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VFMS PTO Blast!
November 17th, 2013
Monday is Day 5

Teacher of the Week

 

Pete DePiano has been an 8th Grade Math teacher at VFMS

for 15 years now.  He graduated from Villanova with a Bachelor's in Education and has a Master's in School Leadership also from Villanova.  He has spent his entire teaching career at VFMS and even graduated from Conestoga High School in 1995!  His wife Heather is a high school Special Education teacher in Methacton School District and they have 5 year-old twins, Alexandra and Jack.  In an interview with the PTO, Mr DePiano shared the following information.

 

The Book Fair is FINALLY HERE!

Stop by Barnes and Nobles on Swedesford Rd. this week Wednesday, November 21st and Thursday, November 22nd between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. or shop anytime online for those two days.
Barnes & Noble 
Here's how it works: on Monday or 
Tuesday of this week, your child will bring home a flyer with the VFMS  ID code for the Book Fair.  Bring that with you to the check out counter on those two days, and a portion of the proceeds from most sales will go to the VFMS PTO.  If you forget to bring the flyer, it's no problem. There will be extras copies at the Barnes and Noble's check out. The VFMS PTO web site also has a link to the flyer that can be printed at home or office.  For online orders and digital downloads, enter the Book Fair ID code 11240652 at check out.  Thank you for your support.  
 
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].

 

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.

 

New Spirit Wear Items Available For the Holidays! 
 
Flannel pants, a long sleeve performance shirt and a jacket have just been added to our spirit wear line!   Spirit wear makes a wonderful gift for that middle schooler in
spiritwear
 your life,  a super-fan parent, or a 4th grader who will be at VFMS next year.  The PTO is placing another bulk spirit wear order which will save you on shipping and earn the PTO a 25% return (regular orders placed on-line earn 10%).  Click link for an order form which lists all items available.  Items will be delivered to school by mid December.  If your purchase 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. 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!  

 

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 located in front of the main office.

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.

 

"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

 

5K Thanksgiving Day & 
Help Kids in T/E
 
Seven Summits Therapy & Fitness, LLC will host its 6th Annual 5K Turkey Trot Run/Walk on Thanksgiving Day, for the Foundation for Learning In Tredyffrin/Easttown. 

The race will be held at Wilson Farm Park, behind the Chesterbrook Shopping Center at the end of Lee Road, Chesterbrook, PA.

A children's fun run will begin at 
8:45 a.m., and the 5K run/walk will start at 9:00 a.m.  

Registrations are being accepted 
online OR mail in your formClick here more info.
 
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!
 
Upcoming Events!

 

11/26  - Parent Conference 1/2 Day

11/27, 28, 29 - No School

12/2    - No School - Parent Conference Day

12/3    - Gr 7/8 Play Audition

12/4    - Gr 7/8 Play Audition

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.

1/10    - Gr 6/7 Geography Bee

 

In This Issue
Teacher of the Week
Save the Date!
Help Wanted!!
Parent's Network!
New Spirit Wear Items Available for the Holidays!
Amazon Associates Program!
T&E Care Holiday Drive!
CPR Instructor Training
Father of the Bride at CHS!
5K Thanksgiving Day
Help FLITE Help Kids!
Upcoming Events!
October PINK Fundraiser
This Week @ VFMS

 

Monday

Basketball Try Outs

 

Tuesday

Basketball Try Outs

 

Wednesday

Basketball Try Outs

 

Thursday

Basketball Try Outs

Gr7/8 Play rehearsal meeting

 

Friday

Gr. 7 Amish Trip

Basketball Try Outs

 

VFMS PTO Logo
(Click for PTO Website)

October 
PINK Fundraiser
The pink t-shirts and rainbow loom bracelets have all been sold.  The final totals are in. 
 
The VFMS community raised over $1,400 during the month of October for 
Breastcancer.org.

 

The Student Council is going to donate a few more dollars to bring the grand total to an even $1,500. 
 
The VFMS Student Council would like to thank all those who purchased shirts this year, and in years past. 
 
Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
 
Way to Keep in Touch!
 
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.