News and Upcoming Events

Family Contributions and Fundraising

Each school year our PTO spends tens of thousands of dollars to provide enrichment opportunities including field trips, supplies, special projects like updating our school library, teacher and staff appreciation gifts, and events like our annual Fall Picnic and Ice Cream Social.  

We ask families to contribute toward our annual expenses by making a tax deductible donation to the PTO.  This year, like last, we're asking families to contribute $125 per child to cover each child's annual expenses.  However, any amount is appreciated and will be thoughtfully utilized.  Payments may be made via Venmo @angellpto. (Please include in the memo: email address, name of student(s), and “Fall FC.”)  See here [MV link flyer], for details on how the PTO raises and spends money and instructions for other payment options, such as check and cash.

If you have questions about fees/suggested amounts, or to make a payment plan, please email your PTO treasurer.

Room Parents Needed

Thank you to everyone who volunteered to be a room parent!  Room Parent volunteers are still needed for the following classrooms:

• Y5 Friday (We have one parent, seeking a partner room parent) 

• 2nd Mato

If you are interested in volunteering, or if you have any questions, please contact Lara Kross.

PTO Time and Talent Survey

Every parent or guardian of an Angell student is automatically a member of the PTO. The Angell PTO's mission is to build a sense of support, pride and enthusiasm, while encouraging parent and staff involvement in service of our children's education. What we accomplish in a school year requires participation from every family.  That will look different for every family and that's ok! This might be setting up tables for our Book Fair, serving as Room Parent for your child's classroom, or chairing the Talent Show.  If you haven’t already done so, please complete our Time and Talent Survey to select how you’d like to get involved this year.

PTO Meeting 

Please join us at the first PTO Meeting of the year on Thursday, September 28th at 8:45 a.m. in the Art Room. We will cover upcoming event information and approve this year’s budget.  We welcome new ideas, perspectives, and assistance.  A zoom link for those who would like to attend remotely will follow.  Younger siblings are welcome to attend. We will alternate between morning and evening PTO meetings in order to try to access a greater number of parents/caregivers.

Notes from Principal Fenech & the Office 

CURRICULUM NIGHT & WORKING AGREEMENTS

It was a joy to see parents fill the halls of school last week.  Thank you for coming out to Curriculum Night. If you were unable to attend the session your child’s teacher hosted,  please be sure you have their presentation and do seek answers to your questions.   The PTO and I held a joint presentation (slides here) so let us know if you have any wonders about that.   

Amongst our staff we adopted the following working agreements and we invite parents to partake in them: 

• Assume positive intent

• Don’t make assumptions (E.g.  please ask questions and seek clarity)

• Listen to understand

• Value differences, welcome discomfort

• Speak mindfully about all members of our school community

THE CHARACTER EFFECT: SPOTLIGHT ON OUR STRENGTHS

Last week, our staff taught kids about mindfulness and this week’s theme is intentionality.  Here’s an overview of what we taught, or will teach kids during morning meeting. 

• Mindfulness means being present and fully engaged in each moment. You can use Mindfulness to calm your mind and body when you are feeling stressed and help you enjoy the happy moments of life.  “Mindfulness is simply being aware of what is happening right now without wishing it were different; enjoying the pleasant without holding on when it changes (which it will); being with the unpleasant without fearing it will always be this way (which it won’t).” - James Baraz.  Every time you notice your mind has wandered or feel stress in your body, instead recognize the beauty of a sunset. You’ll catch yourself before you get upset. This is using Mindfulness. There are a million ways and moments to be mindful.

• This week, Intentionality will be introduced. Intentional is defined as, “I am thoughtful in working to improve myself and my world. Being Intentional is about how you want to be in all areas of life and being proactive to achieve goals. You can set intentions every day to make your wishes and goals come true.  The quote for the week is “The path from dreams to success does exist. May you have the vision to find it, the courage to get on it, and the perseverance to follow it." - Kalpama Chawla.  Being Intentional is about using your strengths to achieve your goals or wishes to improve yourself and the world around you. 

PICTURE DAY

This Wednesday is picture day!  In your child’s Angell folder you should have seen a paper form if you’d like to order school pictures. (We take every child’s photo for the yearbook.)  You can also select the picture package of your choice at www.schoolpictures.com, by entering the online code “AA0407Fall23”.  

ISO

If you have any “in-search-of” (ISO), items collecting dust in your garage or basement, we would love to put them to use.  

• Sand toys

• Hula hoops

• Cricut:  Got a smart cutting machine to loan or donate?  We’ll use it for enhanced labeling and special projects!

• Aluminum kitchen toys/cookware:  I’d like to create an outdoor play kitchen on our lower playground.

• Carpentry services:  Continuing with the theme of imaginative play, I think a small stage and outdoor chalkboard would be a great enhancement in our lower playground. If you have carpentry skills and/or a connection to help us acquire lumber, please let me know fenechm@a2schools.org

• 2-hours of humanpower:  Done!  Thank you to Alejandro Mendoza for donating your time!

RECESS & RAINGEAR

We go outside for recess in light rain and temperatures above 0oF.   Please get into the habit of checking the weather and sending rain jackets and appropriate footwear if there’s light rain.  As always, an extra set of clothes is a good idea and be sure to label everything.

STILL HIRING

We are still seeking paid lunch/recess supervisors who can work 3-5 days a week from 11:30AM-1:30PM, a full-time teaching assistant who has experience working with children, a cafeteria/Chartwell food server (3 hours/day) and volunteers who might help on a regular basis in the office, particularly during lunchtime.  Interested folks should email Principal Fenech. Thank you!