Grade: Canned tuna, canned chicken, spam, etc. 
• 5th Grade: Peanut butter (or other alternative) in plastic jar

Visit kidsgiving.org to learn more, including our list of partners in the community, and make sure you like KidsGiving on Facebook and follow KidsGiving on Twitter.

Not a member of ASFS KidsGiving for the '23-'24 school year? Become one here!

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 GreenerLawnVA@gmail.com or 571.251.1465.

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: Fundraising@asfspta.com

School Picture Retakes: October 24th, 2023



• Picture Retake Day Alert: Mark your calendars! Picture retake day is scheduled for October 24th, 2023.
• Proofs Are on Their Way: Keep an eye out in your childs take take-home folder! Picture proofs are coming home this week, allowing you to preview your child's photos.
• Ordering Made Easy: To order your child's pictures, use the unique individual code provided on the proofs.
• Fast Delivery: Pictures that were ordered in advance will be delivered 4-5 weeks after the date of purchase.
• Class Photos Ordering: For class photos, please call Lifetouch at 1-800-736-4753. Class photo codes are disabled at this time.

SEPTA News

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 Friederike.Niepmann@gmail.com

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.