Join us for our PTO General Membership Meeting this Tuesday, November 4, at 7:00 p.m.!

All families are welcome — come hear quick updates, learn about volunteer opportunities, and bring your questions and ideas. We’d love your voice at the table! 

The PTO is collecting donations to support DES families who may be feeling financial strain due to the current government shutdown and the lapse in SNAP benefits. Every dollar helps and goes directly to DES families in need. Find more information and make a donation here.

With SNAP benefits on the verge of being shut down and the ongoing government shutdown, here is a list of locations in Anne Arundel County where you can get help. This map displays food pantries, baby pantries, and soup kitchens supported by the Anne Arundel County Food Bank. 
You can also download the list here.

We will be holding our annual Coat Drive again this year! As the temperatures begin to dip, please keep us in mind for donations.❄️

The PTO will collect new and gently used coats — from babies to big kids!

🧣 Hats, scarves, and gloves are also welcome! More details about the Coat Drive collection will be shared soon!

We wanted to share an important update about our Hoops for Learning fundraiser.
Due to the current uncertainties surrounding the federal government shutdown and the potential impact on many of our DES families, we've decided to postpone the event for now.

Our goal has always been to make this a fun, community-wide celebration — and we want to ensure that all of our families can be part of it if they choose to participate.

A new date will be announced once we iron out a few details. Those who previously signed up to help count hoops on November 11 will have first dibs on volunteering when the event is rescheduled.

We truly appreciate your patience, understanding, and continued support for our Gator community. Together, we'll make this event an even bigger success when the time comes!

Join us November 8 at the Davidsonville Farmers Market for a Farm to School Fundraiser that supports the DES PTO and your local community! Shop 10 a.m.–2 p.m. for local produce, fresh baked goods, and face painters. The market is now held at 3249 Solomon's Island Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037.

Join us on Thursday, November 13 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. for our fall flannel frenzy! Admission is $5 per person (non-skaters included) and $5 for each skate rental. Wear flannel for a prize at the door! Get your tickets here.

Address
SkateZone Crofton
1082 Rt. 3 South
Crofton, MD 21114

Ms. Kaiser and Mrs. Quigley are looking for just 1 more parent volunteer to help during kindergarten media classes on Friday, November 7! Kindergarteners will be logging in and using their Chromebooks for the first time, and additional support will be helpful to make this fun lesson a success! Click here to sign up to help out!

This year's Holiday Shoppe will be Tuesday, December 9, from 4:30-7:30 p.m. 

We are recruiting parent volunteers and elves to help with the event. If you are a parent interested in helping, or a parent of a fifth-grader who wants to be an elf, please click here to sign up. 

If you have any questions, please email Sophia Celino.

Girls on the Run is looking for one more parent volunteer to join the coaching team! The club focuses on inspiring girls to build their confidence through interactive lessons and physical activities. The Girls on the Run club will meet two days a week and is open to girls in 3rd-5th grade. Please reach out to Jennafer Palumbo if you are interested in becoming a coach at DES! 

Lego Club is looking for parent volunteers to help out this spring. The club will be held Thursdays after school from 2:30-3:30pm. If you are interested in learning more about volunteering with the club please reach out to Kim Neidig or AnnMarie Gnall

Family Link is a monthly newsletter published by AACPS School & Family Partnership with helpful information about family engagement, ensuring a successful partnership with your child's teachers and school, dates to remember, and events happening around the county.
Access the November newsletter here. 

The Anne Arundel County Police Department is offering the DARE Keepin' It Real program to current 5th and 6th-grade students. See attached flyer for more information.