Message from the PTO Board
Well, we have survived two snow storms and here we are on Valentine's Day! Halfway through February already and marching towards an early spring, if the groundhog is proved right (let's hope so!).
The reason for this message is three fold - first to say thank you to all those families who have contributed to our direct donations appeal. We have collected just over $10,000 so far and have a little way to go to reach our goal of $30,000. We appreciate however much you can donate, whether it be $10 or $100, every little bit makes a difference. We also realize that it is not possible for every family to make a financial donation and are very happy when families can participate in other ways to make our school the wonderful place it is.
And on that note, I would like to remind families that this school year is the 50th anniversary of when Valley Forge Middle School was founded and we are hoping to have a big celebration in May. If you have any ideas or suggestions and/or would like to get involved, please contact either Frani Aufiero or myself ( vp_socials@vfmspto.org or president@vfmspto.org ). We want it to be special. Finally, I have to announce that four members of the PTO Executive Board are stepping down this year. All four of them have completed three years on the Board and I would like to thank Frani Aufiero ( vp_socials@vfmspto.org), Julie Borrelli ( vp_fundraising@vfmspto.org) and Natalie Sudall ( treasurer@vfmspto.org) for their sterling service and tireless enthusiasm. It has truly been a pleasure working with you all and I feel proud of what we have achieved. That being said, we clearly need some folks to step up to fill these positions as the PTO cannot function without some new members. Please contact me if you are interested and I can tell you more about each role or you can talk to Frani, Julie and Natalie directly. And, just to be clear, I am the fourth member and also stepping down.
Enjoy the day off school tomorrow!
Best regards
Sarah Culbert
VFMS PTO President
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CHS Course Selection
Dear Parents/Guardians of 8th Graders:  Grade 8 students will soon begin the Conestoga Course Selection process for Grade 9. There are several activities planned for students and parents to introduce and explain the course selection process. Attached are the important dates and activities.
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8th Grade Slide Show Photos
 Attention 8th Grade Parents - Graduation Slide Show Photos Wanted!
8th grade parents will soon be receiving a request for photos spanning your 8th graders time at VFMS from 5th through 8th grade for the graduation slide show. Start gathering your photos from VFMS school events such as the drama or musical, "getting ready for the dance", trips, field days, sports and friends throughout your children's years at VFMS.
The slide show will feature all of our 8th grade graduates through their four year career at VFMS - more information about where and how to upload photos for consideration coming soon!
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 8th Grade Leadership Seminar Gift Card Sale
The 8th grade Leadership Seminar is continuing to place orders for GIFT CARDS in order to help raise the funds we need to put on the Senior Citizen's Prom in May. We have a variety of cards available to restaurants and stores. These could make great VALENTINE gifts!! You might want to have some on hand for last minute BIRTHDAY or other occasions as well. Click here to check out the variety on our order form. Mail the form and payment to IRENE CLEMMER at VFMS (or drop in the box in the main office). THANK YOU!!! |
Sleep and the Adolescent Brain
Sunday, February 21, 2016, 2-4pm
at the Radnor Middle School Auditorium
Chronic sleep loss in adolescents is one of t  he most concerning public health issues in the nation today. Nationally renowned pediatric sleep expert Dr. Judith Owens, CHOP psychologist Dr. Katherine Dahlsgaard, and West Chester Area School District Superintendent Dr. James Scanlon will address the causes and implications of sleep deprivation in adolescents, and what we can do to help them. Click here for further information and to RSVP now.
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Happy 50th Anniversary Valley Forge Middle School In 2016, VFMS is celebrating its 50th Anniversary! Built in 1965, the school was known as "Valley Forge Junior High School" until 1987. Did you know that our
principal, Mr. Gibson, graduated from VFMS? Read our "Memories from Mr. Gibson" as well as other faculty and staff who graduation from VFMS here!
Look for more 50th Anniversary news and notes on the PTO Webpage, including historic photos and new clippings from through recent decades, coming soon. We need your help:
- The PTO will also be working with our school to plan a 50th Anniversary Celebration in May, 2016. Please email VP_Socials@vfmspto.org if you would like chair or volunteer for our 50th Anniversary Celebration Planning Committee.
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Parents' Network
Valley Forge Parents' Network Coffee Morning!
Grab a Coffee and join us for a chat in Starbucks on February 24, Wednesday at 8:30 AM!
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T/E's Got Talent
Save the date for T/E's Got Talent!
On Thursday, March 31, 2016, at 7pm, the Tredyffrin and Easttown communities are invited to watch teachers and staffs - from all eight T/E schools - take the stage to perform for their biggest fans ... the students and their parents. Click here for flyer.
* Online ticket sales begins March 6, 2016
* All proceeds will benefit ARCH and support their future community programs.
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Golden Apple Grants
 Do you know what a Golden Apple Grant is? Ever heard of them? Well, here is your chance to find out! The Valley Forge Middle School PTO has created a fund to support outstanding and innovative programs, ideas and/or purchases which will enrich the educational experience at VFMS. The standard Golden Apple Grant is $200 and typically up to 10 grants will be made available during each school year. For full guidelines, click here. Do you have an idea we can support? We are accepting grant applications now for the 2015-16 school year. Any member of the VFMS community is welcome to apply including teachers, staff, administrators, parents and of course students. The PTO Board will review submitted applications and grant recipients will be notified and receive funds on a 'first come, first served' basis until all budgeted funds have been allocated. Please send completed applications to Tarina Mahtab by email or by hardcopy to the PTO mailbox in the VFMS main office. Questions? Please contact Tarina with any questions. |
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| THIS WEEK AT VFMS |
Mon. Feb 15-Feb 19:
2.0 E.S.L. Proficiency Assessment Thurs. Feb 18:Student vs. Faculty Basketball Game, 2:45 Fri. Feb 19:
HERO meeting, 8am
NO SCHOOL MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15th
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| PTO Board Meetings |
Please be advised that we have changed our meetings to the third Tuesday of every month. Meetings are
held in the conference room in the main office at 12 noon and all are welcome to attend. Missed a meeting but still interested? Click here to be directed to January PTO Board Meeting Minutes.
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Gratitude Corner
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A heartfelt thank you to Linda Schubert for hosting the 5th grade parent coffee and Karen Vadner & Nikki Serafim for hosting the 7th grade parent coffee! We appreciate your efforts!
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STOGA MUSICAL THEATER
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Come out the first week in March to see Stoga's Musical Theater prod uction of GUYS AND DOLLS! Show dates, times and ticket prices can be found here, along with a synopsis of the musical. Support our students and their performance!
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| Box Tops for Education! |
BOX TOPS for EDUCATION!!! Parent - keep those box-tops coming! For the last collection period that ended in Nov. 2015 we had collected over $200 for VFMS, and we already have about $70 more since then to send in. Thanks to everyone who keeps them coming. This is easy money for the school!
If you have any questions, contact
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Running Programs
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VFMS is interested in hosting both Girls on the Run (girls) and Stride (boys) clubs this coming spring, sponsored by the Upper Main Line YMCA. We are in need of volunteer coaches to make the programs 'run.' If any parent is interested in volunteering to help, please contact Laura Bender. Thank you! |
Easttown Library News
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Saturday, February 27, 10:30 a.m. The Friends of Easttown Library present Disney's "The Great Mouse Detective" (Rated G-1986) as part of its Sherlock Holmes Film Festival. Wear your PJs and enjoy doughnuts, animal crackers, and cookies while you watch this animated take on Sherlock Holmes. Tickets are just $5 and all proceeds benefit the library. Children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult. For details on the rest of the Film Festival, click here.
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Girl Scout Cookie Boxes Needed
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Who doesn't love Girl Scout Cookies? Save your cookie boxes!
My name is Alex
Aufiero, Grade 8, Cadette Troop 456. I am currently working on my Girl Scout Silver Award. For my community service project I will be creating "journal packs" teen/young adult patients at the CHOP Specialty Care Center in King of Prussia. Each package will include a journal that I am constructing out of empty Girl Scout cookie boxes.
Please save your empty Girl Scout cookie boxes and send them to VFMS with your son or daughter to drop off in the donation box that will be located near the main office.
Thanks for the help and support!
Alex Aufiero
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Shop Amazon/Help PTO
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There is nothing you can't find on Amazon and we know many of you use this site frequently.
But, did you know that by making a slight adjustment to the way you access their website, you could be benefiting the VFMS PTO?
When you shop at AmazonSmile (www.smile.amazon.com), rather than the regular Amazon site, Amazon donates 0.5% of the purchase price to Valley Forge Middle School Parent Teacher Organization. Bookmark the link http://smile.amazon.com/ch/23-2936863 and support us every time you shop.
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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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