VFMS PTO Blast!

April 19th, 2015
Monday is Day 2
 Thank You 
 
 A Show of Appreciation from Jeff Eickhoff, 6th Grade Science Teacher

Thank you for the funds for the iPads. In science class we have used
them for research. They worked well because there is no time taken
for network connecting and they are so mobile. In social studies we
made news trailers for current events. Students also used iMovie to
create videos about various topics related to our studies of Russia. The
iPads and apps like iMovie are natural motivators due to the high 
interest level of students. They are always excited to use them and in
this case were able to choose a topic related to a personal interest.
Also, I have found a couple students that typically struggle with direct
classroom instruction have been able to shine with iPad projects, boosting their
motivation and confidence.
We will continue to use them well.
  Hershey Park Tickets Extended!

 
 
 
You snooze you lose? Not this time! Due to many requests, the deadline for Hersheypark tickets has been extended to May 7th!  Discounted Hersheypark tickets can be ordered online or by order form/check by clicking here.  

Spring has finally sprung and summer will be here before we know it!  Why not include a sweet trip to Hersheypark this season for great fun and memories?  So many reasons why:

*More than 70 rides and attractions including 13 roller coasters. 
*Voted one of the cleanest and greenest theme parks in America.
*Plenty of good 'ol fashioned family-oriented fun.
*Admission included to Hershey's Chocolate World and the free Great American Chocolate Tour ride.
*Admission included to The Boardwalk water park featuring 14 water attractions including lazy river and wave pool.
*Admission included to ZooAmerica, their 11 acre walk through zoo.
*Can be used anytime during the 2015 season ending Septerber 27, 2015.
*Greatly discounted tickets with a portion of the sale coming back to VFMS!

Want even more fun?!  Organize a day for friends and family to join you and your kids!  There's no limit to the number of tickets you can purchase!  

Last year's Hersheypark ticket sale was a HUGE success! Please help us make this year's sale a success too!  
 
Any questions, please contact Trish McFillin. 
Thank you in advance for your support!
   Upcoming Parent Social Info.

Just how much FUN did you have at the Fall Parent Social Tailgate?

 

VFMS Parents - We NEED you!  

 

Did you have fun at the Fall Parent Social?  Or wish that you had bought tickets before they were sold out?

 

Do you live on a large property and would like to host, or have an idea for a spectacular venue that you are willing to secure? 

 

* * Consider helping us to plan our Fall 2015 event! * *   

 

We will be holding a kick off committee meeting in early April, following spring break, and we'd love for you to join our team!   

 

Please check a box (or boxes) via the attached link to let us know how you would like to help, then fill in your contact information and click "submit." 

 

We look forward to hearing from you! 

Trish McFillin, Parent Social Chairperson
Volunteer Join Valley Forge Middle School's PTO Board!

We would love you to join us! The VFMS PTO is seeking enthusiastic and creative and individuals to join the
board.

We are in particular need of:
  • a VP of Communications and Volunteers who would be responsible for maintaining the website with our professional external provider
  • an Executive VP to shadow the President with a view to taking over the Presidency in 2016 
  • a Treasurer to shadow the current incumbents prior to resuming the roles during the 2016-2017 school year
  • VP Fundraising to shadow the current incumbents prior to resuming the roles during the 2016-2017 school year
  • VP Socials to shadow the current incumbents prior to resuming the roles during the 2016-2017 school year. 

A lot of the work involved in these positions can be done from  

home at times convenient for you.

We hold monthly PTO meetings which it is useful to attend and we try to schedule these to accommodate as many board members as possible. An added advantage is that the meetings are typically attended by the Principal, Matt Gibson, so it is a great opportunity to get a feel for what is going on at the school.

Joining the board is a fantastic way to get involved in the life of Valley Forge Middle School and to help shape PTO events and activities for our children. If you would like to find out more, please contact Sarah Culbert at 610-608-8501.

 

Education About Keystone Exams

On February 23, 2015, the Tredyffrin/Easttown Board of School Directors approved a resolution in support of House Bill 168, which eliminates Keystone Exams as a graduation requirement. Keystone Exams are state-mandated end-of-course tests intended as a measurement of proficiency for students in identified subjects. Currently, students in the classes of 2017 and beyond are required to pass Keystone Exams in Literature, Algebra I and Biology to earn a high school diploma.  Additional exams are scheduled for development for Composition (starting with the class of 2019) and Civics and Government (starting with the class of 2020).
 
Please read more about this important topic and how it will affect your kids here.

Some additional information:

 

 
Standardized Testing Information

In addition to the information on the TESD website above, we hope that this supplemental information 
will help to clarify this topic as well.

Some additional links with access to quick information:

All are invited for a screening of the documentary:

STANDARDIZED: Lies, Money & Civil Rights- 
How Testing is Ruining Public Education

Monday, April 27, 7-9PM 
The Saturday Club, 117
West Wayne Avenue, Wayne, PA

Read full information about the Seminar here. 
  

 

  Volunteer Clearances

By now many if not all of you will have heard about the new Pennsylvania state wide requirement to obtain background clearances in order to be able to volunteer in TESD schools.
volunteer
This is a process which has long been required in neighboring
school districts and undoubtedly many of you involved in scouts, coaching and other activities connected with children have already had experience of this.

Please read the most updated information on obtaining these clearances here.

The VFMS PTO Board wants to assure you that the procedure is not as onerous as it sounds!

At least two of the PTO Board members have submitted applications and received instant clearance via email. The third, who has lived overseas and needed to be fingerprinted, received two out of the three clearances within a week and is now awaiting the results of the third.

If you have any questions, please refer to the information on the TESD website or feel free to contact Sarah Culbert at 610-608-8501.
Save the Date--VFMS Book Fair!

Get ready for summer reading by visiting the VFMS Spring Book Fair at Barnes and Nobles. Mark your calendar now for May 16 and 17.  More details to follow in upcoming blasts.   

 

Handel's Ice Cream VFMS Spirit Day

Come out to support VFMS, and eat a sweet treat while you're at it! 

Wednesday April 29th
4pm-7pm Rain or Shine

You must present the Handel's vouchers for VFMS to receive 20% of the proceeds!!!

Vouchers will be handed out in book bags, at lunch and will be found on the PTO homepage as well as in the office. 
lunch
Parents' Network Lunch  

Join Valley Forge Parents' Network for  Lunch at McKenzie Brew House
in Berwyn (324 W Swedesford Rd)! 

* When: April 27, Noon!

*Bring all questions regarding raising middle school     kids!

Gift Cards on Sale!
gift card

GIFT CARDS are back and better than ever!!  We have been able to add a number of new retailers to our list of available gift cards.  Aeropostale, American Eagle, Bertucci's, Chili's, Chipotle, Regal Cinemas, Zappo's .... Just to name a few.

 

We will be collecting orders from now through the first week in June, and sending them in to be filled every other week.   

 

Please check out the new order form to see all the options.

We are able to raise funds for the Senior Citizen's Prom in May from the rebates we receive from the Gift Cards you order.  So you pay $25 for a $25 card or $10 for a $10 card, no more, no less.  We receive from 7 to 10 %  of the price of each card in rebates to help fund this great event!!

  

Thanks for your support!!!

8th grade Leadership Seminar at VFMS

 
In This Issue
Hershey Park Tickets
Parent Social
PTO Open Board Positions
Article Headline
Volunteer Clearances
VFMS Book Fair
Handel's Ice Cream Spirit Day
Parents' Network Lunch
Gift Cards On Sale
VFMS PTO Logo

This Week at VFMS
Tues Apr 21th-Thurs Apr 23rd: PSSA Testing Gr. 5-8

Fri Apr 24th:
Hero Meeting, 8:00 am

Marching Band
All 8th graders are invited to the preseason marching band rehearsals coming up in May for next fall's halftime show. Read full information here!
parade-band.jpg

Jazz Concert
Come out for this free Jazz concert on April 29th featuring musicians from the T/E school district! Full details here.
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Shop Amazon/Help PTO

Support the VFMS PTO every time you shop-at no cost to you - when you shop Amazon through AmazonSmiles. 

Choose "Valley Forge Middle School Parent Teacher Organization" as your charity, and Amazon will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to the VFMS PTO.

 You can also click this link:  http://smile.amazon.com/ch/23-2936863

Box Tops for Education!
Boxtops
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 

 

Way to Keep in Touch!
Puzzle

 
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, Lori Benedict, at lori.mb@gmail.com by NOON the preceding Friday afternoon. Blast will go out each Sunday afternoon.