MLS PTO

Serving the children, families, teachers, and staff of
Meriwether Lewis School.  

Happy First Day of School!  

The backpacks are packed and the pencils are sharpened and whether you are jumping for joy or drying your eyes, we hope everyone has a great first day!  We're looking forward to working together to make it a great school year for everyone!

Volunteer Opportunities

What makes MLS such a great school? YOU DO! The MLS PTO welcomes volunteers to help with many school-wide activities and events. The Fall Fun Fair, Kids Market, Family Game Night, Talent Show, Silent Auction, and Scholastic Book Fair are just a few examples of the many ways you can get involved in our wonderful school community. 

To volunteer, please complete the light blue form included in the packet of materials you received at the Open House and return it via backpack mail. If you have misplaced your volunteer form, you can get it here or visit http://mlspto.org to print another copy. We'd appreciate having completed forms by Friday, September 5th so that committee chairs can begin contacting volunteers, particularly for fall programs.  Questions? Contact Jerilyn Teahan: jerilynt@gmail.com . 

Thank you for getting involved!

Welcome Coffee: Friday, August 22nd, 9am

Join the PTO for a welcome coffee at the school on Friday, August 22nd, 9:00 - 10:00 am.  We welcome new and returning MLS parents!

Mark your calendar for our first-ever Back-to-School Family Picnic on Sunday, August 24th, 5:00 - 6:30 pm at MLS!  Bring your own picnic food and enjoy time reconnecting with friends - fun for students AND parents!  The Kona Ice Truck will be on site, with a portion of sales benefiting the PTO.  (Please note that this is not a drop-off event for kids; parents must be on site during the picnic.  Thanks!)

2014-2015 MLS Directory: Sept. 5th Deadline

Want to be included in this year's MLS Directory?  Be on the lookout for a flyer with instructions for the 2014-2015 MLS Directory this week in backpack mail.  It only takes two minutes to complete and is super easy. 

Send an email to mlsdirectory14@gmail.com to receive the link to the online form (note that this is not a monitored email address - please direct any questions to Woody Oakey).  Please complete ONE FORM PER STUDENT.  Only fill out the information you wish to be included in the directory.  If you would like a paper form to complete, please request from your classroom teacher.  Deadline for completion is September 5. 

Any questions?  Woody Oakey  woodyoakey@gmail.com or 434-249-6607

On September 9 at 5:00, there will be an information session on gifted services in Albemarle County and at Meriwether Lewis.  This session will provide an overview of how gifted services are provided in Albemarle County's collaborative model.  Anyone who wants to know more is welcome!  The most likely location is the library/media center. Look for a sign as you enter to confirm the location

Grocery Programs Change

Kroger Cares Program -Link Your Card

Kroger (follow steps below):

• Register online at krogercommunityrewards.com 
• Be sure to have your Kroger Plus card handy and register your card with your organization after you sign up.
• If a member does not yet have a Kroger Plus card, please let them know that they are available at the customer service desk at any Kroger.
• Click on Sign In/Register
• Most participants are new online customers, so they must click on SIGN UP TODAY in the 'New Customer?' box.
• Sign up for a Kroger Rewards Account by entering zip code, clicking on favorite store, entering your email address and creating a password, agreeing to the terms and conditions
• You will then get a message to check your email inbox and click on the link within the body of the email.
• Click on My Account and use your email address and password to proceed to the next step.
• Click on Edit Kroger Community Rewards information and input your Kroger Plus card number.
• Update or confirm your information.
• Enter MLS code 82053 or the name of our organization from the list and click on confirm. 
• If you can not enter the code or see "Meriwether Lewis" in the organization list, please try again on Thursday (Aug 21). The site should be active on Aug 20th, but it may be later in the day than when this email comes out.
• To verify you are enrolled correctly, you will see your organization's name on the right side of your information page.
• REMEMBER, purchases will not count for your group until after your member(s) register their card(s).
• Do you use your phone number at the register?  Call 800-576-4377, select option 4 to get your Kroger Plus card number.
• Members must swipe their registered Kroger Plus card or use the phone number that is related to their registered Kroger Plus card when shopping for each purchase to count.

Harris Teeter VIC card link!

Harris Teeter also has a cash rebate to schools program for our parents! However, every August 1st, all Harris Teeter shoppers need to relink their VIC cards to MLS! You can do this at any register or customer service or can go to http://www.harristeeter.com/community/together_in_education/link_to_your_school.aspx

to link your card. The school code is 3247.

Thank you for your support of MLS. These easy "once a year links" can really bring in some money for the MLS PTO and will help support your school, its teachers, and your children! For the past several years, the PTO has raised about $6000 through rebates from Kroger and Harris Teeter. We need your help to make that goal again this year!

First Day of School

Wednesday, August 20th

PrE-Zone Registration Opens

Wednesday, August 20th

PTO Welcome Coffee for Parents

Friday, August 22nd, 9:00 - 10:00 am

Landscaping Work Day

Saturday, August 23rd, 9:00 am

PTO Back-to-School Family Picnic

Sunday, August 24th, 5:00 - 6:30 pm

Enrichment Zone Registration Opens

Wednesday, August 27th

PrE-Zone Registration Closes

Wednesday, August 27th

Back to School Night

Tuesday, September 9th

E-Zone Classes Begin

Monday, September 15th

PTO Fun Fair

Friday, October 17th

Dana Quist, Communications Coordinator

Meriwether Lewis School PTO

please email mlsmatters@gmail.com. 

Community events are listed by request as space is available.  The MLS PTO does not endorse or have any additional information regarding these events.