Annual Fund Update

Thanks to everyone in our community for generously supporting our 2017 - 2018 Annual Fund! 

To date we've collectively raised $2656 or 76% of our goal. YAY! 

It's not too late to "Catch the Wave" of support if you haven't had a chance to donate. Send a check to school made out to "Fort River PGO" or use the PayPal button on the blog. Thank you for supporting our teachers, students, and staff! 

UMASS Employees can Donate to Fort River PGO through the UMACC

The annual UMass-Amherst Community Campaign (UMACC) is underway. 

The UMACC program lets UMass employees donate to charitable organizations via paycheck, as little as $1 per pay period. Did you know that UMass employees can donate to the Fort River PGO through the UMACC? Hurry - the deadline is January 31st!

You can choose the amount, and if you opt for payroll deductions, you can split it among several payrolls. The Fort River PGO is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and your donations are tax deductible. The Fort River PGO UMACC number is 15301. UMass employees can signup with their their UMass NetID at http://www.umass.edu/umacc/login.

Annual Fund Drive Ongoing - Help Us Meet our Goals!

Thanks to everyone who gave so generously in November and December to our Annual Fund Drive! Many families across all grades have joined together to contribute financially to our wonderful school community. The Fort River staff utilizes your donations to enhance instruction offered to all students. The PGO Board is still receiving grant requests from teachers for special classroom materials, educational trips, and featured guest visits for the current school year. Every dollar helps - no amount is too small!

The PGO depends on donations to the Annual Fund to cover about 30% of the annual budget. If you are able to help, please use PayPal on the PGO blog or send a check into the Main Office made out to "Fort River PGO." Thanks!

Thank You for Giving!

#GivingTuesday was an incredible success for our community. Over $1500 was raised on Facebook on November 28. Thanks to everyone who gave so generously!

The Fort River Student Council Necessities Drive was a huge success! Supplies for victims of Hurricane Maria are being organized by the 6th grade Council this week and will be in the hands of those who need them very soon!

The Annual Fund is ongoing. The PGO depends on donations to the Annual Fund to cover about 30% of the annual budget. If you are able to help, please use PayPal on the PGO blog or send a check into the Main Office made out to "Fort River PGO." Thanks!

Annual Fund Update #feelingthankful

Thanks again to our generous donors who have already contributed to the PGO Annual Fund!

The PGO's Facebook platform for Annual Fund donations closed on Monday with a total of $1050 raised from 20 donors! The PGO participated in this fundraising option because of matching grants made available. In honor of #GivingTuesday, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Facebook contributed $1 million to fundraisers on Facebook. The Gates Foundation matched $500,000 in donations to fundraisers (up to $1000 per non-profit). In addition Facebook waived up to $500,000 in administrative fees on the fundraising pages set up for the event (through December 31st). 

In addition to donations on Facebook we received charitable contributions via cash, check, and through our PayPal portal (link on top right of the blog homepage - "Donate" button) - contributions can be made at any time and all donations to the PGO are tax-deductible. Envelopes came home with students before Thanksgiving, but feel free to use a different one if it's been misplaced. Donations are accepted throughout the year.

Every donation made to the Annual Fund goes directly into the current year PGO operating budget to fund many teacher requests intended to enhance student experiences, e.g., classroom equipment or special furnishings, special curriculum materials, recess equipment, special guest authors, poets, musicians, and other performers, and field trips funds. 

Thanks again! We are all blessed to be part of such a generous and caring community!

Giving Tuesday a Huge Success! Thank You!

Wow! Thanks so much to all of our generous donors who contributed to the PGO Annual Fund on #GivingTuesday! We received $1425 in a single day!

The PGO took part in a community event for non-profits on Facebook. In honor of #GivingTuesday, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Facebook contributed $1 million to fundraisers on Facebook. The Gates Foundation matched $500,000 in donations to fundraisers (up to $1000 per non-profit). In addition Facebook waived up to $500,000 in administrative fees on the fundraising pages set up for the event (through December 31st). The PGO had 19 individual contributions totaling $1000 on Facebook. A considerable portion of this will be matched; we don't know the exact amount yet but anticipate at least a $600 additional matching grant from the Gates Foundation! Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen!

In addition to donations on Facebook we received charitable contributions via cash, check, and through our PayPal portal (link on top right of the blog homepage - "Donate" button) - contributions can be made at any time and all donations to the PGO are tax-deductible. Envelopes came home with students before Thanksgiving, but feel free to use a different one if it's been misplaced.

Every donation made to the Annual Fund goes directly into the current year PGO operating budget to fund many teacher requests intended to enhance student experiences, e.g., classroom equipment or special furnishings, special curriculum materials, recess equipment, special guest authors, poets, musicians, and other performers, and field trips funds. 

Thanks again! We are all blessed to be part of such a generous and caring community!

TODAY is GIVING TUESDAY

Kick off December, the month of giving, with a donation to the PGO on Giving Tuesday! Your financial contribution to the Fort River PGO in any amount will allow us to continue to provide our school much need funding for enrichment activities, field trips, and classroom supplies.

Please make checks payable to Fort River PGO and send into the Main Office or donate online via PayPal (link top right on this page.)

Every donation helps! Your contributions support daily work in the classrooms by providing curriculum materials for special units, supplementing field trips funds to make them more affordable, and sponsoring visits from authors and other guests. The PGO also hosts numerous school wide events including the upcoming Barnes & Noble Book Fair and the Annual Chili Night for a Chilly Night, and every Fort River family received a Family Directory thanks to your generous donations! Catch the WAVE!

NOVEMBER 29TH is GIVING TUESDAY

Kick off the month of giving! Your financial contribution to the Fort River PGO in any amount will allow us to continue to provide our school much need funding for enrichment activities, field trips and classroom supplies.

Please make checks payable to Fort River PGO and send into the Main Office or donate online via PayPal (link top right on this page.)

Valley Gives Day is THIS Tuesday!

ValleyGives Day is May 3, 2016! Be sure to support all of your favorite Valley non-profits!

On behalf of our students and staff, the Fort River PGO would greatly appreciate your support! Thank you!!! The PGO is proud to support our AMAZING staff and students through program funding, volunteer opportunities and community events.

https://valleygives.razoo.com/us/story/Fort-River-Elementary-School-Parent-Council

Valley Gives is hosted by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. During Valley Gives 2014 (most recent since the event was skipped in 2015) 14,000 donors supported 463 organizations with $2.6 million raised!

Happy Vacation and Thanks!

Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far to our Annual Fund, participated in our various fundraisers, and/or celebrated with friends at Pub Night and the Barnes and Noble Book Fair!

If you are making 2015 year end charitable gifts, we hope that you will please consider Fort River Elementary School among your donations this year. The Fort River PGO recently launched our 2015 - 2016 Annual Fund campaign, and with the help of our community we can fully fund our planned initiatives and maintain needed support for our teachers, students, and families! 

Your dollars will stay RIGHT IN YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL when you make a charitable contribution to the Fort River PGO. Every cent is tax deductible.

Thank you for considering this worthy cause! Checks made out to "Fort River PGO" can be sent into the Main Office or mailed to:

Fort River PGO
70 S. East St.
Amherst, MA 01002

Annual Fund Appeal

Thank you to everyone who has sent in their contribution to the 2015 - 2016 Annual Fund! Every dollar helps! 

If you have not yet contributed, we hope that you will please consider Fort River Elementary School among your top charitable donations this year. The Fort River PGO launched our 2015 - 2016 Annual Fund campaign last month, and with the help of our community, we can fully fund our planned initiatives and maintain needed support for our teachers, students, and families.

Your dollars will not only stay local, in your community, they will stay RIGHT IN YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL when you make a charitable contribution to the Fort River PGO. Every cent is tax deductible.

Thank you for considering this worthy cause! Checks made out to "Fort River PGO" can be sent into the Main Office or mailed to:

Fort River PGO
70 S. East St.
Amherst, MA 01002

Annual Fund 2015 Appeal

Please consider Fort River Elementary School among your top charitable donations this year. The Fort River PGO launched our 2015 - 2016 Annual Fund campaign in November, and with the help of our community, we can fully fund our planned initiatives and maintain needed support for our teachers, students, and families! Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far!

Your dollars will not only stay local, in your community, they will stay RIGHT IN YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL when you make a charitable contribution to the Fort River PGO. Every cent is tax deductible.

Thank you for considering this worthy cause! We do not have an online platform for donations this year. This means you can be assured that every single penny you provide makes it into the PGO checking account at Florence Bank! Checks made out to "Fort River PGO" can be sent into the Main Office or mailed to:

Fort River PGO
70 S. East St.
Amherst, MA 01002

Giving Tuesday - Please Consider Fort River School!

#givingtuesday is Tuesday, December 1st! 

The day provides a tremendous opportunity to support the hard work of your favorite non-profits! 

Please consider Fort River Elementary School among your top charitable donations this year. The Fort River PGO launched our 2015 - 2016 Annual Fund campaign in November, and with the help of our community, we can fully fund our planned initiatives and maintain needed support for our teachers, students, and families! 

Did you know that the PGO provides a printed Directory to each family annually free of charge? Did you know that each child receives a printed Yearbook at no cost every June? 

Have you attended Chili Nights, PGO Movie Nights, Popsicle Parties, or Dr. Suess Night? All of these community events were organized and funded by the PGO. How about the new Pumpkin Fun Run and Pancake Breakfast held on Halloween Day? This well attended, super fun inaugural event was made possible by the hard work of the PGO and generous donations from community partners. The PGO also budgets support for field trips, 6th grade graduation, Teacher/Staff Appreciation Luncheon, Coffees with the Principal, the Winter Coat Drive, Book Share, and grade-wide potlucks and events.

All classroom teachers and specialists receive seed money from the PGO to set up their classrooms each fall. The Guidance Team has a sizable discretionary fund provided by the PGO specifically for supporting our most at risk students and families. 

Your dollars will not only stay local, in your community, they will stay RIGHT IN YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL when you make a charitable contribution to the Fort River PGO. Every cent is tax deductible.

Thank you for considering this worthy cause! We do not have an online platform for donations this year. This means you can be assured that every single penny you provide makes it into the PGO checking account at Florence Bank! Checks made out to "Fort River PGO" can be sent into the Main Office or mailed to:

Fort River PGO
70 S. East St.
Amherst, MA 01002

Giving Tuesday - Please Remember Fort River!

On December 1st, "Giving Tuesday" follows Black Friday and Cyber Monday! It is an opportunity for reflection and a chance to support the many successful and thriving non-profit organizations that make the Valley such a wonderful place to live.

The Fort River PGO has kicked off the 2015 - 2016 Annual Fund. The youngest students in each household were sent home with Appeal letters in their backpacks at the end of last week.

Please consider financial support of the PGO during this giving season. The work that the PGO does to support teachers and students at Fort River is dependent upon generous donations now and throughout the year. Annual appeal gifts directly support teaching and learning in Fort River classrooms. All donations are tax-deductibile.

Checks made out to "Fort River PGO" can be returned to the Main Office or mailed in the return envelope that was provided with the Appeal request. Thank you so much for supporting Fort River Elementary School!

Annual Fund Reminder - PGO Budget year-to-date

Don't forget to send in your annual fund check!    Every little bit helps Fort River.  Donate online via PayPal (on the right-hand side of this page) or send a check to the PGO mailbox in the school office. 

You can review the year-to-date PGO Budget here.   The PGO needs your support.  We can't do it without you!  Thanks for all of your support.

It's not too late to make your PGO Annual Fund Donation!

The PGO is grateful to the 37 families who have contributed $2,535 to the PGO Annual Fund so far this year. (Last year at this time the Annual Fund had already raised $4,400 from 82 families, so we have some catching up to do!) The goal of 100% participation is a yearlong effort and EVERY donation in ANY amount is appreciated.

Your Fort River PGO is very active and supports teachers, students, and families in many ways. This support requires a healthy Annual Fund—and our hope is that every family will contribute. With a successful Annual Fund, our PGO can focus time and energy on teacher and student support, events, and community building. Please support the Annual Fund by making an annual donation.

You may send cash or check, payable to Fort River PGO, to the Main Office or click on the PayPal icon to the right to donate online.

Thanks so much for supporting the Fort River PGO Annual Fund!

Annual Fund Update

The PGO extends a special thank you to the 28 families who have already supported our Annual Fund.  Your donations help to fund PGO activities including field trips, cultural events, books for the library, and the free directory your child just brought home! We have already raised $2,020 and still need contributions from more families to meet our budgeted goal.

Your help makes a dramatic difference in the lives of our children.  Remember that even a $1.00 donation helps increase our goal of 100% family participation! All contributions are tax deductible and you may opt to have your donation honor a particular teacher or staff member at Fort River. Checks (made out to Fort River PGO) or cash can be sent to the PGO mailbox in the main office or you may pay via PayPal on the blog.  Contact Catherine McGraw at catherine.fortriver@gmail.com with any questions.

Fort River PGO Annual Appeal

We hope you received the PGO Annual Fund letter from Catherine McGraw last week. If not you can download it here. 

Please take a moment and consider giving a gift to support the work of the PGO. As a non-profit organization, the PGO relies on this community's generosity to fund all of its events and provide teacher support. You can donate online using the PayPal link on the top right-hand column of this page.  Please make your gift today!

Remember, if you would like to give your gift in honor of a staff member please use the form on the letter sent home and send in an envelope marked PGO to the main office. Or you may use Pay Pal and send an email to Liz Larson designating the staff member of your choice.

Thanks for your continued support!

IT'S NOT TOO LATE to make your PGO Annual Fund Donation!

The PGO is grateful to the 82 families who have contributed $4,400 to the PGO Annual Fund so far this year. (Last year at this time the Annual Fund had already raised $6700, so we have some catching up to do!) The goal of 100% participation is a yearlong effort and EVERY donation in ANY amount is appreciated.

Your Fort River PGO is very active and supports teachers, students, and families in many ways (see below). This support requires a healthy Annual Fund—and our hope is that every family will contribute. With a successful Annual Fund, our PGO can focus time and energy on teacher and student support, events, and community building. Please support the Annual Fund by making an annual donation.

You may send cash or check, payable to Fort River PGO, to the Main Office or click here to donate online using PayPal.

Thanks so much for supporting the Fort River PGO Annual Fund!

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Take a look at what the Fort River PGO is up to this year:

EVENTS
• New Family Welcome (Aug)
• Staff Welcome Back Day (Aug)
• Family Fair (Sept)
• Book Event & Community Marketplace (Dec)
• Family Sing Night (Feb)
• MarkaMusic workshops and performance (March)
• Movie Night (March)
• Science Night (April)
• International Fair (May)
• Staff/Teacher Appreciation Luncheon (May)
• Bus/Van Driver Appreciation Breakfast (May)
• Field Day (June)
• 6th Grade Graduation (June)

PROGRAMS & SERVICES
• Providing all teachers with $50 for classroom set up
• Organizing room parent program
• Producing and providing a FREE student directory to all families
• Offering all teachers $100 for classroom enrichment from Amerstopoly profits
• Providing principal and assistant principal each with $200 discretionary fund
• Providing guidance councilor with $1,000 discretionary fund
• For grades 3-6, providing $700 per grade to subsidize major field trips
• Applying for and providing PASS grants to teachers for field trips
• Friday hosting of Coffee with the Principal
• Supervising the Savings Makes “Cents” program
• Coordinating Lost and Found
• Producing and providing a FREE yearbook to all students (in May)

FUNDRAISERS
• Summer Read-A-Thon
• Fort River Roasters by Deans Beans
• Box Tops for Education
• School Pictures
• Scholastic Book Fair

Letter from the PGO President

Dear Fort River Families,

Welcome to the start of the new year! Our first bit of exciting news is that the Fort River Parent Council has changed its name to the Parent/Guardian Organization or PGO. With so many families changing schools due to redistricting, this new name will bring continuity to the parent organizations of Fort River, Crocker Farm, and Wildwood, who will also use the name PGO.

Our PGO works to help make Fort River a fun, stimulating, and welcoming environment for all children and families. Every parent and guardian is a member of the Fort River PGO.

Here are some of the PGO sponsored events:

• Free Yearbook
• Free Student Directory
• Family Fair
• Science Night
• School Picture Day
• Book Fairs
• Field Day
• International Fair
• Coffee with the Principal
• Special Education Staff needs
• Classroom Support & Enrichment
• Extra Funds for Field Trips
• Library Fund
• Scholarship Fund
• After School Clubs
• Staff Appreciation Luncheon
• Bus Driver Breakfast
• And much more …

We hope you will make two commitments to the Fort River PGO this year:

*Volunteer your time. There are many opportunities to give the precious gift of your time. Please see the attached list of volunteers needed and choose something that interests you.

*Make a donation to our Annual Fund. 100% participation is our goal!

The PGO Annual Fund: As you can see, the Fort River PGO is very active and supports teachers and students in many ways. This support requires a healthy Annual Fund! We hope every family will contribute, so please donate in ANY amount. We want 100% participation--every dollar helps!

With a successful Annual Fund, our PGO can focus time and energy on teacher support, events, and community building.

Please support the Annual Fund by making an early donation.

You may send cash or check, payable to "Fort River PGO", to the Main Office (mail or send envelope to school)

OR

donate online using PayPal

Thanks so much for all your support.

Pam Rietkerk, PGO President                       Liz Larson, PGO Treasurer
Michele Spirko, PGO Vice President            Catherine McGraw, PGO Secretary