#PTAYourWay
E-News/February 28, 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
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WHAT'S IMPORTANT THIS WEEK
Combined Cohorts Begin March 1st
All in-person students attend school
on all in-person days of instruction
Please check in Genesis for any changes to your child's transportation times
that will be in effect beginning on Monday, March 1, 2021.
OHES Families: Click HERE for reminders and parent pick up instructions.
VES Families: Please click HERE for revised parent pick up instructions.
YEARBOOKS ON SALE!
The MES PTA MemberHub Store is open
and selling OHES and VES Yearbooks
NOW through SUNDAY, MARCH 7, 2021!

The yearbook committee has been working hard to create truly unique publications - and they will be well worth the wait! So no matter if it's one copy or many, please click on this link:


and buy your OHES and VES yearbooks NOW!

Candid Photo Uploads: Don't forget - we still need you to upload your children's photos while doing school activities for the yearbook. Click here to review where and how to upload your photos for consideration by the yearbook committee.

For any and ALL yearbook questions, please forward your queries to patricia.bajaj@yahoo.com - thanks!
It is Read Across America Week!
We’d like you to share some of your children’s photos for this event especially “Wacky Wednesday!” and of course reading some great books for the yearbook!!! 

Please upload OHES photos here: https://www.dropbox.com/request/wj4xRaJ8MsjfsdK6mW2f

Please upload VES photos here: https://www.dropbox.com/request/9vGs7tJmKULEYunVyKfj
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!
STORYBOOK SESSIONS
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AT STORYBOOK SESSIONS!
NEXT SESSION COMING
IN APRIL!

Our FEBRUARY Storybook Sessions event is in the books! Nearly 30 families registered for the February 26 event featuring excellent storytelling from our high school friends with Interact! Special thanks to Mrs. Sharon Baller, OHES Librarian, for book selections and a great story! And a huge thank you to our special surprise guest storyteller, Kristen Taylor, Director of Special Services for the District.

If you'd like to learn more about Interact and their FREE tutoring offerings, please visit their site by clicking here.

A Storybook Sessions post-event survey was sent to all attendees (please reply by 6 pm on 3/1) as one lucky respondent will be selected for a prize pack! And finally, a HUGE thank you to...
Our friends at 
YaYa Noodles Chinese Restaurant!
Their generous 10% donation of event proceeds
will benefit the MES PTA
and all the children of the district!

Call YaYa's anytime for take-out at 609-921-8551 or visit them at 1325 US Hwy 206. View the YaYa's menu by clicking 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 Sharon Baller, our very own Librarian at OHES. She has transformed the library experience for our kids as well as supported the MES PTA with book selection for the Storybook Sessions.

Sharon pleasantly shares, "with the priority of safety I'm pleased to see that we are considering new perspectives in enjoying literature."

Read our entire visit with Sharon 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 7 - OHES/VES Yearbook Sales
  • 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)
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

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


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.