The Falcon 
Valley Forge Elementary School's PTO Newsletter 
Issue 5:  November 1, 2013  
PTO News
President's Note

 

Happy November to all. What a whirlwind of a week this has been, and the fun will continue through this weekend thanks to our upcoming Falcon 5K Run. The Valley Forge Elementary School traditions of Book Fair and Scary Gym continue to the delight (and in some cases, screams) of all and the Halloween parade and parties are always a hit. My sincere thanks to the Book Fair co-chairs Sarah Culbert and Jamee Rivers and Scary Gym Chair Raquel Hunter. These ladies spent countless hours at our school creating fantastic fun for our children.

The Falcon 5K Run is this Sunday, November 3rd!

Wilson Farm Park

9:00 5K/9:45 1 Mile Kids Fun Run

 

It's finally here! The new VFES Falcon 5K is on Sunday. We are so excited for this great new fundraiser and you can still participate. The walk-in registration fee is $35 for the 5K and $25 for the 1 Mile. Here is some other information:

  • Early Race Bag Pick Up: Avoid the lines and pick up your race bag at VFES on Saturday, Nov. 2nd from 3:00 - 5:00.
  • UMLY Raffle: We are raffling off a 3 month membership to the Upper Main Line YMCA. Entries are $1, so don't forget to bring some cash to the run.
  • Race is Rain or Shine.
  • Parking: We have an amazing turnout for the race so be sure to arrive with plenty of time to park. The registration area is in front of the tot lot located behind the shopping center.
  • Don't Forget to Turn Your Clock Back Saturday Night!

See you on Sunday and thank you for your support!

Thank You from the Book Fair Committee

 

Book Fair 2013 was a resounding success, with many happy readers joining us in the Large Group Room. We will be processing your special orders and sending them home in the children's backpacks as promptly as we can and will communicate our grand totals to you in our next edition of the Falcon.  A special thank you goes to the numerous volunteers who helped pull it all together on set-up day, keep it running during class visits, and then broke it down with great speed on Tuesday.  And a very special thank you goes to Karen Reaume for numerous hours "on the job."  And, a huge thanks to the VFES teachers and staff who strive to instill a love of reading in our children with their enthusiasm for Book Fair and in class everyday.   

 

Sarah Culbert, Jamee Rivers, and Heather Bittenbender

Co-Chairs

Help Wanted

Publishing Center Informational Meeting

Tuesday, November 12th, 9:15 AM

Large Group Room 

 

Have you ever wondered how your child's story gets turned into a bound book?  Have you ever considered helping out in the Publishing Center? If you answered yes to either of these questions, please join us for a Publishing Center Informational Meeting on Tuesday, November 12th at 9:15AM in the Large Group Room.  We will give a brief overview of the publishing process, explain the different areas where we need volunteers (both at home and in school), and answer any questions you may have.  The meeting shouldn't last too long (less than an hour), and you are welcome to bring your younger children.  If you have any questions/concerns about the meeting or about the Publishing Center, or if you are interested in volunteering but unable to attend the meeting, please contact Tarin Cataldo at [email protected].  Thanks!
School News

Please Complete And Return Author Interviews

 

If your 1st through 4th grader has not yet returned

his/her Author Interview, please do so as soon as possible. The Author Interview is used by our Publishing Center to create the "About the Author" page included in the back of each child's Publishing Center books.  The "About the Author" page is a great snapshot of your child's interests and likes during his/her time at VFES.  If you misplaced the original form that was sent home, you can print this form.  Please help your child complete the Author Interview, and return it to the Publishing Center via his/her red folder.  It only takes a few minutes, and completing the forms now allows us to speed up the publishing process.  If you have any questions or would like another hard copy sent home, please contact Tarin Cataldo at [email protected].  

VFES Lost & Found........... 

 

The Lost & Found at VFES is growing.Please check the Lost & Found for missing items.If lunch boxes, water bottles (food related items) are left in the Lost & Found, they will be disposed of periodically.
We cannot keep them for a long time, because it becomes very unsanitary to have all of these dirty items with rotting food sitting around.
The Lost & Found can be found in the back of the cafeteria.
Clothing items that are still in the Lost & Found on December 4th will be donated to charity.
Community Corner 
Prepare to Be Amazed!
Boys Youth Basketball Clinic (Grades 1-8)
Sunday, November 3rd, 1 - 4 p.m.
Conestoga High School gym

 

Registration:  Prior to event (see  flyer for form) or day of clinic if space available.  In addition, clinic information and the registration form can be found on our new booster club basketball website:  www.conestogabasketball.com

 

This will be a great event and the younger boys have enjoyed this clinic and working with the high school players in past years.  Thank you in advance for any promotion of this event.  Go Stoga and T/E boys!
Girls Youth Basketball Clinic
Saturday, November 9th, 9:30 AM - Noon
Conestoga High School gym

 

A Girls Youth Basketball  Clinic will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2013 (9:30am-Noon) at Conestoga for girls in grades 2 - 8.  Pre-registration is encouraged.  More information.
Help FLITE Help Kids

The Foundation for Learning In Tredyffrin/Easttown (FLITE) has kicked off its "Help FLITE Help Kids" campaign, an annual fundraiser that provides the majority of the individual donations needed to support local education programs. Every year, FLITE raises funds to provide children in preschool through high school with the tools, opportunities and support they need to meet today's academic expectations. Through FLITE, our community provides access to after-school academic support, preschool, summer enrichment, technology, musical instruments, college preparation and other assistance that truly makes a difference for hundreds of local children.  

 

Please visit www.flite-pa.org to learn more about FLITE and how you can help make a difference for local children and schools. FLITE is an IRS-recognized non-profit organization.  The official registration and financial information of the Foundation for Learning In Tredyffrin/Easttown may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

T/E FLITE Bookmark Contest

The T/E-FLITE Bookmark Contest is underway. All T/E students are invited to participate in designing a bookmark using the FLITE theme "Help FLITE Help Kids." A bookmark is chosen from each school and professionally reproduced to be distributed at schools, FLITE functions and throughout the community. The art teachers at each school are involved in the coordination of this project.  Students are asked to hand in art to the secretary in the main office of their school by November 22nd. Winners will be announced in December. Informational Forms at www.flite-pa.org.

Work Out on Thanksgiving Day and Help Kids in T/E
5K Turkey Trot to Support FLITE-Funded Academic Programs

Thanksgiving Day, Thursday November 28th 

 

Seven Summits Therapy & Fitness, LLC will host its 6th Annual 5K Turkey Trot (run/walk) on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday November 28, 2013, for the Foundation for Learning In Tredyffrin/Easttown (FLITE). The race will be held at Wilson Farm Park, behind the Chesterbrook Shopping Center at the end of Lee Road, Chesterbrook, PA. A children's fun run will begin at 8:45 am, and the 5K run/walk will start at 9:00 am. Onsite registration will open at 7:30 am. Registrations are being accepted online at www.runtheday.com  and via mail (download form). More info at: www.sevensummitspt.com.   

Gratitude Corner 

Once again we had a super fun, amazing Scary Gym full of witches, a Frankenstein, a headless guy and tons of other creepy ghouls. Huge thanks go out to our Scary Gym Chairpersons:  Raquel Hunter, Jen Crawford, Michelle Lampley, Jason Borrelli and Sam Totoro.  We are sad to have say goodbye to Jason & Sam.  Thank you for your many years of help with Scary Gym! 

 

We also appreciate the many parents who collected boxes, built the maze, handled check in, baked treats, helped fix the maze, worked as K/1st grade helpers, worked as startlers and those who helped break it all down. 

Book Fair Chairpersons, Heather Bittenbender, Sarah Culbert and Jamee Rivers did a great job setting up, promoting and working the Book Fair all week. In addition, a huge number of parents came in and helped the kids choose their books.   We are so grateful for all the help provided to this wonderful fundraiser. Thank you to all of the parents who purchased books and who donated books to the classrooms.

 

Our big thank you to Donna Costin for chairing Mr. Johnson's Recess Laps program this Fall.  We really appreciate the work of parents who helped with this program.  The kids love it and are definitely better prepared for the Falcon 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run this weekend!

 

We want to thank Franny Ryan, Natalie Sudall, Trish Gutsche, Donna Costin, Amanda Ivory, Carol Wittschieben, Jon Anstine

and Monica Moore for lending their time to help the students create a Wall of Smiles during lunchtime on Wear Your PJs Day for ConKerr Cancer.

 

Thank you Karin Smith, Jo Novelli, Tarin Cataldo, Dalia El-Sherif, Stacey Pellegrini, Amanda Ivory, Milena De La Ossa and Susanne Nilsson for giving the kids the opportunity to make new friends on Mix It Up Day!

 


In This Issue
President's Note
Falcon 5K This Sunday
Thank You from the Book Fair Committee
Publishing Center Informational Meeting
Complete And Return Author Interviews
VFES Lost & Found
Harris III Magic Show
Boys Basketball Clinic
Girls Basketball Clinic
Help FLITE Help Kids
FLITE Bookmark Contest
5K Turkey Trot
Gratitude Corner

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Upcoming Events   

 

11/5 - School is Closed for Election Day

11/8 - Kindergarten Bear Hunt Day

11/13 - Picture Re-Take Day

11/25 - Half Day for Grades 1-4; No School for Kindergarten

11/26 - Half Day for Grades 1-8; No School for Kindergarten

11/27 - 12/2 - School closed for Thanksgiving Break

12/3 - School Re-Opens
2013-2014 Falcon Publication Dates 




Questions or Comments?
 

Contact the Editors:

Tracy Grigoriades
   ________

Heather Bittenbender

PTO President  

  

Rebecca Wills,

Principal

[email protected]

 

Valley Forge Elementary School                            

99 Walker Road, Wayne, PA 19087                       

(610) 240-1600                               

Fax (610) 240-1615                                

Absentee Calling # (610) 240-1600 ext 5