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Originally delivered on 11/26/2023 5:01 pm

SUBJECT: Week of November 26 - December 2, 2023

The DES PTO Gator Blast
The DES PTO Gator Blast

Week of November 26 - December 2, 2023

What's Happening This Week
Monday, November 27
8:00a Yearbook Cover Contest Ends
Fundraising

The Raise Craze fundraiser officially ends tonight. Thanks to all for your kindness and generosity! The DES PTO was able to raise nearly $11,000, the students logged more than 400 acts of kindness, and countless good vibes were shared.


If you would still like to participate, there are a few hours left. REGISTER NOW  for the Raise Craze Fundraiser!

The News
2023 Coat Drive begins tomorrow!

Our 2023 Coat Drive will begin on November 27 through the Holiday Shoppe event on December 5. You can drop your donation in the "gift-wrapped" collection boxes that will be in the main office!

Holiday Shoppe

The Holiday Shoppe is right around the corner! Come shop on Tuesday, December 5th, from 4-8 pm for unique, wrapped gifts for your family and friends. Fifth-grade elves will help students shop in the gym while their parents check out the bake sale, ornament sale, and mystery bag fundraiser in the cafeteria. This is a cash-only event. All items are $6 or less, so small bills are preferred. Don't forget a reusable tote bag to bring home your gifts. See you there!


Elves- Parents of fifth-grade safety, contact Maureen Sanders if your student would like to be an elf.

Parents- We need more volunteers! Click here to sign up to help at the event.

Ornaments:If you would like to pre-order this year’s DES ornament to be picked up at the Holiday Shoppe, please click below. Limited quantity. They will be $5 each.

Mystery Bags Fundraiser: At the Holiday Shoppe this year, the PTO will be selling Mystery Bags for $20 in the cafeteria. The bags will have things like gift cards and coupons to local businesses, as well as some school-related prizes.

***Both of these will be sold as CASH ONLY!***

Bake Sale

The Holiday Shoppe Bake Sale was a huge hit last year, and we hope to make it even better this year. This year, we will be raising money for a reusable bag initiative led by some of our fifth graders. Please consider signing up to support the event!  Bake Sale Sign-up

Attention DES 5th Graders, Tomorrow is the LAST day to submit your cover!

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!  

DES PTO on Instagram!

After our social media survey results, we created a DES PTO IG account. It was launched this week, so if you have IG, be sure to follow us! We are PTO_DES.

Thankful Gators - Bus Drivers

On Thanksgiving Day, we shared the video of our Gators showing some love to their bus drivers. Thank you to all the families who sent videos. If you have not had a chance to watch the video, you can do so here.

We all know that school bus transportation has come a long way compared to last year. Please take some time to show your bus driver some love as they transport our most precious cargo!

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

* Teacher’s Elves

Tues/Fri Morning Media Help

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!

Clubs
Green Club - Last Call!

Hello Gator Families! We extended the deadline to join the Green Gators in our Green School Club. This is offered to 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students. Please click here for more information about club registration. Thank you! 

Community
The DES 2023 Toy Drive is accepting new toys!

Bring new toys and drop them off in the bin in the school's vestibule! This toy collection will support The Sharing Foundation. It is run by volunteers who help families in need in Anne Arundel County.

AACPS 2024-2025 Calendar

The Board of Education is accepting comments on the 2024-2025 calendar as recommended by the AACPS Calendar Committee. Comments will be accepted through 4 p.m. on Friday, December 1, 2023, at www.aacps.org/2425calendar.

Looking Ahead
Monday, November 27
8:00a Yearbook Cover Contest Ends
Tuesday, December 5
Holiday Shoppe
Two-hour early dismissal - Project Unity Day
Saturday, December 16
DES Toy Drive Ends
Monday, December 25
Schools & Central Offices closed - Winter Break
Tuesday, December 26
Schools & Central Offices closed - Winter Break
Wednesday, December 27
Schools & Central Offices closed - Winter Break
Thursday, December 28
Schools & Central Offices closed - Winter Break
Friday, December 29
Schools & Central Offices closed - Winter Break
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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