The Falcon 
Valley Forge Elementary School's PTO Newsletter 
Issue 7
December 11, 2015   
Message from the PTO President  
Dear VFES Families:
I am not sure about you, but I have enjoyed this unusual, sunny, and slightly warm weather! It's joyful to watch my kids enjoy some time with their friends outdoors after school. As we get ready for the holidays and the New Year, I feel so honored to list some of the incredible PTO events from September through December 2015. Our children enjoyed the 5K Run, Scary Gym, Ice Cream Social, Book Fair, and the Movie Night. Our PTO sponsored cultural arts events were highly successful in pulling together the best shows for our children such as Mother Goose for Kindergarteners. Not only that, we were also able to purchase a robot for each grade level (k-4) so that our children learn some basic programming skills, logical thinking and problem-solving. Isn't that exciting?!
These events would not be successful without your support and I completely appreciate it. As 2015 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
School News
Falcon Fun Cold Camp - "One Day Fun Day"
       
The Valley Forge Elementary PTO will be conducting a one day camp on Wednesday, December 30th from 1pm to 4pm with 2nd grade teacher, Matt Diamond, and PE teacher, Alex Johnson, for any child who currently attends VFE in grades Kindergarten through Fourth Grade.
 
Upcoming Cultural Arts Programs
  
Thanks to the generous sponsorship from the Valley Forge Elementary PTO, the Cultural Arts Committee has some exciting programs coming up!  On Wednesday, January 6th, Betsy Ross will visit the Third Grade classes to tell them the story of the American flag.  On Tuesday, January 12th, the Fourth Grade will learn about the powerful events that sparked the Revolutionary War with Kit's Interactive Theater.  Our students and teachers will be looking forward to these assemblies in the new year!
Autographed Brian Pinkney Books for Sale
       
Author and Illustrator Brian Pinkney will be visiting VFES on Wednesday, January 20th!  He will spend the whole day at school, presenting assemblies on his inspiration and process for creating books.  The PTO sent home a flyer last week offering a selection of his books for sale at discounted prices.  December 11th is the deadline for all orders.  If you would like to order a book to be autographed and have not yet done so, please email Emily Brunner at [email protected]  today!
Teacher Spotlight

      

He has been at Valley Forge for a very long time and has been in many different hallways in the school. Last year he moved into one of the most important roles in a student's life... teaching children to find the joy in reading.  Helping children find books and reading stories is not the only thing Mr. Michael Wong does as Valley Forge's Librarian. Step foot into the newly redesigned library (all his doing!) and you will see students learning how to do research by using the computers and iPads, opening their minds to all sorts of subjects through books, creating presentations and the list continues.  The library is a constant flurry of activity and he is always there to help our kids find just the right book - and always with a smile.  If you have not had a chance to visit the newly redecorated library (it looks great!), check it out and say hello to Mr. Wong.

  
Community News
FLITE Staff Tributes
       
Thinking 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.
  
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 School at www.flite-pa.org.
  
T&E Care Holiday Food Drive 2015
       
Many, many thanks for all of the food and storage donations for the T&E Care Holiday Food Drive for 2015!  It took two truck loads to get 53 boxes of donations to the church for sorting on Monday!!!  When we arrived with the boxes they were overwhelmed by your generosity.  These donations will help many families in our school district over the coming weeks and holidays.  
 
Special thanks to Carolyn Swetkowski who organized the food drive and all of the 4th grade teachers for their support and time with this special project.  We would like to also thank all of the 4th grade students who helped with making posters, morning announcements, sorting donations, boxing and labelling the donations and finally loading the truck!   It was a group effort by all and we appreciate everything that everyone did to make this Food Drive a success!     
A.R.C.H Winter Events for Parents
       
JUST TALK ABOUT IT
Thursday, December 10, 2015 (7-9pm)
ARCH, along with Conestoga High School, invites parents and teens to join Minding Your Mind in a discussion on mental health education.  Topics addressed will include anxiety, depression, self-harm, substance abuse, and the difference between positive and negative coping mechanisms.  All Conestoga juniors and seniors will attend this presentation in an assembly on December 10 during the school day.  The evening presentation is open to all parents.
 
PARENTING IN THE AGE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
9:00 - 10:30 am at Valley Forge Middle School
7:00 - 8:30 pm at T/E Middle School
ARCH invites parents to a Screening of Being13: Inside the Secret World of Teens, followed by strategies for navigating this topic with children; the digital citizenship curriculum in T/E and Q&A. 
 
Gratitude Corner     
A big thank you to Karen Jens and Colleen Gilmartin for organizing our Movie Night fundraiser.
 
Thank you to Mrs. Janda, Andrea Brennan, Agnes Kent, Amanda Ivory and Kim Kerns for their help to weed and clean-up the front gardens at VFES.  We appreciate their time and energy to help keep our school gardens looking great!
  
 

In This Issue
Falcon Fun Winter Break Camp
VFES Cultural Arts
Author Brian Pinkney
Teacher Spotlight: Mr. Wong
FLITE Staff Tributes
T&E Care Food Drive Results
ARCH Winter Events
Upcoming Events 
  
12/16 - Math in Focus Open House for Grades 3&4 from 1:15 - 3:15pm in the Science Room
  
12/24 - 1/1 No School
  
1/6/ - Betsy Ross visits 3rd Grade
  
1/12 - Kit's Interactive Theater (4th Grade)
  
1/15 - PTO Board Meeting
  
1/18 - No School
  
1/20 - Brian Pinkney visits VFES
Useful Links

Add/Change Email
  
  
2014-2015 Falcon Publication Dates 

 

 

Valley Forge Elementary School                          

99 Walker Road, Wayne, PA 19087                       

(610) 240-1600                               

Fax (610) 240-1615                                

Absentee Calling # (610) 240-1600 ext 5