Important Dates & Events
Check Back Frequently for Updates!
PTO General Meeting
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
7:30 pm ***NOTE different time!***
VDV Media Center
51 Union Ave, Somerville
We will be voting for the executive board at this May meeting. In order to vote, you must be a paid member and have attended 2 meetings (this one counts.)
Please attend, in-person or virtual, for this very important meeting to next year's PTO!!
This will be the last meeting of the year! We wil not have a June meeting.
*Virtual option:
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://bit.ly/VillePS8PTO
Or dial: (US) +1 386-603-3491 PIN: 621 732 221#
Please join us to discuss End of Year events and Elections!
WE WILL BE HOLDING ELECTIONS AT THIS MEETING!!
You must have attended 2 meetings by the election to run for a position.
The meeting agenda and minutes be found on our website (where you can also pay your dues!)
Please review last minutes and bring any questions!
Childcare provided by Right At School will be available at the meeting!
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
*If joining the Google Meet, please see ground rules.
Latino Family Advisory Board
End of Year Celebration
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
6:00 - 7:30 pm
Latino Family Advisory Board Presents:
End of Year Celebration
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
6:00 - 7:30pm
At Van Derveer Elementary School
Come celebrate with us!
VDV Health Fair
Saturday, May 21, 10am-1pm
The Van Derveer School Nurses are holding a Health Fair on Saturday, May 21st!
We need a few volunteers to sit at a PTO table for 1 hour shifts.
Please sign up for a shift here!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084eafae2fa0f85-vanderveer
Contact: acornyn@somervilleschools.org
VDV Field Day
Friday, May 27, 2022
Field Day will be held at both VDV and SMS on Friday, May 27th, which is also a half day for all!
Volunteer for the water tent, handing out ice pops and running games!
A sign up will be shared for volunteers at both schools.
On Friday, 5/27 VDV students will participate in our annual Field Day! The PTO in conjunction with the VDV Field Day committee are seeking parent/guardian volunteers to support our efforts ensuring that this a fantastic experience for our kids. We are looking for 30-40 volunteers (first-come first-serve basis) to help assist throughout the half day at a variety of stations, including ice-pops, water, and games.
The hours of field day will be 8:45am until 1pm dismissal.
Thank you in advance for all the help!
PTO General Meetings
3rd Wed of each month, 7pm
September 29th
October 20th
November 17th
January 19th
February 16th
March 16th
April 20th
May 18th
June 8th
2021-2022 Plans
Help us plan our goals!
September
● Chalk the Walk
● Back to School Night - VDV
● Back to School Night - SMS
● Spiritwear
October
● Fall fundraiser
● Trunk -or-Treat
November
December
● Holiday Shop
January
● Day of Service
February
● Pencil Grams
March
● Book Fair
April
● Spring Fundraiser
May
● Teacher Appreciation
● Field Day (May/June)
June
● Executive Board Elections
Past Events
Chalk the Walk
Thursday, September 2, 2021, 5pm
Come Chalk the Walk with us at both VDV and SMS to Welcome Back our Students! Bring your chalk and we'll have some to share!
PTO General Meeting
Wednesday, September 29, 2021, 7:00 - 8:00pm
VDV Media Center
51 Union Ave, Somerville
mask required
*Virtual option:
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://bit.ly/VillePS8PTO
Or dial: (US) +1 386-603-3491 PIN: 621 732 221#
Please join us to discuss our goals for the 2021-2022 school year.
To make this the best year possible for our students,
BRING YOUR IDEAS! (And a friend!)
The meeting agenda be found on our website (where you can also pay your dues!)
Childcare provided by Right At School will be available at the meeting!
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
*If joining the Google Meet, please see ground rules.
PTO General Meeting
Wednesday, October 20, 2021, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
***PLEASE NOTE: ALL VIRTUAL!***
*Virtual option:
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://bit.ly/VillePS8PTO
Or dial: (US) +1 386-603-3491 PIN: 621 732 221#
Please join us to discuss Fall and Winter plans!
To make this the best year possible for our students,
BRING YOUR IDEAS! (And a friend!)
The meeting agenda and minutes can be found on our website (where you can also pay your dues!)
Please review last minutes and bring questions to the meeting!
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
*If joining the Google Meet, please see ground rules.
Trunk-or-Treat
Saturday, October 23, 3:30-5:30pm
Saturday, October 23rd 2021
Van Derveer Elementary School
4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m*
*3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. is for special needs in a sensory-friendly environment!
Get ready to enjoy an evening of CANDY, COSTUMES, GAMES and PRIZES. VDV and SMS families are invited to decorate their cars with fun, family-friendly themes and to provide a safe and fun environment for our kids to get “tricked and treated!” Prizes will be awarded to the top three decorated trunks!
We need families to decorate their trunks! Please reserve your parking space early – spaces are limited. WE NEED TRUNKS TO MAKE IT SUCCESSFUL!!!!!!!
Candy will be provided to the decorated trunks to give out!
We need volunteers to judge the trunks, run games, and collect / distribute candy
The event is open to Van Derveer and Somerville Middle School students and their families.
Candy donations are appreciated and will be collected at drop boxes at the entrances of VDV and SMS throughout the month of October.
Donate funds to use towards non-candy treats: http://bit.ly/halloween2021ville
Great opportunity for high school volunteer hours!
Gertrude Hawk Fundraiser
October 25- November 10
Order Gertrude Hawk on order forms sent home or by the Order link below.
Earn prizes! Raise funds for school programs at VDV and SMS! Find great holiday gifts!
Order today through November 10.
Delivery date estimated week of December 6.
Click on the link. To add a student, click on I Am A Parent (See my options). Click on Add A Seller (Start adding seller). Create an account (parent information). Click Add New Seller. Use Organizer ID for link: 122109. Use student link to share for ordering!
Coat Drive
November 1-13, 2021
Please send in new or gently used winter coats, hats and gloves of all sizes from 11/1 – 11/12 to assist families in our community. A drop box will be by the main office.
If your family is in need of winter coats, hats and gloves, please come to the Van Derveer All-Purpose Room on Saturday, November 13. You will be able to choose from available items from 12 pm to 2 pm.
Held by Storm Response Committee
Questions can be emailed to Kate Ambrose: mkateambrose@gmail.com
*****************
Envíe abrigos de invierno, gorros y guantes nuevos o poco usados de todos los tomaños del Nov 1 al Nov 12 para asistir familias en nuestra comunidad. Va a haber una colección en la oficina principal.
Si su familia necesita abrigos, gorros y guantes de invierno, por favor venga al Salón de Usos Múltiples Van Derveer el sábado 13 de noviembre. Podrá elegir entre los artículos disponibles de 12 pm - 2 pm.
Realizado por el Comité de Respuesta a Tormentas
Las preguntas se pueden enviar por correo electrónico a Kate Ambrose: mkateambrose@gmail.com
Penny Drive
November 1-12
Students can bring in whatever loose change they have available to donate from 11/1 – 11/12 to assist our community with continued storm relief. A collection can will be by the main office.
Every small donation will make a big difference to members of our community who are still affected by Hurricane Ida. Kids can make a difference too!
Held by Storm Response Committee
Questions can be emailed to Danie Tiplady: danietiplady@msn.com
**************
Los estudiantes pueden traer cualquier cambio suelto que tengan disponible para donar del Nov 1 al Nov 12 para ayudar nuestra comunidad con alivio continuo de la tormenta. Va a haber una colección en la oficina principal.
Cada pequeña donación marcará una gran diferencia para los miembros de nuestra comunidad que todavía se ve afectada por el huracán Ida. ¡Los niños también pueden marcar la diferencia!
Realizado por el Comité de Respuesta a Tormentas
Las preguntas se pueden enviar por correo electrónico a Danie Tiplady: danietiplady@msn.com
PTO General Meeting
Wednesday, November 17, 2021, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
VDV Media Center
51 Union Ave, Somerville
mask required
*Virtual option:
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://bit.ly/VillePS8PTO
Or dial: (US) +1 386-603-3491 PIN: 621 732 221#
Please join us to discuss Winter and Spring events!
To make this the best year possible for our students,
BRING YOUR IDEAS! (And a friend!)
The meeting agenda and minutes be found on our website (where you can also pay your dues!)
Please review last minutes and bring any questions!
Childcare provided by Right At School will be available at the meeting!
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
*If joining the Google Meet, please see ground rules.
Holiday Shop
December 11, 2021, 9a, - 3pm
Come to the Holiday Gift Shop at VDV!
Students can shop for their family, without them seeing, with the help of Christmas Elves! (We will have older students and adults guiding VDV students around the shop.)
<We will now have a Sensory Friendly Time from 9:00 am - 9:30 am! Ifyou have the need for a quieter or less crowded shopping experience, please come early!>
We will also have a bake sale and some fun activities!
Give your children the opportunity to shop for Your suprises!
If you'd like to volunteer to be an Elf, set up, clean up, cashier, wrapping gifts, or donate to the Bake Sale, sign up at this link button!
*Please drop off baked goods at 8:30 am!*
Day of Service
January 17, 2022
Monday, January 17th is not just a day off from school, it's also the National Day of Service! The PTO calls you to do something in service for someone else! One idea is to participate in the Somerville YMCA's MLK Service Project!
Join the Somerville Y for an MLK Service Project on Monday, January 17th 12-2PM. Sign up for a virtual or in person option below:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040444ABAF2DA2F85-mlkday1
and
PTO General Meeting
Wednesday, January 19, 2022, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
THIS MEETING WILL BE VIRTUAL ONLY
*Virtual option:
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://bit.ly/VillePS8PTO
Or dial: (US) +1 386-603-3491 PIN: 621 732 221#
Please join us to discuss Book Fair, Valentines, Spring Fundraiser and the Plaground Committee!
To make this the best year possible for our students,
BRING YOUR IDEAS! (And a friend!)
The meeting agenda and minutes be found on our website (where you can also pay your dues!)
Please review last minutes and bring any questions!
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
*If joining the Google Meet, please see ground rules.
Kick Off Black History Month!
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Join Van Derveer Elementary School in kicking off a celebration of Black History Month!
On Tuesday, February 1st, wear your Brightest colored shirt to school, because
OUR FUTURE IS SO BRIGHT
WHEN WE CELEBRATE DIVERISTY!
More activites to follow through the month with Van Derveer School and PTO! So Stay Tuned!
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¡Únase a la Escuela Primaria Van Derveer para iniciar una celebración del Mes de la Historia Afroamericana!
El martes 1 de febrero, usa tu camisa del color más brillante para ir a la escuela, porque
NUESTRO FUTURO ES TAN BRILLANTE
¡CUANDO CELEBRAMOS LA DIVERSIDAD!
¡Más actividades para seguir durante el mes con la Escuela Van Derveer y PTO! ¡Así que estad atentos!
Literary Initiative - Read Aloud Day
January 31 - February 2
Join Us to Celebrate
World Read Aloud Days!
January 31 - February 2
Join Somerville Pre-K-8 PTO, and millions around the globe, as we celebrate the power of reading aloud with the thirteenth annual World Read Aloud Day on Wednesday, February 2, 2022!
World Read Aloud Day was started in 2010 to celebrate the power of reading aloud to create community and amplify new stories, and to advocate for literacy as a foundational human right. Since then, World Read Aloud Day has evolved into a global movement of millions of readers, writers, and listeners from communities all across the world coming together to honor the joy and power of reading and sharing stories, and continue expanding the definition and scope of global literacy.
How can you join in?
Read to your parents or siblings
Read Aloud in class
Join the Book Fest with Scholastic (Link Below)
Sing Along (Link Below)
Play a Game Online (Link Below)
Join author of "I Survived" series, Lauren Tarshis for Trivia https://fb.me/e/34pdT3m8N
Make a craft with author Peter H. Reynolds https://fb.me/e/2RMlrX9Kc
Listen to a Read Aloud with LitWorld (Link Below)
Take the Build A Story Challenge and read aloud on Flipgrid (Link Below)
Learn more Here:
https://www.scholastic.com/worldreadaloudday
https://www.litworld.org/worldreadaloudday/
Record your reading and take pictures!
Hashtag to share what YOU do!!
#WorldReadAloudDay
#allin4theville
#somervillenjpto
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Únete a nosotros en la celebración
¡Día Mundial de la Lectura en Voz Alta!
31 de enero - 2 de febrero
¡Únase a la PTO de Somerville Pre-K-8 y a millones en todo el mundo, mientras celebramos el poder de leer en voz alta con el decimotercer Día Mundial de la Lectura en Voz Alta el miércoles 2 de febrero de 2022!
El Día Mundial de la Lectura en Voz Alta se inició en 2010 para celebrar el poder de la lectura en voz alta para crear comunidad y amplificar nuevas historias, y para abogar por la alfabetización como un derecho humano fundamental. Desde entonces, el Día Mundial de la Lectura en Voz Alta se ha convertido en un movimiento global de millones de lectores, escritores y oyentes de comunidades de todo el mundo que se unen para honrar la alegría y el poder de leer y compartir historias, y continúan ampliando la definición y el alcance de alfabetización mundial.
¿Cómo puedes unirte?
Lee a tus padres o hermanos
Leer en voz alta en clase
Únase al Book Fest con Scholastic (enlace a continuación)
Cantar junto (enlace a continuación)
Juega un juego en línea (enlace a continuación)
Únase a la autora de la serie "I Survived", Lauren Tarshis para Trivia https://fb.me/e/34pdT3m8N
Haz una manualidad con el autor Peter H. Reynolds https://fb.me/e/2RMlrX9Kc
Escuche una lectura en voz alta con LitWorld (enlace a continuación)
Participa en el desafío Build A Story y lee en voz alta en Flipgrid (enlace a continuación)
Aprende más aquí:
https://www.scholastic.com/worldreadaloudday
https://www.litworld.org/worldreadaloudday/
¡Registre su lectura y tome fotografías!
Hashtag para compartir lo que TÚ haces!!
#WorldReadAloudDay
#allin4theville
#SomervilleNJPTO
Valentine's Pencilgrams and Friendshipgrams
Monday, February 14, 2022
Once again Pencilgrams will be available for purchase at Van Derveer to send in for your students. Festive pencils and Snifty pencils will be wrapped with a bow for your loved one!
This year Somerville Middle School students will be included in the fun! Students can purchase Friendshipgram stickers for their friends to celebrate the holiday!
Sign up forms have been sent home!
***DUE MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7***
WILL BE DELIVERED TO CLASSROOMS ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH!
Thank you for participating!
See forms here: https://www.facebook.com/SomervillePrek8Pto
PTO General Meeting
Wednesday, February 16, 2022, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
VDV Media Center
51 Union Ave, Somerville
mask required
*Virtual option:
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://bit.ly/VillePS8PTO
Or dial: (US) +1 386-603-3491 PIN: 621 732 221#
Please join us to discuss Winter and Spring events!
To make this the best year possible for our students,
BRING YOUR IDEAS! (And a friend!)
The meeting agenda and minutes be found on our website (where you can also pay your dues!)
Please review last minutes and bring any questions!
Childcare provided by Right At School will be available at the meeting!
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
*If joining the Google Meet, please see ground rules.
Spring Fundraiser - Panera
Thursday, February 17, 4:00 - 8:00 pm
What's for dinner on Thursday??
From 4-8pm on Thursday 2/17, at the Panera in Raritan on 202, the PTO is having a fundaiser!
Flyer must be shown (print or digital!) OR the code PRFUND can be used to order online. In person, pick up and delivery are all options!
Scholastic Book Fari
Febrfuary 28 - March 4
The Van Derveer Scholastic Book Fair is BACK!
https://www.scholastic.com/bf/vdv
Students will be visiting the Fair with their classes February 28th- March 4th.
Thursday March 3rd is our late night for families to shop in person from 3:00pm to 7:00pm.
We need volunteers!!!
Sign up for a shift to assist with ringing up sales and helping shoppers.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084EAFAE2FA0F85-vdvbook
The "All For Books" fundraiser to fulfill wish lists for students in need will begin with a coin drive on 2/22. Scholastic donates a book to a child in need for every dollar donated.
Donations to the PTO EWallet will go to All For Books and library wish lists. Wish lists for the school library and classroom libraries will be posted at the Book Fair.
We encourage you to use EWallet: a cash-free way for your student to shop at the Fair. Set up your EWallet at the Scholastic link above!
Check out this Preview Video for the Fair!
And this Interactive Flyer!
EVERY purchase from the Book Fair earns rewards that are spent on books for VDV.
Thank you for your support!!!
**************************
Thanks to all of the volunteers, the Winter 2022 Book Fair was WILDLY successful. We brought in the highest amount of sales/profit EVER and fulfilled more wishes than ever before.
Here are the stats:
- We raised $931.62 in All For Books ($532.60 came from the classroom coin drive!). We were able to spend this on wishes at our Fair.
- Scholastic will donate 931 books to children need in other districts, thanks to our All For Books fundraiser!
- We took in $15,003.89 in sales and sold over 1,800 books
- We earned $7,497.04 in Scholastic dollars
- We filled 17 student wishes
- We spent $1,408.63 on teachers wishes
- We spent $162.89 on library wishes (with much more to come on Scholastic earnings post Fair)
- We added 80 items to the Van Dercart
Without each one of you playing a role, we never could have pulled this off. What an amazing team we make. THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts. We hope you took as much joy out of this experience and the return to normalcy for our kids.
Happy reading!!!!!!!!!
Book Fair Penny Drive
February 22 - 25
Please bring in coins for the Penny Drive Tuesday, February 22 to Friday, February 25 to help students in need get books too!
The "All For Books" fundraiser will fulfill wish lists for students in need. Scholastic donates a book to a child in need for every dollar donated.
General PTO Meeting
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
VDV Media Center
51 Union Ave, Somerville
*Virtual option:
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://bit.ly/VillePS8PTO
Or dial: (US) +1 386-603-3491 PIN: 621 732 221#
Please join us to discuss Spring events!
To make this the best year possible for our students,
BRING YOUR IDEAS! (And a friend!)
The meeting agenda and minutes be found on our website (where you can also pay your dues!)
Please review last minutes and bring any questions!
Childcare provided by Right At School will be available at the meeting!
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
*If joining the Google Meet, please see ground rules.
Hershey Park Tickets
Due April 6
The Somerville PreK-8 PTO is excited to announce that we are offering discounted tickets to Hershey Park for the 2022 season!
These discounted All-Season tickets are valid through 1/3/2023!
ALL TICKET ORDERS MUST BE RECEIVED BY WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6!
>RETURN FORM WITH PAYMENT TO TEACHER<
Make Checks Payable to Somerville NJ PTO
Flyers were sent home!
General PTO Meeting
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
VDV Media Center
51 Union Ave, Somerville
Please come IN PERSON to this meeting if you can!!
The new Librarian, Mrs. Edge, will talk about the Library Helpers effort and we will have a hands-on night of cleaning for the current library project! We would love your help with this! (All supplies will be provided.)
We will also be nominating for board elections!
If you would like to get more involved and run for a board position, you need to have attended 2 PTO meetings by the election at our May 18 meeting, so make sure you make this next meeting! We are always looking for new people to add new perspectives!!
*Virtual option:
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://bit.ly/VillePS8PTO
Or dial: (US) +1 386-603-3491 PIN: 621 732 221#
The meeting minutes and agenda can be found on our website (where you can also pay your dues!)
Please review the Minutes and bring questions to the meeting.
(Minutes and Agendas are available in Spanish here.)
Childcare provided by Right At School will be available at the meeting!
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
*If joining the Google Meet, please see Ground Rules.
Library Helpers
February 21 - April 25
Dates have been extended on the spreadsheet! Including Saturday hours!
We are looking for Parent Volunteers to help in the Brand New
Van Derveer Library Genrification Process
with our Brand New Librarian Mrs. Edge!
Would you like to contribute to our library and your childrens' years of experiences there?
The tasks include specialized cleaning and labeling books throughout the Media Center.
You can come any time of day that works for you
9am to 3pm
Monday through Friday
from Today through April 1st!
See this spreadsheet to sign up for your shift!