Originally delivered on 9/16/2021 4:00 pm

SUBJECT: PTA News 9/16: Ice Cream TOMORROW, & more...

Thursday, September 16, 2021

In This Issue:

Ice Cream Social: TOMORROW at 6:30 pm
Sign up for the PTA!
Volunteer with the PTA!
Grade Level Shirt Spirit Day: Friday 9/24
Room Parents Needed
Online Ordering for Discovery Merchandise
Barcroft Weekend Bags Partnership
Register for After-School Enrichment
Reflections “I Will Change the World By…”
Community News

Events & Programs

Ice Cream Social: TOMORROW at 6:30 pm

Explorers and their families are invited to an ice cream social tomorrow at 6:30-8 pm. Celebrate the end of the week with an ice cream treat while you catch up with old friends and meet new ones!

Several Covid mitigation measures will be in place to help keep everyone safe while we socialize. Masks are required when not eating and drinking, regardless of vaccination status. We will have two ice cream trucks stationed at opposite ends of the space to reduce crowding. We will also have chalk dots on the ground for spacing while you wait, and we are encouraging full use of the campus (both playgrounds, veranda, etc.) so everyone can spread out. We will also set out hand sanitizer.

Please note: the building will be closed, so there will be no bathroom access.

Spread the word to Discovery families: sign up for the PTA! Joining or renewing your membership is the best way to ensure that you receive updates on PTA activities.

Starting next week, the PTA newsletter will be sent only to current PTA members. If you haven't renewed your membership from last year, now is your chance! If you don’t sign up with us, we won’t be able to send you info about PTA events and programs.

Sign up here.

Volunteer with the PTA!

We are seeking to fill several volunteer jobs. Without your help, many of the programs and events that our Explorers and families enjoy--like the Discovery yearbook, parent social, and community-building activities--will not happen! Current volunteer opportunities can be found on the website.

Please email president@discoverypta.org with interest. We are happy to answer any questions you have.

Grade Level Shirt Spirit Day: Friday, 9/24

Our first spirit day of the year is coming up! Show your pride by wearing your grade level shirt.

If you placed your order by 9/10 and received an email confirmation, we’ve ordered the shirts from our vendor. They have alerted us there may be some size shortages due to supply issues. If this affects your order, the merchandise coordinator will contact you. Pre-K and K student orders are coming home in backpacks this week. Other grade orders will receive their shirts early next week.

If you placed an order after 9/10, we will do our best to fill it. However, we cannot guarantee that we will have every size in stock. Our merchandise coordinator is working hard to fulfill all of the orders!

New Online Ordering for Discovery Merchandise!

Check out our new Discovery merchandise! From running shorts and tie-dye shirts to fleece sweatshirts and picnic blankets, there are lots of ways to show your Explorer pride!

The new merchandise ordering system will follow the Scholastic book order model: you will have a window of time to place an order; when the window closes, items will be shipped and then distributed to your student at school. There will be multiple opportunities to order throughout the school year. The first order window is open until October 4.

Room Parents Needed

Are you looking for a fun way to support your child's teacher and connect with the class? If so, please consider volunteering as a room parent this year! Fill out the Room Parent Volunteer Survey by Sept. 24^th.

Barcroft Weekend Bags Partnership

We are excited to continue our partnership with Barcroft ES into another school year! One of the ways we will be partnering is in support of their Weekend Bags Program.

Last year, Discovery families helped provide food for the program; this year, Barcroft needs our help assembling the bags. Twice a month, Discovery parents can volunteer to pack bags at Barcroft ES.

The September dates and times are on the sign-up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4fa4a62fa5f8c43-backpack

Registration for after-school enrichment is still open! Choose from chess, basketball, Spanish, Harry Potter Lego engineering, cupcake decorating, theatre, etiquette, and more! Sign up now through 9/26; classes begin 10/4.

Reflections â€œI Will Change the World Byâ€¦â€

Calling all Explorers! It’s time to create artwork in response to the I Will Change the World By… theme for the 2021-2022 Reflections program. You can virtually submit one piece in each of the arts categories (Dance, Film, Literature, Music, Photography and/or Visual Arts). And, students with disabilities who receive services under IDEA or ADA are invited to submit artwork in the Special Artist division.

Entries and Student Entry Forms are due by Friday, October 22. Learn more about how to submit on the Discovery PTA website.

Community News

Cub Scouts at Discovery Elementary

Fundraising Reminders

Link your Amazon account to Amazon Smile, and Discovery will receive 0.5% cash back on all eligible purchases. NOW AVAILABLE ON THE AMAZON APP!

To access on App: Click on Menu (3 horizontal lines), scroll down to Settings, choose AmazonSmile, and search for Discovery Elementary School PTA.

Box Tops has gone completely mobile! The app allows you to photograph your receipt and immediately receive credit for Box Top labelled merchandise. If you have tangible Box Tops please contact
fundraising@discoverypta.org to arrange a pick up.

Link your Harris Teeter VIC Card to Discovery. Visit harristeeter.com/together-in-education to sign up. Please note that you need to link your account annually, and credit is given for purchases of Harris Teeter branded merchandise from August through May of each school year.

Please register your Giant cards to benefit Discovery. Go to Giant's website, click on Savings & Rewards, then "A+ School Rewards." Discovery is school #40035.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

We are currently offering sponsorship opportunities on the PTA website and newsletters. Becoming a sponsor allows you to advertise your business while supporting our PTA. If you know anyone who is looking to market their business or may be interested in becoming a sponsor, please let us know at fundraising@discoverypta.org.