Originally delivered on 4/4/2022 8:23 pm

SUBJECT: April Dragon's Breath Newsletter

DuFief Elementary PTA Newsletter

Dragon's Breath

Important Dates

4/5 - PTA meeting

4/11 - Start of Read-a-thon

4/23 - School Beautification

4/29 - Illustrated Essay

5/2 - Staff Appreciation Week

5/6 - International Night

5/13 - Talent Show

In This Issue

April PTA Meeting

Save the Dates

PTA Volunteers

PTA Sponsored Events

Illustrated Essay

Kindergarten Registration

Before and After School Activities

Braggin Dragons

MoCo Virtual Tutoring

Parent Resources

HT/Amazon

MCPS Substitutes

Tuesday, April 5th is our next PTA meeting at 7:00 pm on Zoom.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7296235187?pwd=T0xMbkxxV3NySXB2TXU1Uk5vc1hhdz09

Meeting ID: 729 623 5187

Passcode: dragons

We'll be voting to amend the budget.

1. $1,500 - School Beautification project

2. $1,500 - Popcorn machine

PTA Volunteers Are Still Needed!

Talent Show, International Night, Dragon Fest

Committee volunteers are needed to help organize these events. Without volunteers, these events won't happen. Please email dufiefpta@gmail.com if you are interested in helping.

++++ PTA Sponsored Events! ++++

Save the Dates!

April 23rd - DuFief Beautification Day

May 6th - International Night

May 13th - Talent Show

Additional information will be sent in the near future.

Dufief Elementary School has decided to hold a Read-a-thon this year!

Read-a-thons actually get your reader excited about reading and it gives friends and family the opportunity to encourage your child to read even more.

Our Read-a-thon starts Sunday April 10, 2022 and runs through April 30th.

We encourage you to activate your reader’s account today by clicking on https://www.read-a-thon.com/readers/r/jDhJCx/1 and following the simple instructions. This is where you will be able to view and record their progress.

We've chosen Read-a-thon because it will not take much of your time, gives your child a reason to read and helps in the development of stronger reading skills. We encourage everyone to participate!

IMPORTANT YEARBOOK INFORMATION

All photos must be uploaded to the Entourage Link yearbook platform NO LATER THAN April 15th either through the Entourage Link mobile app or their website below.

Please note that only one category of photos can be uploaded to the appropriate folder at a time. You will not be able to select, for example, First Day of School photos and Board Game Night photos at the same time and put them in their respective folders. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 612-432-0101.

YEARBOOKS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ONLINE PURCHASE now through May 16th so don't delay - ORDER TODAY.

https://link.entourageyearbooks.com/my/Dufief2022

Illustrated Essay Challenge

Tentative Due Date: 4/29

Dining for DuFief at Paisano's Pizza

Thank you to the parents and DuFief staff for coming out to support the PTA, and Brandy Miller for organizing the event. We raised $400.

Science Fair

Thanks to Wendy Eldred, Cyber Acadamy for Kids, Quince Orchard Engineering and Robotics Club and Team Cooperation, KAST (Kids Are Scientists Too from Wootton High School), Wootton High School Science Bowl, Frost middle school volunteers, and all of you who made the Science Fair such a success. The presenters did an amazing job and turnout was great.

Braggin' Dragons

Click on the image and then zoom in to see the comments.

Kindergarten Registration

It's never too early to register your child for Kindergarten.

After School Activities at DuFief ES

Monday – Panda Programming (K-5, starts 3/21)

Tuesday – Big Learning Science (K-5, starts 4/19)

Shining Kids Yoga (2-5, 4/19)

Wednesday – MSA Soccer (K-5, starts 4/20)

Chess Club (K-5, starts 3/23) - FULL

Thursday - MSA Basketball (K-5, starts 4/21)

Change Agents Kids (K-5, starts 4/7)

Friday - Learn Music Now (K-5, starts 4/22)

Young Rembrandts (K-5, starts 4/22

Tutoring Services

Free MCPS student-led tutoring service

https://www.fvtutoring.com/

MoCo Virtual Tutoring Project:

https://sites.google.com/view/moco-virtual-tutoring/home

Check out Montgomery County Virtual Tutoring Project. They are a vibrant student-led tutoring platform that runs free virtual tutoring sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays. They started during the pandemic and has supported hundreds of MCPS students. All tutors are MCPS students who earn SSL hours for their services.

The MoCo Virtual Tutoring Project cannot run without teacher supervisors on each call. We are always looking for new supervisors! If you are an MCPS staff member, please consider signing up for a few dates using the SignUp Genius here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4fa4ad23a1f5c34-october

Parent Resources

Montgomery County Public Schools Parent Academy

Strong Parents-Strong Children/Padres Fuertes-Hijos Fuerte:

This parenting group will provide information about the psychological impact of trauma and stress on you and your child’s brain and body. In this group, you will:

• Learn about common emotional reactions to stress and trauma, and learn strategies to help reduce stress.

• Learn new parenting strategies to help better support your child’s emotional well-being. • Get support from other parents with similar experiences.

Brochure

To Register: https://forms.gle/GtaT82UTv8X6dneF6

Free and open to all, even though it names a specific school in the brochure.

Maryland 529

The Save4College State Contribution Program gives your child the freedom to unlock their future. You could be eligible for a $250 or $500 State contribution. It’s easy to apply to the 2022 Program with the online application. The 2022 application period is now open until 11:59 p.m. on May 31.

https://maryland529.com/Save4College

Amazon Charity Fundraiser

AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support DuFief PTA every time you shop, at no cost to you. So far this year, we have raised $340.51.

https://smile.amazon.com/ch/52-1085685

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/about

Harris Teeter Fundraiser

It's time to link your Harris Teeter VIC card to start earning $$ for DuFief. VIC cards can be linked to up to 5 schools, but you must sign up each year.

So far, 21 families have registered with the Harris Teeter's Together in Education (TIE) program and raised $72.73 for the school. Our goal is $350. Please sign up today!

Last year 20 families earned $315.69 for DuFief just by linking their VIC card and shopping at Harris Teeter.

Let Harris Teeter know that you appreciate their Together in Education program that supports local schools. This is the only local grocery store chain in the area that still donates a portion of sales to local schools.