VFMS LOGO
VFMS PTO Blast!
November 10th, 2013
Monday is Day 6
 
The VFMS Website has been updated 
with information about Winter Sports - Click HERE!

HELP WANTED!!

Do you feel out of touch with the Middle School?  Are you looking for an opportunity to feel more connected?  The VFMS PTO can make this happen.  We currently have an opening in the following areas:

Parent Social - Committee Members
 
We will be kicking off our fourth annual VFMS Parent Social planning in a few weeks.  If you would like to join the Parent Social committee to help in planning a unique and exciting event, please send an email to [email protected].  We'll announce our kick off meeting date in the coming weeks!
 

Teacher Appreciation Luncheon

 

We are seeking two co-chairs to organize a fabulous Teacher Appreciation Luncheon to be held at the end of the last day of school, currently scheduled for June 16th.  Your responsibilities will include decorating and setting up the cafeteria for the luncheon, putting together a luncheon menu and coordinating the purchase and/or parent donation of food and drink items, preparing an invitation flyer for the VFMS faculty and staff and overseeing the luncheon and clean up on June 16th.  If you are interested in co-chairing the luncheon, or have any questions, please email [email protected].

 

Jump Start Holiday Shopping with Spirit Wear!
 
Check out the new additions to our spirit wear line and jump start your holiday shopping!   Spirit wear makes a wonderful gift for that middle schooler in your life or even a super-fan parent.  VFMS PTO is running another special,
spiritwear
for a limited time only.  Click on this link for an order form which lists all items available.  You can place the order through the PTO and have it delivered to the school in time for Christmas.  If it is a surprise, we've included a spot on the form for you to check and we will contact you directly when your items are ready rather then sending them home with your child.  All forms with money must be sent to the school in an envelope marked PTO Fundraising/Spirit Wear NO LATER THAN FRIDAY 11/22/13.  Late orders will be returned.  25% of all sales go to the VMFS PTO.  Contact Jane Kluge with any questions.

 

Amazon Associates Program!

If you love to shop on Amazon, we have a fantastic way for you to help VFMS at the same time.  On the VFMS PTO homepage, you will see an Amazon.com graphic.  When you want to shop on Amazon, we are asking that you simply use
this link which will send you directly to the regular Amazon.com home-page.  However, it will mark that your order is associated with our school and Amazon will donate a certain percent of your sale to VFMS!  It is that simple!  You do not need to sign up or register with the program and if you are already an Amazon Prime member, you will still receive all of your Prime benefits.  All you need to do when you want to shop on Amazon is access their website by following the link on our PTO homepage.  Think of all that holiday shopping you can knock out with a few clicks of the mouse!  

 

Get ready for...5th Grade Math Night!

 

 When: Thursday, November 14, 2013

Where: Valley Forge Middle School Cafeteria

What time: This is an OPEN HOUSE event and will run Math

from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Please stop by as your schedule will allow.

 

Light refreshments will be served.  

 

RSVP requested (click here for form to submit to Math Teacher) - submit NOW!

 

Volunteers Needed - click HERE!

 

NOTE:  This is NOT a drop-off event and is intended for 5th grade students and their parents only!

 

T&E Care Holiday Drive! 
(Help T/E Families in Need - items to be delivered w/ Holiday Baskets)
Collection November 11th - 22nd

VFMS was asked to collect NEW hats, gloves, socks and blankets:
5th Grade bring in Hats
6th Grade bring in Gloves
7th Grade bring in Socks 
8th Grade bring in Blankets 
(or any of the above)
 
Items can be for any gender.  T&E Care will make sure that items get to the appropriate families.  Collection bins locate outside of VFMS Library.

Parent's Network!

 

Please join us for the VFMS parents HAPPY HOUR Tuesday, November 19 at McKenzie Brew House - Devon Location at 7:30 p.m.


It is Quizzo game on the calendar!  We can all learn or just have fun!  Please RSVP to Angelica Riley or 510-681-6330.

 

Save the Date!

The Barnes and Noble Book Fair will be here soon.  Get a start on your holiday shopping and support the VFMS PTO.  On Wednesday, November 20th and Thursday, November 21st, shop at the Swedesford Road location or online and a 

Barnes & Noble

percentage of most sales will be donated to the VFMS PTO.  Pick up a book to read over Thanksgiving break, find a movie to watch with family and friends, order gifts and books online, or download the latest bestseller. 

 

Here's how it works:  next week your child will receive a voucher at school that contains the VFMS Book Fair ID.  Simply bring the voucher to Barnes and Nobles from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. on November 20th or November 21st.  If you forget to bring the voucher, simply mention the Book Fair at checkout, and the store will provide a copy.  If ordering online, enter the Book Fair ID when checking out.  Thanks for supporting VFMS! 

 

"Father of the Bride" at CHS!

 

Weddings! They are joyful... and stressful...Come see for yourself in Conestoga High School's version of the hysterical 1950 American Comedy, Father of the Bride.

 

Come see Conestoga's 2013 Fall Performance: 

November 21st  7:00 p.m. 

November 22nd 7:00 p.m.

November 23rd  2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

 

Tickets available! (via link)

Adults -- $10, Students (19 years old and younger) and Seniors (62 years and older) -- $8

 

Help FLITE Help Kids!

The Foundation for Learning In Tredyffrin/Easttown (FLITE) has kicked off its "Help FLITE Help Kids" campaign, an annual fundraiser that provides the majority of the individual donations needed to support local education programs.  Through FLITE, our community provides access to after-school academic support, preschool, summer enrichment, technology, musical instruments, college preparation and other assistance that truly makes a difference for hundreds of local children. Please visit 
www.flite-pa.org to learn more about FLITE and how you can help make a difference for local children and schools. FLITE is an IRS-recognized non-profit organization
 
The T/E-FLITE Bookmark Contest is underway. All T/E students are invited to participate in designing a bookmark using the FLITE theme "Help FLITE Help Kids." A bookmark is chosen from each school and professionally reproduced to be distributed at schools, FLITE functions and throughout the community. The art teachers at each school are involved in the coordination of this project.  Students are asked to hand in their art to the art teachers of their school by November 22nd.  Winners will be announced in December. Informational Forms at www.flite-pa.org
 
Stay tuned for information about The Turkey Trot (5k) on Thanksgiving morning at Wilson Park!
 

CPR Instructor Training

 

CPR training is an important part of the curriculum for the Health and Fitness classes at Conestoga.  Students receive hands-on training in infant, child and adult CPR, First Aid and the use of AEDs in addition to their class work.  The hands-on training is facilitated by parents and community members who have been trained as CPR Instructors by the Red Cross.  To

become a certified CPR Instructor, volunteers must attend training sessions offered by Red Cross Instructor Trainers.  The District pays for the training with the understanding that the instructors will be available at least one day each semester to assist in the hands-on training.  The District is planning a training program for new instructors in January or February of 2014.

 

Parents or community members who are interested in becoming Red Cross certified Instructors should contact Pattie Littlewood at (610) 240-1913 or at for more information.  The training is extensive, but the rewards are great in working with students in this important part of the health curriculum.

 
Upcoming Events!

 

11/18 - 25 - Basketball Tryouts

11/22  - Gr. 7 Amish Trip

11/26  - Parent Conference 1/2 Day

11/27, 28, 29 - No School

12/2    - No School - Parent Conference Day

12/10  - Gr 7/8 Concert Dress Rehearsal 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.

12/11  - Gr 7/8 Winter Concert 9:00 a.m.

12/12  - Gr 7/8 Winter Concert 7:30 p.m.

12/13  - Gr 7/8 Winter Dance 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.

12/17  - Gr 5/6 Concert Dress Rehearsal 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.

12/18  - Gr 5/6 Winter Concert 9:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

 

In This Issue
Help Wanted!!
Jump Start Holiday Shopping with Spirit Wear!
Amazon Associates Program!
Get ready for 5th Grade Math Night!
T&E Care Holiday Drive!
Parent's Network!
Save the Date!
Father of the Bride at CHS!
Help FLITE Help Kids!
CPR Instructor Training
Upcoming Events!
ARCH Presents Ken Ginsburg
This Week @ VFMS

Tuesday

Grade 6 Mathcounts

CHS Guys Harmonize 

    9:30 a.m. - 2:15 p.m.

ImPACT Testing after school in the library

 

Wednesday

Student Faculty Volleyball Game  3:00 - 4:15 p.m.

 

Thursday

Gr. 5 Math Night 

    5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Gr. 7 Friends and Fun Day 

    9:40 - 11:30 a.m.

 

VFMS PTO Logo
(Click for PTO Website)

Way to Keep in Touch!
 
ARCH Presents...
KEN GINSBURG



Ken Ginsburg speaking at Valley Forge Middle School - Wednesday, Nov 13, 2013.  The TESD community is invited to hear Ken speak about parenting teens.  He'll talk about defining their success while considering stress.  Link to the flyer.

 
Important Numbers

VFMS Main Office:
610-240-1300

Attendance Line:
610-240-1330

T/E Transportation: 
610-240-1680

T/E District Office:   
610-240-1900

Blast Submissions

If you have school news you want to have published in the Blast, please write it up exactly how you want it to appear and send it in email to the editor, at 
[email protected] by the preceding Friday afternoon. Blast will go out each Sunday afternoon.