A Letter From Our PTO PresidentDear Valley Forge Middle School community,
As most of you will undoubtedly have heard, we lost our beloved crossing guard last weekend, Mr. Edwi  n Butler. He was the epitome of a gentleman, always smiling, always gracious and always looking out for our children and ensuring their welfare and safety. Matt Gibson is in discussion with the teachers about an appropriate way to show appreciation for Mr. Ed's life within the student body and the VFMS PTO is also involved in coming up with a lasting memorial to this special man. We will let you know more as soon as we can. On lighter note, I have been asked several times recently,"How can I get involved with the school?". There really are lots of opportunities big AND small, ranging from serving on the PTO board, chairing or being part of a committee, acting as a school representative on various bodies (ARCH, FLITE, TEMPO to name but a few) to volunteering to bring in snacks during the recent PSSA's or helping to scoop ice cream at our soon to be announced ice cream social. I am hosting an evening at my house this coming Thursday, 7th May, to show appreciation for our current PTO volunteers and to raise awareness of what we do, so if you are free, please come along any time from 7 pm.
There may not be quite as many hands on opportunities as there are in the elementary schools but we still need your help and ideas just as much to raise funds, provide information and run events. For those of you who may not be as familiar with the schedule of events at VFMS, here is a quick run down of activities in which the PTO, i.e. YOU, play a pivotal role! This list is not exhaustive!
Late August New Family Breakfast
September Health Screenings
Sept/Oct Directories Nov & May Barnes and Noble Book Fair
Nov & March Cultural Arts
December Winter Dance 7th and 8th Grades
Late Winter Wellness Week
April Snacks for PSSAs
June 8th Grade Graduation
Ongoing activities include fundraising through our Direct Donation program but also through Target, Amazon and other avenues like locker shelves and Hershey Park tickets, Spiritwear and beautification. Communication is key, especially when we are trying to limit the amount of paper we hand out, so I strongly encourage you to read the weekly blast which comes out on Sundays and highlights upcoming activities and events. As an experiment, I am trying a trick suggested to me by another PTO President this week, to see who actually reads the blast. If you have gotten this far, please email me with the word "Sunshine" in the subject line, nothing more than that!
I thank you for reading this letter and wish you a great start to your week. Together we really can achieve more!
Best regards,
Sarah
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Save the Date--VFMS Book Fair!
Mark your calendars for the VFMS PTO spring book fair on Saturday, May 16th and Sunday, May 17th at Barnes and Noble on Swedesford Road, during normal store hours. New this year - have lunch with local author, Dianne Salerni, author of The Eighth Day and Inquisitors Mark. See the attached invitation for more details. Author luncheon reservations forms are due in the VFMS main office by Friday, May 8th. A VFMS tradition continues on Sunday, May 17th at 2:00 with a musical performance by the 6th Grade Chorus. And, last but not least, get ready for summer and pick up required summer reading books. (Next week's Blast will include the titles of required summer reading by grade.) All proceeds benefit the VFMS PTO. Thanks for your support.
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Common Core Informational Seminar
All are invited to Radnor Middle School for an informative seminar on Common Core and what it means fo r your children's education. The seminar will take place this Thursday, May 7th, from 6:30-8. Read full information here. |
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! * *
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
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Dirt Donations Needed 
The VFMS Builder's Club has a new garden by the back parking circle that desperately needs dirt. Donations are needed! Dirt donations will be accepted by the yard, by the bag....anyway you want to contribute would be appreciated! The garden is used by a variety of classes. The Builder's Club started the seeds inside and they're ready to be planted, so please consider donating some dirt! Contact Karen Hill, 6th grade teacher, for more info.
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Attention 8th Grade Students Interested In Playing Sports At CHS Next Fall
CHS will be holding their Fall Sports Parent Meeting on Wednesday, May 20th at 7:00 pm in the Auditorium at CHS. Parents of current 8th grade students who are interested in playing Fall sports at CHS are encouraged to attend.
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 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. |
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VFMS 2015 Senior Citizen's Prom
The VFMS 2015 Senior Citizen's Prom is almost here!
Thanks to all of you who have contributed to our fundraising efforts through the Pretzel Sales, Gift Card Sales,
Pie-in-the-Face, and DSLL Opening Day!
We are able to offer this special evening to folks FREE OF CHARGE as a result of your support!!
Please spread the word and invite your friends and family who might like to attend:
VALLEY FORGE MIDDLE SCHOOL
SENIOR CITIZEN'S PROM 2015
Be our guests for dinner, dancing, games, and more!
Please join us for a Patriotic themed prom on May 9th, 2015.
WHO: Anyone 60 years of age and up
WHEN: Saturday, May 9th
TIME: 5pm-8pm
WHERE: Valley Forge Middle School
105 West Walker Road
Wayne, PA 19087
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| This Week at VFMS | |
PSSA Makeups this week
Tuesday May 5th:
-Knowledge Bowl, 8-9am
-VFMS Visits Hillside, 1-2:30
Wednesday May 6th:
-ESL Art Museum Field Trip
-Student Council Candidate Forms Due
-Gr. 4 NEE visits VFMS 1-2:30
Friday May 8th:
HERO meeting, 8-9am
Saturday May 9th:
Senior Citizen Prom, 6-8pm
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Gratitude Corner
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A BIG THANK YOU!!!
Thank you to all of the parents who graciously donated their time and money to provide every student at Valley Forge an energizing snack each morning of the school wide PSSA testing. The students and faculty were so appreciative of this effort to help all of our students perform their very best. All remaining snacks were donated to the Chester County Food Bank. 
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| 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!
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Shop Amazon/Help PTO
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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.
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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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| 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, Lori Benedict, at lori.mb@gmail.com by NOON the preceding Friday afternoon. Blast will go out each Sunday afternoon.
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