April 28, 2019
The only Oak Ridge Elementary School fundraiser for the year is kicking off this week!
We are still looking for next year's PTO President. Please consider stepping up! Email us at orespto@gmail.com with any questions.
Upcoming Events
April 29, 2019
Return from Spring Break
Tardy bell rings at 7:40 AM


April 30, 2019
ORES Derby Fundraiser Kick-off
Show your support for our fantastic school!


May 1, 2019
Teacher Workday
No school.
May 2, 2019
Rio Grande PTO Restaurant Night
Oak Ridge Commons, 5:00 - 8:00 PM


May 3, 2019
School Store Open
Media Center Hallway, 7:15 - 7:40 AM


May 9, 2019
STEAM Family Night
Scroll down for more information.
A Message from ORES Principal Denise Francisco
Welcome back from Spring Break! We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. This will be a great week to be back in school as we kick off the Oak Ridge Splash & Dash Derby. Last year was the first year we used Boosterthon to coordinate our run and we were blown away by their teamwork and the enthusiasm they brought to our school. After running the Derby for many years in house we found that using Boosterthon was much more successful and brought a level of character learning to our school that was not afforded when we conducted the Derby alone. You will hear your child come home on Tuesday sharing information about the ORE Derby Splash & Dash and I encourage you to engage with your child and support our school in this effort as it directly allows us to purchase much needed technology for our classrooms that create more dynamic learning opportunities for our students. The money we raise goes directly back into the classroom setting and our STEM Lab. From last year’s fundraiser we were able to purchase the remaining ceiling mounted Interactive Projectors that you see in each classroom. These cost a little over $3000.00 a piece so you can easily see why we have to fundraise to be able to have this tool in each of our classrooms. This year we hope to purchase several tablet type devices so that students can research and use technology right in their classroom learning spaces. 
 
We want to make sure that our parents understand the organization of this fundraiser. You will hear your child talk about “seeking pledges” each night from April 30 th -May 9 th . This means that each of those school days they will attend a mini-assembly during the school day to learn about the Mind-Spark Mystery Lab. This STEM based assembly will encourage the students to learn about an important character trait each day and then go home that night with a challenge to seek a few additional pledge opportunities. So, with that being said, it is not a one-time/one-night challenge but instead something that carries over and lasts for a few days. I want to make sure parents understand this so that they don’t make a one-time donation and then wonder why the students are continuing to seek more. We definitely encourage each family to be one of the “pledges” and to make a donation to our fundraiser, but we also are encouraging the students to seek other “pledges” as well – think grandparents, former neighbors, additional relatives, parents’ former college classmates, etc. We will also have a school wide goal to have pledges come in from all 50 states so think big picture here and let’s see how far we can get our pledges to reach – perhaps even some from outside of the United States! If each family kick starts our pledges on the first few days (April 30 th  – May 2 nd ) by being one of the pledges and making a donation to the Derby and then focuses the remaining days on seeking pledges from other friends and families then we will hopefully not be over-burdening you by continuing to ask you to donate but instead seeking donations from all over the United States. 
 
We greatly appreciate your continued support. We realize that this fundraiser adds another thing to your busy lives but want to continue to make Oak Ridge the absolute best school for all children and increasing our technology in the classroom setting helps us reach our goals. We thank you for your continued support. On Monday your child will also bring home the Teacher Input Form for the next school year. Please fill this out and return it in a sealed envelope by May 17 th . Finally, mark your calendar for Thursday, May 9 th  as we will celebrate all our successes with the Derby through a PTO STEAM Night. It will be a ton of fun that everyone will want to experience. Then on Friday, May 10 th  plan to come out and watch your child run the Derby. We will send exact run times and more information over the next several days.
 

Have a great week,
Mrs. Francisco
Support Oak Ridge Elementary with the Mindspark Mystery Lab!
Tell your student to watch out for big changes to Oak Ridge Elementary tomorrow. The main hallway is going to become one big Science Lab!

This year’s school fundraiser is coming soon! This year it will be called The Oak Ridge Derby Splash and Dash! It’s a two-week program that kicks off with a Pep Rally following Spring Break on April 30. Families will again this year be asked to gather pledges for every lap your student runs (30-35 laps), and we’ll celebrate at the Fun Run on 5/10. With our big goal of raising $30,000 for improved technology for our classrooms and our new STEM Lab, we asked the Fun Run experts at Boosterthon to power our Fun Run and make it easier, more profitable, and more fun.

Check out this flyer for more information!
PTO Restaurant Night at Rio Grande on Thursday, May 2 from 5-8 PM
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo a little early this year and help a great cause!

Support the ORES PTO with dinner at Rio Grande at Oak Ridge Commons on Thursday, May 2, from 5:00 - 8:00 PM. Just make sure to mention you are with the PTO when you place your order.

We look forward to see you there!
S.T.E.A.M. Family Night has been MOVED to Thursday, May 9!
Come and celebrate Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics in a fun and family friendly way on Thursday, May 9 from 6-8 PM at Oak Ridge Elementary! (Please note that this event has been moved from its original date.)

This is the last PTO Family Night of the year and there will be a lot of cool things to do for the whole family!

More information and volunteer opportunities coming soon!
We need a NEW PTO PRESIDENT for SY 2019-2020!
Please consider stepping up to become our next PTO PRESIDENT!

Your Board is in place and is ready to support you! And the outgoing President is committed to working with the new President to help during the first year – especially in August-October, which is the busiest time of the year. It is a unique opportunity to give back to our wonderful school in a big and positive way. Yes, YOU CAN DO IT!

Interested or with additional questions, email us at orespto@gmail.com today!
Father-Daughter Dance Photos now available to order! Deadline is May 6!
Here is the link for the photos taken during the recent 2019 ORES PTO Father-Daughter Dance. You can preview and order photos until May 6, 2019.

Attention Rising 6th Graders!
Mark your calendars for the Rising 6th Graders Night on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at 6 PM at Northwest Middle School. Click here for more information.

Let's help our new STEM Specialist!
Earlier this year, Oak Ridge Elementary welcomed our new STEM specialist, Ms. Massey. As part of her cool lesson ideas, she has put together a "wish list" for various items. (Who knew coffee filters could contribute to STEM education?) Click here for a copy of the wish list. Questions? Please email Ms. Massey directly.

Thank you very much for your support!

Sponsorship Opportunities
All of our sponsors, no matter how big or small, make a difference. Sponsoring our weekly newsletter, gymnasium banners, website and school planners helps us provide the school staff, our students and our families resources that the school's budget does not provide. If you are interested in a sponsorship, please contact us. 


Important Links (just click on what you need)
ORES PTO SPONSORS
Please support these local businesses and thank them for helping our PTO!
The following materials/statements/programs are not endorsed by GCS nor do they represent the district’s position or policy.
Oak Ridge Elementary School PTO | orespto@gmail.com | www.orespto.com