Newsletter from VFES PTO

The Falcon
Valley Forge Elementary School's PTO Newsletter

Issue 7

December 9 , 2016

Message from the PTO President

Dear VFES Families:

This is our last newsletter before the new year. Moving forward, Falcon newsletter will be published every other Sunday afternoon. We hope that you will have some more time to read through the newsletter. We also have our VFES Facebook page all set up, where you will find reminders for school events, volunteer opportunities, and updates from the PTO. If you have not signed up for the Facebook page yet, here is the link:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/vfespto/

Please mark your calendars for VFES Parents Night Out on Saturday, March 25, 2017 from 7pm - 11pm! We are so excited to hold this event. More details will follow in January.

As we get ready for the holidays and the New Year, I feel so honored to list some of the incredible PTO-run events from September through December 2016. Our children enjoyed the 5K Run, Scary Gym, Ice Cream Social, and Book Fair. Our PTO sponsored cultural arts events were highly successful in pulling together the best shows for our children such as Mother Goose for Kindergarteners, Comedy Sportz and many more. We have the best volunteers in you as you support the school and your PTO Board enabling us to provide events and funds for the school.

These events would not be successful without your support and I completely appreciate it. Our Chipotle fundraiser was a big hit! Thank you for your support, we raised $926.35. Special thanks to Emily Puk Carteen for organizing this event.

As 2016 comes to a close, I would like you to consider supporting the PTO through direct donations. With VFES PTO's registered non-profit status of a 501©(3), your donation is 100% tax deductible. Additionally, many employers consider PTOs eligible for charitable matching programs- doubling your donation. Please visit our website at www.vfespto.org and click on "Donate."

Thank you for supporting the school and your PTO! Hope you have a wonderful break and Happy New Year to all!

Much love,

Rujuta Mandelia

PTO News

Chipotle Fundraiser Update

Many thanks to the families and staff who came out in the pouring rain on Tuesday and braved the long lines at Chipotle! Our fundraiser was a huge success and we raised $926.35 for the VFES PTO! WOW!!! That's 50% of the sales brought in by our supporters. The PTO Board thanks you for your participation! We truly appreciate your continued support!

Spirit Wear Sale Update

We're excited to announce that our Fall Spirit Wear Sale raised $542 for the VFES PTO!! Thanks very much for showing your school spirit and supporting the PTO!

There's more good news... the orders are ready ahead of schedule! If you chose to pick-up at WSG, you can go to Wayne Sporting Goods anytime for your order. If you chose to pick-up at VFES, you'll receive an email next week with details on how to receive your order.

For those who missed out on the sale, don't worry! We'll have another Spirit Wear Sale in the Spring with warm weather items like tank tops, t-shirts and shorts!

School News

Winter Weather is Coming! Sign Up to Receive Emergency Text Alerts Today

The T/E School District now offers the option for parents to receive a text message alert when there is an emergency announcement from TE All-Call, the District's mass communication system. All parent/guardian mobile numbers in the TE All-Call system received a text invitation on November 17, 2016 with instructions on how to opt-in to receive text messages. If you missed the text invitation, or have added a new mobile number or changed an existing mobile number, you can still sign up to receive emergency text alerts by texting Y to 67587. Please note that your mobile number must already be on file in the TE All-Call system in order for you to begin receiving emergency text alerts. To add a new mobile number or change an existing number, please contact your child's school. For more information, including frequently asked questions, visit www.tesd.net/teallcall

2017-2018 School Year Calendar Released

The Tredyffrin/Easttown School District School Board has recently approved the 2017-2018 school year calendar. Please note that 1) the Monday after spring break is no longer a staff inservice day and 2) that an inservice day has been added on February 16th, the Friday before President's Day weekend. Click here for a list of notable dates and a link to a single page summary of the new calendar.

FLITE Holiday Gift- Staff Tributes

T hinking About a Holiday Gift for your Child's Teacher? Consider Giving the Gift Every Teacher will Love. Foundation for Learning In Tredyffrin/Easttown (FLITE) Staff Tributes make your holiday shopping easy and our teachers love them.

"It was an honor to learn about the FLITE donations made in my name. Realizing that parents notice our efforts was very rewarding and motivating to me professionally." "FLITE tributes are very special. First, it's nice to be remembered by current and former students. It's an honor for sure. Also, it feels great knowing that the donation is going to an important organization that will help kids in our district succeed."

FLITE Staff Tributes can be made online or via mail. Learn about the ways in which FLITE- -funded academic programs are helping students in Tredyffrin/Easttown Schools at www.flite-pa.org.

Community News

Citadel Heart of Learning Awards

It's that time of year again! Don't forget to nominate your favorite teacher for the 2017 Citadel Heart of Learning Awards ! This award program provides an opportunity to recognize teachers who have made a particular impact on their students, schools and communities. Learn more or submit your nomination at www.citadelheartoflearning.com .