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Originally delivered on 1/28/2024 5:01 pm

SUBJECT: Week of January 28 - February 3, 2024

The DES PTO Gator Blast
The DES PTO Gator Blast

Week of January 28 - February 3, 2024

What's Happening This Week
Friday, February 2
5:00p Skate Night #3 of 4
The News
Yearbook sales are now open!

Don’t miss out on this year’s school memories, and get your order in today! This year’s yearbook cover was designed by one of our very own creative 5th-grade students, to be revealed when the yearbooks are distributed!

We are always looking for photos to include in the yearbook. If you have photos you think would be perfect for this year’s yearbook, you can submit them here. We are currently looking for photos from the following:

  • Winter music concert
  • Holiday Shoppe
  • Social Events
  • Grade-specific candid photos
  • 5th Grade Sentiment Photos
Calling all Gators for the DES Talent Show!

It's time for DES's annual Talent Show! We can't wait to see our Gators show off their amazing talents! The talent show will be on February 28, 2024. Students who wish to participate must submit an online registration form/permission slip by January 26, 2024, which is available here. Auditions will be held on January 29, 2024, and February 1, 2024. Please see the attached flyer for more information. If you are interested in volunteering to help serve on the Talent Show Committee or have any questions about the Talent Show, please e-mail cathymanofsky@gmail.com.  

Fifth Grade Sentiments for Yearbook

Attention all Fifth Grade Parents! The Yearbook Committee needs your help to ensure your fifth-grade student is recognized in the DES Yearbook. For each fifth-grade student, please submit a baby picture and a 20-word sentiment of praise or encouragement to be published in the yearbook. Please keep your sentiment to 20 words so your message will fit in the available space. You may upload the baby picture and sentiment at the link below. When you upload your picture, please follow these instructions:

  • Click here to upload your baby picture and select that you are uploading a candid photo.
  • Upload your chosen photo, and when asked if you wish to upload more photos, select no.
  • Enter your student's first and last name as the photo's Caption.
  • Enter your sentiment of no more than 20 words in the Notes section of the photo.

The picture and sentiment are due no later than March 1, 2024. If you have questions or difficulty uploading your photos, please email desgatorsyearbook@gmail.com.

Fundraising
Skate Night

Our third Skate Night of the year is February 2!

We can't wait to see our gators having a rolling good time!

Get your tickets here and skip the line!

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!

Candy Bar Bingo

Candy Bar Bingo is almost here! We are in need of donations of snacks, drinks, and candy bars to make this event a blast! Check out the signup genius to see how you can help!

Donate items for Candy Bar Bingo Here!

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
Chess Club

Important information for fall and spring chess club families!

  • Fall Chess Club - Magnus Chess Academy will be offering a makeup fall chess club session for students THIS WEEK on Tuesday, January 30, from 2:30-3:30 pm due to the missed session caused by inclement weather.


  • Spring Chess Club - start dates will be pushed back to accommodate this change. Tuesday Chess Club will start on Tuesday, February 13. Wednesday Chess Club will start on Wednesday, February 7. More detailed information will be sent to chess club families soon!

One week left to sign up for Spring Chess. Click here to register.

Coming Soon

This spring, we will offer Lego Club (Kindergarten-2nd Grade), Spanish Club, Outdoors Club,  and Martial Arts Club! More information will be shared soon!


We have a lot of students interested in participating in the Run Club this spring, but we need two parent volunteers to lead the club! If you are interested in co-chairing the Run Club, please reach out to Brooke Zingler at vpvolunteers.pto.des@gmail.com 

Community
DAA Girls Lacrosse Registration is now OPEN!

Calling all girls ages K-5- we would love to see you out on the lacrosse field this spring! Below is an outline of some key dates and information for the 2024 spring season.

Registration will be open from January 8th through February 29th. Early bird pricing will be available until February 15th- all registrations after February 15th will not receive the early bird discount.

  • Pee Wee (3rd/4th), Middie (5th/6th) and Juniors (7th/8th) will start the week of March 11th with games starting the weekend of March 23rd. Cost: $160 early bird, $180 regular
  • Sticklette (K-2nd) season will start the week of April 1st with games starting the weekend of April 20th. Cost: $140 early bird, $160 regular

The season end date for all leagues is final games the weekend of May 18th. 

Registration Link : https://daagators.org/  

We hope to see you out there this spring!! Please email girlslax@daagators.org with any questions!

Looking Ahead
Friday, February 2
5:00p Skate Night #3 of 4
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.

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.

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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