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Greetings from the PTO President 
Dear VFES Families~
Yesterday's "Walk to School Day" was a fun way to start the day and get a spring in my step. Your participation was outstanding and the smiles on the children's faces made my morning. Thank you Karen Reaume, helpful greeters and families for helping to make it happen.
Indulge me as I share another thank you with your PTO Board. They are a dedicated and energetic group, plugging away since before school started to help keep our school the vibrant place it is for all of us. It's a pleasure to work (aka volunteer) with them.
Best wishes for a beautiful fall weekend.
Heather |
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The Book Fair Needs YOU! 
Our school's annual Book Fair needs your help next week. Please pop in to the LGR and assist your child's class when they visit the book fair and get excited about all the terrific books. The younger classes especially need adult guidance as they complete their wish lists. This is a fun and quick volunteer opportunity that let's you visit your child during their school day; however don't hesitate to volunteer for other classes as well. The more the merrier! Visit Book Fair Fun to sign up!
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Book Fair Open for Shopping 
You're welcome to shop any time during these Book Fair hours. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted. Yes, it's only October but think of how you clever you'll feel to knock out some holiday shopping while supporting your PTO.
Tues., Oct. 21: 8:30-4:00
Wed., Oct. 22: 8:30-4:00
Thur., Oct. 23: 8:30-1:00 & 3:00-4:00
Fri., Oct. 24: 8:30-1:00 &. 3:00-4:00
Mon., Oct. 27: 8:30-10:00 & during Scary Gym
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Book Fair Flyer Contest Winner
A big congratulations to Lucia P. for winning this year's book fair flyer contest. Keep an eye out for her flyer in your child's red folder, coming soon!
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Halloween Will Be Here Soon! We Need More Scary  Gym Volunteers!
Monday, October 27th in the gym
Scary Gym is a Spooktacular, fun and safe event for students and takes place on Monday, October 27th. Kindergarten and 1st graders get their chance during the school day on the 27th, and 2nd through 4th graders attend during the evening. This is a highly anticipated event at VFES & it requires many volunteers. Visit www.vfespto.org and click on the Scary Gym Form for more information about Scary Gym and to sign up. Come be part of the fun!
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Volunteers Needed 
Please help us! We are still in need of volunteers for the following chairperson positions:
- Scary Gym Co-Chair
- Winter Staff Luncheon Chairperson
- Snack Sale Coordinator 4th Grade (sale held 2/27/14)
- Yearbook Production Coordinator
- Yearbook Sales Coordinator
There are also many General Volunteer/Committee opportunities available for the school year. To see a complete listing of volunteer opportunities click on "Volunteer" at www.vfespto.org. Any questions can be directed to Amanda Ivory at vpvolunteer@vfespto.org. |
Collecting Shoeboxes for Science Projects 
If you have shoeboxes that you're going to throw out, we can put them to good use for science projects. Please have your student drop them off in the science room. We collect them all year.
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Fancy Dress & Stylish Blazer Sale
Monday, October 27th from 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
The annual sale of gently used dressy clothing for boys and girls will be held on Monday 10/27 from 5pm - 9pm in the first grade lobby. Be sure to shop while your children are enjoying scary gym! Cash and checks accepted.
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Still Accepting Clothes for the Fancy Dress & Stylish Blazer Sale
Has your daughter outgrown that beautiful dress she wore for the holidays?
Are the sleeves on your son's blazer suddenly far too short?
And the shoes... outgrown and still look new?
Please consider donating your items for the sale now AND take advantage of purchasing something new to you. All proceeds help support VFES 4th grade party.
We are collecting donations from all grades:
- Nice, festive, and formal girls dresses (size 3T through Juniors), skirts/blouses, dressy shoes, jewelry, handbags and coats.
- Boys blazers, suits, dress shoes, button-down shirts, ties, etc.
Collection is happening now and items may be dropped off anytime at Valley Forge Elementary School. A donation box is in the lobby. Unsold items will be donated to local charities.
ALL TIMES SHOULD BE CLEAN AND IN GOOD CONDITION, PLEASE.
Questions may be directed to Stacey Pellegrini at sapell@comcast.net
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The More You Read, The More You Know!
Calling all photographers, travelers and readers! In keeping with the  theme of this year's Falcon 100 Reading Program, students who visit Libraries and Museums throughout the school year are invited to take a picture of themselves in front of the Library and/or Museum visited for a display at school (located in the 3rd grade wing). Or, students can submit photos of themselves with their favorite book, either reading or doing something interesting with it! Pictures can be emailed to the Mrs. Sachs in the Library or Mrs. Guy in the Science room (email to Guys@tesd.net or sachsj@tesd.net). Thanks to Esther Lee for being our display organizer! So visit, learn, read and take pictures, Valley Forge!
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Earn Cash for Valley Forge Elementary School
Next collection deadline is October 27th
Box Tops coupons are a great way to help raise money for classroom needs. Each one is worth 10¢ when redeemed from Box Tops for Education. Clip the Box Tops from participating products and send them in to school. Shop online at stores through the Box Tops Marketplace®. Our school can earn eBoxTops® with every qualifying purchase you make. Sign up at www.boxtops4education.com. See how much VFES is earning, enter promotions to win eBoxTops and other prizes, and print coupons. Print this flyer if you need a reminder.
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Publishing Center Informational Meeting 
Friday, October 24th at 9:15 AM
If you're interested in helping out in the Publishing Center this year (or if you're just curious as to what we do!), please join us for an Informational Meeting on Friday, Oct. 24th at 9:15 AM in the Conference Room. Feel free to bring your little ones. There are many different areas where we need volunteers - some allow you to help out at home, while others give you the opportunity to be in school. This is a wonderful program, but it requires a lot of volunteers. So please consider joining us!! If you're not able to attend the meeting but would still like to help out in the Publishing Center, please email Tarin Cataldo at vfepubcntr@tesd.net. Thanks!!
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This Week's Teacher Spotlight is on Dolores Narcisi!
Mrs. Dolores Narcisi is a 4th grade teacher and will be celebrating her 20th year at Valley Forge Elementary in 2015! Doloris grew up in Philadelphia but spent her high school years in New Jersey. Mrs. Narcisi attended Immaculata University, located nearby in Frazier, PA.
We asked Mrs. Narcisi to share a little about herself so that the students and parents at VFE could get to know her better. This is what she had to say...
Please tell us about your family...
Mr. Narcisi and I have been married for thirty-eight years and have a grown daughter named Regina. She married Ryan Foster last summer and we are so happy for them. Our daughter, Regina, is a reading specialist in the Virginia Beach School District and has also worked with Teach for America. Ryan is a math specialist in the same school district. We have many nieces and nephews who we also include in our circle of family, and are watching a new generation grow up.
What is your favorite color?
That is difficult to answer. Lately, I have gravitated to greens and blues although I do like red and yellow!
What are some of your hobbies outside of school?
Outside of school, I take voice lessons at the Bryn Mawr Conservatory of Music. I love to visit family and spend time in several reading groups (teachers' group and also the Easttown Library's evening group). I also sing at church, and embroider when time permits. I have made quilts for my daughter and niece.
How long have you been teaching?
I received my degree in 1989. I started working with the district as an aide in 1988 and then went on to do home bound instruction and substituting per diem. My first teaching assignment was at Hillside in 1991 where I worked for four years. I was transferred to Valley Forge in 1995 and will celebrate my 20th year here this year.
Do you have a favorite vacation destination? If so, where?
I love to travel and have enjoyed many places. My bucket list includes extended days at the beach and in Washington, DC (Mt. Vernon). I would love to spend Christmas in Germany and Easter in Italy some day.
Being an educator can be both a fulfilling and challenging role.
What inspired you to become a teacher?
I was a little girl when John Kennedy was elected president. He said, "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country." This was an inspiring time in our country's history, and this spirit affected everyone. Had someone asked me in second grade," What would you like to be when you grow up?", I would have said. "a teacher". I had the benefit of having many wonderful teachers and admired many of them.
Think back to when you were an elementary student, what was your favorite part of school or a special memory you would like to share?
I loved sixth grade. My teacher, Sr. Mary Richard, always asked me to do little jobs for her. She gave me a variety of responsibilities like selling the recess candy and soft pretzels, redoing bulletin boards, handling the money for our school banking accounts with Beneficial Savings. She laughed when I put the lock (on the candy cabinet) on backwards and acknowledged me for my strengths. I try to emulate that spirit in the classroom because I believe that children need to have a certain lightness during the day. Our children work very hard during the day.
With VFES' theme of Super Heroes in mind,
What is your Super Power?
My super power.........I believe in affirming a person's spirit and being a good listener. Time has taught me not to take myself too seriously.
Finally, we would like to appeal to your humorous side.
If you were a fruit or vegetable, which one would you be and why?
I would want to be an apple because it can be made into many things that benefit our day. Who doesn't like apple pie and ice cream?
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Fun Family Concert - VOCAL TRASH at T/E Middle  School!
Friday, November 14th at 7:00 PM
DELTA (Districts Educating and Learning through the Arts) presents an exciting evening with Vocal Trash! Described as "Glee meets Stomp", this green-minded musical ensemble thrills audiences around the world with a unique brand of "Urban Broadway!" Tickets for the show are $10 per person and may be purchased at www.artsdelta.net or by using this ticket order form. Vocal Trash will perform their full, 90 minute stage show for our community following a nine school tour featuring their "edu-tainment" program for our students. For more information on Vocal Trash, please visit www.vocaltrash.net.
Proceeds from the concert will benefit DELTA, which is a consortium of PTO Cultural Arts representatives from many of our local schools. Together, DELTA members leverage our collective buying power to bring high quality artists and assemblies to our schools at affordable prices. Please join us on the 14th to help us support the arts in our schools!
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T&E Care and Whole Foods Market Devon Partner to Help Local Families! 
Nickels for Nonprofits
Did you know that Whole Foods Market gives customers a 5-cent refund for bringing their own shopping bags? Did you also know that it has a program where customers can donate that refund to local nonprofit organizations instead of receiving it themselves? From October 1, 2014 through January 18, 2015, Tredyffrin & Easttown Care will be one of the non-profits recognized by the Whole Foods Market Devon for their Nickels for Nonprofits Program! T&E Care's mission is to help local families who are struggling with emergency or difficult situations by paying a rent bill, covering a utility payment, making a car repair, etc. For more information go to www.tecare.org.
If you are a Whole Foods customer who reuses bags to help the recycling effort, consider donating your refund to T&E Care whenever you shop at the Devon store between now and January 18. (For T&E Care to receive the refund - each shopper MUST tell the check-out clerk to refund T&E Care.) Many thanks to Whole Foods Market Devon for selecting T&E Care for this program, and being a partner in helping local families!
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T&E Care Fall Fest - A Celebration in Black & White
Saturday, November 8, 2014
T&E Care is a local nonprofit that helps families in our community who are struggling due to an emergency or special problem. Once a year it holds a Fall Fest fundraiser to help raise the money needed to in its efforts to help these families. This year's event, a Celebration in Black & White, is on November 8 at St. Davids Golf Club, and includes a yummy dinner, fun dancing courtesy of the Common Bond, a fantastic silent auction, two amazing raffle prizes, and lots of great company! Tickets are now on sale. Event tickets are $125 each. Raffle tickets are $20 each or 6 for $100. You do not have to be present to win a raffle prize. Prize 1 is forty bottles of fine wine with a value of over $1000. Prize 2 is a pair of diamond earrings with a value of over $3900 (courtesy of Brian Smaul Ltd Jewelers (Wayne)). For more details and to order tickets go to www.tecare.org. |
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Girls Youth Basketball Clinic
Tuesday, Nov 4, 2014 
A Girls Youth Basketball Clinic will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2014 (10am-Noon) at VF Middle School for girls in grades 2 - 8. Pre-registration is encouraged. To get more details about the event, check out the flyer.
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Upcoming Events
10/21-10/27 - Book Fair
10/24 - Publishing Center Informational Meeting
10/27 - Scary Gym
10/27 - Fancy Dress & Stylish Blazer Sale
10/27 - October Collection Deadine for Boxtops
10/31 - Halloween Parade and Parties
11/4 - Girls Basketball Clinic
11/4 - Election day (school closed)
12/5- VFES Movie Night
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2014-2015 Falcon Publication Dates
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Questions or Comments?
Contact the Editors:
Tracy Grigoriades
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