Teachers seeking plants for Learning Courtyard Gardens

Now that the danger of frost is passing, teachers and students in primary grades will begin digging in their plots in the Learning Courtyard Gardens. Over the years the PTO has bought hand tools, peat moss and other basics to get this project off the ground. Each garden is given a budget of $50 by the PTO to purchase some plants, but donations of plants from local gardens will be welcomed. For example, Mrs. Christopher is seeking perennial and annual herbs, both culinary and medicinal. Mr. Busse's Fish Garden needs annuals and perennials that are in the blue/purple color range. Mr. Horn's class seeks native CT plants. A wide range of annuals would be appreciated, especially those that blossom now through June, or that will be in bloom in late August or fall when the students return. If you have items to offer, including spare rakes or tools, please contact Margaret Chatey at 429-0464. Volunteers who can work with small groups of students during the school day, even an hour a week,through the end of the year are also needed.

Visit the PTO Book Fair and Theme Basket Raffle May 7 through 10 in the Library

It's time to stock up on summer reading at the PTO's Spring Book Fair. The Book Fair will be held in the Library Monday, May 7 from 8:30 to 3, Tuesday, May 8 and Wednesday 9 from 8:30 to 6:30, and Thursday May 10 until noon. As always, books for folks of all ages are available, with all the profits from the fair going directly back to the Ashford School library and reading programs, plus a free book for Ashford School students (through Grade 6) on their birthday!

This year the Book Fair also shares space with the Theme Basket Raffle. For just $1.00 per chance, folks can take a chance to win one of the more than 20 baskets prepared by classrooms and friends here at Ashford School. Lucky winners will be drawn Thursday at noon and announced in school that afternoon. All proceeds from the Theme Baskets will be combined with the Teachers' Variety Show ticket take to fund additional improvements to the stage and/or gymnasium areas. Thanks for supporting our efforts!

Boxtops for Education yields $1,082.92 this school year.

The Ashford PTO has collected $1,082.92 in "free money" off of packaging from the BIG G Boxtops for Education program this year. With the support of parents, students and members of the community the boxtops are clipped, collected at school and the Town Hall, and sent in. The result? Some of the proceeds in the Fall bought new soccer nets for the primary playground, for example. More than $1,000 is nothing to sneeze at! Keep collecting these coupons all through the summer--another batch gets mailed in next October. And ask your friends and co-workers to collect for us as well.

Spring Jamboree 2008 Planning is Under Way.

Monday, May 14 at 2:00 will be the kickoff meeting for the return of the popular PTO Spring Jamboree next year. The Jamboree, typically held every other year, is tentatively planned for Saturday, April 28. It's a day of games, entertainment, food, silent auction, prizes, theme baskets and demonstrations for Ashford folks of all ages to enjoy. The PTO has raised between $5,000 and $13,000 on this single day to fund significant items like the playground playsets and the lighting and curtain for the stage. Many volunteers are needed to coordinate and run the events that day--it's a great way for students, parents, teachers and others in the community to experience pride in Ashford School. Other community groups like the Recreation Commission, Babcock Library, Boy Scouts and Ashford Volunteer Fire Department have also participated with this event in past years, as well.

Our goal is to find chairpersons for the SJ committees before summer so we have a full year to prepare and sign on friends for helpers. We're looking for folks to head up Safety Demonstration Coordination, Food, Entertainment, Prizes, Silent Auction, Cake Walk, Ticket Booth, plus more. Volunteers Ginger Lusa, Tammy Sperry, Lisa Hassett, Deb Robinshaw, Nancy Freeman and Beth Supina have already agreed to repeat in their key roles. Please contact Lisa Hassett at 429-3853 if you'd like more information.

June PTO Meeting open to Brainstorming and Election of Officers for 07/08

If you're interested in becoming involved with PTO more next year, please make a point to join us on Monday, June 4, the final PTO meeting of this year. After a brief business meeting, we will review highlights and conduct a brainstorming of direction and ideas for 2007/08.

Officers will be elected, as well. Nominations as presented by Nominating Committee members Barbara Renna and Tracy Maheu include:
Margaret Chatey, President (second term)
Sue Sherman, Vice President, Fundraising (second term)
(Open ), Vice President, Membership (held by Fiona Albert for two terms)
Lisa Hassett, Corresponding Secretary (second term)
Vickie Weidig, Recording Secretary
Cathy Ference, Treasurer (second term)

Nominations from the floor for all positions will be accepted prior to the vote. If you have interest in serving, please contact tmaheu1@sbcglobal.net. The meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the Ashford School Library.

Place orders by March 9 for Butter Braid Fundraiser to help our Ashford friends.

At the February meeting the PTO voted to donate the proceeds from its upcoming Butter Braid fundraiser to the James family whose house was destroyed in a fire this winter. With generous support from MCM Fundraising in Broad Brook, CT, we distributed flyers to the entire town of Ashford to optimize support for this great cause. Please turn in your forms by Friday, March 9.
Pickup time for ordered items is Thursday, March 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. If you can't arrange to pick up food then, please make special arrangements with Sue at 429-1318.

GO WOLVES! Support the PAW-sta Supper March 9

Ashford School is a proud pack of Wolves! To kick off the Positive Behavior Support initiative, the PBS team is holding a PAW-sta supper on Friday, March 9 from 5-6:30 p.m. Please reserve your meal of pasta, salad, roll and beverage by Monday, March 5. All proceeds will fund the PBS program as it rolls out--articulating expectations to Ashford students on Respect and Responsibility in our proud pack. Call the main office at 429-6419 to reserve your seats (take-out also available.)

Cultural Arts Chairman needed for 2007-08

The Cultural Arts Committee of the Ashford PTO receives a $4,000 budget to bring arts assemblies and other special cultural experiences to students of Ashford School. Planning and scheduling for these events starts way in advance. Chairman Susan Eastwood will not be continuing as Chair next year, and is seeking individuals willing to take on responsibility for this important role. The Chair sources acts and artists with input from teachers, works with the administration to schedule events, and manages the budget to be sure all grade levels benefit from age-appropriate performances. If you are interested in the arts, please step forward and benefit from Susan's on-the-job training this Spring. You do not need to be available during the school day to take on the Chairman position--other parent volunteers are available to host visiting groups.

Father-Daughter Dance for Pre-K to 5th Graders on March 24

The young princesses of Ashford School in grades Pre-K to 5 and their royal paternal escorts are invited to a special dance on Saturday, March 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. Dance to the D.J. WOW!, enjoy some refreshments and have a great time! Tickets are just $5.00 per person, and will go on sale the week of March 5. Have a special photograph taken in the archway of flowers to commemorate the special evening. (Volunteers not attending that evening who are willing to help with decorating at 3 p.m. and last-minute set-up please contact Chairman Lisa Garvey.)
Thank you for supporting the PTO's first-ever Father-Daughter dance! Enjoy!

Learn about Positive Behavior Program at March PTO meeting

PTO meetings are very informative, and we hope you can join us. The next meeting is Monday, February 5 in the school library at 7 p.m. On Monday, March 5 the PTO will host a presentation on PBIS--a program to teach and reinforce Positive Behavior at Ashford School at the beginning of the 7 p.m. meeting. Childcare is provided.

Big G Boxtops Mean Cash

Keep saving those Big G Boxtops for Education! The PTO will receive $765 in the Spring for what we turned in last October. Another push is on to turn in an even bigger block of boxtops this Spring. Please ask your friends and loved ones to save them for Ashford School. Send clipped boxtops to school with your child, or drop them in the box in the office or at the Town Clerk's office.

Cultural Arts Brings in Poetry!

The Cultural Arts Committee of the PTO hosted an assembly on January 4 for students in Grade 3-6 called "Poetry in Motion" with David Zucker. Zucker is a nationally-recognized artist, and was awarded National Young Audiences' Artist of the Year. He performed poetry with dramatic flair, props and considerable help from his Ashford audience. When you support the PTO's Fall Fundraiser, you're bringing opportunities like this to our students. Thank you! And we sincerely appreciate the PTO's Cultural Arts Chairman Susan Eastwood for coordinating all these wonderful assemblies.

Bookfair Successful!

Another successful bookfair in November! The PTO grossed $8,000 in sales in just two days, and $2,300 in profit-- all of which goes directly to books and programs supporting of reading and literacy! Watch for the Spring bookfair in early May.

2006-2007 Ashford PTO Officers

Co-Presidents:
Laura Lankford - 429-0231
Margaret Chatey - 429-0464
Vice Presidents:
Fundraising - Sue Sherman 429-1318
Membership - Fiona Albert 429-1652
Treasurer:
Cathy Ference - 429-9822
Recording Secretary:
Stephanie Boutot - 487-5735
Corresponding Secretary:
Lisa Hassett - 429-3853

PTO Meeting Dates: 2006-07

(typically the first Monday)
7:00 p.m. in Ashford School Library

Wednesday, September 6, 2006 (Welcome meeting)
Monday, October 2 (Learn about our PTO In Action)
Monday, November 6
Monday, December 4
Monday, January 8, 2006
Monday, February 5
Monday, March 5
Monday, April 2 (Appoint nominating committee)
Monday, May 7
Monday, June 4 (Election of ‘07/08 officers)

Calendar of Events: 2006-07

September 6
• First PTO Meeting/Adopt Budget
September 11 & 12
• Open Houses (Sign up for membership, Purchase Ice Cream Social Tickets)
September 15 - October 2
• Fall Fundraiser
September 22
• PTO Ice Cream Social Friday,
October 2
• Get to know the PTO in Action
October 27
• Halloween Party (with Babcock Library and APRC)
November 20&21
• Fall Book Fair

November 20
• Conference Week Kickoff Luncheon for Teachers
Winter TBA
• PTO Father-Daughter Dance