VFMS PTO Blast


February 21st, 2016
Monday is Day 5
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!

 

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:
 
  • Did you graduation from VFMS or do you know any local alumni? Please let us know at [email protected]!

  • The PTO will also be working with our school to plan a 50th Anniversary Celebration in May, 2016.  Please email [email protected]  if you would like chair or volunteer for our 50th Anniversary Celebration Planning Committee.
 
Our VFMS Community

Look at all of our Parents and Staff who graduated from Valley Forge Junior High!
 
VFMS Faculty in addition to Mr. Gibson - Mrs. Clemmer and Mr. Leviston!

Did you know?  Mrs. Clemmer didn't graduate from VFJH but attend 7th and the first half of 8th grade here. Her dad was transferred to Michigan, so she moved there in January 1971, during her 8thgrade year.  At the time, the school housed 7th - 9th grade.  She remembers  when the school was being built (Gateway Shopping Center was also built around the same time).  She and her friends would ride their bikes to the school and watch the progress the construction crews were making.  Chesterbrook wasn't built yet, but Wilson Farm was still around!
 
VFMS community members and parents of current students - David Arvan (Sarah) Julie Borelli (Drew & Sophie), Sian Keating (Lorelei), Heidi Kelly (Aiden & Chase), Kelly King, Allie (Dowd) Richardson (Teddy), Elaine Staunton (Alexa & Carra), Deborah (Seas) Welsh (her grandkids are Riley & Cole DeShelter)

Don't be shy - share your story and help our list grow!  Email us at [email protected] 

gift card 2 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!!!
Parents' Network  
coffee_beans_cup.jpg
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

 RSVP to Angelica Riley:  [email protected] or 510-681-6330.

 
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.
Golden Apple Grants 

golden apple
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.
 
In This Issue
8th Grade Photos Needed
Happy 50th Anniversary VFMS!
Our VFMS Community
Gift Card Sale
Parents' Network
T/E's Got Talent
Golden Apple Grants
VFMS PTO Logo

THIS WEEK AT VFMS
Mon. Feb 22-Feb 26:
2.0 E.S.L. Proficiency Assessment

Thurs. Feb 25/Fri. Feb 26:
Half Day for Grades 1-8
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. 

STOGA MUSICAL THEATER
Come out the first week in March to see Stoga's Musical Theater prodMusical Theatreuction 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!
Box Tops for Education!
Boxtops
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 

Wizards Tickets
The Wizards are coming back to TE again! Tickets go onsale ONLINE ONLY this year. Full information here.
Wizards  

Running Programs
YMCA
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
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.

Step Afrika-March 4th
Step Afrika is coming to VFMS to perform LIVE! Mark your calendars for Friday, March 4th at 7:00 and come out for this fun event. Full information here and pictures here.

 
Girl Scout Cookie Boxes Needed
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
 
Shop Amazon/Help PTO

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. 

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 [email protected] by NOON the preceding Friday afternoon. Blast will go out each Sunday afternoon.