September 28, 2023
Our biggest fundraiser of the year has officially crossed the starting line. Please help us reach our goal! We still have about $15k left to go...Fundraisers support classroom needs, assemblies, community-building events, teacher wishlist items, recess supplies, books, mini-grants, indoor & outdoor beautification, and more!
A bucket list item we are working on this year is a rock wall for our gym!
WHAT: GATE Fun Run 2023
WHERE: Avondale GATE Magnet School Car Loop
WHEN: Friday, October 6th (rain date: 10/13)
Classes will run at their designated time and have a popsicle before heading back to class.
9:00-9:45 am 2nd & 3rd Graders
9:45-10:30 am 4th & 5th Graders
10:30-11:15 am 6th, 7th & 8th Graders
This year is a costume run! No weapons or gory costumes!
INCENTIVES:
Each student who turns in one pledge will get a locker flag
Movie Day for class with the highest average per student
$5,000 raised: School-wide PJ Day
$10,000 raised: Bring your school supplies in "Anything but a backpack "or bring a stuffed animal to school
$15,000 raised: GATE Magnet for your locker
$20,000 raised: Extra recess
$25,000 raised: School-Wide Wacky Assembly
Opportunities for Family Involvement
One of the best aspects of GATE is our community! Ther are lots of ways families can participate as well:
Come to the Fun Run to run or walk with your student
Wear a costume or borrow one at school
Cheer loudly, dance, sing, wave a sign! Meet other families and cheer on students
Volunteer to help make this event successful.
Encourage Our Runners
Another fun way to get involved is to send an encouraging shout out for a runner to be read during their run time. Use this form to submit yours. It's free, but the positivity is priceless. :)
Meeting Updates
September Meeting Re-Cap
We had our fist official PTO meeting of the '23-'24 school year and it was an amazing turnout. There were over 40 families tuned in ready to share their ideas, concerns and support for GATE. Thank you to all who came, shared, and listened. We had a great budget discussion, and went over a lot of details for our upoming events.
Here are the draft minutes if you would like to review.
Final DRAFT GATE BOARD PTO_general 9.21.23.pdf
Weds. Oct 4: 7:15 AM to 8:05 AM
Students can bring a parent, grandparent or favorite adult to share a happy morning wake up complete with Yates cider, donuts, bagels coffee and good conversation. We will have table games and door prizes! Each student may only have one adult. We are unable to accommodate non-GATE siblings at this time. Registration is $12 for the first student and $4 for each additional student. Space is limited so please registser ASAP. Registration will remain open until spaces sell out or until NOON on FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29th.
Weds. Oct. 18th: 6:30 PM via Zoom
Please join us for a pre-recorded webinar presented by Dan Peters, PhD followed by open discussion among our GATE attendees. This is one you won't want to miss!
Thurs Oct. 19th: 7 PM via Zoom
Please join us for our October general meeting. Bring your ideas and enthusiasm! :)
Highlights
Community, Connection & Fun at Our Welcome Back Picnic
We had an amazing turn out for our annual back to school picnic earlier this year. More than 200 families, including many of our wonderful teachers and staff members, came together to celebrate the start of the 2023-2024 school year. Thank you to all who attended and enjoyed this great event, and a huge shout out to our incredible team of committee members and volunteers: Martha Angle, Iva Tonchev, Jennifer Rome, Tonia VanDeWater, Jennifer Berens, Shelley Rouleau, Eric Rouleau, Heather Herniz, Jason Hermiz, Elizabeth Yambor and Gabriela McGill.
Appreciating Our Teachers!
The Teacher & Staff Appreciation Committee cleaned and decorated the lounge for fall and restocked it with generous donations from our 2nd & 3rd Grade families. Thank you to everyone who donated and to our commitee members, Cathy Ryan, Gaby Tamez, Tonia VanDeWater & Jennifer Berens!
Let's Stay Connected!
Join our Remind Group
We are excited to share another way to stay connected and up-to-date with PTO led events -- now you can receive meeting and event reminders via text message by joining our new Remind group.
Just text @76797h6 to the number 81010 to join!
