The DES PTO Gator Blast

Week of October 22 - 28, 2023

What's Happening This Week

No upcoming events.

The News

World of Kindness Event

DES PTO will be hosting an evening event on Nov. 9 from 6-8 p.m., where students are invited to participate in random acts of kindness in partnership with our Raise Craze fundraiser.

Activities include a candy drop off to be sent to our troops currently deployed (perfect time to get rid of the last of your Halloween candy and put a smile on someone else's face), painting kindness rocks, a gratitude corner for students to engage led by Robin Countryman from our yoga club, coloring bookmarks to be distributed by Edgewater Public Library, coffee cup holders to be handed out at Black Market Bakers, and more!

Our goal with this event is to empower students and their families to show our community just how kind Davidsonville Elementary is.

This will be an event for students and their families, and, as such, this is NOT a drop-off event.

Employer Giving Incentives

Please check with your employer on employee giving and corporate donation program opportunities. The PTO is a nonprofit (EIN 52-2358390), and many employers offer incentives resulting in contributions. Some offer matching of what the employee gives, a monetary donation from an employer for every hour the employee donates to the PTO, and allowing donations to come out of paychecks pre-tax. Based on what our DES families have arranged with their employers, we already have incoming donations from Nationwide and Microsoft! Do you have questions or need help? Contact Lisa at treasurer.pto.des@gmail.com.

We need your photos for the Yearbook!

The Yearbook Committee is SUPER excited to share that it will be much easier to share your photos for the yearbook this year.

We need as many photos as possible, and having our parents, teachers, and staff contribute photos is the best way to ensure our students are well-represented in the yearbook.

All you need to do is click here to upload your photos.

Thank you in advance for your help in making our yearbook memorable!

We are excited to announce that the DES Talent Show will be back again this year! Although we've typically hosted this event at the end of the school year, this school year, the Talent Show will be on February 28, 2024. Additional details, including registration information, will be sent out closer to the event, but for now, be sure to save the date on your calendar!

Fundraising

Raise Craze - Fundraising for Kindness is an event in which students will fundraise in exchange for performing random acts of kindness over a two-week period, November 6-17. Two in-person events will support Raise Craze: World of Kindness and Kindness Clean Up.

Look for more information in the coming weeks to kick off this FUN fundraiser and continue our year of kindness for DES.

We are looking for volunteers to support this fundraiser - please review and register for opportunities here.

Volunteer

To get involved, please check out the General SignUp Genius for the current volunteering opportunities. Be sure to navigate through the tabs to see all the current options!

New Volunteer Info

We have a bunch of new volunteer opportunities coming up! More information about each can be found by clicking on the hyperlinks, as well as reading the descriptions below the table.

Daytime Volunteer Opportunities

Weekend Volunteer Opportunities

Donations Needed

* Teacher Luncheon Oct. 25

* Kindness Kickoff Parent Tunnel

* Teacher’s Elves

* Tues/Fri Morning Media Help

* Kindness Crafting

* Fall School Yard Cleanup

* Teacher Luncheon Oct. 25

The PTO will be hosting a Grab-n-Go Teacher Luncheon for faculty and staff on Wednesday, October 25th. We are seeking dessert and drink donations, as well as volunteers to help with set up, service, and clean up. Please see the Grab-n-Go Sign-Up for more information. Many thanks for your time and generosity!

Become part of the Kindness Crew! Help us prepare for our Raise Craze fundraiser and World of Kindness Event by joining our Kindness Crew!

Library Help: Ms.Kaiser is in need of help in the media center on Tuesday and Friday mornings to check-in books. If you are able to help out, please reach out to Ms. Kaiser directly at ckaiser@aacps.org.

Teacher's Elves

If you would like to volunteer by making copies for teachers, sign up here! Please call before going into the school to make sure there are copies to be made that day!

Fingerprinting Event

DES will host a fingerprint event on November 14 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The fingerprint-supported background check allows you to volunteer on multiple levels and lasts your child's entire school career at AACPS!

Go to DES Fingerprint Event for more information!

Clubs

Outdoor Club

An outdoor club is being started for 1st graders! Check out the flyer below to get more information, and click here to register! Please note this club is for FIRST GRADERS ONLY!

Community

Southern District Trunk or Treat

The AACOPD Southern District is hosting its annual trunk or treat event. Come have some fun with us on October 28th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Cleaning out closets?

While cleaning out your closets in the upcoming weeks, please set aside new and gently used coats for our annual coat drive. More information about the collection will be shared soon!

Looking Ahead

Monday, October 30

Two-hour early dismissal - End of first marking period

Tuesday, October 31

Two-hour early dismissal - End of first marking period

8:30a Halloween Parade

Wednesday, November 1

Schools closed for elementary and middle school ONLY

Friday, November 3

5:00p Skate Night #2 of 4

Monday, November 6

Raise Craze Fundraiser - Fundraising Through Kindness Begins

Thursday, November 9

World of Kindness Event

Tuesday, November 14

5:30p Fingerprinting Event

7:00p PTO General Meeting

Friday, November 17

Raise Craze Fundraiser - Fundraising Through Kindness Ends

Saturday, November 18

Fall Schoolyard Cleanup

Monday, November 20

Schools closed for all students - Parent/teacher conferences

Tuesday, November 21

Schools closed for all students - Parent/teacher conferences

Haven't joined the PTO yet?

What are you waiting for?! 🤔

Thank you to all the families that have already paid their dues! In addition to supporting our students and staff, these families have access to our Family Directory and voting rights at our PTO General Membership meetings.

Click here to join the PTO and help support our mission.

Family membership forms can be accessed by going to

"My Account">"My Forms/Paperwork">"PTO Membership 2023-24"

For any questions about updating your information, completing the membership form, or signing up for the blast, please email Sam Rhinehardt at vpcomms.pto.des@gmail.com.

PTO Executive Board 2023/2024:

President – Robyn Davis
VP Communications – Samantha Rhinehardt
VP Volunteer Coordinator – Brooke Zingler
VP Fundraising – Mary Boese
Secretary – Amy Forney
Treasurer – Lisa Frid
Asst. Treasurer – Brenna Raines

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SUBJECT: Week of October 22 - 28, 2023