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Originally delivered on 2/4/2024 5:00 pm

SUBJECT: Week of February 4 - 8, 2024

The DES PTO Gator Blast
The DES PTO Gator Blast

Week of February 4 - 8, 2024

What's Happening This Week
Monday, February 5
National School Counseling Week
Tuesday, February 6
Two-hour early dismissal - Project Unity Day
Friday, February 9
AACPS Summer Programs 2024 applications opens
The News
Unity Day is this Tuesday!

Wear your orange to show your support and celebration of Unity Day!

Please note this is a two-hour early dismissal day!

DES Talent Show

Did you miss the deadline to sign up for the Talent Show? If so, and you still want to participate, please reach out to Cathy Manofsky at cathymanofsky@gmail.com.  We are also looking for volunteers to help with this year's show.  Please sign up here to help out!

Order your yearbook today!

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
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.

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
Lego Club

Lego Club is back for the spring season for grades K-2! We are giving first dibs to NEW participants and then to returning students. This gives more kids a chance to join while welcoming back some familiar faces, too!

Here are the important dates:

February 11th - The sign-up link goes out in the blast for NEWcomers only

February 18th - Sign-up link goes out for returning students

We are also looking for volunteers and encourage parents to volunteer for at least one session if feasible.

Please contact Kim Neidig at kimberly.neidig@gmail.com or AnnMarie Gnall at amsaucier@gmail.com with any questions, and look out for the sign-up sheets going out in the blasts over the next 2 weeks.

Spring Chess Club

Please note the following start dates: 

  • 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!

Click here to register.

Coming Soon

This spring, we will offer 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
Family Link - February

Family Link is a monthly newsletter published by the AACPS Office of School & Family Partnerships. It includes 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. Check out the January edition of Family Link here.

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
Monday, February 5
National School Counseling Week
Tuesday, February 6
Two-hour early dismissal - Project Unity Day
Friday, February 9
AACPS Summer Programs 2024 applications opens
Tuesday, February 13
7:00p PTO General Meeting - Rescheduled from January
Monday, February 19
Schools and Central Offices Closed - President's Day
Friday, February 23
Candy Bar Bingo
Wednesday, February 28
DES' Annual Talent Show
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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