The MVES PTO wishes you happy holidays!  Please have a safe and wonderful winter break and we’ll see you in 2011.

Wednesday, Dec. 22nd:  1/2 Day of School, 12:30 Dismissal

Thursday, Dec. 23rd – Sunday, Jan. 2nd:  No School, Winter Break

Monday, Jan. 3rd:  Back to School

Wednesday, Jan. 5th: COUGAR BANK OPEN!

Friday, Jan. 7:  POPCORN FRIDAY!

Welcome Principal Barton!

The PTO warmly welcomes our new principal Ms. Barton!  We’ve worked closely with you as assistant principal at MVES and look forward to working together in your new role as Principal to keep MVES the best elementary school in the county.  Congratulations!

Best Wishes Mrs. Fisher!

We’ve enjoyed working with you and will definitely miss you.  Linton Hall is lucky to have you .  Congratulations on your new adventure!

What an exciting new school year!  So many activities, so much fun, and even more to come.  Here’s what your PTO accomplished in October and November:

• Membership Drive: The MVES PTO is so successful because of the support from teachers and parents.  We’re proud to announce that 100% of the teachers at MVES have JUMPED IN! and joined the PTO.  Thank you to all of the MVES families that have JUMPED IN!, too! We have a solid business plan for this school year and we need your support make it happen.  Not a member yet? Click here to join. (please note that the TV raffle already took place at December BINGO)

• PTO Membership Directory: We’ve gone green!  The PTO Membership Directory is only available online for download.  You must click here to go to the PTO Directory, it is not a page that can be found by looking around on the website.

• Volunteer Drive: We’ve also jumped in to the technology age and invested in a volunteer database system that helps the PTO better communicate the need for volunteers.  After a little trial and error, we now have a system that’s getting rave reviews from our members.  The PTO Manager system will send out a call for volunteers for events, allow the PTO to communicate with the event volunteers quickly and easily, and then send volunteers a reminder right before the event.  If you’re not getting the request for volunteers, please click here to download the Volunteer Form.

• Fall Fundraiser Drive: Even in this tough economy, the MVES Families stepped up and took part in the Fall Fundraising Drive!  The PTO tries to avoid traditional fundraisers and door-to-door sales, but must bring in money to support educational initiatives at MVES as well as the fun programs and events we all love. This year we’re diverting all extra funds raised to support the new MVES Computer Lab.  Your generous contributions have brought in about $7,000!  Could it have been the 42″ Flat Screen TV that sparked your interest?  If you would like to make a donation to the PTO before the end of 2010 for an additional tax deduction, please click here for the Donation Form. (please note the TV raffle already took place at December BINGO)

• MVES Tailgate and Flag Football Game: What a COUGARRIFIC day of football, food and fun! The PTO raised over $1,000 to help sponsor MVES programs as well as purchase computers for the new MVES computer lab. A successful kick-off to the new school year! A huge THANK YOU goes out to the MVES Staff players and cheerleaders, PTO volunteers, our sponsor Harris Teeter, our Battlefield High School volunteer refs, the PTO Bakers, the Girl Scouts Junior Troup 5340, Piedmont Tire & Auto, Z Pizza, and Sign O Ramma.

• Principal’s Coffee: The PTO assisted in spreading the word and volunteering for this new event specifically for new and kindergarten families at MVES.  Mrs. Fisher and Ms. Barton had a casual coffee with families and answered questions regarding what’s available at MVES, our goals and initiatives, changes in programs, and how our children can continue to grow as life-long learners.

• Diabetes Walk: Led by MVES school nurse Ms. Swingle, the PTO assisted in sending out a call for volunteers to help with this important event to raise money for diabetes.  Thank you PTO volunteers for jumping in to help!

• MVES Library Book Fair: We put our new volunteer system to work!  The Book Fair is run by our fabulous librarians Ms. Scott and Ms. Crist.  The PTO helped recruit volunteers through the database and recruited extra volunteers to help out with this important event.

• Corn Maze: Back by popular demand!  The Corn Maze is fun for all ages.  The cold weather couldn’t stop us from toasting s’mores, tackling the slides and getting lost and found in the corn maze.

• Family Movie Night: What a terrific new event!  We all watched the family favorite Toy Story 3 picnic style. Sponsored by Virginia Commerce Bank, also the sponsor of the Cougar Bank, Family Movie Night was a huge success.  If you don’t already have a Cougar Bank account, click here to download the request form and start saving today!

• Box Tops Free Money Collection: The PTO Free Money Committee organized a competition for the classes that brought in the most Box Tops.  We were able to bring in over $800 in FREE MONEY.  The winning classes received free ice cream from our sponsor Harris Teeter. Thanks for all your clipping and keep saving!  Another competition will be announced soon.

• Jewelry Party: To help raise funds for the new computer lab, MVES 5th Grade Teacher Janessa Stancato offered the PTO a fabulous opportunity to host a Premier Designs Jewelry Party. Janessa donated all of her time and profits to this important cause.  We brought in over $1,500 plus lots of jewelry for future raffles and auctions…and we’ll all be sparkling this holiday season!

• Family Science Night: The PTO assisted the MVES Teacher Science Committee in recruiting volunteers and marketing Family Science Night.  The FREE family night was full of fun experiments for the kids – all teacher directed.  Thank you, teachers, for this great enrichment activity!

• Junior Jazzercise: Also brought back by popular demand,  Junior Jazzercise is led by MVES parent Lori George and is fun for all!

• Buffalo Wild Wings and UNO’s Cougar Spirit Nights: It’s fun to get out with friends and enjoy a night of someone else cooking…and doing the dishes!  Thanks for showing your Cougar Spirit and attending these yummy nights out.

• Popcorn Friday: An all-time favorite!  The PTO volunteers fill the halls with the smell of popcorn the first Friday of every month.  Don’t forget your quarter for this tasty treat!

Thank YOU For Jumping In!

HELP DONATE $500 TO THE MVES PTO!

Are you considering buying a new home or selling your current home?  Please consider supporting one of our sponsors, HowellSolutions for Real Estate. MVES Parent Chris Howell of RE/MAX Olympic Realty will donate $500 in your name to the MVES PTO if you buy or a sell a home using HowellSolutions.

HowellSolutions is a sponsor of the PTO, recently sponsoring all of the fun prizes and raffles at the December BINGO.

Please direct inquiries regarding this new program to Chris Howell at (703) 341-9605. www.HowellSolutions.com.

Don’t forget that Mountain View’s Cougar Bank, brought to you through a business partnership with Virginia Commerce Bank, is open every Wednesday morning from 9:10 – 9:40 a.m. Help your child remember to bring a deposit to school every Wednesday. It’s a great way to make saving a habit! Plus, your child will earn fun prizes, take advantage of a great savings rate, and get their name into our monthly drawing each time they make a deposit! Students must have a Virginia Commerce Bank BEES Savings Account to make deposits in The Cougar Bank. To open an account, your student can stop by The Cougar Bank any Wednesday morning to pickup a new account packet or send in an Account Request Form.

We Make Saving Fun!

Starring the 3rd and 4th Grade Teams!

Join us for a fun and yummy MVES Cougar Spirit Night out at Glory Days Grill. Glory Days will contribute 10% of the food sales back to MVES.  You’ll be saving yourself cooking and cleaning while having fun and supporting MVES!

DATE:      Thursday, December 9, 2010

TIME:      5:00  – 9:00  PM

LOCATION:    Glory Days Grill of Gainesville

Glory Days Grill contributes 10% of food purchases to MVES on Dine In or Take Out orders.

BE SURE TO:

1. Ask your server for a copy of your guest check (not credit card receipt)
2. Give the copy of the guest check to Michelle Gonzalez at the restaurant

Click here for the Glory Days Grill Flyer.

***Not combinable with any other promotions, offers or discounts.  This 10% donation cannot apply to sales tax, alcoholic beverages, or to any guest check that receives any other type of discount, coupon, offer or promotion.  See Fundraiser Rules for full details.***

It’s family night! Bring the whole gang out for BINGO at MVES. Doors open at 6 PM—a perfect time to grab a slice and settle in for the excitement. We’ll have spirit wear on sale and take your chance on one of our fabulous raffles — Premiere Designs Jewelry, 50/50 cash raffle or $25 restaurant gift card. BINGO starts promptly at 6:30.  Every round has a prize winner, courtesy of our sponsor HowellSolutions!

Special Events

• 42” TV Raffle Announced!
• Mrs. Fisher’s final PTO event as MVES Principal!
• Guest Starring Mr. Lombardi!
• MVES Cougar Mascot on the Prowl!

Enjoy a slice of pizza from Z Pizza!

Concessions for sale courtesy of our sponsor Harris Teeter:

• Hotdogs
• Popcorn, Chips
• Water, Gatorade, Lemonade, Iced Tea
• Rice Krispy Treats, Fruit Snacks
• And more!

Come on out with good friends, great prizes, delicious food and an exciting game of BINGO!

Date: Friday, December 3rd

Time: Doors open at 6 PM. Game starts at 6:30 PM.

Location: MVES Gym

Guest starring the 2nd Grade and Encore Teams!

Let’s raise some dough for MVES!  Our Cougar Spirit Night this month is at UNO Chicago Grill in Atlas Walk.  There is no specific time – come for lunch AND dinner. The 2nd Grade and Encore Teams will be there having fun!

Can’t make it? Then ORDER DELIVERY! This dough raiser applies to delivery, take out or dine in, but you MUST present the flyer. The flyer will be sent home with all MVES students, but you can also click here.

Please pass this email along to all your local family and friends.

MVES receives 15% on sales under $1,000 and 20% on everything over $1,000.  Talk about some serious dough!

Come out for MVES Cougar Spirit Night

Date: Tuesday, November 23rd

Time: All day – the Dough Raiser applies to delivery, take out or dine in

Location: UNO Chicago Grill, Atlas Walk in Gainesville

**PLEASE PRESENT FLYER FOR MVES TO RECEIVE CREDIT**

Come out Friday night for a FREE Family Movie Night featuring Toy Story 3! Sponsored by Virginia Commerce Bank, Family Movie Night is the perfect, most affordable family night out.

The PTO will be selling hot dogs ($1), popcorn ($1), movie candy ($1), lemonade/iced tea/water bottles ($1), chips ($.50) and juice boxes ($.50) with our concessions sponsor Harris Teeter. We’ll have exciting raffles including a Build-A-Buzz Lego set, movie basket, 50/50 raffle and Premiere Designs jewelry ($1 a ticket). The MVES Cougar Mascot will also be out on the prowl!

Don’t forget to open your Cougar Bank Account while you’re there! The Cougar Bank, sponsored by Virginia Commerce Bank, encourages students to learn about savings with fun incentives…not to mention the 3% return on their investment that will surely boost their college (or car) savings!

Toy Story 3 welcomes Woody, Buzz and the whole gang back to the big screen as Andy prepares to depart for college and his loyal toys find themselves in daycare! These untamed tots with their sticky little fingers do not play nice, so it’s all for one and one for all as plans for the great escape get underway. A few new faces-some plastic, some plush-join the adventure, including iconic swinging bachelor and Barbie’s counterpart Ken, a thespian hedgehog named Mr. Pricklepants and a pink, strawberry-scented teddy bear called Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear.

We’ll see you at the movies!

Date: Friday, Nov. 12th

Location: MVES Gym

Doors Open at 6:30 PM.

Movie Starts at 7:00 PM.

Bring a blanket for picnic-style fun. No chairs permitted for safety.

You have been selected for a TOP SECRET MISSION. If you choose to accept it, you may permanently become a MAD SCIENTIST.

The Teachers at MVES have created science experiments that even the sharpest minds in the country can’t replicate. As an undercover secret agent, your job is to solve the science behind each experiment. You are the best of the best, but be careful. These Teachers are known to be tricky.

Be sure to bring along all of your classmates! The class with the most scientists will receive potentially explosive Root Beer Floats.

Destination:

Family Science Night
Location: MVES Gym
Date: Thursday, Nov. 18
Time: 6:30—7:30 PM

B there or B2

There is no charge to attend and participate in this event.

Volunteer! If you can help with this night, please email the MVES PTO.