The Falcon 
Valley Forge Elementary School's PTO Newsletter 
Issue 6:  November 29, 2013  
PTO News

Happy Thanksgiving VFES Families! cornucopia-flowers.jpg


I hope your Thanksgiving was a special one.  Just a few items in this week's Falcon for you to enjoy with your leftovers! 

  

Best wishes,
Heather

VFE Food Drive for T & E Cares

November 18th - December 3rd

  

Please consider sending in a non-perishable food item with your child as a donation, or bringing one with you to parent-teacher conferences.

Food that comes in boxes, cans or plastic bottles are preferred. NO glass bottles, please.

We are collecting items such as...

  • Pasta
  • Canned food (beans, tuna, ravioli)
  • Rice
  • Cereal
  • Peanut butter
  • Healthy snacks (granola bars, dried fruit, peanuts)
PLEASE make sure the food is not expired or close to expiration date.  

Donation boxes will be in the main lobby.

School News

Hoops to Help Typhoon & Tornado Victims  

Week of December 9th 

  

Valley Forge Elementary School invites the students to participate in a fundraiser to benefit the victims of the typhoon in the Phillipines and the tornadoes in Illinois.  

 

During the week of December 9th, we ask that for each basket a child makes or how long they hula hoop, parents donate $1 (or amount you choose) to the Red Cross.  All money collected will be donated to the red cross to benefit the typhoon / tornado victims.

 

For more information, read the flyer for the schedule of events.   

November Team Updates null

  

It's been a busy month at Valley Forge Elementary School! Make sure to read the November Team Update to find out what's been going on in each grade.

Got Coffee?   

 

VFES staff are lovin' their renovated lunch room and its new Keurig!  Want to help keep a spring in their step?  Need a way to say thank you for their long hours at VFES?  Please consider contributing a box of K cups during the holiday season.  K cups can be found at many retailers, including Costco, Walmart, Bed Bath and Beyond, and Dunkin' Donuts.

Winter / Spring Clubs Information Coming Soon   Important  

 

Psst...  Keep an eye out for an e-mail next week regarding winter and spring clubs!

Safety Reminder...


Creating a safe situation for students' arrival and departure from school is of utmost importance. The speed limit on Walker Road within the school zone is 15mph and 10mph in the VFES parking lot. Please be sure to use caution. Slower is better. Thank you!

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.
Help Wanted 

Make Difference at VFES!  Leaders Needed!  


The VFES PTO will have two open board positions for the 2014-15 school year. Working on the board is a great way to meet people, strengthen a resume and help out the school. While it may seem early to be advertising for next year, if you are interested, now is a great time to sit in on a board meeting or shadow a board member to see what the job is all about. The following board positions will be open:   

 

VP of Clubs
VP of School Services
 

If you are interested in any of these positions, job descriptions & FAQ can be found at www.vfespto.org on the "About the PTO" page or you can contact Monica Moore at [email protected], Laura Wurzer at [email protected], or Heather Bittenbender at [email protected].   We need parents with younger children to get involved!

Help Needed for the Winter Staff Luncheon     

 

Susan Moyer is planning a wonderful Winter Staff Luncheon on Friday, December 13th in the Large Group Room to honor the hard work our teachers and staff have provided for our children, but she needs your help to make it a success!

 

If you can lend your helping hands for set-up (10am-11:00am) or clean-up (1:30pm-2:30pm), or whip up your favorite dessert or side dish, please contact Susan Moyer at [email protected].

Bowling Party Co-Chairperson Needed   bowling_pins2.jpg

Wednesday, February 26th

 

We are seeking a volunteer to fill a newly-vacant Bowling Party Co-Chairperson position.  Work alongside an incumbent co-chairperson to book location details, advertise the bowling party, and coordinate attendance, volunteers and door prizes.  This is a great opportunity for a parent with younger children to get involved with a VFES Social!  Please email Monica Moore at [email protected] if you are interested.
Community Corner 
FLITE Staff Tributes Make Holiday Shopping Easy   

 

This holiday season honor a special teacher, coach, counselor or school nurse with a Staff Tribute from the FLITE. Staff Tributes are a way to thank these dedicated individuals for the positive impact they've made on your student and to make a tax-deductible donation to FLITE. Honorees will receive a card notifying them of your donation. Staff tributes may be made online or via mail. Learn more about FLITE-funded academic programs and how they are helping kids at www.flite-pa.org

Boys Youth Basketball Clinic (Grades 1 - 8)

When:  Sunday, 1/5/14 from  1-4pm

Where:  Conestoga High School gym

Registration:  Register prior to event via attached flyer or day of clinic if space available; form also available at www.conestogabasketball.com  

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.

CPR Instructor Training  

 

CPR training is an important part of the curriculum for the Health and Fitness classes at Conestoga. Students receive hands-on training in infant, child and adult CPR, First Aid and the use of AEDs in addition to their class work. The hands-on training is facilitated by parents and community members who have been trained as CPR Instructors by the Red Cross. To become a certified CPR Instructor, volunteers must attend training sessions offered by Red Cross Instructor Trainers. The District pays for the training with the understanding that the instructors will be available at least one day each semester to assist in the hands-on training. The District is planning a training program for new instructors in January or February of 2014.

 

Parents or community members who are interested in becoming Red Cross certified Instructors should contact Pattie Littlewood at (610) 240-1913 or at [email protected] for more information. The training is extensive, but the rewards are great in working with students in this important part of the health curriculum.

Gratitude Corner 

Many thanks to Jo Novelli, who co-chaired the Falcon 5K run. As we all know this event was an amazing hit.

 

Special thanks to co-chairs Jenni DiMaio and Susan Moyer for coordinating the Fancy Dress and Blazer Sale. Kids and parents had a great time donating and buying clothes.

 

We had two amazing sales this week. Thank you to Katie Cannizzaro for coordinating the 1st Grade Pretzel Sale. For the 3rd Grade Snack Sale, special thanks to Heather Bittenbender, Stacey Pellegrini and Monica Moore for helping recruit and organize the table volunteers and snack contributions. Both events were a huge success.

 

Many thanks to Sally Selim and Sandy Gillam for organizing our box top collection this Fall.   We also thank all the parents that sent in the box tops.


In This Issue
Happy Thanksgiving!
VFE Food Drive for T & E Cares Interviews
Hoops to Help
November Team Updates
Got Coffee?
Winter / Spring Club Info Coming Soon
Safety Reminder
VFES Lost & Found
Two Open Board Positions
Winter Staff Luncheon Help Needed
Hoops to Help
Make Holiday Shopping Easy
Boys Youth Basketball Clinic
Help FLITE Help Kids
CPR Instructor Training
Gratitude Corner

The PTO Needs YOU!

Click the picture above for more information and to sign up!
Useful Links

Add/Change Email
Upcoming Events   

 

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

 

12/3 - School Re-Opens

12/9 - 12/13 - Hoops to Help Week

  

12/13 - Winter Staff Luncheon
 
12/13 - Kindergarten Gingerbread House Workshop

12/18 - Winter Concerts

12/23 - 1/1 - Winter Break - No School

1/2 - 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