School Dropoff

For those of you who are old-timers you know how difficult school drop off at the Fortbanks can be. And for those who are new to the school, we have a legendary traffic reputation. The road configuration right now is "one way in, one way out." The key to making morning drop off work is through our parent volunteers. Do you have 15 to 20 minutes one morning a week?

All you need to do is stand in the loop from approximately 7:50 am to 8:05 to open car doors and be sure the children safely exit their vehicle and get onto the sidewalk.

What can you do to make drop off work like a machine:

• Consider installing your child's car seat on the passenger side if it is currently on the driver's side.
• Make sure your child is holding their backpack and lunch bag or have it in their immediate reach as you are entering the loop.
• Run through a check list with your child as you wait in the traffic line, "Do you have your backpack ready? Is your hat on..."
• Be cautious of pedestrians in cross walks.
• Do not park in the DPW lot.
• If you must travel with your pet during drop off. Be sure they are properly secured in their kennel or by leash. Drop off time often causes excitement or anxiety in pets. For the safety of the children, volunteers and your pet, please try to leave them for the brief time at home. Again, if they must travel with you, keep your pet secure and away from the volunteers and the exiting vehicle door.
• If your child does not know how to disconnect their seatbelt, now is the time to teach them and go over appropriate safety rules. Remind them that they should not disconnect their belt until the vehicle comes to a full stop.
• As the driver, DO NOT EXIT THE VEHICLE! This is why we ask for volunteers. Pull your car up to a volunteer and they will open your child's door.

Please add your name and e-mail to the comments if you are able to volunteer. Note, this information will not be posted on the blog but will be forwarded to the PTO.

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!

Volunteers Needed April 14th

On April 14th from 8:30 to 10:30 AM, we need volunteers to assist in covering classrooms so that teachers can attend professional development sessions. If you are interested, please leave your name and contact information in the comments (your information will not be posted on the web site) and it will be forwarded to one of the volunteer coordinators.

PTO Meeting April 6

Just a reminder, our next PTO Meeting is Wednesday, April 6. All are welcome.

Is your child starting kindergarten or preschool here next fall? Come join us now! Many of the board members are "graduating," and would love to help the new generation get up to speed on running the PTO and all it's activities that support the school.

Did you know that the Absentee Hotline is all volunteers?
Did you know that the library is completely run and operated by parent volunteers? And did you know that if you have a small child, they can join you?
Did you know that the crazy morning dropoffs and afternoon pick ups through the loop are smoother with the help of parent volunteers?
There is much more that you can do, whether your time commitment is short or long. Stop by to find out more. Or, send an e-mail to marcie[at sign]craftraft[dot]com

Our School Needs Volunteers! Can you help?

Volunteers Needed on Tuesday, November 9

Help! We need volunteers for Tuesday morning November 9th from 8:30 am - 10 am to man the classrooms while there is a teacher training. Don't worry! The teachers will give you activities to do while they're away.
Please contact Carolyn Gagnon gagnon46[at symbol]comcast[dot symbol]net or leave your contact information in the comments and we'll be sure they get to her.