VFES PTO Newsletter
Issue: 18 
May 25, 2012 
PTO News
PTO Fundraising Report

Dear Parents and Guardians:

 

The school year is wrapping up and I wanted to give everyone an update on how our major fundraisers did this year:

 

Book Fair    $2,990

Direct Donations   $9,620

Silent Auction at the Adult Social $14,416

Spring Fair    $17,000 (approximately)

TOTAL     $44,026

 

Regarding how this money will be spent, $10,000 will fund the Cultural Arts (all of the school assemblies) budget next year.  The $12,000 Gifts to School proposal of a SMART Board mount and new audio/visual equipment for the cafeteria was approved at the board meeting and they will be installed over the summer.  In addition, we are researching the possibility of installing industrial ceiling fans in the gym (similar to those in Devon and Hillside) to help with the excessive heat that collects in there.  This purchase will cost around $16,000. There also are some smaller teacher requested items that may be purchased as well.

 

We truly appreciate the generosity of our parents and the time and effort of our volunteers to make this such a great year for our fundraisers!  Thank you all so much.

 

Raquel Hunter, PTO President

2012 - 2013 PTO Executive Board 

We are pleased to announce our 2012 - 2013 PTO Executive Board Members:

Raquel Hunter - President
Natalie Sudall - Treasurer    
Sharon Forge - Assistant Treasurer 
Monica Moore - VP Volunteer Services
Tracie Adkison -  Co-VP Socials
Janelle Burdette - Co-VP Socials
Jenni DiMaio - VP Fundraising
Laura Wurzer - Clubs Coordinator
Julie Borrelli - Publishing Center Coordinator
Lynne Spangler - Communications Coordinator

Relay For Life at VFES June 4th - 8th

Relay Recess provides an opportunity for kids to get involved in their community while supporting fellow classmates, teachers and families who may be affected by cancer. 

VFES is proud to announce that 3rd Grader Halle Middleton will serve as our first Honorary Chairperson. Her courage and positive attitude serve as a powerful example for students. Learn about Halle's cancer journey and all of the Relay Recess events in the newsletter (click here for link) that went home in event packets this week. 

The packets also include "In Honor of " and "In Memory of" paper luminaria candles, an informative page about cancer prevention, and a flyer about the fundraiser at Five Below (click here for attached link).

Plan for these other highlights during Relay Week:

Monday, June 4th * Kickoff * Penny Jar Wars begin!
June 4 thru 8 * Luminarias in Cafeteria 
Tuesday, June 5th * Hat Day * Pay $1 to wear a hat
June 6th * Walkin' Wednesday * Wear a Relay For Life shirt or purple
Thursday, June 7th * Sunglasses Day * Pay $1 to wear sunglasses
Friday, June 8th * Slippers Day * Pay $1 to wear slippers

(Extra Relay Recess packets and forms may be found in the office.)

VFE Publishing Center

Have you ever wondered how those adorable stories that our children write are made into books?  By our very own VFE PUBLISHING CENTER!  This year, we are in the process of producing a record number of books.  By the time we are finished, we will have made WELL OVER 700 BOOKS!  The PTO is immensely grateful to Valerie Rosenblum, Lynn Montgomery, Jennifer Lee, Cathy Barrios, Beth Burns, and Bindi Shukla who served as our Publishing Center Chairs.  They were not alone though and without our many dedicated volunteers, who work throughout the entire school year, we would not be able to offer this fantastic program!  Please take a moment to read the attached (click here) listing our amazing Publishing Center volunteers!  THANK YOU!
School News 

T & E Care School Supply Drive

 

Mark your summer calendars for this summer's T&E Care School Supply Drive - the annual event to help all kids start school with the required supplies needed for a successful school year.  The drive will start on July 16 and all collections will be done by the end of the month.  Over 150 students needed assistance last year, and the expectation is that this number will grow as the economy continues to struggle.  Lots of school supplies will be needed, as well as many gift cards which are used to help offer options for a family to buy additional supplies, a new shirt or pair of pants, or food for a good breakfast.  If you aren't already on the T&E Care email list to receive more details when the event gets closer, or if you can help with this event or have any questions - please contact T&E Care at [email protected]. More details can be found at www.tecare.org.

Falcon Fun Camp
 
The Valley Forge Elementary PTO will be conducting summer afternoon day camp from 1 pm to 4 pm with 3rd grade teacher, Matt Diamond, and Physical Education teacher, Alex Johnson, for any child who currently attends VFES or NEES in grades Kindergarten (must be completing kindergarten this year and entering First Grade in Fall '12) through Fourth Grade (entering Fifth Grade in Fall '12).   
 
Click here for more information. 
Counselor's Corner

Please click the link to the right to view this month's Counselor's Corner.
Community 
Middle School Summer Fun & Fitness Camp! 

The week of June 25th, Monday to Friday, 9am to 12 noon. For the first time ever, Valley Forge Middle School will be the site of a summer "Fun & Fitness Camp". This camp is designed specifically for boys and girls from VFMS and TEMS. The camp will include a variety of games and activities that emphasize co-operation, team-building, sportsmanship, and having fun through active participation. The camp will be sponsored by Valley Forge Middle School Health and Physical Education teachers: Mr. Semar & Mr. Ryan. Space is limited, so please sign up ASAP!  Please contact Mr. Semar at [email protected] or Mr. Ryan at [email protected] with any questions or for an application.
Summer Band Camp for Current 4th Graders   
Beaumont Elementary, June 25th - 29th 

Join us for a week of fun at the Beaumont Summer Band Camp for current T/E fourth graders that play a band instrument. Students will spend time learning new band music, learning about music theory and history, playing fun music games, and more.
Click here for a flyer with more information.
Gratitude Corner 

A huge thank you to our wonderful Falcon editors, Wendi Ballas and Barbara Loewengart for converting the Falcon to this great new format and keeping us informed each week.

 

Our Gifts to School coordinator, Stacey Mignone, is busy researching additional GTS purchases for this year.  We appreciate it!

 

Recess Laps wouldn't happen without the help of chairperson Donna Costin coordinating volunteers and counting laps.  Thank you!

 

Although you haven't seen it yet, the PTO has been working on a new website and Jeremy Gross has been instrumental in setting it up.  It looks great and we couldn't have done it without him.

 

Sarah Culbert did a great job promoting Art Goes to School this year.

Thank you so much! 

In This Issue
PTO Fundraising Report
PTO Executive Board
Relay For Life
Publishing Center
Falcon Fun Camp
Counselor's Corner
Summer Band Camp

Useful Links

Add/Change Email
Upcoming Events

May 25 - Field Day Grades 3 & 4

 

May 28 - Memorial Day - No School

 

June 1 - 1st Grade Field Trip to Zoo

 

June 4 - 4th Grade Field Trip 

 

June 4-8 - Mini Relay For Life  

 

June 11 - 4th Grade Talent Show

 

June 12 - Last Day of School (Half Day) 

Publication Date of Next Falcon

June 8, 2012



Questions or Comments?


Contact the Editors:

Wendi Ballas


Barbara Loewengart

________

Raquel Hunter,  

PTO President  

  

Rebecca Wills,

Principal

[email protected]

 

 

Valley Forge Elementary School                            

99 Walker Road, Wayne, PA 19087                       

(610) 240-1600                               

Fax (610) 240-1615                                

Absentee Calling # (610) 240-1600 ext 5