E-News - October 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.**

If you'd like to subscribe to this newsletter, please CLICK HERE.
If you'd like to contact us, please reach us at mespta@mtsd.us.
WHAT'S IMPORTANT THIS WEEK
LAST CALL for 1st Day of School Pictures
We are ready for your first day of school pictures! Thank you for being patient. Use the links below to upload them for the yearbook. Deadline is 10/20/2021.


USER ID for OHES is 416755955
USER ID for VES is 416725958
Call for OHES and VES Yearbook Volunteers!
Do you enjoy the creative process? Are you interested in capturing school memories for our students? Then join the OHES and VES Yearbook Committee!

We are looking for 1-2 people to design and layout the OHES yearbook, as well as a team of volunteers to take pictures at OHES and VES school events.

Prior experience is NOT necessary, just interest and an openness to learn. This is a great opportunity to volunteer your time for our students, so please join us!

Please contact Yuna Kim or Unnati Patel at mespta@mtsd.us with questions or to volunteer. Thanks for your consideration!
10 Days Left to Opt-in on Fall-O-Ween Fun!
October plans to be a most SPOOKTACULAR month for MES PTA! Get ready for some fun-filled activities that please every spirit!
  • Decorated/Carved Pumpkins can result in some choice prizes! A virtual competition like no other! Sign up and show your talents to win amongst our categories and with general giveaways!
  • EXTRA Sweet Treats! Part of your sign-up gets you a goody bag filled with family-friendly fun! Perfect timing to prepare and bring for the ride...hurry must sign up before 10/24 for bags!
  • What Ride? The Ride of the Season! Our Second Annual MES PTA Halloween House Tour! Signing Up gets you EARLY ACCESS to the list! But the list will be released for FREE to all on 10/24
MES PTA NEWS
Room Parent Corner - October Update
All MES PTA Room Parents should have received a communication from their Room Parent Coordinator containing various files to prepare for the year. Review the materials ASAP.

MES PTA Room Parents should be working on four key items this month:
  • Ensure you are a registered MES PTA member (you can confirm membership by emailing Rebecca Chen at mail4rebeccac@gmail.com), HIB trained with a completed quiz, and on record with a completed Code of Conduct document.
  • Reach out to your teacher(s) to see how best to prepare for Halloween classroom parties on October 29. Take party pictures!
  • Do a second attempt to collect parent email addresses for classroom notifications.
  • Use emails to contact classroom parents, advise them of Halloween plans (via the Classroom Parties Interest Form). Remember to touch base with your Room Parent Coordinator to double-check emails of those that already opted in!

Find more resources like our SHARED IDEAS DOCUMENT (for party and activity ideas) here: https://www.mtsd.k12.nj.us/Page/18770.
Join or Renew YOUR PTA Membership!
HOW do we as a PTA provide the financial support and assistance to create more enrichment for the schools and our students?!?! Author visits, assemblies, volunteer hours, special moments of celebration - They don't just happen...YOU determine our reach and success...

  • MEMBERSHIP is the primary source of our funding
  • Our goal is one membership per family (hint, hint)
  • SIGN UP TODAY BY CLICKING HERE
  • FUNDRAISING doesn't hurt either
  • We aim for fewer but hopefully hugely successful fundraisers
  • We welcome (safe) social connectedness along the way
  • VALUE IN KIND makes the world go round!
  • Where possible, we ask your help to secure items of need!
  • We show appreciation and reinforce support to teachers, custodial staff, and other invaluable groups
  • Amazon Wish Lists help immensely in this regard

So help us get off to a great start! For $15 you can join the MES PTA and make a difference in every student's experience at OHES and VES. Please, it's a simple gesture with a huge impact -

MES PTA
CALENDAR/LINKS/INFO
Upcoming Events/Meetings & Related Dates/Deadlines
  • Oct 20 - Deadline for First Day of School Pictures
  • Oct 24-25 - Fall-O-Ween Treat Bags Distributed
  • Oct 26-30 - 2nd Annual MES PTA Halloween House Tour
  • Oct 27 - MES PTA Pumpkin Carving/Decorating Contest Submissions Deadline, Ghoulish Giveaway Winners Announced
  • October 29 - OHES and VES Classroom Parties, ALSO, Eat at YaYa's, Give Back to MES PTA!
  • November 1 - House Tour Superlatives Announced

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

For MTSD 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 Calendars, please click here.
MES PTA - Quick Links/Info:
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OHES LINKS
INFORMATION
RESOURCES
VES LINKS
INFORMATION
RESOURCES
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 EVENT: Tuesday, October 19th at 7:00pm
 "College Planning for Students With Learning Differences" with Josephine Vonaburg- a virtual presentation about planning early for the transition to college - essential for students with learning differences.
To join via zoom, click here.

NEXT MEETING: 11/17 at 6:30pm at UMS (Media Center)

MSEPAG
The Montgomery Special Education Parent Advisory Group (M-SEPAG) is a state-mandated*, district-level, parent-driven group charged with providing input to the local school district on system-level challenges in special education and related services. It exists to ensure that special education students and their parents have the opportunity to share input directly to the Montgomery Township School District regarding the policies, services, and practices that impact students with disabilities and their families.

Q & A with new BOE members
MSEPAG will be hosting a forum with the four new BOE members with a focus on Special Education. In preparation for the Q & A, constituents were allowed to submit questions anonymously by the Oct. 8 deadline. This Virtual Event will be held on Friday, Oct 22nd at 7:00 pm.
Meeting ID: 812 6690 6105
Passcode: 942108

SPAN Education Meeting - choose October 18 or October 20
 The START- Engaging Parents of Students with Disabilities in Schools Project at SPAN invites you to join us at the upcoming Statewide Special Education Parent Leadership Virtual Roundtable.
This is an opportunity for parents, Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG) members, school and district staff, and community members to come together to network and exchange tips, tools, and strategies to build collaborative partnerships that benefit students and their families. Simultaneous interpretation into Spanish is available. 

October 18th at 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

and/or

October 20th at 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

M-SEPAG’s success depends on YOUR input. Join us:
Community News
Pacific Southern Railroad Train Show Fundraiser is back! This year they have graciously partnered with the Montgomery Schools PTAs & PTO to donate $1 for every ticket sold when the attendee mentions Montgomery PTA. If you go, please remember to mention MES PTA!
MBA Winter Recreation Season is Back! The Montgomery Basketball Association is pleased to announce that we plan to resume our Winter Recreation basketball season for grades K-12 this year. Registration will open this Friday. For additional details about the season and our programs, please visit our website at https://www.montgomerybasketball.com. Please note that preliminary dates/times are subject to change depending on registration and the number of teams and divisions that are formed this year. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we restart our recreation programs after a year off and as we continue to navigate the current environment. Please carefully review our MBA Preparation Plan on our website. Stay tuned for further announcements once registration is opened. Thanks for your continuing support of the MBA and we look forward to seeing you all back on the court soon! - Montgomery Basketball Association
Montgomery Interact, a Montgomery High School Club, is offering free tutoring for students in grades 1-8.

Your student will be matched up with a high school student and sessions can take place both in person or virtually. To sign up, please complete this form:

Do you have one hour a week to spare? 

Share My Meals is helping feed over 30 food insecure families in MONTY right now, and our numbers are growing. But we need your help to deliver these meals. Please go to sharemymeals.org to sign up to volunteer. Get involved 🙂
Mary Jacobs branch is temporarily closed, effective October 13, due to problems with the air-handling system. At this time, they do not have a schedule for reopening. More information to follow once available. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

For more information, visit SCLSNJ.org or email Branch Manager Lesley Koble.
Montgomery Township News Would you like to receive Montgomery municipal notices, weather closings, and much more? It’s free and easy to sign up!

Go to the Montgomery Township website at twp.montgomery.nj.us and add your address in the white and green “Sign-up for Ebulletins” box at the right.

Or you can text “InMontgomeryNJ” to 22828 on your phone to provide the e-mail address you would like added to the township E-bulletins system.

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

Click Here for Borough of Rocky Hill News.
MTSD Links/Info