May Calendar Winners, 5/1 to 5/24

Congratulations to our calendar winners! Didn't win? There is still time yet. May is not yet over.

Day

24     Joe DePrimeo, Jr.

23     Randee Semenza

22     Jenn Murphy

21     Lisa Gardner

20     Celia Silveira

19     Michael Pisco

18     Judy Hanlon

17     Carla Fitzpatrick

16     Dina Perelli

15     Jose Andasol

14 Jennifer Leonard

13 Larry Upton

12 Carolyn Kinsella

11 Maureen Papile

10 Maureen Miller

9 Nancy Boudrow

8 Kelly Parker

7 Jerry Vedrine

6 Tiana Colarusso

5 Joe Tetreault

4 Diana Walker

3 Mary Caldwell

2 David Sullivan

1 June Ziirpula

Spring Clothing Drive is March 26th

Drop off location is the Cummings School Loop located on Pauline Street (Across from the Fire Station). On Tuesday March 26th from 7:30am to 10am.

We'll take: 

• Clothes
• Shoes
• Curtains
• Bed linens
• Stuffed animals
• 
  

All proceeds to benefit the Gorman Fort Banks and the Cummings PTOs.   

If you would like to volunteer, please email FortBanksPTO[insert at symbol]gmail.com

The Cookie Dough is Coming!

Cookie Dough pick-up times will be Tuesday, November 20 from 1-3pm and 5-7pm and again on Wednesday, November 21 from 8:30-noon.  Volunteers? We need you Tuesday morning to help organize the bundles by class. 

Do You Shop at Target?

Did you know Target will donate to the Gorman Fort Banks Elementary school through their Take Charge of Education program if you use their REDcard? When you use the card, Target will donate 1% of your total purchase to the school that you designate on your REDcard account. 

I know many of us are Target addicts. Some of us are there so much that we affectionately pronounce the store's name with a fake French accent, Tar-jay. So why not get their REDcard?

The REDcard saves you 5% on top of their already low prices on every Target shopping trip, every day. As soon as you're approved, the savings begin. You’ll automatically get 5% off when you use your card in Target stores in the United States and on Target.com. You'll also get free shipping when you order from Target.com. (Exceptions and restrictions may apply, please visit and review their rules for full information.)

Don't do credit cards? Are you a cash person? In this day and age where many of us are avoiding credit cards, Target has a REDcard debit card that you can connect directly to your checking account.

To apply for a REDcard, click here. Or, you can sign up at one of the local Target stores in person. Keep in mind that if you are choosing the debit card option, you will need:

• Your Social Security #
• Your email address
• Your bank routing # and the account # from your check

For the 2011-12 school year, Gorman Fort Banks Elementary was the top earner of donations from our local Target with $895.75 donated. Let's make 2012-13 even greater!

Now that's a lot of cookie dough!

Once again, the Gorman Fort Banks families have shown their love for cookie dough (or their exemplary salesmanship) in our Cookie Dough Fundraiser. Thanks to you, the PTO will soon have over $11,000 to allocate towards enrichment programs, scholarships and activities for students.

Delivery will take place the week of December 12th. Room parents, please be ready to pitch in that week to help unload the truck and sort when it arrives. A firm date and details will be sent to us by the company soon. Stay tuned.

For those of you who are curious about what was the most popular flavor, it was chocolate chunk. All the others are distributed rather evenly:

RSVP to the Duffy and Huberman Family Fundraiser

On Saturday, November 5th, 2011 at the Winthrop Yacht Club in Winthrop, MA, the community of Winthrop and their friends will come together to raise funds for the Duffy and Huberman families, victims of the devastating fire on Prospect Avenue during the early hours of Tuesday, October 25th. Tickets are $20 at the door with a Chinese auction for items donated by local merchants and residents. Doors open at 7:30pm and goes until 11pm. Come celebrate with music and friends.

Click here to RSVP to the event on Facebook


Click here to view the press release or go here to see the post.

Fire Fundraiser at WYC, November 5th

(C) 2011 Photo by Mark Moline

Entire Town Comes Together To Help Its Own After Devastating Fire

For Immediate Release

Contact: Marcie Moline
marcie.moline@gmail.com
fortbankspto.blogspot.com
617-620-1980

Winthrop, MA (October 30, 2011) - On Saturday, November 5th, 2011 at the Winthrop Yacht Club in Winthrop, MA, the community of Winthrop and their friends will come together to raise funds for the Duffy and Huberman families, victims of the devastating fire on Prospect Avenue during the early hours of Tuesday, October 25th. Tickets are $20 at the door with a Chinese auction for items donated by local merchants and residents. Doors open at 7:30pm and goes until 11pm.

Details of the fire are still being assembled. Just after midnight on Tuesday, October 25th, Cara Huberman heard a pop outside her window.  Seconds later her window gazed upon the terrifying inferno of her home in flames. Next door, at the same time,  the high school-aged son of the Duffy’s heard and saw the same thing. Miraculously, the Huberman and Duffy families made it out with their lives. Although the Huberman family cat did not escape the quick moving blaze on Prospect Avenue, no one else was injured.

The following day, on Wednesday, the Winthrop Schools PTOs hosted a debate for the candidates running for School Committee. After the debate, the PTO officers found themselves standing in a circle with Winthrop Schools Superintendent John Macero saying, “We should do something. I heard there was a cancellation at the Winthrop Yacht Club and they’re now open November 5th.” Within ten minutes, the small group of PTO board members had a plan on bringing an event together.

Boston Tae Kwon Do Academy sent out an email to its students list and quickly became the drop off point for clothes, gift cards and cash. The same e-mail was forwarded to Winthrop School of Performing Arts students. Facebook pages like the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce began posting information about donating to the funds set up for the families. “It’s truly amazing how this entire town is coming together for us,” said a teary-eyed Cara Huberman.

Donations are being collected at Boston Tae Kwon Do Academy, 7 Michaels Mall, Winthrop, MA and the Gorman Fort Banks PTO at the William P. Gorman Fort Banks Elementary School, 101 Kennedy Drive, Winthrop, MA 02152. Cash and check donations can be sent to:

The Duffy Family Fire Fund The Huberman Family Fire Fund
Winthrop Federal Credit Union East Boston Savings Bank
15 Woodside Avenue 15 Bartlett Road
Winthrop, MA 02152 Winthrop, MA 02152

###


Click here for the link to the print version of the press release.

Stop & Shop A+ Rewards Program

Last year we earned $442 through Stop & Shop's A+ Program. We can do better!

Even though you may have signed up last year, you have to register again. Go to www.stopandshop.com, choose “Our Stores” tab, then “Register Your Card”. Or click here. You can find our school if you search by state, or enter school ID: 06294.You can register your card for up to two schools. Please register
soon, and ask your relatives and neighbors to sign up as well. This is a great, easy way for Fort Banks to get money, and it’s all up to you how much the school earns!

As always, I am there to help. You can send me an email with your card number and your last
name, and I will be happy to sign you up myself. Also, feel free to ask questions about this
program!

Thank you again, team!

Tanya Mendieta (Cash4fort.stopnshop@hotmail.com)

Harold Melvin's Bluenotes and Evelyn Champagne King

On Saturday August 6th, the Viking Pride Foundation is hosting its second annual summer concert featuring under the lights on Miller Field.  This year's performance features Harold Melvin's Bluenotes and Evelyn Champagne King.  This theme is similar to last year's hugely successful disco era show featuring the band Tavares.  The Tavares event was attended by nearly 900 people - ask around, a great time was had by all.  For those purchasing VIP seats on the field, you will have access to the dance floor situated right in front of the stage - a crows favorite from last year (yes we are getting a bigger dance floor this year!).

 

Information on the show can be found at our website:  http://www.vikingpride.org/events.htm

 

Tickets for the event can be purchased in one of three ways (please don't forget to mention that you are a Gorman Fort Banks family and that you heard about the concert here):

 

1.  Purchased online by visiting our website at http://www.vikingpride.org/events.htm 

 

2.  Visiting our table in Winthrop Center this Saturday morning (July 30) between the hours of 10am and 1pm (cash or check)

 

3.  Contact one of our board members.  You can reach Scott Kinsella via e-mail at sckinsella[insert at symbol here]yahoo[insert dot symbol here]com

 

Please come out on August 6th and support Viking Pride in its mission to improve the quality of our student's educational experience.  This event is a great opportunity to arrange that long overdue reunion with some of those close friends that you've lost contact with over the years, while supporting a great cause.  Thank you - Scott "Whitey" Kinsella.

 

The Viking Pride Foundation (VPF) is an IRS recognized 501-c3 non-profit charity dedicated to supporting cocurricular

activities in the Winthrop Public Schools. Since formed in 2004, the Foundation has donated over $550,000 to

the school system through various initiatives. We believe strongly that every child deserves the opportunity to

participate in athletics and other co-curriculars such as drama and student council. We are the first Foundation of its

kind in Massachusetts and have mentored many other communities in ways to reduce “user fees” and encourage

participation in co-curricular activities. For more information, visit our website at www.vikingpride.org.

Clothing Drive Volunteers Needed

Do you know how to open a car door? Can you lift a trash bag filled with clothes? Are you free anytime between the hours of 7:30 AM and 10 AM on Wednesday  April 27th - even for only a hour? If so, you're qualified to join our team of motivated, over-caffeinated* parents to collect clothes!

We're looking for people to help from 7:30 AM until 10:30 AM. You wouldn't necessarily need to stay the whole time (though you could if you want...). 

Please contact Cindy Silva at silvabullet01[insert the @ symbol here]comcast[insert the . here]net by Thursday, 4/21 noon if you can help. Please give the timeframe, so that we can be sure to have enough coverage. Don't be shy about forwarding this post along. The more the merrier. Please let us know if you have any questions.

We are just down the street from Dunkin Donuts!

Calendars to Raise Funds for the Playground

Coming in May, we will be selling calendars to raise funds for the school playground. Each calendar you buy offers you the chance to win a cash prize. The price is $10 per calendar. Information will be sent home in the school "backpack" mail next month. If you're interested in reserving one or more, please leave your contact information in the comments . Don't worry, they won't be published. Your contact information will then be forwarded to Dawn Manning.

Clothing Drive to Benefit the Gorman Fort Banks PTO

It’s time to make room for spring and summer clothes. Are you really going to wear that vintage sweater with the big, hulking shoulder pads next year? Do you really think your child will be the same size next fall? Make some room and donate those clothes! Clean clothes, shoes, bedding, soft toys and curtains will be accepted.

Wednesday, April 27th from 7:45 - 10:30 am

The Cookies Are NOT Here!

Just wanted to inform you that due to inclement weather the cookie shipment has been delayed.  There is no need for anyone that had planned on helping with the breakdown and distribution of the cookie dough to come to the school today, December 14, 2010 for that reason.  We are expecting that the shipment will be arriving on Wednesday, December 15, 2010 but would like to confirm with the shipping company before scheduling any volunteers. 

The cookies have arrived. PTO volunteers will be organizing the orders today for pick up tomorrow. Orders of 5 or less tubs of dough will be sent home through your child. All other orders should be picked up from the Multi-purpose Room on Wednesday, December 15th. There are two pick up times available: 10-11:30a or 5:30-7p.

Now that's a lot of dough!

Our cookie dough fundraiser was an enormous success! We sold well over 2000 tubs of cookie dough!!! We are expecting delivery the week of December 13th. We intend to have a morning pick up time and a late day pick up time for families to pick up their tubs. Stay tuned to our blog and your child's back pack mail regarding pick up times once we have a solid delivery date from the supplier. Congratulations and thanks go out to all the children, their families and the community at large who made this event an enormous success.

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