#PTAYourWay
E-News - May 31, 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 montymesptanews@gmail.com.
WHAT'S IMPORTANT THIS WEEK
'21-'22 Kindergarten Virtual Orientation
Families of next year's Kindergarteners are invited to join OHES administration on Tuesday, June 15th at 6pm, for a virtual kindergarten orientation for the 2021-22 school year.

A zoom link and other details will be shared by the OHES administration in the coming days, but please note this information and "save-the-date."
'21-'22 Third Grade Virtual Orientation
Families of next year's 3rd Graders are invited to attend a virtual orientation hosted by Village Elementary School administration.

Principal Lacy and Asst. Principal Camuto look forward to welcoming you on June 7, 2021 at 6:00pm. Please use the Zoom meeting link below to join the orientation.

VES Teacher for the Day
Wednesday Deadline!
HELLO VES Families...Only 2 days left to get your “Teacher for the Day" Raffle Tickets!

Don't miss the chance for your student to be his/her favorite teacher or VIP guest!

Final Day to submit is June 2nd by 3:30pm. Drawing will be shown on the VES Morning News!

Drop off your payment & tickets to school or send them via backpack mail.

Buy Your 1st Day School Supplies
for Next Year by 6 pm, TOMORROW
and one kit could be FOR FREE!
Hurry! 1st Day School Supplies offers "kits" of the required school supplies as determined by your child's future teacher(s), along with backpacks, lunch boxes, school merchandise and even new personalized items! One-stop shopping awaits, giving you convenience, peace of mind, and value!

Click here (https://1stdayschoolsupplies.com/list.php?school_zip=08558), select the applicable school/grade level, and add a kit to your cart. Items will arrive no later than two weeks prior to the start of the '21-'22 school year, and your child's eyes will widen to see a big, beautiful box arrive in the mail!

Remember, purchase your child's supplies BY 6 pm, TOMORROW, JUNE 1, and you'll be entered into a contest to get COMPLETELY REIMBURSED for one (1) kit! 

Sales will run from now UNTIL JULY 1.  But, if you purchase before JUNE 1, you'll be entered into the contest (MES PTA will draw on June 2, and announce the winner on our website).

Questions? Contact Rose Ann Sands (ramsands@hotmail.com)
ATTENTION: Fourth Graders, Get Ready!
Magic Show Deadline this Thursday...
You've worked hard and stayed focused - now you deserve some magic! Get ready, Fourth Graders, as we have some special fun planned just for you!

FIRST, let's celebrate! Join us on JUNE 5 at 6:30 pm for a FREE, VIRTUAL MAGIC SHOW just for fourth graders and their families! You must register in advance to attend and you must use your Google, school-issued email to sign up.
NEXT, Fourth Graders, let's leave a mark of magic!
Look around in your yard or at a park..pick any rock the size of your fist or smaller. Decorate it with your name, draw a picture of Blazer, or other artwork, and drop it in the bin at the front of the school during the week of June 7-11.

Ms. Lacy will work with her staff to permanently display these magical touchstones around the school. So you get to leave your mark at Village for years to come!
FINALLY, there's Magic in a 4th Grade Thank You, so Let's Share our Appreciation!
Send one (1) photo (no videos, please) of you saying THANKS to ramsands@hotmail.com by June 16.

All received photos will air as part of the VES News during the last week of school!

SO, Fourth Graders, pick one or all of these options! But be mindful of the deadlines noted above, and most of all, know that MES PTA and ALL the community celebrates with you! You are truly bright and capable young people destined for great things - we can't wait to see what "Middle School" magic lies ahead for all of you!
MES PTA NEWS
Room Parent Corner Update - June
Time is ticking! Please start brainstorming NOW as June 18 is the last day of school! End-of-Year celebrations and End-of-Year teacher gifts will be here before you know it. Look at your latest emails from Room Parent Coordinators for all the details!

Before you commit to any classroom party plans, PLEASE consult with your respective classroom teacher(s) to review any and all current school policies. In the meantime, feel free to reference the SHARED IDEAS DOCUMENT found on the Room Parent Corner page of our website. Have a great time making great moments for the kids!
MTSD Announces New Start/End Times
Starting with '21-'22 School Year
At the May 25, 2021 Montgomery Township Board of Education Meeting, the Board voted to approve the starting and ending times for district schools commencing with the 2021 – 2022 school year. Please click here to find the approved 2021-2022 MTSD school start/end times.
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 Lisa Franey, Library Media Specialist at VES. She has been with MTSD for 10 years and we are pleased to have this time with her! 

Lisa shares, "Before this year, I hadn’t realized that something so simple as gathering a class on the little carpet in front of me for a story was something to appreciate. Now, I can’t wait until I can do that again!"

Read our entire visit with Lisa 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 July 1 - 1st Day School Supplies On Sale
  • June 1 - 1st Day School Supplies Contest Ends
  • June 2 - VES Teacher for the Day Raffle Tickets Due
  • June 3 - VES Fourth Graders Magic Show Registration Deadline
  • June 5 - VES Fourth Graders Magic (Virtual) Show
  • June 7-11 - VES Fourth Graders Turn in "Marks of Magic" Painted Rocks at Bins at VES Entrances
  • June 9 LAST MES PTA General Meeting for the Year
  • June 10 - VES Teacher for the Day
  • June 11 - OHES and VES Fun Day (details TBD)
  • June 16 - VES Fourth Graders Deadline for Photos for Thank You Video to Air on VES News
  • June 14-18 - OHES and VES End of Year Parties (details TBD per each individual classroom teacher(s) and Room Parent discussions)
For a calendar of 2020-2021 MES PTA Meetings and Events, please visit our website by clicking here.

For the 20-21 MTSD District Calendar as well as the recently released 21-22 and 22-23 Calendars, please 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
If you have any PTA questions, concerns or suggestions, please email mespta@mtsd.us.
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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 - JUNE 15 at 6:30 pm

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

M-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. M-SEPAG’s success depends on YOUR input. Click Here for more M-SEPAG information.

If you have any questions please contact montysepag@gmail.com.
Community News
MTSD welcomes students, staff, and our entire Montgomery community to join us on Monday, June 14th as we cheer for our seniors on the new walking path along Burnt Hill and Skillman Roads as well as Skillman Park!
Please click here or on this image to download this flier with more information!
The Rotary Club of Montgomery / Rocky Hill will once again be hosting Flags for Heroes this June. We invite everyone to reflect on the heroes all around us, get outside and visit the stunning display that is sure to lift your spirits. Flags will be displayed from June 12-20 at Montgomery High School on Route 601.

Each full-size flag is 3x5 feet; and will have affixed to it a medallion with the honoree’s name, sponsor’s name, and (optional) reason for the honor. Rotary will mail the medallion as directed by the sponsor after the event (there is an option to purchase flag). For more details including cost, please click here before the June 6 deadline. Thank you.
The Montgomery News continues its tradition to help the community celebrate the 2021 graduates! In the July issue, a special graduation section will highlight the accomplishments of local students from preschool to graduate school.

The Montgomery News will also donate 10% of the proceeds from the graduation announcements to the Montgomery Township Education Foundation. For more information please click here by June 15th!
A group of concerned neighbors in Montgomery have joined together to partner with Share My Meals (SMM) to support our local community.

Please click here to learn more and help make a difference for food-insecure families here in Montgomery. Thanks for your support!

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.