Electronic Friday Folder -- July 24th, 2020

Greetings from the ASFS PTA

Welcome to the summer issue of the eFF! For those new to ASFS, our weekly Electronic Friday Folder is sent every Friday during the school year. With virtual learning to start the year this fall, it will be our primary way to share news and information with our community.

We are all eager for more details about what the school year is going to look like. For now, make sure to follow the APS updates on Return to School Planning, and confirm your learning model selection as soon as possible if you haven't already. Also, mark your calendar for our summer ASFS PTA Meeting on Tuesday, August 4th where Ms. Begley and Ms. Jones will share the latest on plans for ASFS.

In the meantime, please feel free to reach out with any questions, and stay safe & healthy as you enjoy a wonderful summer! --Dena Porter, ASFS PTA President

Summer ASFS PTA Meeting: Tuesday, August 4th

Mark your calendar for Tuesday, August 4th at 7:00pm for our summer ASFS PTA Meeting, to be held via Zoom. Hopefully we will have more details from APS about what the return to school this fall will look like by then, so Ms. Begley and Ms. Jones can share more about what that will mean for ASFS.

Submit Your Questions! We would love your input on any specific questions and/or topics you'd like to make sure we cover during the meeting. Please click below to share your thoughts, or email Dena Porter directly if you prefer.

Submit Your Questions for the ASFS PTA Meeting (8/4/20)

Zoom Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87842276857?pwd=d1dsUEd4akpxbG1oMXlvbWRwZ1NkZz09

Meeting ID: 878 4227 6857
Passcode: 121078

Meeting materials and electronic voting information will be distributed ahead of time. Hope you can join us!

Support ASFS: Join the PTA & Volunteer to Help

Join the ASFS PTA: Show your support for our school and vote on all PTA matters. Membership is $10/individual or $20/family. It takes just a minute to join online, or mail your ASFS PTA Membership Form and payment (payable to ASFS PTA) to ASFS (1501 N Lincoln St Arlington, VA 22201).

Volunteer to Help: Given the unprecedented times we are facing, our PTA programs and events will look very different this year. Many events will remain uncertain as we see how the year progresses, and we will follow APS guidelines for parent volunteers based on health and safety precautions. That said, we are grateful for your help to 'go virtual' and think creatively about how to work together to make this year a success for our students and families.

Please click below to indicate your volunteer interests, knowing programs may be hosted virtually, be delayed, or even cancelled. Committee chairs and event leads will be in touch, and we appreciate your flexibility and willingness to help out.

Submit Your ASFS PTA Volunteer Form (2020-21

You may also download the ASFS PTA Volunteer Form (2020-21) to return to the ASFS front office, or mail to ASFS (1501 N Lincoln St Arlington, VA 22201).

Please reach out to Dena Porter with any questions. Thank you for your support!

ASFS School Supply Kits for 2020-21

You can still order your ASFS School Supply Kit(s) online through August 6th to be shipped to your home address before school begins. Given the uncertainty of plans for the return to school, it is your preference if you'd still like to order a kit or not.

Students who select the hybrid model will need their school supply kits when they return to school, or you may choose to purchase your own supplies separately to bring to ASFS when school opens. Here is the list of supplies by grade level: ASFS School Supply Lists (2020-21).

Parents can return School Supply Kits anytime before September 30th. Kits must be returned unopened and fully intact to receive a refund. If you choose to cancel your order, please visit EduKit’s website to submit your request.
For those who ordered School Supply Kits by July 6th, kits will be shipped to ASFS. With full-time distance learning for all students to start, we will coordinate the details for distribution to families before school begins, or offer the choice to store at ASFS if preferred.
For those who ordered after July 6th or would still like to place an order by August 6th, kits will be shipped to your home address. If you do choose to order online, consider adding a donation to provide school supplies to ASFS students in need.

Click to Order Your ASFS School Supply Kit(s) Online

Please contact ASFS PTA School Supplies Leads, Allison Horbaly and Mary Schmergel, with any questions. Thank you!

Summer ASFS Garden Volunteers Needed

Thanks to those who have been helping out with weeding our ASFS gardens this summer! We can still use more helpers to keep our grounds beautiful during these hot summer months!

Click below to sign up for a week at a time to weed the front gardens and raised garden beds by the trailers. Come anytime during your assigned week as it fits into your schedule! A great way to spend time outside and support our school, and all instructions and supplies will be provided. Please contact Stephanie Lin with any questions.

Click to Sign Up: ASFS Garden Volunteers

Calling Student Artists: National PTA Reflections Contest 2020

Get a jump on your National PTA Reflections Contest entries this summer! All ASFS students are invited to participated in one or all of the available arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts. The theme for the 2020-2021 program year is I Matter Because....

Click for more information: National PTA Reflections Program, and stay tuned for details this fall on submitting your entries at ASFS.

Help Earn Money for ASFS! Sign Up for Shopping Rewards Programs

Lindsey Englerth, VP Fundraising

Every time you -- or your friends and family -- buy something from Amazon Smile or the grocery store you could be earning money for ASFS!

Link your Amazon and Harris Teeter VIC accounts today. Amazon Smile is now available in the Amazon Mobile App! See instructions for linking ASFS on your mobile device.

Our school also earns a percentage of sales every time you dine or order out at Silver Diner with the Eat Well Do Well Rewards Program.

Box Tops is now digital. Please visit Safeway eBoxTops for Education to link your Safeway Card with the eBoxTop program.

Click below for more details, including steps to register:

Shop for ASFS

Baroody Camps Programs - Fall 2020

Unfortunately, ASFS will be unable to offer after-school enrichment this year due to the current challenges with health & safety precautions as well as space constraints. However, the good news is that Baroody is offering a variety of programs for students this fall. See below for more information, or contact Baroody Camps with any questions.

Baroody Camps is excited to offer our programs to you in the comfort and safety of your home! We will continue to provide a variety of programs for children of all ages and interests that encourage a child’s natural curiosity by introducing exciting ideas and activities. Some of the programs we have planned for the school year include: In-person small group camps, online learning assistance, homework help & tutoring, virtual day camps, and enrichment. Click below for more details:

Baroody Camps Fall 2020 Flyer

For additional information, visit www.baroodycamps.com, or email Baroody Camps.

Community Support for Arlington Families

Kristen Jeffreys, VP Community Service

WIth so many needs for Arlington families during this time, you can show your support by contributing to or volunteering for many programs across our community. Here are just a few of the many support efforts currently underway:

Provide Spanish books for Arlington students through the CCPTA Partnerships Book Drive for Spanish Books, in coordination with READ. READ will donate a book for every 5 books purchased!
Support the One More Page Books Donation Drive for Arlington Students to provide new books for Arlington students with your online donations. One More Page Books will contribute an additional 5 books for every $100 worth of books purchased.
From the CCPTA Partnerships Committee, take a look at How to Help School Support Efforts for Arlington Families to support the many efforts Arlington PTAs and schools have established to support our community during this time.
Volunteer Arlington Opportunities for Children, Youth and Families: Are you looking for opportunities to volunteer as a family? Volunteer Arlington is proud to partner with many organizations who work with volunteers of all ages!
Help Fill the Cruiser to Support AFAC: The Arlington County Police Department’s Community Resources Section is conducting a food drive in support of the AFAC through August 11th.

And remember, if you are looking for books for summer reading, you can stop by ASFS to pick up free books for students in the cabinet outside the front doors. We are still collecting book donations for Arlington students all summer long - see the list of book donation drop-off sites: Joint PTA Book Donation Drive Flyer. Thanks for your support!

APS News & Updates

Leigh Rex, VP External Affairs

By no means a comprehensive list, here are a few key APS initiatives relevant to ASFS families to make sure you follow in order to stay engaged over the coming year:

Some Useful Sites to Bookmark and Follow:

Return to School Planning: https://www.apsva.us/engage/planning-for-reopening-schools/
Elementary School Planning for 2021: https://www.apsva.us/engage/elementary-school-planning-for-2021/planning-for-school-moves-2021/
Arlington School Board Meetings: Watch the meetings live (or recorded), and review the agendas

Recent APS Initiatives:

Ways to Engage:

Email APS Engage at engage@apsva.us
Submit feedback via the APS Engage Online Form
Visit Arlington School Board members during open office hours
Sign up to speak at a School Board Meeting

Please send all eFF submissions to Puja Valiyil. All content will be subject to approval by ASFS administration and the ASFS PTA.