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Originally delivered on 11/12/2023 6:36 pm

SUBJECT: Week of November 12 - 18, 2023

The DES PTO Gator Blast
The DES PTO Gator Blast

Week of November 12 - 18, 2023

What's Happening This Week
Tuesday, November 14
5:30p Fingerprinting Event
7:00p PTO General Meeting
Thursday, November 16
DES Toy Drive Starts
Friday, November 17
Raise Craze Fundraiser - Fundraising Through Kindness Ends
Saturday, November 18
Fall Schoolyard Cleanup
Fundraising
Raise Craze

One of our biggest fundraisers of the year is upon us. We need your support to make it a success. Our goal is $15,000. So far, we have raised $7,490.00-we're nearly halfway there! The money raised during this fundraiser supports things like the Holiday Shoppe, social events, teacher appreciation, fifth-grade promotion, and so much more!

Please REGISTER NOW

Take a look at what we are working towards:

The News
PTO General Membership Meeting

The PTO General Membership meeting is when all DES families are invited to come together and hear what the PTO has been working on, bring your opinions and questions to the table, and share your feedback.

You can access the full agenda for this meeting here.

Free childcare for school-age children will be provided by South River High School students at this week's PTO meeting. Please fill out the SignUp Genius so that we can make sure we have enough childcare providers available. 

This is the second of 4 total General Membership meetings throughout the year. Check the PTO calendar for the dates of upcoming meetings.

See you all on Tuesday, 11/14!

World of Kindness Update!

World of Kindness was a huge success!  Thanks to everyone who came and helped spread the kindness.  Here are some of the kind acts our students did at WOK:

- 69 bookmarks for the local library;

- 50 scarves for people in need;

- 60 Thank you cards for teachers and first responders

- 200 coffee cup holders to be distributed at Black Market Bakers;

- 250 Kindness rocks for our garden;

- 78 students who were kind to their minds;

- Countless friendship bracelets; and 

- paper flowers for the nursing home.

Let's keep the kindness going!!!!

Holiday Shoppe and Bake Sale

Holiday Shoppe- This year's shoppe will be Tuesday, December 5th, from 4-8 pm. We are recruiting parent volunteers and elves to help with the event. If you are a parent interested in helping, please click here to sign up. If your child is a fifth-grade safety who wants to be an elf, please email Maureen Sanders at maureen.sanders85@gmail.com to sign up. Elves will need to be there by 3 pm for training.

The Holiday Shoppe Bake Sale was a huge hit last year, and we hope to make it even better this year.  Bake Sale Sign-up

Grateful Gators

For our second Grateful Gators Appreciation video, we would like to thank the fantastic bus drivers who keep our kiddos safe to and from school. So, we invite our families to record a quick video of their students expressing their thanks to their bus driver.

Please share your videos by emailing them to vpcomms.pto.des@gmail.com by November 14.

DES 2023 Toy Drive

This toy collection will support an organization called The Sharing Foundation. It is run by volunteers, and they help the working needy in Anne Arundel County. DES has supported this organization for years by holding a toy drive. Additionally, this organization has helped and will continue to support some of our DES families. 

Attention DES 5th Graders!

Do you love to draw? We need your help to design the cover for this year’s yearbook! One drawing will be chosen as the cover for our 2023-2024 yearbook! 

Entries must be received by November 27th! See the attached flyer for more details!  

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.

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!

Volunteer Info

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

Daytime Volunteer 
Opportunities
Weekend/Evening Volunteer Opportunities

* Teacher’s Elves

Tues/Fri Morning Media Help

Fall School Yard Cleanup

Fall Cleanup: Come be kind to our school! Join us Saturday, November 18th, from 9-11 am to rake leaves, weed mulch beds, and clean up the perimeter and courtyard of the school! If you are able, bring a rake and some gloves! Let us know you are coming by signing up HERE!

Library Help: Ms.Kaiser needs help in the media center on Tuesday and Friday mornings to check in books. If you can help, please get in touch with 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!

Community
Wellness Wednesday at Bay Community Health Practice

Every Wednesday from 6-7 p.m.

Parenting can be an incredibly rewarding journey, but it also comes with its own challenges, especially when maintaining our mental well-being. 

Are you a parent who has ever wondered:

  • How can I balance the demands of parenting with my mental health?
  • What research-backed techniques can help me build stronger connections with my children?
  • What coping strategies can I employ to navigate the ups and downs of parenthood and life?

Join us on this Facebook Live session with one of our Bay Community providers, Dr. Court. 

In this engaging conversation, we will:

  • Explore the challenges involved with parenting and mental health.
  • Delve into research-backed techniques and methods to enhance your parenting skills.
  • Discuss effective ways to strengthen your relationships with your children.
  • Share valuable insights on finding better ways to cope with the stressors of modern parenting.

Whether you're a new parent or have years of experience struggling or thriving, this discussion is for you! 

Mark your calendars and invite your friends and fellow parents to join these informative and inspiring sessions. Let's come together to learn, share, and support each other on our parenting journeys.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84261792991

Meeting ID: 842 6179 2991

Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain valuable insights and practical tips. See you there! 

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
Tuesday, November 14
5:30p Fingerprinting Event
7:00p PTO General Meeting
Thursday, November 16
DES Toy Drive Starts
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
Wednesday, November 22
Schools and Central Offices Closed - Thanksgiving Holiday
Thursday, November 23
Schools and Central Offices Closed - Thanksgiving Holiday
Friday, November 24
Schools and Central Offices Closed - Thanksgiving Holiday
Monday, November 27
8:00a Yearbook Cover Contest Ends
Tuesday, December 5
Holiday Shoppe
Two-hour early dismissal - Project Unity Day
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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