Dec 31st  Newsletter

Here is a quick look at Notable Dates for rest of the 2023-2024 school calendar as of today.

• January 15, 2024: No school, MLK Day
• February 9, 2024: Staff inservice, no school for students  
• February 19, 2024: No school, Presidents Day
• February 22 - 23, 2024: Half day: elementary/middle school conferences
• March 25 - 29, 2024: No school, Spring Break
• April 10, 2024: No school
• April 23, 2024: Staff inservice, no school for students (UPDATED 10/23/23)
• May 27, 2024: No school, Memorial Day
• June 11, 2024: Tentative last day of school for students, half day, no kindergarten. Please visit the district page https://www.tesd.net/Page/340 for more details on emergency day closures. 

In this edition of the Blast:

• Cultural Art Assembly
• MLK Day of Service 
• Green Corner
• Community News

On Tuesday, January 9th and Wednesday, January 10th, TEMS, in partnership with the PTO, is happy to host the DaVinci Science center!  All four grade levels will experience an interactive science show called, "Use the Force." The students will learn about Newtown's three laws of motion through interactive experiments and activities such as breaking a board in half, taking a ride on a hovercraft and uncovering the mystery of the magicians' tablecloth trick! 

Did you know that each year, the TEMS PTO Cultural Arts Committee arranges and sponsors such programs to enhance our students’ experience of arts, culture, literature, history and science through live performances and interactive workshops. The Cultural Arts budget is funded by our Annual PTO fundraising efforts.  Thank you for your ongoing support of TEMS PTO to bring Cultural Arts programs like this to our student community! 

On Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 and the days surrounding, the TEMS PTO invites families to:

• engage with your community and create constructive action;
• act on Dr. King’s legacy of social justice and equity; and
• recommit by volunteering to serve others.

We’ve curated some local volunteer opportunities for you and your family to consider for MLK weekend. 

Please plan to confirm the dates, times and all relevant details, including the need to pre-register, before participating in any of the below listed events as specifics may have changed and some events require registration.  

• Cradles to Crayons MLK Weekend of Service (Berwyn and remote opportunities) - January 14th from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, no age restrictions listed - Tredyffrin-Easttown Clothing Recycle event at the Tredyffrin Township Building. Additional service opportunities throughout the weekend include various donation drop-offs, donation drives and card making for the Cradles to Crayons Ready for Learning campaign in which the organization pairs a greeting card with backpacks full of new school supplies for 75,000 local students. 
• MLK Teen Peace and Social Justice Summit (Fairless Hills, PA) – January 14th from 4:00-7:00 pm, open to mature 7^th and 8^th graders as well as high schoolers – activities include workshops, speakers, conversations and refreshments.
• Swarthmore College Black Cultural Center - MLK Day of Service Project (Swarthmore, PA) – January 15^th from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, ages 12+ - activities include packing over 100 backpacks with school supplies for four local community centers.
• George Washington Carver Community Center MLK Day of Service (Norristown, PA) – January 15^th from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, ages 14+ - activities include cleaning the area around the community center and other local spots. 
• MLK Day of Service at Redeemer Tabernacle Baptist Church-Kids United (Philadelphia) – January 15^th from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, ages 13+ - activities include poster making, participation in a march, speeches and more.
• Martin Luther King CommUNITY of Greater Kennett Area (Lincoln University, PA) – January 15^th from 9:30 am – 3:00 pm, no age restrictions listed – activities include brunch, performances, speakers, workshops, campus tours and more.
• Beth Am Israel MLK Day of Service (Ardmore): January 15^th from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, ages 4+ - hands-on service activities with Bethel AME Church in Ardmore include setting up a community garden offsite at Haverford College, seed sorting for the community garden, church packing efforts, and more.
• Beth Am Israel MLK Day of Service (Penn Valley): January 15^th from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm, activities for both ages 4+ and 6+ - activities include sorting clothing donations, card making, meal-making, and donating hygiene products.
• Sisters Interacting Through Stitches (Philadelphia): time slots on both January 13th and January 15th, ages 12+ - activities include crocheting and knitting caps for infants and making scarves and bonding squares for local and national organizations, as well as addressing wellness and social justice issues.
• Laura Sims Skatehouse Clean-up (Philadelphia): January 15^th from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm, ages 10+ - activities include cleaning and organizing at the rink as well as debris removal in surrounding areas.
• Cathedral Park Rake Up (Philadelphia): January 15^th from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, ages 10+ - activities include raking and cleaning up of debris in the area.
• University of Pennsylvania Community Beautification Project (Philadelphia): January 15^th from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, ages 12+ - activities include cleaning and painting at three community locations. 
• Jarrettown UM Church Meal Assembly Project (Dresher, PA): January 15^th from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, ages 5+ - activities in which youth may participate include meal prep and thank you treat bag making for veterans. 

Looking for something different? Visit Global Citizen 365 for additional opportunities in the greater Philadelphia area!

Recycling drop-off are available at TEMS all year!  Bins are located in the main lobby upon entry to the school. We will continue to collect writing instruments (no wooden pencils or crayons please), clean plastic bags, printer cartridges and dental products (toothpaste tubes, toothbrushes, empty floss rolls) in the bins in the front lobby.  Click on this link for more details.

Brought to you by the TESD Green Team. To learn more or get involved, please contact: Tracy at tracyteeselink@aol.com, Val at valcheng@gmail.com or Gaby at gabysnyder@yahoo.com

Youth and Junior players – WE NEED YOU!

Looking for an action-packed sport for the Spring? Play for Conestoga Rugby! Join us for a Parent and Player meeting on January 11^th at 7PM in the Atrium at CHS. Come hear about our program, volunteer options and speak to parents and players. 

Youth – grades 5^th to 7^th (boys and girls)

Juniors – grades 8^th and 9^th (boys and girls)

HS Boys and HS Girls – grades 10^th-12^th   

Registration OPEN now – Click hereor visit https://www.conestogarugby.com/ 

Early bird special for registration ends 1/15/2024

Don’t know how to play? No worries! New Player clinic coming soon. Watch our social media for details 

*Follow us on Instagram (@stogarugby) for current updates*

Tredyffrin/Easttown Middle School PTO

801 Conestoga Road

Berwyn PA 19312