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A Note from Sarah!
Dear VFMS parents, faculty and staff,
Another school year draws to a close and we look forward to a summer of fun and hopefully relaxation. I personally find this time of year bittersweet, especially this year as my eldest will be moving onto High school in September, another milestone reached, how fast the years go by.
I just wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you to everybody at VFMS who does so much to make our school the wonderfully happy, stimulating and vibrant place it is. My first year as PTO President has enabled me to experience firsthand the commitment of the teachers, administrators and staff to ensuring the happiness, safety and success of our children.
The PTO Executive Board and I hope that we have served the school community well this year. Thanks to our successful fundraising activities, which included our annual Direct Donations program as well as our locker shelf and Hershey Park fundraisers among others, we have been able to fund a cultural arts presentation by Harris III, the installation of the mural in the lobby, new aprons for the art studios, a range of Golden Apple Grants including a donation to the joint 5th grade/4th grade New Eagle Elementary School Odyssey of the Mind team, teacher/staff gifts and gifts to the community. We are also about to purchase 60 iPads and related accessories to support the reading program at VFMS, a total cost of $28,000. We are very excited to be able to do this thanks to the generosity of our parents, teachers and staff. Going forward, we are also looking at improving the lighting in the auditorium, providing a TV in the lobby to promote school and district activities and researching ways to beautify the school and improve access.
For next year, we are working on a new website which should be up and running by the autumn and should prove to be more user friendly, interactive and informative. We are excited at some new ideas for a Fun Fitness Week and are planning an adult social in the fall, so watch this space!
Grateful thanks go to Jo Howarth, VP Cultural Arts, and Elizabeth Castleman, VP Issues and Affairs, who are retiring from the board this year. Welcome to Kristin Courtney and Jennifer Newhall. Huge thanks, too, to Sydney Ruth, our unflappable and indefatigable Blast Editor, who is handing over to Lori Benedict. Esther Lee will be assisting Kathy Wynn on the website and Julie Kanto will be shadowing the current Directory Editor, Cathy Barrios.
There are still opportunities available, so please do consider if you can help out in any way. I feel sure you will find it worthwhile.
Thank you for all your support, encouragement and help. Happy Summer!
Sarah Culbert
VFMS PTO President
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Faculty Appreciation Luncheon is Fast Approaching!!!
June 20th at 11:30 a.m.
We still need lots of volunteers to drop off food for the teacher's luncheon. The luncheon will be on June 20th at 11:30 a.m. in the cafeteria. This is our opportunity to show  the teachers how much we appreciate their hard work and dedication.
Please go to the sign up genius below and sign up to contribute a "Family Favorite" food item, beverage item, or to donate some time to help set up, serve or clean up. Thank you for your support!
Click here to sign up.
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6th grade Leadership Seminar Food Drive!
Collection between 6/6 & 6/20 in the VFMS main lobby.
Items Needed:
Canned/Shelf Stable Tuna
Mac and Cheese 
Canned Pasta
Canned Beef Stew
Canned Chili
Creamy Peanut Butter
Jelly
Canned Green Beans
Canned Corn
Canned Fruit
Breakfast and Hot Cereal
There will also be a collection center with lists & tote bags starting Monday afternoon 6/9 through Friday 6/20 at Pathmark on Swedesford Rd.
These food donations will be taken to Philabundance in Philadelphia to be shared with our neighbors who do not have enough to eat.
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Beautify VFMS Together!
The PTO's Beautification Committee has begun to take root. Gerry Morgan, Kristin Courtney and Sukie Carpenter with the support of Sarah Culbert have consulted with Matt Gibson and Jaqueline Hickey to enliven the entry way of the school and to decorate the stage for graduation. If you have expertise and or resources and don't have TIME to be a committee member, consider being a RESOURCE or  CONSULTANT to these worker bees! Are you a landscaper, landscape architect, avid gardener, member of a local gardening club, involved with the township's Park and Recreation office, owner of a local nursery, florist, a Girl Scout, Cub Scout or Eagle Scout Leader, a youth group leader at a local religious organization, a member of a local Rotary or Lions Club? If you are interested in brainstorming with us please contact Gerry Morgan or Kristin Courtney at your earliest convenience. TOGETHER we can MAKE a DIFFERENCE!!!!
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Odyssey of the Mind Team Is Back Home from World Finals
The team of six T/E students, including four VFMS 5th graders and two New Eagle 4th graders, are back home after a 6-day journey to Iowa State University for the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals. The team tied for 15th place out of 62 teams in their division, competing against students from  around the world--China, Poland, Mexico, South Korea, Indonesia, Canada and across the United States. The T/E students lived in Iowa State dorm rooms, ate at a university dining hall and shared a floor in their dorm with their "Buddy Team" from Shanghai, China. The experience was exciting, challenging and fun!
The T/E students--Leo Guillen, John Serafim, Nicholas Sonn and Chloe Wynn from VFMS and Genevieve Duska and Alexander Hallam from New Eagle--and their families extend their heartfelt thanks to VFMS PTO for its generous contribution toward the costs of competing in the World Finals and to the rest of the T/E community for its generous support. Thank you!
You can read the team's blog from the World Finals at teyouth.org.
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Help Bring Walk to School Day to Valley Forge this Fall
Walk to School Day 2014 registration is now open. VFMS wants to join the celebration on October 8, and we need your help to make it happen.
This annual event in the United States is a part of an international effort to celebrate the many benefits of walking and bicycling to school. Walk to School Day participation  reached a record high in 2013 with more than 4,400 registered U.S. events, and that number is expected to rise once again in 2014.
Walk to School Day event registration is free and open to individuals and organizations holding an October event in the United States. Events that register on the Walk to School website, www.walkbiketoschool.org, will be displayed on an interactive U.S. map on the website, where neighboring communities, media and other organizations can identify who is walking in their area.
Registering a Walk to School Day event provides organizers access to free, downloadable materials including stickers, certificates and customizable fliers. Registrants can also subscribe to a weekly e-newsletter for four weeks in September and October with tips and resources for organizing a Walk to School Day event.
Please contact Sarah Culbert if you are interested.
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Attention Grade 8 Music Students
If you are participating in any music ensemble at Conestoga next year and are planning to go to Disney World in December, forms and payment for the trip can be dropped off in the VFMS Music department office.
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Support Programs at VFMS while Advertising YOUR Local Business!
Advertise your business in the 2014-15 Student Directory.
 Don't miss your chance to make new contacts and develop new customer relationships in the community. Also, let your friends with local businesses know that they can advertise too. Details are in the attached form. If you have any questions, please contact Shari Junikiewicz. |
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Student Assignment Book Cover Designs
To All Grade 7 Students
Design a cover for the 2014-2015
Student Assignment Book
Choose one of the following themes for your artwork:
Valley Forge Middle School
T.E.A.M. (together everyone accomplishes more)
Cultivating Creativity
A Passion for Learning
Personal Integrity
The Pursuit of Excellence
Social Responsibility
Artwork should be in FULL COLOR, must be CAMERA READY and FILL THE SPACE on a sheet of 9x11 inch paper.
FINISHED DESIGNS ARE DUE TO AN ART TEACHER
(or the Main Office) by Wednesday June 18th
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New Family Breakfast
Co-Chair Wanted!
We will soon begin planning planning the New Family Breakfast which will take place at VFMS the week before
 school begins in the fall. Co-Chairs are responsible for coordinating and setting up a continental breakfast buffet, organizing tours for the new families and updating the annual "VFMS Scavenger Hunt" for the attendees. This is a great event and gives you the opportunity to meet new VFMS families before the school year begins! Please contact vp_socials@vfmspto.org to volunteer or learn more! |
Shop Amazon / Support the PTO!
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 usethis 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 o  f your sale to VFMS! It is that simple and takes just one extra step! 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. VFMS has already earned roughly $650 with just a few parents participating and we bet there are more Amazon shoppers out there! Think how much more we can earn by just one extra click!
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End of School Year Tribute Gifts
Staff Tributes are a special way to say thank you to VFMS staff for the positive impact they've made on your student(s) and to make a tax-deductible donation to FLITE at the same time. Honorees will receive a card notifying them of  your donation.
Online staff tribute links:
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T&E Care's
9th Annual School Supply Drive
July 14 - 28, 2014
Please keep an eye out for the upcoming T&E Care School Supply Drive. Beginning Monday, July 14, 2014 the website pages for the School Supply Drive will go live. T&E Care expects to have over 200 students on the list to be sponsored. In addition to providing supplies and backpacks,  T&E Care also gives qualified families gift cards to help purchase clothes and shoes to start the year off and food for healthy breakfasts. We'll need over $5000 in gift cards (200 students x $25 - it adds up FAST!) so your help here is very important. If you would like to donate gift cards for the School Supply Drive, you may do that anytime from now through mid July. Popular stores are Wegmans, ACME, Trader Joe's, Walmart, Target, Famous Footwear, TJMaxx, K-Mart, and Old Navy. Increments of $25 are the best option. You may mail gift cards to T&E Care, attn.: SSD, PO Box 2111, Southeastern, PA 19399. Please be sure to include your name and address so we can send you a thank you letter.
If you'd like to sign up for T&E Care's e-list to receive an email reminder about the School Supply Drive and other general updates, please send your name and email to information@tecare.org.
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Tredyffrin Township Libraries
Choir Camp 2014
For Rising 5th - 9th graders
August 11-15, 2014, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Fee: $125.00
Registration form
Build your voice one note at a time as part of a wonderful and exciting musical ensemble! We are proud to have as our teaching artist, Conestoga High School graduate and current Temple University music education major, Nell Hoban. Nell, a  member of the award winning a cappella group Singchronize, will direct daily rehearsals and give individualized attention to students of all levels of experience, from beginner to advanced. Her tremendous enthusiasm is sure to bring out the best in every young singer! Only 15 spots available! Sign up early. The limited spots will go fast! For more information, contact Laurie Doan at LDoan@ccls.org or 610.688.7092 ext. 200.
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Sailors Wanted!
Did you know that Conestoga had a sailing team!
Why only sail in the summer keep sailing in the Fall and Spring. Students practice 2 days per week and have round-robin competition with 16 other area schools on Sunday's as well as regional regattas in NJ/CT on some Saturday's. The team practices at the Corinthian Yacht Club of Philadelphia  located in Essington, PA. High School Sailing is the only Co-Ed sport in the country. Be a part of what 469 other high schools in our country are doing. Some sailing experience is required. Buses will pick up at the school at 2:30 p.m. and return to the school at approximately 6/6:30 p.m. We will start during the week of September 8th for the fall season and in April for the spring, you can do one season or both!
If you are interested please contact Nancy Dougherty (parent contact) or 484-682-9606.
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Academic & Camp Scholarships
FLITE provides scholarships for Tredyffrin/Easttown students to attend academic and leadership camps. The Foundation  for Learning In Tredyffrin/Easttown's camp scholarship assistance, based on financial need, is available for students of the Tredyffrin and Easttown schools.
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Need School Supplies or Want To Help A Child In Need?
The FLITE-funded School Supplies Program provides funds for quality backpacks and flash drives distributed by T&E Care to students who would otherwise struggle to purchase  needed supplies. To support this grant, we invite you to visit www.flite-pa.org and make a donation to FLITE.
For information about the T&E Care school supply drive, visit www.tecare.org or contact your child's T/E school guidance counselor.
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FLITE Preschool Tuition Assistance Program
Preschool Tuition Assistance scholarships are available to help young students prepare for a classroom setting and
 learn basic skills. We believe preschool is an important firststep in a child's education, and we have worked with the local preschools to provide an affordable option. Contact Julie at 610-644-8461 for more information. |
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Summer Opportunities funded
FLITE provides scholarships for Tredyffrin/Easttown students to attend academic and leadership camps. The Foundation for Learning In Tredyffrin/Easttown's camp scholarship assistance, based on financial need, is available for students
 of the T/E schools.
FLITE sponsors a range of Summer Reading Programs for T/E students from first-time readers through high school.
If you are interested in more information and the qualifications, please visit www.flite-pa.org or contact your child's T/E school guidance counselor.
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Order
LockerShelves
NOW!
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so you don't forget! Lockershelves will be delivered to your child's homeroom the first day of school. If you had trouble with this link before... please try again. The above link is fixed. |
| Volunteer Jobs for Teens! |
We're looking for teen volunteers in the Children's Department at the Paoli Library this summer. Are you age 13 or older? Are you available weekdays between June 20 and August 15? Please ask for an application at our circulation desk. Volunteer jobs include assisting with crafts, reading to young children, and assisting with the Science in the Summer program.
For more information, email Margo Raube or call 610-2969708.
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| Pioneer Boys BBall Camp |
Pioneer Boys
Basketball Camp
at
Conestoga High School
June 23rd - 27th
9am-2pm each day
Taught by CHS
Basketball Coaches
For all rising
5th - 9th Grade Boys
Cost-$295 per player
More Info Click Here!
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| Football Camp | |
held June 23-27,
9am-3pm
at
Valley Forge Military Academy & College.
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Ryan Sports Camp!
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Megan Ryan, Head Field Hockey Coach
at Conestoga High School will be holding:
Ryan Sports Camp
July 14 - 16 (At VFMS)
9:00 am - 12:30 pm
Open to grades 5 - 9
Please visit website for a Camp Brochure.
We look forward to
seeing you!
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| Fast Flick Field Hockey | |
Fast Flicks Field Hockey registration is now open!
This is a developmental league for girls in grades 1 through 9 focusing on basic field hockey skills. We welcome new players in every age group.
to register.
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| Box Tops for Education! |
Box Tops for Education
are an easy way to help raise money for VFMS.
Just clip Box Tops
and drop them in the collection box located in the main office.
Help us reach
our goal this year!
If you have any questions, contact
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| This Week at VFMS |
Wednesday
Grade 8 Dorney Park Trip
Thursday
Grade 7/8 Variety Show
Friday
Last Day of School
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| Tredyffrin Township Parks & Recreation Tennis/Squash Spring & Summer 2014 | |
Registration Info
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| 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
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Blast Submissions
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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
sydneyruth@me.com by the preceding Friday afternoon. Blast will go out each Sunday afternoon.
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