#PTAYourWay
E-News/January 17, 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.**

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WHAT'S IMPORTANT THIS WEEK
FRIENDLY REMINDER:

Schools are closed
on Monday, January 18, 2021

in observance of the
Yearbooks On Sale - But Hurry!
 Pre-purchase Only January 17-30

We definitely have a lot of challenges this school year, but there's a lot of good in it too! So let’s immortalize these great memories for our children and for years to come!



Click here and gift some memories! Donate $1, $2, or $5 to help subsidize the cost of a yearbook for an eligible family of our community. Remember, the best memories are shared ones!

IMPORTANT CHANGES THIS YEAR: The yearbook will only be offered in a pre-sale manner. Families will only be able to pre-purchase the yearbook from January 17-30th. We will only print the exact number of copies ordered and there will be no additional copies for sale at the end of the year.

For questions please email Patty Bajaj at patricia.bajaj@yahoo.com.
PROVIDED ONCE MORE:
BACK TO SCHOOL CHECKLIST

If you have a student returning to campus for in-person instruction, please consider a small list of reminders to help you prepare:

  • First thing in the morning - complete the form! Go on Genesis, log into your child's account and complete the Health Screening Questionnaire (Under the "STUDENT DATA" tab, click on "FORMS", then click on the most recent entry listed).
  • School Supplies - double check your child's list, especially protective sleeves for fully charged Chromebooks, Headphones (stored safely in a labeled Ziploc bag), and other items labeled and ready for use.
  • School Safety Items - Towel, at least 3 masks (1 to wear, 1 in backpack, 1 to keep at school), a full water bottle as water fountain/water bottle filling station access will be prohibited.
  • Label all Jackets, Hats, etc. with your child's name.
  • If using the bus, wait 5-10 minutes earlier than expected pick-up/drop-off times. Check your child's Genesis account to ensure changes haven't been made since you last checked.
  • If picking up/dropping off your child at school, please double check the school's current procedures. For reference:
  • Instructions for OHES Pick Up/Drop Off
  • Instructions for VES Pick Up/Drop Off
  • Snacks - Pack easy-to-open snacks (friendly to little hands), and avoid peanut, tree nut or other allergy-related foods. Make sure food is substantial to satiate a child getting only a snack, and try to select foods that are easy to consume given time constraints.
  • ASK THE TEACHER! Remember the greatest resource is the teacher! They remain ready to assist with all your questions!
MES PTA NEWS
PARENTS! We need you to upload your children's photos while doing school activities for the yearbook. Use the links below for each respective school and event.

  • Upload only photos with students from that school (i.e., VES siblings cannot be with OHES siblings).
  • No adults (we are only permitted to include students in the yearbook).
  • Make sure your images are clear.
  • Be careful when uploading from your phones, the touchscreen might be too sensitive that you end up selecting photos you don't intend to share.

Please direct ALL questions to patricia.bajaj@yahoo.com - thanks!


OHES Links:
4. Halloween Party: http://bit.ly/OHESHalloween2020
7. Spirit Wear (you may purchase Spirit Wear at https://www.mtsd.k12.nj.us/Page/17074):
8. Character & Caring Party (will take place in February): https://www.dropbox.com/request/M7IgMAkiFjq1bOdq519N
9. In-school Photos (if your children’s teachers have given you their photos while they’re in school): https://www.dropbox.com/request/Iww0nqvgmug7WXnQkYws

VES Links:
4. Halloween Party: http://bit.ly/VESHalloween2020
7. Spirit Wear (you may purchase Spirit Wear at https://www.mtsd.k12.nj.us/Page/17074):
8. Character & Caring Party (will take place in February): https://www.dropbox.com/request/vDcmtUUVsvkesKakqiOq
9. In-school Photos (if your children’s teachers have given you their photos while they’re in school): https://www.dropbox.com/request/16A85UuEKiSGwzbd6nYR
 
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

Nelson Mandela once said, “Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”

Our children are beginning yet another chapter in this school year, some opting for virtual learning, and others returning to campus for a hybrid experience. No matter the choice, the youngest members of our community are once more showing their flexibility and resilience.

It is imperative that we acknowledge this strength. For some of us, we have had little trouble adjusting in this pandemic. Our children have simply welcomed the Chromebooks, navigating with ease to an adapted connectedness with teachers and classmates. And for some, it has been a most challenging and arduous battle. While we cannot (and should not) rank the adjustments, what we must champion and value are our children's attempts.

In time, this chapter and others will contribute to our children's adult outlook or approach to life in general. The pandemic, our struggles and our eventual transition (no matter how it might look) will all serve as reminders to our children of how they persevered in truly dispirited times.

Are we giving our children clear indication that we see them trying? Are we loving them not for what they attain, but for their attempts in the process?

Use this week to profile your children. Ask them what they've learned about themselves, temper their fears and compliment their resourcefulness. Above all, celebrate in your own special way their willingness to try.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gifted us with numerous immortal words of wisdom. As we honor him tomorrow (with service and reflection) we can also use his words to inspire our children and ourselves.

"Only in the darkness can you see the stars," he tells us. Our children might take these words to mean they should stay focused and not give up hope. But with time, the words might also remind them: the tough trials of today only fortify their ability to shine in the future.

Please read our archive listings of "Profiles in Resilience" by clicking here.

If you would like to suggest an individual to be interviewed, please contact us at montymesptanews@gmail.com.
MES PTA
CALENDAR/INFO/RESOURCES
Upcoming Events/Meetings & Related Dates/Deadlines
  • January 17-30 - MES PTA Yearbook Sales
  • January 18 - Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday - Schools Closed
  • January 19 - Hybrid Model Start Day
  • January 24 - Self Care/Mindfulness Session
  • February 5 - Report Cards posted to Genesis
  • February 10 - MES PTA General Meeting, 6:30 pm
  • February 12-15 - Schools Closed - Staff Development and Presidents' Day

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 - JANUARY 19, 2021
Zoom Credentials:

To join MSEPTA and support teachers and students in Special Education, please click here.
Montgomery Special Education Parent Advisory Group (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.

For more information on SEPAG, please click here.
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
Community News


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.