Originally delivered on 2/22/2023 8:01 am

SUBJECT: February Dragon's Breath Newsletter

Dragon's Breath Newsletter
February 21, 2023
Important Dates

2/28 - Skate Night and Dining for DuFief at Rockville Town Center

3/7 - PTA Meeting with Guest Speaker

3/9 - Science Fair

3/30 - Career Day

3/21 - Dining for DuFief at Dogfish Head Alehouse

4/22 - School Beautification Day


Tuesday, March 7th 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


Guest Speaker: Ms. Jevay Thompson will be sharing the Leader in Me model with our parent community.


We're also planning to bring up a vote to amend the budget.

Are you interesting in serving on the PTA Board next year?

If so, please email Dan: dufiefpta@gmail.com

The Board needs a new President, Vice President of Educational Programs, 

Vice President of Social Events, Vice President of Community Events, and Treasurer.  

DuFief Science Fair 2022-2023

Thursday, March 9th, 2023

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Location: Gymnasium


Are you interested in sharing an experiment, demonstration, or research? If so, please consider signing up for the DuFief Science Fair. For more information, please visit the links below.

Link to Sign up:

https://forms.gle/7TbRnYM9tkzeg37z6

Link for information:

https://sites.google.com/view/dufief-science-fair-2022/home


To Kris Giese and Chinita Sinkler for organizing events to celebrate Black History Month, including a presentation by Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department.  In case you missed it, read the update from The Moco Show!

To all of the room parents and volunteers, who helped organize great Valentine's Day parties for our kids and to all of those who sent in contributions.  We appreciate you!

To the volunteers who helped with Lunar New Year decorations.

To Maitreyee Khankhoje and to all of the families that showcased their cultures at International Night, back in January!  It was great to bring back a very fun event and learn new things about friends in our community.

To Mrs. Eliason, Mrs. Veizis, and Andrea Amato for organizing Book Fair Week.  

To the Sunshine Committee and 3rd grade parents for organizing the Souper Bowl staff appreciation luncheon.

To Heather Hamilton for volunteering to be the After School Activities Coordinator.

To Mrs. Pape, Gabi Young, and Sharie Haugabook for organizing Ability Awareness Week!  Students enjoyed Cody Michael Jones' story.

To Catherine Williams, who does an amazing job updating our PTA calendar in the building.  They always look great!  

Once again to Mrs. Eliason, for organzing an Author's Visit from local author and MCPS teacher, Jonathan Roth!


 This is your monthly reminder to upload photos for the yearbook, including any taken during the Valentine's Day parties! THE DEADLINE FOR UPLOADING PHOTOS OF YOUR CHILD(REN) IS APRIL 15TH. After that date, the upload feature will be locked and additional photos will not be accepted.

Please visit Entourage Yearbooks' website, listed below, to upload photos OR download the Entourage Link app to your smartphone (it's so much easier, just be sure to only select one category of photos at a time for upload; you can't upload First Day of School AND Valentine's Day, etc. photos at once, you must do them by event). Call the yearbook chair, Betty Ball, if you have questions at 612-432-0101.

PLEASE NOTE: If you're uploading via the website, it will only work from a computer with Chrome. If you're using your phone, you must use the app. If you try to upload photos via a Chrome app on your smartphone, it just won't work.


Finally, we need a yearbook volunteer for grades Kindergarten and 3rd. Some computer skills required. It's about a 5 hour commitment, give or take, from home at your own pace between now and May 1st.


https://link.entourageyearbooks.com/find_school.asp

WHAT: Girls on the Run is a transformational physical activity based positive youth development program.  We teach life skills through dynamic, interactive lessons and running games.  The goal of the program is to unleash confidence through accomplishment while establishing a lifetime appreciation of health and fitness.  Completing a 5K on May 20nd, 2023, gives them a tangible opportunity to apply all that they have learned.

WHO: The program is open to girls in 3rd – 5th Grade

WHERE:  Tuesday and Friday 7:30am to 8:50 am (first bell), Drop off at “kiss & ride” blacktop.

WHEN: The team will meet twice per week for 10 weeks, starting the week of March 12th to May. 20thth.

COST:

$187.50 – Standard fee

$120 – Coach/Daughter registration

$100 – Families that qualify for reduced meals through MCPS FARMS Program

$20 – Families that qualify for free meals through the MCPS FARMS Program and/or have a household income under $40K

** Full Financial assistance is available for families experience financial hardships**

REGISTER: Program Details - 3rd - 5th Grade | GOTR Montgomery County Maryland (girlsontherunofmoco.org)  - Don’t wait sign up TODAY!

Questions:  Please visit www.girlsontherunofmoco.org (or) email Coach Cathy at cathysmailliw@gmail.com

Valentina's family recently posted an update on her journey:  https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-valen-beat-the-c-word.

Meal train volunteer info for the Solarte family can be found here: https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/08y0d3

Membership

The DuFief ES PTA is an integral part of the school. We are a non-profit volunteer organization which serves to support the students, teachers, and staff at DuFief Elementary School.

I would like to encourage you to join our PTA. Joining the PTA does not mean you have to volunteer or serve as a board member.  This allows you the opportunity to participate in the decisions that impacts your child's education.


Click here to join: https://dufiefpta.membershiptoolkit.com/home

Directions for joining: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M6WsNC_Us6PfzHfLKHpHTy50iw33CXy2/view 


Currently, we have 57 out of 198 families and 20 staff members who joined or renewed their membership this school year.

Dragon Swag

These two spiritwear shirt designs can be found on our membership website: https://dufiefpta.membershiptoolkit.com/store/9813

MCPS - Free, On-Demand Online/Virtual Tutoring Available for All Students, K-12

 https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/tutoring.aspx

Seasonal Roots

Welcome DuFief Elementary School! Scroll down to join for just $25 + earn a $20 donation for DuFief ES students

Website: https://www.seasonalroots.com/DuFief/

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

Last school year, 22 families earned $217.91 for DuFief just by linking their VIC card and shopping at Harris Teeter. 

Everything DuFief...
Parent Resources
Contact Your Board

President Dan Kaiser - dufiefpta@gmail.com

VP Ed. Programs Wendy Eldred - dufiefscience@gmail.com

VP Comm. - Open

VP Social Events - Open

Secretary Kristinza Giese- kristinza23@gmail.com

Treasurer Jean Wang - jeanwang.pta@gmail.com

Social Media Brandy Miller - brandymiller.pta@gmail.com

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