Stop and Shop A+ BonusBucks update

As of today (Nov. 3), Fort River has earned $139.88 through the Stop and Shop A+ BonusBucks program! Thanks to the 24 Fort River families who have already signed up for the program, If you are a Shop and Shop customer and haven't already signed up, please click here for information on how to do it. It's very quick and easy and it costs you nothing.

Upcoming Events

Winter Gear Drive--Gear Pick Up. Monday, November 5th & Tuesday, November 6th, 8am-10 am & 2pm-4pm. School lobby. (See below for more details.) Hillside Pizza Orders Due. Friday, Nov. 9. Veteran's Day Observed. Monday, Nov. 12. No School. Coffee With a Principal. Friday, November 16th, 8:30 to 9:15 am. Please join Principal Russ Vernon-Jones and/or Vice-Principal Lianne Suarez-Werlein for coffee, light breakfast foods, and casual conversation in the cafeteria. Younger siblings are welcome to attend. Diversity and Social Justice Committee Meeting, Friday, November 16th, 9 to 10 am, library. Parent Council Meeting. Tuesday, November 27th, 8:30 to 9:30 am, cafeteria.

Celebrate With a Book

This year we are continuing a tradition at Fort River Library: Celebrate With a Book! Books may be donated to the Fort River Library in honor of a student’s birthday, a holiday or for any other occasion. A special book plate will be placed in the donated book stating the name of the donor and of the child or adult being honored. Also, the donor and the honoree will be sent a thank you note acknowledging the donation. In times of limited school budgets, this program helps our school by adding wonderful new books to our library. Children also gain a sense of sharing something meaningful to be enjoyed by readers for years to come. Please choose a book you and your child have enjoyed or you can call or email Fran Ludington, FR librarian, for suggestions (362-1215, ludingtf@arps.org). Here’s all you have to do: 1. Drop the book off in the main office of Fort River School (there is a Celebrate with a Book box there), with this completed form. 2. Any questions, contact parent volunteer Elly Hosea (elly_hosea@yahoo.com) or contact school Librarian Fran Ludington.

Pizza and Cookie Dough Orders Are Due in One Week!

Have YOU Ordered Your Hillside Pizza?? Please support the final push to finish the new playground! Thanks to those of you who have already placed orders and to those of you who haven’t… PLEASE ORDER NOW!!! Here’s how it works: 1. Order pizzas & cookie dough tubs with this order form.

(Ingredient and allergen information available here.)

2. Pick-up is from 3:00-5:00pm in the Fort River lobby on Friday, November 16. Samples of delicious Hillside Pizza will be available at Fort River after school Tuesday, November 6. Order form due Friday, November 9. Pizza pick-up will be Friday, November 16. Ready to Volunteer on Pizza pick-up day? Contact Pam Rietkerk at 256-2605 pjrietkerk@aol.com or Alisa Braverman at 253-5362 a.braverman@comcast.net

A HUGE Thank-You to Our Playground Volunteers

Parent Council thanks the small number of dedicated volunteers who assisted with the preparation of the new playground this past Sunday, October 28th. They worked for several hours removing excess cement, preparing the ground covering, removing brackets and raking woodchips. Thanks to Peter Wood, Mike Jacques, Ray Mann, Catherine Sanderson, Michael Ireland, Mark Marasco, Mark Dooley, and Sue Cairn. The playground looks terrific!

Annual Family Donation Fund Update

Thanks to all families who have already contributed to our Annual Family Donation Fund! Our latest numbers are: 142 families have contributed a total of $5,188. That's 40% of all of our Fort River Families! We are still hoping for contributions from ALL families and even a $1.00 donation helps us toward our goal! Although we suggest $20 a child, larger and smaller amounts are welcome and all contributions are tax deductible (and anonymous). Checks (made out to Fort River Parent Council) or cash can be sent to the Parent Council mailbox in the main office or to Catherine Sanderson, 23 Alyssum Drive.

Winter Gear Drive

Gear Drop off: Thank you to everyone who has already donated coats, snow pants, snow boots, etc. Donations will be accepted until Monday November 5. Gear Pick up: School Lobby Monday, November 5th & Tuesday, November 6th 8am-10 am & 2pm-4pm We will be in the lobby offering donated winter gear to families who may be in need of these items. All families are welcome. We are asking families that are in need to only take one of each item. Then, if there are extras and you need a spare or back up, we can offer those as well. If you are not available to come in during these times, children are allowed to come to the table with a note to receive their articles or call Morgan to arrange a pick up time. If you have any questions, please contact Morgan Lord, storm01060@yahoo.com or 253-9424.