Tame your kid's school newsletter chaos

Dear Pine Valley Families,

I hope this newsletter finds you and your families in good health and high spirits as we approach the holiday season. As we wrap up another exciting month at Pine Valley Elementary, I wanted to take a moment to share some important updates, upcoming events, and celebrate the many achievements of our wonderful students and dedicated staff members. Please mark your calendars for the following essential dates and events that require your immediate attention and participation.

URGENT REMINDERS AND IMPORTANT DATES: First and foremost, our annual school photo day is scheduled for Thursday, December 12th, and we need all students to arrive in their best school uniforms as professional photographers will be capturing these precious memories that will be cherished for years to come. Order forms for photo packages must be submitted by Wednesday, December 11th by 3:00 PM sharp, and we encourage all families to take advantage of this opportunity as these photos make wonderful holiday gifts and keepsakes. Package pricing is as follows: Basic package $15, Standard package $25, Deluxe package $35, Premium package $65, Ultimate package $95. Payment must be in cash or exact change only, no exceptions will be made. Speaking of performances, I'm thrilled to announce that our Drama Club is preparing for a spectacular production of "The Lion King Jr." and auditions are being held this week on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday after school from 3:30-5:00 PM in the school auditorium. All grade levels are welcome to participate, though preference will be given to Grade 4 and 5 students, and no prior experience is necessary as our talented drama teacher, Mrs. Rodriguez, will be working with all interested students to help them shine on stage. Please note that there is a $45 costume fee per participant and performance dates are December 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, and 22nd.

In other exciting news, our Grade 3 students are preparing for their educational field trip to the Metropolitan Zoo, and to help fund this wonderful learning opportunity, we're hosting a delicious pizza fundraiser this Friday during lunch period. Each slice is only $5, and all proceeds will go directly toward covering transportation and admission costs for our young explorers. Orders are due Friday morning by 8:00 AM with cash or exact change only, no refunds will be provided. The pizza is being provided by Tony's Italian Kitchen, the same local restaurant that has been supporting our school events for over five years. Please also note that dietary restriction forms are also due at the same time, and nut-free options are available but must be pre-ordered. I'm proud to share that our students continue to excel in various academic and extracurricular activities. The Grade 5 Math Olympiad team placed second in the district competition last week, with students Maria Santos, James Chen, and Emily Thompson representing our school with distinction. Additionally, our school choir performed beautifully at the Regional Music Festival, earning a gold rating for their rendition of "Winter Wonderland" and "Silent Night." The choir will be performing these same songs at our upcoming Winter Concert on December 18th at 7:00 PM in the gymnasium, and all families are invited to attend this event. Please note that tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children, programs are an additional $2, refreshments will be sold separately, and parking is $10.

Please be aware that the north parking lot will be undergoing repairs from December 15-17, so we ask that parents use the south entrance during drop-off and pick-up times. Violators will be towed at the owner's expense with no exceptions for special circumstances. Additionally, the library will be closed for carpet replacement on December 16th, but books can still be returned through the drop box located near the main office, though please note that the drop box will not be monitored and late fees will be doubled during the closure period. All library books are due back today. Our dedicated custodial team, led by Mr. Martinez, has been working tirelessly to ensure our facilities remain clean and safe for all students and staff. We're always looking for parent volunteers to help with various school activities and events. URGENT: We need 47 volunteers for our upcoming Winter Festival. Mandatory training sessions are scheduled for December 10th, 11th, and 12th. Background checks are required for all volunteers with a $25 processing fee. Please contact the main office immediately as previous volunteers must re-apply with new forms. If you're interested in chaperoning field trips, helping in the library, or assisting with our upcoming Winter Festival, please contact the main office at (555) 123-4567 or email volunteer@pinevalley.edu.

As we enter flu season, please remember to keep sick children at home to prevent the spread of illness. Students should be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to school, and this rule will be strictly enforced with temperature checks at the door. Hand sanitizer stations are available throughout the building, and we encourage all students to wash their hands frequently. Additionally, please ensure that your child's emergency contact information is up to date in the main office, as this information is crucial in case of any unexpected situations. Please note that our school nurse will be unavailable on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and all medication forms expire on December 31st. Additional reminders: Winter coat labels are due Monday, Lost and Found cleanout is Friday, lunch account balances must remain positive, field trip permission slips expire monthly, yearbook orders close next week, Book Fair volunteer sign-up is mandatory, Holiday party planning committee meets daily, fundraising thermometer needs updating, and Spirit Week theme voting ends tomorrow.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in your child's education. Together, we're creating a nurturing environment where every student can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to me directly, though please note that I am only available by appointment scheduled 3 weeks in advance.

Warm regards,
Dr. Sarah Mitchell
Principal, Pine Valley Elementary School
555-OVERWHELM • principal@chaos.edu