Schmucker PTO Newsletter

Happy October!

I can’t believe we are already one quarter through the school year! A big thank you to everyone for getting the year off to a great start!

We are so grateful to everyone who has donated to the PTO this year. It’s not too late to support our staff and students. The amazing SHINE girls are busy putting up stars for all of our star families and would love to add your family to the display by Concessions.

BIG news for DC fundraising! Rachel Clemans-Bonnell is spearheading our RaiseRight program (formerly Script). This is an amazing way to spend what you already spend on groceries and other shopping, but have a portion of it come back to your student’s DC fund. Please note that all RaiseRIght fundraising can only go towards the DC trip or the week of activities at home. Any funds not used for these purposes will go into the DC Scholarship fund. All grades are eligible to participate. See below for more information!

I hope you have a great Fall Break!

Warmly,

Sarah Kubinski

PTO President

• October 16th 5PM to 8PM - Student Led Conferences (last name starts with the letters A through L)
• Oct 18th 5PM to 8PM - Student Led Conferences (last name starts with the letters M through Z)
• Oct 18th - Registration deadline for 8th Grade Washington, D.C. field trip on HemisphereTravel.com
• Oct 19th 4:15 - 5:15PM - SMS PTO Meeting (IMC)
• Oct 20th-23rd - Fall Recess (No School)
• October 27th 4:00pm to 5:30 - 6th Grade Social

8th Grade Fundraisers

We now have the option of using RaiseRight (formally Script) to help your student raise funds for their Washington DC trip in 8th grade! Students can start earning funds as soon as 6th grade and it is never too late to sign up!

• Go to https://www.raiseright.com/enroll and signup for an account
  
• Choose to "Join an Existing Program" and use code: V82AZ4Y2SS3T
• Start raise funds by buying gift cards from RaiseRight to pay for your everyday shopping and spending year-round. Groceries, dining out, home improvement, and everything in between. It’s the most convenient and effective way to fundraise because earning becomes part of your everyday life. Plus, gift cards are great for helping you to set and keep a weekly budget. No extra money spent. No extra time wasted.

Get started today!

• Buy gift cards at full value from 750+ brands. Pick from eGift cards and physical gift cards.
• Earn up to 20% on every gift card you buy.
• Use gift cards at full value for your everyday purchases.
• Watch your fundraising account grow throughout the year, thanks to the brands that give back to support your community!

Important Information!

Funds raised through RaiseRight program can only be used for the Washington DC trip. If your students ends up not going and or not needing the funds they would be added to the Washington DC Scholarship fund. No refunds will be given. By signing up for a account you are agreeing to these terms and conditions.

Have questions or need our organization’s enrollment code? Contact: Rachel Clemans-Bonnell at schmuckerpto@phm.k12.in.us

Scholastic Book Fair will be happening from Oct 30 - Nov 3. We're looking for friendly volunteers to support the Book Fair! Come be a part of the action, help our kids discover new books, and make this event a success. Your assistance means the world to us!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F48ADA928A5F9C07-45235596-book#/

Set up eWallet, a safe cash-free way for your child to shop the Fair by Friday, Nov 3

https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/schmuckermiddleschool1

If you have not heard of PBIS, have your student tell you about PBIS Rewards and all of points they are earning for setting the bar high, for making a difference, and for showing respect at school (which hopefully they will also apply outside of school in general). The kids have been clearing out the Sparty Store with their good behavior and they have a laundry list of things that they wish to be able to get from the store. If you are willing to add any of these new items to the store, they can be dropped off in the school office.

Stanley Cups, Nike Socks, Lulu Belt Bag, Portable phone charger, Tiny Mini Fridge, Blanket hoodie, Hydroflask, Bluetooth Speaker, Legos, Store Gift, Cards, Mini Polaroid Cameras,

Playstation/xbox gift card, Rubiks Cubes and Fidgets, Sketch Books, LED lights, Football, and

Drones.

Or go to https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/64ZL4ZYRCSE4?ref_=wl_share for the whole wish list.

We pampered our exceptional staff with a delightful caramel apple bar in September. It's a small token of our gratitude for the dedication and hard work they put in each day.

In November, we're going to stock the classroom with all kinds of goodies and we need your help to make it a success. Donations of Kleenex, hand sanitizers, pencils, mints, and other classroom supplies will be greatly appreciated.

Don’t have time to shop? No problem! Checkout our complete wish and purchase from our Amazon list and have the items delivered straight to Schmucker!

https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/3IDDCL1P1BPIQ

Be sure to cut Box Tops and Spartan Labels! Create an account for yourself & associate it with Schmucker Middle School, then start uploading any receipts with qualifying purchases! Schmucker will be automatically credited with those points!

Schmucker PTO plays a vital role in supplementing the educational experiences of our students. The funds and services the PTO provides allow for opportunities not possible as part of the traditional school budget. Some of the items and activities the PTO plans to fund this year:

• Staff/Teacher Appreciation Events

• Grant teacher classroom requests not covered by the school

• Educational Events

• 8th-grade end of year party

Your kind contributions:

The above opportunities are not possible without the support of our Schmucker families through PTO donations. This year we are asking for $15 per Schmucker Family to be a part of PTO and help to fund these activities. The MORE donations we receive, then the LESS fundraising we will have to do this year.

In the past, the PTO has spent $35 PER STUDENT on enhancements and supplemental programs. Please help us to meet or exceed this amount for the 2023-24 academic year. Every donation, of any amount, enables us to reach this goal. Thank you in advance for your generous support of our students, our schools, and our PTO.

The PTO is a 501(c)3 organization; any financial donation you make is tax-deductible. 100% of your contribution directly funds programs to enrich our school and make our kids proud to be SMS Spartans!

Please use one of the two options to contribute for your PTO donation:

1) You may pay electronically by clicking the link below, which will direct you to our electronic PTO donation site. This is very convenient and can be done so very quickly and easily.

https://tinyurl.com/SMS-PTO-23-24

2) Send a check to school with your student. Please make checks payable to “Schmucker PTO.”

Thank you!

Sarah Kubinski - President

Jason Bryant - President Elect

Katie Geoghegan - Treasurer

Rachel Clemans-Bonnell - Recording Secretary

Vera Tipton - Corresponding Secretary

Nina Beck - Book Fair

Audrey Schenkel - Staff Appreciation

Kelley Wassner - Spirit Wear

Still vacant:

8th Grade Party Committee - please email Sarah at schmuckerpto@phm.k12.in.us if interested

The Parent Teacher Organization at Schmucker Middle School plays a vital role in supplementing the educational experiences of our children. The funds raised by our PTO allow our students to have opportunities not funded by the school budget.

Email: schmuckerpto@phm.k12.in.us
Website: schmucker.phmschools.org/pto-information
Location: 56045 Bittersweet Road, Mishawaka, IN, USA
Phone: 574-258-5661
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SCHMUCKERPTO