October 2023 Newsletter

We hope you've had a smooth and successful start to your year here at Brown School! The PTA is a volunteer organization led by Brown School parents in coordination with teachers and staff. We raise funds for student trips and activities, hold community events, and coordinate teacher appreciation efforts. Everything we do relies on community involvement, so thank you for being here!

The PTA kicks off each year with two important community-building initiatives. We provided snacks on the playground to the kindergarteners during their meet n greet so they could spend time with their new classmates and families. We also launched the 23-24 PTA Student Directory which you still have time to complete, below.

This is our first online newsletter as we strive to make communication with the community as seamless and accessible as possible. There's a lot of information here, but most of it will stay the same month to month. You'll find time sensitive items right at the top in "What's Happening Now," so let's check it out!

When: Thursday October 5, 6-7pm

Where: Brown School Gym

Please join us for our free community event in the Brown School gym, the annual Ice Cream Social! We will have guest scoopers from our staff, the local library, parks department, city council, and fire department. Come for ice cream sundaes, fun on the playground, and socializing with Brown School families and staff. We can't wait to see you!

This event would not be possible without the generous donation of time and supplies from families and staff. Please see donation and volunteer opportunities at the link below.

When: Thursday, October 12th drop-off

Where: The main office

Several times a year we show our gratitude to our staff by providing them with a meal. On Friday 13th we'll be having a breakfast for staff in the Art Room. Please drop off contributions to the office anytime on Thursday the 12th, or the morning of the 13th before 8:15. Please sign up below!

If you would like your student included in the 2023-2024 directory, be sure to complete the form at the link below. The directory is optional, it enables families to connect -- think sports, birthdays, play dates.

Kindergarten families: Please choose either teacher, we'll be organizing the directory by grade!

The deadline to complete the form is October 15th. The Directory will be distributed via email shortly after the deadline and paper copies will be made available in classrooms as needed.

We're big fans of easy labelling of kids gear. We partner with Mabel's Labels so 20% of sales from their website --stick-on labels, water bottle bands, clothing stamps, medical alert tags, and more-- come right back to our school community. Never lose another water bottle, mitten, or sweatshirt! Click the link below and search Brown School PTA. The lost and found bin will thank you.

Fundraise for Brown School with your returnables! Fill our CLYNK bags with bottles & cans, bring to the CLYNK drop-off at any Hannaford, and that money comes back to our school community.

Email us at ptabrownschool@gmail.com to request bags in increments of 5, or write a note to the main office. Paper forms will go out twice a year in student's backpacks. Please include your student’s name and teacher and we will send the bags home with your student. Be sure to put the white sticker on the bag, and feel free to share bags with your family and friends!

We accept donations in any amount to contribute to our goals: funding classroom trips, activities, and supplies; community events; and teacher appreciation. We accept checks to "Brown School PTA" dropped off at the main office, or contributions via Venmo @BrownSchool-PTA.

We rely on our amazing volunteers from families and the community to pull off all our events and activities. Add your contact info to receive newsletters directly as well as notices about being part of the effort!

When: Wednesday October 11, 6:30pm

Where: Virtual/Zoom

Agenda Items:

• Budget Proposal
  
• Amazon Wishlist for classrooms
  
• Brown Bear Wear
  
• November teacher appreciation/conferences
• Nonesuch books fundraiser
• New fundraiser ideas

If you want to volunteer in the school, please complete a one minute "Volunteer Application" online and a 30-minute training/assessment which can be done both in person or online. Best to get it done early in the year so you can participate at a moment's notice. The next training is at Skillin on September 28, more options are available at the link below. Get trained and cleared in time to help at the Ice Cream Social!

We are currently seeking volunteers to pack bags from the Locker Closet, and inventory our winter snow boot and winter gear donations. Any help is appreciated! Please reach out to our Guidance Counsellor Beth at dolleybe@spsdme.org with questions/availability.

Follow us on Facebook for updates and conversations.

October

October 5, 6-7pm - Ice cream Social

October 11, 6:30pm - Virtual PTA Meeting

October 13, 8am Teacher Appreciation Breakfast drop-off

October 15 - Student Directory submissions deadline

Brown Bear Wear goes live

November

November 1 - Teacher's coffee and bagels after Halloween night

November 8, 6:30pm - Virtual PTA Meeting

TBD November Parent Teacher Conferences - Teacher's Dinner

November 15 & 16, 3-6pm Nonesuch Books Fundraiser

Other Important Dates

December 13, 6pm Virtual PTA Meeting

February 3rd, 8-10am Valentine's Community Breakfast in the Cafeteria

February 25th, 1pm Brown School Day at the Maine Celtics

View the annual PTA calendar here.