The Falcon 
Valley Forge Elementary School's PTO Newsletter 
Issue 9:  January 10, 2014   
PTO News

Hello and Happy 2014 to all!


Here's to success with all those resolutions. Top of my hit parade was more timely submission of my letter to our Falcon editors. Please don't check up with Tracy on this week!

However please do click over to our PTO website and calendar when you look at the school's homepage for updates.  We will have plenty of fun indoor activities to keep VFES families busy this winter.

All the best,
Heather
School News

Capture the Memories!      

Order your child's yearbook today.

 

You don't want to miss the chance to order the 2013-2014 full color yearbook!  Please fill out the attached form and return ASAP.  Any questions, please contact Julie Kanto at [email protected].

Calling All Music Lovers   

 

It is that time of year when we create memory CDs of our children's voices.  Every year volunteers record our kids singing a song, and the CD is then given to the kids when they are graduating Valley Forge Elementary.  We are looking for a few volunteers per class that would be able to come record during your child's music class.  It only takes one or two sessions per class!  If you are interested, please email Julie Kanto at [email protected].

Gratitude for a Great Food Drive    

 

Thanks to all of the students and families who generously donated to last month's Food Drive for T & E Care. Our school collected over 725 items to help local families in need! The food was especially appreciated during the holiday vacation. Special thanks to Mr. Wong and his 4th graders for planning, organizing, publicizing and packing the donations, and to Jennifer Arnott and Julie Borrelli for transporting the many boxes and bags of food.    

Lost & Found

 

The lost and found is growing!  There are soooo many coats, gloves, hats, sweatshirts, lunchboxes, boots and other items that we will be donating to a worthy cause at the end of the January.

 

Please stop by and check out the Lost & Found by January 29th for any missing items.

Please Consider a Direct Donation to VFES PTO    


Please consider contributing to the VFES Direct Donation Program. Contributing directly to the PTO is 100% tax deductible and we receive 100% of your contribution which we use to provide all of the cultural arts programs, school services and annual "gifts" to the school. The PTO is a 501 (c)(3) organization and you will receive a receipt for tax purposes. Thank you for your consideration and to all who have already participated!

 

To Donate Online:  VFES PTO 

2014 / 2015 School Year Calendar Now Available   

 

The 2014 / 2015 School Year Calendar has been approved by the board and is now available.  Please click here for a link to a summary of the calendar.    

 

Special Note:  The 2013 / 2014 Calendar Year has been extended to Wednesday, June 18th, 2013 (tentative), due to snow days.   

Kindergarten Registration Information     

 

Registration for kindergarten and first grade students new to T/E will begin on January 31, 2014. Children who plan to enter the T/E School District in grades two through four in September are also encouraged to register at this time.  Please think about neighbors who may not already have a child at VFES and share this information with them.  

 

December Team Update

 

December was a fun and busy month for the students at VFES!  Read the  

Team Update to find out what great things all of the grades did.
Help Wanted 

Make a 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!

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 

Save the Date!  The Harlem Wizards are Returning for March Madness      

March 21st, 2014

Game begins 7:00PM 

Conestoga High School  

 

We hope to see you there! Please check the FLITE vs. Harlem Wizards event page of our website for ticket information in January/February. Sponsorship information is posted. This event has sold out for two years straight. Don't miss the opportunity to share in the fun.  

  

ATTN: Businesses- This is a great opportunity to support education and promote your business at the same time. Sponsorships are available now.

SAT Preparation

  

The next session of the FLITE-funded SAT Preparation Program will be held February 10-March 20, 2014 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:45 - 4:15 pm. Inquiries may be made to CHS guidance.

 

More information  SAT Prep

Gratitude Corner 
We would like to thank our cafeteria monitors Katie Cannizaro, Debbie Geiger, Tracy Grigoriades, Amanda Ivory, Tereza Keohane, Michelle Lampley, Tiffany Leong, Rujuta Mandelia, Phyllis Reid, Jane Rhee, and Natalie Sudall for helping the little ones during lunch.

 

Many, many thanks to Susan Moyer for organizing the Holiday Faculty and Staff Luncheon!! It was a hit!!

Holiday Faculty & Staff Luncheon Thanks   yellow-flower-closeup.jpg  


Applause to ring in the New Year!  Thank you to the volunteers who helped to make December's Willy Wonka Holiday Faculty & Staff Luncheon a fabulous success!

VFES teachers & staff were singing your praises for a luncheon filled with good food, fun atmosphere and festive sweets & treats!

Thank you to the following volunteers for your donations of time, cooking, baking and shopping for this event; Arnott, Bailer, Borrelli, Bittenbender, Burnfield, Carpenter, Cataldo, Crean, DeLaOssa, DiMaio, Faith, Grigoriades, Hayes, Lynch, Kanto, McAveney, McGarrity, Mignone, Montalvo, Moore, Nassif, Rossi, and Wahlers.

Special Thanks as well to VFES' incredible facilities team - Gary and Kyle you are the best!!!

Thank you to Susan Guy for supplying science equipment so that we could create our candy laboratory! and Mr. Diamond, Kudos! for saving the day with the DVD player!

Best Wishes for a wonderful 2014! Remember to make it sweet!
- all the best,
Susan Moyer 

Special Thanks from T & E Care


Dear VFES,
Many thanks of appreciation for the overwhelming and generous donation of food items for T & E Care.  It is the abundance of heartfelt giving that is truly remarkable from our youth.  Blessings to all and please extend our thanks to VFES.

Lisa Christy 
T & E Care Holiday Drive Chairperson

In This Issue
President's Message
Yearbook Order Form
Calling All Music Lovers
Food Drive Gratitude
Lost & Found
PTO Direct Donation
2014 / 2015 School Year Calendar
Kindergarten Registration Info
December Team Update
Two Open Board Positions
Bowling Party Co-Chairperson
Harlem Wizards Are Coming
SAT Preparation
Gratitude Corner
Faculty & Staff Luncheon Thanks
Special Thanks from T & E Care

The PTO Needs YOU!

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

Add/Change Email
Upcoming Events   

1/16 - Betsy Ross Visits (3rd Grade)

1/20 - No School

1/22 - Philadelphia Zoo Visits the 1st Grade

1/28 - 2nd Grade Chinese Round Robin
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