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Originally delivered on 3/3/2024 5:01 pm

SUBJECT: Week of March 3 - 9, 2024

The DES PTO Gator Blast
The DES PTO Gator Blast

Week of March 3 - 9, 2024

What's Happening This Week
No upcoming events.
The News
The Gator Gallop is coming!
Blast Off to the Book Fair!
DES' Annual Book Drive
Gator Gear

Check out the new website and get your gear today. 

Gator Gear online shop website!

We will also have gator gear for sale at Candy Bar Bingo. All inventory we have on hand will be sold at discounted rates.

Printer Cartridge Update

A big "Thank you!" to one of our sponsors, SIXGEN, for purchasing two complete sets of toner plus an extra large black toner for the school. We appreciate your generous donation!

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
Fundraising
Book Fair

Get ready! The Scholastic Book Fair is coming our way!

Here’s what you need to know:  

  • The book fair will be open Friday, 3/15, through Friday, 3/22, during student recess hours. Parents are welcome to join their student during their recess period to shop if desired. *Sign-in at the main office is required.
  • During the evening of Fri 3/15, from 5-8 pm, parents will have the chance to shop WITH their little bookworms while also enjoying activities and sweet treats at our family social, Blast Off to Reading, and admiring the creativity of our student Science Fair in the media center.
  • Please enter through the DES gymnasium doors on the bus side of the school.

We need volunteers to help pull off this huge event (*especially during our Fri evening social!), so please consider helping if you can. No experience is necessary. Sign up here!

Say goodbye to cash and hello to eWallet—your child’s digital payment account. Set up eWallet for worry-free, cash-free purchases. Anyone can contribute! Share each child’s eWallet so friends and family can add funds and give your kids more books to enjoy. (*Please note MD state taxes will be added to every purchase, so please consider this if setting up an eWallet account)

Online Book Fair shopping is also available, shipping directly to your home, and shipping is free for book orders over $25. Every online purchase will also benefit our school.  

Setting up eWallet and online shopping can be accessed on our DES Book Fair website 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!

Volunteer Opportunities

We will hold another Fingerprint Event on March 11 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Getting fingerprinted through AACPS allows you to volunteer at all levels (read to your child's class, volunteer at holiday parties, chaperone field trips, run an after-school club, etc.) and last your child's entire school career at AACPS. Click here to learn more about fingerprint-supported events and sign up for a timeslot to get fingerprinted.

Clubs
Registration open for Martial Arts Club


The club will meet on Mondays starting April 15; see the flyer for details.

Click here to register!

Chess Club Scholarship Opportunity

Magnus Chess Club Academy is willing to offer a full scholarship to a student whose parent is able to volunteer weekly with the Wednesday Chess Club. The parent must also be fingerprinted (or willing to get fingerprinted through AACPS). Please reach out to Brooke Zingler at vpvolunteers.pto.des@gmail.com if you would like to hear more about this opportunity. 

Community
Family Link - March

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 March edition of Family Link here.

AACPL - March
AACPD - Southern District

The 2024 application window for summer camp and learning enhancement programs opened on Friday, February 9, and will stay open through March 15.

Students can apply for programs based on their current grade level for the 2023-2024 school year. For more information, click here to access the AACPS summer programs page.

Click here to access the Summer Program Application Portal.

Looking Ahead
Friday, March 15
Book Fair Begins & Social
AACPS Summer Programs 2024 applications ends
Tuesday, March 19
Two-hour early dismissal - Project Unity Day
Friday, March 22
12:00a Book Fair Ends
Monday, March 25
Schools & Central Offices closed. Easter/Spring Break.
Tuesday, March 26
Schools & Central Offices closed. Easter/Spring Break.
Wednesday, March 27
Schools & Central Offices closed. Easter/Spring Break.
Thursday, March 28
Schools & Central Offices closed. Easter/Spring Break.
Friday, March 29
Schools & Central Offices closed. Easter/Spring Break.
Saturday, March 30
Schools & Central Offices closed. Easter/Spring Break.
Sunday, March 31
Schools & Central Offices closed. Easter/Spring Break.
Monday, April 1
Schools & Central Offices closed. Easter/Spring 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.

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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