#PTAYourWay
E-News/March 7, 2021
The Montgomery Elementary Schools (MES) PTA E-news
is published weekly and provides PTA updates and information related to Orchard Hill
and Village Elementary Schools of the Montgomery Township School District.

Just keep scrolling....you don't want to miss anything!
CLICK on any UNDERLINED ITEM for more information!
**All dates are subject to change.**

If this e-news was forwarded to you and you'd like to subscribe
to this weekly newsletter, please contact montymesptanews@gmail.com
and we will add you to our distribution list.
WHAT'S IMPORTANT THIS WEEK
MES PTA GENERAL MEETING
(VIRTUAL) MES PTA MEETING
THIS WEDNESDAY!

Mark your calendars and please join us
Wednesday, March 10 at 6:30 pm
to hear about our latest plans and the many ways, "You can PTA!"

You need not be a member to attend this meeting, but we certainly welcome you to consider membership!

Zoom Link credentials: https://zoom.us/j/94595771721
KIDSART
As requested, KidsArt Online Shop for both OHES and VES has opened early to place your orders!  

Step 1: Prepare your artwork by following the guidelines posted HERE
 
Step 2: Go to www.silvergraphics.com/shop and enter the access code based on your child's campus:
       For OHES, enter: ARTatOHES
       For VES, enter: ARTatVES

Step 3: Select your student's class, then click on "upload new artwork:" 

Step 4: Go wild and place your orders! 

Remember, you can upload as many art pieces as you like! Family members are welcome to upload their artworks as well!

For delivery to school, the order deadline is 3/26/2021 and items will arrive on 4/19/2021. For hybrid students, items will be sent home with them. For virtual students, plans will be made for parent pick up.

For delivery home, items will arrive 3-4 weeks after orders are placed. Free delivery is available for orders over $60. 

Please contact Yuna Kim (yunakim154@gmail.com) with any questions. Happy Drawing! 
MES PTA NEWS
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
The charge of the Nominating Committee is to recognize and recruit the most qualified people available for elected PTA positions. The most important MES PTA committee, this group holds confidential meetings, reviews nominations and searches for the best qualified candidates for leadership roles for the 2021-2022 MES PTA Board.

The option still exists for you to "PTA Your Way" - express your interest in serving on the nominating committee OR nominate someone you think might be interested by sending an email to Yuna Kim (yunakim154@gmail.com) or Jenna Huntley (jenna.huntley28@gmail.com). You must be a current MES PTA member to be considered for candidacy.

Nominations for the PTA nominating committee are open from now until the next MES PTA General Meeting, currently slated for March 10. Voting will then take place at that time. Thanks for your consideration!
ROOM PARENT CORNER UPDATE
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HELP
IN FORWARDING REMINDERS!

February was chock full of Sharing and Caring celebrations and activities as well as a TON of email reminders! Thank you for your help in forwarding reminders to parents for yearbooks, KidsArt and other MES PTA initiatives.

As March begins, we have a rare moment to breathe! Visit the Room Parent Corner page on the MES PTA website and let us know what your Sharing and Caring activities entailed. Insert your ideas onto the shared Google document found under MARCH UPDATE. Remember that we can all learn and glean new ideas from each other, so help a fellow Room Parent out! Something can always be adapted and considered for End of the Year activation!

Remember you can access all MES PTA Room Parent resources by visiting the Room Parent Corner located here.
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
 
MES PTA is a community made up of parents, guardians, teachers and staff whose goal is to enrich the experience of our students at Orchard Hill Elementary School and Village Elementary School.
 
MES PTA is supported by the generous donations of time, finances and love from our community. Last academic year (2019- 2020), MES PTA raised and provided more than $40,000 of funding for the students for Educational Programs (ex. Character Education, Assemblies), grants for teachers and staff, facility renovations, appreciation events for teachers/staff, etc. 
 
* NOTE: If your family is eligible for free/reduced lunch, please contact your school’s secretary to inquire about a membership fee waiver.
PROFILES IN RESILIENCE
Each week the MES PTA will interview a member of our community with questions specific to these unprecedented times. This week we are visiting with Tracy Vail, OHES Counselor for First Grade and Kindergarten. She has been with MTSD for three years and we are pleased to have this time with her!

Tracy reminds us that our best resource is each other. She offers that we should each, "find support, an answer, or simply someone to listen. We are all in this together."

Read our entire visit with Tracy in her "Profile in Resilience" by clicking here.

If you would like to suggest an individual to be interviewed, please contact us at montymesptanews@gmail.com.

Please read our archive listings of "Profiles in Resilience" by clicking here.
MES PTA
CALENDAR/INFO/RESOURCES
Upcoming Events/Meetings & Related Dates/Deadlines
  • NOW through March 26 - MES PTA KidsArt Sales
  • March 10 - MES PTA General Meeting
  • March 23-26 - Parent Teacher Conferences and Early Dismissal at 1:30 pm daily
  • March 29 - First Day of Spring Recess (No School)
  • April 6 - Last Day of Spring Recess (No School)
  • April 14 - MES PTA General Meeting

For a calendar of 2020-2021 MES PTA Meetings and Events, please visit our website by clicking here.

For the 2020-2021 MTSD District Calendar, click here.
All The Ways to Follow MES PTA:

Visit the MES PTA Website

Tag us on Instagram @montyes_pta

Tweet at us on Twitter @MontyesPta

Post to our profile on Facebook @MES PTA
  • For a listing of our MES PTA Board Members click here.
  • MES PTA Room Parent Corner can be accessed here.


  • To view our MES PTA E-News archive, please click here.

  • To view previous MES PTA meeting minutes, please click here.

If you have any PTA questions, concerns or suggestions, please email mesptapresidents@gmail.com.
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OHES LINKS, INFORMATION
AND RESOURCES
VES LINKS, INFORMATION
AND RESOURCES
Montgomery Special Education PTA (MSEPTA)

The Montgomery Special Education PTA (MSEPTA) is a district-wide organization designed to build strong partnerships amongst teachers, parents, administration, existing PTA’s, and the community so that children receiving special education services of any kind will be better understood, integrated and embraced by our school and community.
NEXT MSEPTA MEETING - MARCH 16 at 6:30 pm

To join MSEPTA and support teachers and students in Special Education, please click here.
MSEPTA is hosting a "Coffee Talk"
Saturday, March 13th, 2021 (2pm-4pm)

Click Here to register so we know how many people are coming.

A casual conversation between parents of children who receive special services to offer emotional support and information and celebrate each other's victories as we go through this most challenging time. Any questions please contact montysepta@gmail.com.
MSEPTA Paint your Own
Cookie Sets & Cake Pops Fundraiser!

We have teamed up with “Maria’s Sweet Perfection,” a local mom who creates awesome treats, to offer you these springtime snacks! Proceeds fund MSEPTA scholarships/grants!

Buy yours through our online sales! From NOW through March 8 you can get your tasty treats at the following links:
Click Here to order the Cookie Set.
Click Here to order the Cake Pops.
MSEPTA Award Application!
Parents of MHS Students please read! 

The MSEPTA scholarship is an award to acknowledge students transitioning to adulthood. Students who are receiving their high school diploma (either by completing their high school course of studies or their individual transition program) in the current school year are eligible to apply.

The students need not be planning on attending college or any further vocational training to be eligible to apply. This award is designed to promote inclusive opportunities for diverse learners, specifically recognizing and celebrating the successes of students with disabilities.

The award is open to any student with a current or previously documented disability. Click Here for Application Form.
Montgomery Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG)

Next Meeting is this Thursday, March 11, 7pm via Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0sdumsrjgvE9x5k06riudplveaBJm-Oda6

SEPAG is a parent-led group that gives parents and community members the opportunity to share input directly to the school district regarding policies, services and practices that impact students with disabilities and their families. SEPAG’s success depends on YOUR input. Click Here for more SEPAG information.

If you have any questions please contact montysepag@gmail.com.
Please Donate your gently used handbags to MSEPTA!

All gently used brands of purses, totes, handbags, clutches, key/card holders, etc. will be accepted (higher-end bags are accepted in any condition). All profits support MSEPTA teacher grants, scholarships and programming.

Please email MontySEPTAHandbags@gmail.com for drop-off/pick-up arrangements or questions. Follow/like the MSEPTA Poshmark closet at: @msepta

New to Poshmark? Use our referral code “MSEPTA” when you sign up & you get $10 off your first order & we get $10! Already have a Poshmark account? Help us by sharing the items in our closet to your followers!
Community News
COMING SOON! MMS PTO 200 Club 50/50 raffle!
Stay tuned for additional details...
Activity Calendar - English
Activity Calendar - Spanish
Mercer County Park Commission is pleased to resume some in-person offerings in our community. In the spirit of helping parents plan for the coming months, they've released their seasonal flyers featuring programming for Kinder through high school, and adults as well! All efforts remain focused to keep everyone safe but active outdoors.
 
Please click on the icons above to download flyers as you deem preferable. Please visit http://www.mercercountyparks.org/#!/about/virtual-backpack/  for more information.


Click here to learn about all the exciting things happening at the Mary Jacobs Library in Rocky Hill and the entire Somerset County Library System.

Montgomery Township News

Below are links to current News, Events and Recreation Information. Check it out!

Click Here for Borough of Rocky Hill News.
MTSD Information
Click here to stay on top of what is happening in our school district!


Below are some important links
to have at your fingertips:

Click Here for the COVID-19 Dashboard
Click here for the 2020-2021 Calendar
Click here for Board of Education Mtg Schedule
Click here for Genesis Parent Access
Click here for Safety Protocols - MTSD Visitors

UPDATE: Lunch is being provided to eligible students. The lunches are being made in South Brunswick, picked up by our transportation department and then delivered directly to students’ homes. Please click here to view the menu of the day.