The Power to be the Very Best GO CHEETAHS!

Thomas Fitzwater Elementary School PTO
30 School Lane, Willow Grove, PA 19090 | 215-784-0381
PTO WELCOME PACKET 2014-2015
The Power to be the Very Best
GO CHEETAHS!
www.FitzwaterPTO.org
Visit the PTO website for the most up-to-date
information about events and programs at TFES.
Click on the Facebook and Twitter icons on the PTO
website to follow us.
www.FitzwaterPTO.org
Cover Page.doc
Thomas Fitzwater Elementary School PTO
30 School Lane, Willow Grove, PA 19090 | 215-784-0381
Dear Thomas Fitzwater Parents & Guardians,
Welcome back! A new school year is beginning and with it brings the promise of
new friendships, experiences and learning. We are looking forward to an exciting year as
your new PTO Board.
As you may know, one of the PTO’s biggest functions is raising money for
Thomas Fitzwater. With that in mind, we will be trying some new fundraisers this year.
A Mixed Bag Fundraiser will start in late October and will be a great time to stock up
on holiday gifts. We also will have our first Adult Social on April 25th, in addition to
some new ways to fundraise for the 5th grade’s class trip.
Our fundraisers will kick off this year with our KidStuff Books. Look for lots of
money saving coupons in the book that will more than pay for itself, while benefiting
both the school and your family.
Our PTO Volunteer Form is included in this packet. Please consider
volunteering for one or more committees. There are opportunities to fit every schedule –
you can choose something that can be done from home or even chair a committee! Your
willingness to give your time and energy ensures a great year of activities and community
for our students and families. Fill out the accompanying form and return it to school. It’s
easy and you’ll really make a difference! A complete listing of our committees appears
on our website (www.fitzwaterpto.org) and in the school directory.
Our first PTO meeting will be held on September 23rd at 7pm in the school
cafeteria. We look forward to seeing you!
We wish all the students a year filled with successes, challenges, innovation,
celebrations and most of all, lots of learning!! Go Cheetah’s!!
Sincerely,
Debbie Dall and Kristen Sewards, Co-Presidents
Jeanne Matthews and Joanne Burmester, Co-Vice Presidents
Staci Berman and Lisa Rovner, Co-Treasurers
Danielle Duffy and Jenn Levito, Co-Secretaries
Missy Wardle and Michelle Sirota, Members at Large
Thomas Fitzwater Elementary PTO
www.FitzwaterPTO.org
Welcome Letter.doc
TFES 2014-2015 Calendar
September 2014

2 – First Day of School

4 – K-Day “Meet & Greet the Teacher” 1:30pm

4 – K Social & Activity, Caf, 2:30pm

5 – First full day of Kindergarten

10 – KidStuff Books going home

12 – Water Ice Social, 6:30pm

13 – Community Day, UDTB, 2pm

18 – Picture Day

18 – Back to School Night (parents only), 6:30pm

22 – Restaurant Night – Navé, 6-8pm

23 – PTO Meeting, 7pm

23 – Send in Box Tops

24 – KidStuff Books due

25 & 26 – School Closed, Rosh Hashanah
October 2014

1 – Restaurant Night – Randazzo’s

8 – Pretzel Day

9 – TFES Planetarium Night

10 – Assembly – The Respect Program, 9 & 10 am

13 – School Closed, Columbus Day

15 – Restaurant Night – Sweet Taco

20 – Picture Retakes

22 – Early Dismissal, 1pm

22 – Pretzel Day

24 – Harvest Festival, 6pm

24 – Send in Box Tops

29 – Mixed Bags Sale Starts

31 – Halloween Parade, 2pm
November 2014

3 – Spirit Night, Dave & Buster’s, 5-8pm

4 – School Closed, Election Day

5 – Pretzel Day

5 – Restaurant Night – Randazzo’s

6 – Barnes & Noble Night – 5:30-8pm

14 – Mixed Bags Sale Ends

19 – Pretzel Day

19 – PTO Meeting, 7pm

20 & 21 – Holiday Shop

25 – Send in Box Tops

26 – Early Dismissal, 1pm

27 & 28 – School Closed, Thanksgiving
December 2014

3 – Pretzel Day

3 – Restaurant Night – Randazzo’s

5 – Early Dismissal, 1pm

9 – Chorus/Orchestra Concert & Bake Sale/School Store, 2 & 7pm

10 – Progress Report Cards Issued

11 – Conferences, Late Arrival, 11:45am

11 – Mixed Bags Pickup, 6:30-8:30pm

12 – Conferences, Early Dismissal, 1pm

17 – Pretzel Day

24-31 – School Closed, Winter Break
January 2015

1-4 – School Closed, Winter Break

7 – Pretzel Day

7 – Restaurant Night – Randazzo’s

8 – PTO Meeting, 7pm

15 – Early Dismissal, 1pm

19 – School Closed/Day of Service, MLK Jr Day

21 – Pretzel Day

22 – Band Concert & Bake Sale/School Store, 2 & 7pm

26 – PTO Assembly – African Drum & Dance, 2pm

27 – Send in Box Tops
February 2015

4 – Pretzel Day

4 – Restaurant Night – Randazzo’s

13-16 – School Closed, President’s Day

17 – PTO Assembly – Laser Science, 10am

18 – Pretzel Day

20 – Bingo Night (snow date March 20th), 6:30pm

24 – Kindergarten Visitation, 10am

24 – Send in Box Tops

26 – Early Dismissal, 1pm
March 2014

2 – Read Across America

3 – Music in Our Schools Choral Concert, PAC Aud, 7pm

4 – Pretzel Day

4 – Restaurant Night – Randazzo’s

5 – Music in Our Schools Instrumental Concert, PAC Aud, 7pm

7 – Pancake Breakfast, Applebee’s, North Wales, 8-10am

9-12 – Book Fair

12 – Open House, 6:30-7:30pm

13 – Early Dismissal, 1pm

14 – UDEF/UDT Monte Carlo Night – 7pm

18 – Pretzel Day

19 – PTO Meeting, 7pm

20 – Progress Reports Cards issued

20 – PTO Assembly – Bungee Jumpers, 2pm

20 – Bingo Night (snow date), 6:30pm

24 – Conferences, Early Dismissal, 1pm

25 – Conferences, Early Dismissal, 1pm

27 – 5th Grade Dance

30-31 – School Closed, Spring Break
April 2014

1-5 – School Closed, Spring Break

8 – Restaurant Night – Randazzo’s

10 – Spring Picture Day

13-17 – PSSA English Language Arts, Grades 3-5

15 – Pretzel Day

17 – Pasta Dinner, 5:30-7:30pm

20-24 – PSSA Mathematics, Grades 3-5

21 – Early Dismissal, 1pm

22 – Science Fair, 6:30pm

22 – Administrative Professionals Day

24 – Jump Rope for Heart

25 – Adult Social, Willow Grove VFW, 7-11pm

27-30 – PSSA Science, Grades 4&5

28 – Send in Box Tops

29 – Allied Arts Show, UDHS PAC, 5:30-9pm

29 – Pretzel Day

30 – PTO Meeting, 7pm
May 2014

1 – PSSA Science, Grades 4&5

6 – National Nurses & Teachers Day

6 – Restaurant Night – Randazzo’s

7 – Early Dismissal, 1pm

8 – 5th Grade Orientation at SRMS

13 – Pretzel Day

14 – Band Concert & Bake Sale/School Store, 2 & 7pm

20 – Orchestra Concert & Bake Sale/School Store, 2 & 7pm

22 – Send in Box Tops

25 – School Closed, Memorial Day

27 – Pretzel Day

28 – 5th Grade Musical

29 – Games Day

29 – PTO Assembly – Hip Hop, 2pm
June 2014

3 – 5th Grade Trip

3 – Restaurant Night – Randazzo’s

4 – PTO Meeting, 7pm

10 – Family Picnic, 6pm

10 – Pretzel Day

11 – 5th Grade Picnic, Mondauk Common, 9am-1:30pm

16 – 5th Grade Promotion, 9:15am

16 – Early Dismissal, Last Day of School, 10:45am
TFES 2014-2015 Calendar
5th Grade Activities

November 3 – Spirit Night, Dave & Buster’s, 5-8pm (whole school
invited, fundraiser for 5th Grade trip)

March 7 – Pancake Breakfast, Applebee’s, North Wales, 8-10am
(whole school invited, fundraiser for 5th Grade trip)

March 27 – 5th Grade Dance

April 17 – Pasta Dinner, 5:30-7:30pm (whole school invited,
fundraiser for 5th Grade trip)

May 8 – 5th Grade Orientation at SRMS

May 28 – 5th Grade Musical (whole school invited, fundraiser for
5th Grade trip)

June 3 – 5th Grade Trip

June 11 – 5th Grade Picnic, Mondauk Common, 9am-1:30pm

June 16 – 5th Grade Promotion, 9:15am
Assemblies

October 10 – The Respect Program, 9 & 10 am

January 26 – African Drum & Dance, 2pm

February 17 – Laser Science, 10am

March 20 – Bungee Jumpers, 2pm

May 29 – Hip Hop, 2pm
Box Tops

September 23

October 24

November 25

January 27

February 24

March

April 28

May 22
General PTO Meetings

September 23, 7pm

November 19, 7pm

January 8, 7pm

March 19, 7pm

April 30, 7pm

June 4, 7pm
Pretzel Dates

October 8

October 22

November 5

November 19

December 3

January 7

January 21

February 4

February 18

March 4

March 18

April 15

April 29

May 13

May 27

June 10
Restaurant Nights

September 22 – Nave, 6-8pm

October 1 – Randazzo’s

October 15 – Sweet Taco

November 5 – Randazzo’s

December 3 – Randazzo’s

January 7 – Randazzo’s

February 4 – Randazzo’s

March 4 – Randazzo’s

March 7 – Pancake Breakfast, Applebee’s, North Wales, 8-10am

April 8 – Randazzo’s

May 6 – Randazzo’s

June 3 – Randazzo’s
Board Meetings

September 2, 9am (welcome packet assembly)

October 7, 2pm

November 18, 9am

December 16, 2pm

January 6, 9am

February 10, 2pm

March 17,
9am

April 14, 2pm

May 12, 9am

June 2, 2pm
TFES PTO Volunteer Form
~ Many Helpers Needed ~
Volunteers are needed throughout the school year.
Even 2 hours makes a huge difference.
Fill out ONE form per family
Return by Friday, September 19th
Name: _____________________________________ Phone Number: ______________________________
E-mail (please print clearly): _______________________________________________________________
Students’ Names & Sections: _______________________________________________________________
Please check all you’d like to help with
____ “Go To” List
Please put me on the “Go To” list – you will be e-mailed throughout the school
year when help is needed for a PTO activity or committee.
____ Adult Social
Apr 25: pre-sell tickets, set up, clean up, work shift during evening event
Chairs: Kathy Fitzmaurice, Jeanne Matthews, Kristen Sewards
____ Bake Sales
Bake and/or sell for 1-6 events throughout the year
Chair: Danielle Duffy
____ Barnes & Noble
Night
Nov 6: hang students’ art work at store before the event, work shift during
evening event
Chairs: Amanda Dynan, Kathy O’Connell
____ Bingo Night
Feb 20: pre-sell tickets, collect prizes, buy food/drinks, set up, clean up, work
shift during evening event
Chairs: Danielle Duffy, Margo Jay
____ Book Fair
Mar 9-12: set-up, sales, clean up
Chairs: Maria Buccafuri, Heidi Malizia, Kathy O’Connell
____ Cash Back
Monthly: count Box Tops and Campbell’s Labels
Chair: Jeanne Matthews, Kathy O’Connell
____ 5th Grade
Activities
Special events for 5th graders throughout the year (play, picnic, trip, dance, etc)
Chairs: Renee Brady, Kathy O’Connell, Chris O’Halloran, Missy Wardle
____ Games Day
May 29: set-up, clean up, run game stations
Chair: Maria Buccafuri
Continued on other side
www.FitzwaterPTO.org
Volunteer Sign Up.doc
____ Harvest Festival
Oct 24: pre-sell tickets, set up, clean up, work shift during evening event
Chairs: Danielle Duffy, Cara Lyon
____ Holiday Shop
Nov 20 & 21: help children shop for gifts during school hours
Chairs: Staci Berman, Debbie Dall, Lisa Rovner
____ Lunch Help
K&1
First weeks of school: help Kindergartners and First Graders during lunch time
Chair: Ricki Yahav
____ Pretzel Sales
Bi-Monthly Sales: count orders, bag and deliver pretzels to classrooms
Chairs: Erin DaCosta, Kathy O’Connell
____ Science Fair
April 22: poster board sale, set up, snack table, clean up
Chairs: Jen Ruppel, Michelle Sirota
____ Teacher &
Secretary
Appreciation
Bake/provide food for Dessert Buffet for National Education Week (Nov),
Secretary’s Day (April) & Teacher Appreciation Day (May)
Chairs: Jill Pedroso
____ Yearbook
Do you like to take pictures? We are looking for one volunteer from each
classroom to take pictures throughout the year for the yearbook. We will need
pictures that include all the students in the class, small groups, the entire class,
and the teacher.
Class/grade you would like to do the montage for: __________________
Co Chairs: Amy Czop-Bartley, Jeanine Rock, Kim Small, Bev Wilmoth
Comments (i.e. “I will chair this committee”, “I will consider chairing with at least one other person”, “I will
help but can only give a few hours”, etc.)
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for your time!!
www.FitzwaterPTO.org
Volunteer Sign Up.doc
Thomas Fitzwater Elementary School PTO
30 School Lane, Willow Grove, PA 19090 | 215-784-0381
YES, I CAN!
PTO Room Parent Sign-Up
Each classroom has two Room Parents. Room Parents communicate with the
classroom teacher to plan 3-4 classroom parties during the school year. Room Parents
ask for food, craft, and game item donations from the other parents in the class for
these parties. The parties are: Halloween, Winter (before break) and Valentine’s
Day. Some classes also have an End of Year or special event party.
Room Parents are also asked to help with at least one
PTO Activity or Committee during the year.
Please fill out this form and return to school by Friday, September 19
Your Name: __________________________________________________________
Home Phone: ____________________ Cell (optional):________________________
E-mail (please PRINT clearly): ___________________________________________
If you have a preference for which class you’d like to be Room Parent, please list the order of
classes for which you’d like to be considered.
Student’s Name
Class
Order of Preference
_______________________________________
_________
_______________
_______________________________________
_________
_______________
_______________________________________
_________
_______________
__________ I have been a Room Parent before. List years: ________________________
__________ I have never been a Room Parent before.
www.FitzwaterPTO.org
Room Parent.doc
ORDER JUST WHAT YOU WANT, WRITE JUST ONE CHECK!
THOMAS FITZWATER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PTO
Please return this form and your cash or check to school in a sealed envelope labeled
“TFES PTO Order Form” by Friday, September 19. Checks payable to TFES PTO.
*****************************************************************************
Youngest Student’s Name:_________________________________Classroom:___________
Parent Name:_________________________________________
Phone Number:_______________________________________
1. TFES 2014-2015 STUDENT DIRECTORY
Pre-order your directory now, and we will send it home with your child.
DIRECTORY Quantity Ordered (Please Circle):
1 Directory = $6.00
2 Directories = $12.00
3 Directories = $15.00
Other (specify quantity: $6 each for first 2 copies, $3 each additional copy). _________
(Note: A limited number of directories might be available for sale at the school office after orders are filled, so please pre-order to be
guaranteed a directory.)
Directory Total: $__________
2. TFES 2014-2015 Yearbook $19 each. There will be another opportunity to order the yearbook later
in the school year, but if you’d like to, you can pre-order and pay for it now.
This 60+ page, soft cover yearbook delivered to the students in June, 2015 will feature pictures from
activities, events, field trips, clubs, classroom candids and more. It makes a great memory book for
students to remember their year at Thomas Fitz!
# of copies _____________________ x $19 = Yearbook Total: $__________
3. TFES Blue and Gold Cheetah Paw Car Magnet $5.00 each
Also looks great on the refrigerator!
# of Magnets_______ x $5 each = Magnet Total: $__________
4. Thomas Fitzwater Blue and Gold Aluminum Water Bottle $5.00 each. While supplies
last. If we run out of bottles, your payment for the water bottles will be returned to you.
# of Water Bottles _________ x $5 each = Water Bottle Total: $__________
5. Whole Wheat Soft Pretzel Sales (turn over for pretzel order form, then fill in total below.)
Pretzel Sale Total from Reverse: $__________
Total amount enclosed: $___________________
Continued on other side
WHOLE WHEAT SOFT PRETZEL SALE FOR 2014-2015
Wed, October 8
Wed, October 22
Wed, November 5
Wed, November 19
Wed, December 3
Wed, December 17
Wed, January 7
Wed, January 21
Wed, February 4
Wed, February 18
Wed, March 4
Wed, March 18
Wed, April 15
Wed, April 29
Wed, May 13
Wed, May 27
Wed, June 10
*****************************************************************************************
Pre-order pretzels for your students for $0.55 each, and stop worrying about forgetting to give
them money on Pretzel Day! (This also helps the PTO place an accurate order for each sale.)
Ingredient information: http://www.fitzwaterpto.org/shopping/pretzel_sales.shtml
Parent Name:__________________________________ Phone Number:________________
Student #1 Name:__________________________________________ Class:_____________
Please circle how many pretzels per sale you want this child to receive.
1 pretzel per sale = $9.35 2 pretzels per sale = $18.70 3 pretzels per sale = $28.05
4 pretzels per sale = $37.40 5 pretzels per sale = $46.75 6 pretzels per sale = $56.10
Student #2 Name:__________________________________________ Class:_____________
Please circle how many pretzels per sale you want this child to receive.
1 pretzel per sale = $9.35 2 pretzels per sale = $18.70 3 pretzels per sale = $28.05
4 pretzels per sale = $37.40 5 pretzels per sale = $46.75 6 pretzels per sale = $56.10
Student #3 Name:__________________________________________ Class:_____________
Please circle how many pretzels per sale you want this child to receive.
1 pretzel per sale = $9.35 2 pretzels per sale = $18.70 3 pretzels per sale = $28.05
4 pretzels per sale = $37.40 5 pretzels per sale = $46.75 6 pretzels per sale = $56.10
Student #4 Name:__________________________________________ Class:_____________
Please circle how many pretzels per sale you want this child to receive.
1 pretzel per sale = $9.35 2 pretzels per sale = $18.70 3 pretzels per sale = $28.05
4 pretzels per sale = $37.40 5 pretzels per sale = $46.75 6 pretzels per sale = $56.10
Total amount due for Pretzels: $_______________
(Please write the total amount due for pretzels on the Pretzel Line on reverse.)
Questions? Please contact Erin DaCosta at ekdacosta@yahoo.com
PTO and School Information available at www.FitzwaterPTO.org
Welcome Back to School!
TFES Dates to Remember
September 2014
Wednesday, Sept 10
KidStuff Books coming home
Friday, Sept 12
Water Ice Social, 6:30 pm
Thursday, Sept 18
Picture Day - Smile!
This is the correct date. District calendar is incorrect.
Back to School Night (parents only)
6:30-7:30 pm
Apparel & Mixed Bags samples to be on display
* Bring your Giant Bonus Cards and we’ll sign you up to
earn points for our school
Friday, Sept 19
Deadline for Volunteer Form, Room
Parent Form, and TFES Order Form
(Directory, Yearbook, Pretzels, Magnets, and
Water Bottles)
Monday, September 22
Restaurant Night – Navé, 6-8 pm
Tuesday, Sept 23
Send in Box Tops with child
1st PTO Meeting, 7:00 pm
(all parents are encouraged to attend)
Wednesday, Sept 24
KidStuff Books or payments due
Thursday, Sept 25
School Closed
Friday, Sept 26
School Closed
www.FitzwaterPTO.org
Dates to Remember.doc
Easy Cash Back Programs for TFES
Parents, Guardians, Staff, Family, Friends and Neighbors are all welcome to join
and participate in any of these easy programs.
Detailed info at www.FitzwaterPTO.org/fundraisers
 Box Tops for Education
 Clip Box Tops for Education from hundreds of products and send them to
school monthly (Boise Polaris & X-9 paper, Pillsbury, Land o’Lakes, Green
Giant, Yoplait, General Mills, Betty Crocker, Chex Mix, Ziploc, Hefty, Hanes
apparel, Kleenex, Scott, & many more)
 Register at the Box Tops website, www.btfe.com, and designate Thomas
Fitzwater as your donor school to receive coupons, special promotion info,
enter online Box Tops sweepstakes, and more.
 Giant Food Markets & A+ School Rewards – Shop at Giant using your Giant
BONUSCARD and earn cash for TFES!
Register your card at
http://www.giantfoodstores.com/aplus/ and designate TFES (#03874) as your
school. If you registered last year, you do not need to re-register your card. You
can track the points you earn for TFES by checking your grocery receipt. See
the TFES PTO website above for details.
 Target’s Take Charge of Education – Use your REDcard (Target® Visa® Credit
Card, Target Credit CardSM or Target Debit CardSM) to shop and Target will
donate up to 1% of your purchases to our school. Visit the TFES PTO website,
or http://www.target.com/redcard/main, to see how to designate TFES as your
school or to register for a card.
 Labels for Education – Clip and save UPCs and beverage caps from
participating products (Campbell’s, Dannon, Pepperidge Farm, Post, V8, Bic,
People & Time magazines, Pop Secret, and many more). Send them in monthly
with your Box Tops. There is also an e-Labels online program. Visit the TFES
PTO website or www.labelsforeducation.com for details.
 eScrip – Shop online at your favorite stores, plan travel with your favorite hotel,
car and online travel sites, dine at your favorite restaurants, and earn cash for
TFES. Simply register your debit and credit cards online at www.eScrip.com,
then eScrip will automatically donate a percentage of your eligible purchases to
Thomas Fitzwater. Visit the TFES PTO website for easy, step-by-step
instructions, or visit www.escrip.com.
 My Coke Rewards – If you purchase Coca-Cola products, save the codes on
the caps or cardboard cases, then enter the codes online yourself and donate
points to Thomas Fitzwater, or send caps/codes in with your Box Tops each
month and we’ll enter the codes. Check out our web site for details.
 Bottom Dollar Food – Support TFES through Classroom Connections by linking
your Bottom Dollar Food Membership Card to our school code at
www.bottomdollarfoodconnections.com.
Please visit the TFES PTO website for links to detailed information about
all of these programs and simple, step-by-step signup instructions.
www.FitzwaterPTO.org/fundraisers
The PTO was able to accomplish many things during the 2013-2014 school year. Here is a list of what was done...
5th Grade after school programs - art, dolleyball, soccer, softball
First in Math
Restaurant Nights
5 Grade Promotion & Awards
Fitz Freecycle
Room Parents
5th Grade New York Trip (help defray part of the cost)
Games Day
th
5 Grade Picnic
Games Day T-shirts - Tie Dye for K - 2
School Beautification - photos for the
hallways, faculty lunchroom makeover
5th Grade Trip to Constitution Center (buses & tickets)
Garden Club materials
SchoolKidz (supply boxes)
After School Classes
Halloween Art Contest
School Store
Apparel Sales
Harlem Wizards (Joint Elementary
School Fundraiser)
Science Fair
th
nd
Art Contest for back of student planners
Holiday Shop
Assemblies (Art Goes to School, Children’s Author Daryl Cobb, Children's International Summer Village, Science Assembly - Kooky Koncoctions, Bully-Free
Joint Elementary School Liaison
Amazing Wonder Show, Mike Rose - Magic of a Book, Chinese Acrobats, Art Goes
Jump Rope For Heart
to School)
KidStuff Books
A-Z Reading Program
Laptops - 12 new & cart
Bake Sales
Leave a Legacy Tiles for hallway
Bingo Night with raffle baskets
Nurses' Gifts
Book Fair (Week-Long Book Fair)
Opening Day Gift for K
Boston Tea Party - Skype presentation (5th)
Picture Day
Buses for field trips (K - 4th)
Planetarium Night
Cash Back Programs
Post Prom donation
Cheetah Chat
Pretzel Days
Cheetah Girls (sponsored 4 girls)
Race For Education
Custodial Gifts
Reading Olympics registrations
Deodorant for 5th Grade health lesson
Family Picnic
Family Read-In
Secretary Appreciation
Self Esteem Board
Showcase
SPEACS donation
Speakers for PTO meetings
Speed Stacking T-Shirts & Number
Board
Student Directory w/ ads
Student Planners (2nd - 5th)
Teacher Appreciation Luncheon
Teacher Reimbursements (up to $100
per teacher for supplies)
Washing machine for custodial staff
Water Ice Social
Yearbook
We saved money by joining with other elementary schools to purchase agendas, apparel, and assemblies.
The Cheetah Chat is in a new format that is free!