The Day After

Thanks to everyone who came to the Winter Carnival. We hope everyone had a wonderful time bouncing, playing, climbing, cakewalking, stacking, raffling, sliding, visiting, stacking, eating, bidding, winning, singing, cakewalking again, dancing and slurping slushies.

Special thanks to each and every volunteer.

We can't do fun stuff without your help,
 and every minute counts.

Big Orange Raffle winners will be posted in the office Monday morning!

Tonight's Silent Auction! WOW!

The RMS PTO thanks the following supportors, sponsors and donors for the Winter Carnival Silent Auction. Silent Auction proceeds will be going towards a playground for the new Intermediate School.

Thanks!

A Drum or Two

ABCs of Hair

AMF Laketown

Avon - Barbara Constant

Beauti-Control - Carla Chandler

Bently’s

Big R

Book Rack

Clean Sweep Computers - Pete Harris

Creative Memories – Cheryl Pence

Discovery Toys - Krista Jiroutek

Dove Chocolate Discoveries - Janine Cloyd, Chocolatier

Elements of Wellness - Cindy Cannamela

Jordan Essentials

Juice Plus - Cheryl Chiapetto

Lia Sophia - Kate Swaner

Lia Sophia - Jennifer Carrothers

Little Italy’s

Longaberger - Mrs. Ballinger

Mae’s Candy & Cake Supplies

Mary Kay Cosmetics - Laura Ann Wilson

Mid-State Kart, Buecker Family

Mid-State Kart, Evers Family

Pampered Chef

Petals & Co.

Remarkable Resale

Rochester State Bank

Sara Ross

Scentsy - Char Ehrich

Smokey Bones

Strike & Spare

Tastefully Simple - Julie Lohmar

Tastefully Simple - Suzanne Daughtry

Tree & Pumpkin Sales at South Grand & Wheeler

Tupperware – Christy Belscher

Village Market, Rochester

Watkins Products – Joyce Meyer

Watkins Products – White Oaks Mall

Wildfire

Yankee Candle

Yanni’s Gyros

Zumba - Cheryl Chiapetto



Come on down!

We're here at RMS to take care of early pick-up all day today!!

Carnival Deadlines Approacheth!

Thanks to everyone who has sent in their order forms for the upcoming Winter Carnival!

If you haven't sent yours in yet, please read on!

RMS PTO Winter Carnival
Friday, December 10, 2010
6-8 p.m. at RMS
Admission $4 in advance, $8 at the door
Student Council Dinner
Forms and info available below.

• The First Deadline for Winter Carnival orders is tomorrow, Friday December 3. All orders in by tomorrow afternoon will be placed in an incentive drawing for a very SWEET prize. This drawing will take place on the morning of the Carnival.
• Donations are still being accepted for teacher classroom baskets.
• The Second Deadline for Winter Carnival orders is Wednesday, December 8. You won't be in that first SWEET drawing, but you will be able to take advantage of other pre-order bonuses, such as early pick-up and the deeply discounted cost of admission.
• Speaking of which, all pre-orders received by Noon on December 8 are eligible for EARLY PICK-UP, by a responsible adult, on Thursday, December 9 anytime from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you don't want to wait in line on Carnival night for your admission envelope (includes bracelets, raffle tickets, dinner tickets), please stop by on the 9th to claim yours. You'll be glad you did.
• If you wait until Carnival night to pay, the cost of admission doubles to $8 per participant.

Now, a little sales pitch: even if you might not be able to attend, consider paying the $4 admission fee for your RMS student. By doing that, your RMS student's name will be entered in the major prize drawing even if s/he can't attend. This year, the major prizes include:

One Laptop Computer

Three Barnes & Noble NOOKs and Gift Cards
(one for each grade)

Three iPods and iTunes Gift Cards
(one for each grade)

It's a fun-filled event and we hope you can make it.

Winter Carnival Announcements

The RMS PTO Winter Carnival is coming up on December 10, from 6 to 9 p.m. right here at Rochester Middle School! Remember, everyone who turns in their form by December 3 will be in a drawing for a sweet prize. And every middle-school student who attends will automatically be entered in the Big Orange Raffle: prizes include Barnes & Noble Nook readers, iPods and a Laptop Computer -- turn those forms in soon for your chances to win!

FORMS:
Winter Carnival forms are out! If you can't find your form, click here:
LINK: Winter Carnival 121010 Online Flier & Order Form
The all-in-one form includes Winter Carnival admission, classroom basket donation, and dinner reservations for the Student Council dinner.

SILENT AUCTION:
Donations for the Silent Auction are being sought. If you or your company is interested in donating an item for the Silent Auction, please contact Melinda Williams at busymommieof3@yahoo.com.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Remember that the Winter Carnival is for RMS students and their families and friends ages Pre-K to 6th Grade. Participants must be accompanied by an adult; a Quiet Room will be available for parents. There is no charge for adults to accompany their children to the Winter Carnival.

VOLUNTEERS:
Since you're coming anyway, if you would like to volunteer for a shift or two, please contact Kin Goertz at kim@goertzproperties.com

WE NEED MORE GOODIES:
Donations are also being accepted for the Cake Walks and Pie Auction. Due to popular demand, we will have TWO cakewalks running at the Winter Carnival this year. Items may be store-bought or homemade. If you are interested in donating a pie for the auction or treats - cakes, cookies, breads, candies, etc. for the Cake Walks, please contact Angi Resch: angiresch@hotmail.com

BONUS EARLY PICK-UP
And finally, remember the PTO is offering EARLY PICK-UP to those families who PRE-ORDER their Winter Carnival tickets. Beat the lines on Friday by signing out your family's Winter Carnival bracelets, raffle tickets and dinner tickets on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Middle School.
Questions? E-mail rocketpto@gmail.com.

Winter Carnival Fliers & Forms

The fliers and forms for the upcoming Winter Carnival will be going home this week. Check those backpacks! In case anyone needs an extra, here's a link to the form, printable on letter-sized paper:

LINK: Winter Carnival 121010 Online Flier & Order Form

Everyone's a Winner!

Congratulations to the students whose names were drawn (from those eligible) to take their turns in the Money Machine! Soooo much money was grabbed! That and last Friday's Limo Lunch were the final thank-yous for a wonderful fundraiser! Enjoy that extra cash!

Winter Carnival Update

Hi, all! Here's a Winter Carnival Update:

• The Winter Carnival is Friday, December 10
• Flyers with information and order forms will be coming home the week of November 8
• If you'd like to volunteer, contact Kim@goertzproperties.com
• Due to popular demand, we're adding another cakewalk
• Also trivia games, for those who prefer a calm moment
• Also a coat-check!

And, because we don't like lines either:
This year there will be the opportunity for advanced envelope pick-up for those who PRE-ORDER by December 3.

• Pre-order pick-up will be Thursday, December 9
• Hours for pick-up will by 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., afternoon hours TBA
• A parent or guardian must sign for the envelope
• Envelopes will once again include your bracelet(s), RMS student raffle tickets, dinner tickets and a Carnival guide
• You can bypass the lines the night of the Carnival...
• But don't forget your tickets. :)

More updates to follow!

The PTO Never Sleeps

Well, actually we do, just a little.

Now that we've turned the calendar page to October, and published the handy Family Directory, had an incredibly successful Fundraiser, enjoyed the really, really fun Fall Fun Party and held one of our best-ever Book Fairs, we want to first thank all of our volunteers, families, teachers and staff who helped make all of those things as good as they were.

Although we're still dealing in details, we can tell you that our Fundraiser sales were about 25% higher than last year, which itself was better than expected. This is how our PTO can continue to do good things four our students, teachers and the school as a whole. Thanks to the counting team, and a very special thanks to everyone who made it through distribution afternoon with us. We hope you recovered quickly.

The Fall Fun Party lived up to it's billing. It was fun! For the second year in a row, we moved the party inside due to wet grounds, although Mr. Albert and Mr. Piper were kind enough to take their station outside for a little kickball. Thank you to them, and to Mrs. Parker running the tunes in the Band Room, and Mrs. Lundin and all the teachers and for going with the flow with the PTO. Also thanks to all the many volunteers. We hope you had fun!

Thank you to Ms. Moser and Mrs. Spurlock, who are our Scholastic Book Fair chairpersons. Also thanks to the fabulous volunteers who filled their shifts with care and enthusiasm. Our sales were over $7000 (wow!) and we're hoping to take advantage of an opportunity, from Scholastic, to turn our profits into Smart Boards for our new school building. Stay tuned for updates about that. Once that happens, we can get back to sharing those Book Fair funds with our library and classrooms.

Anyway, don't look now, but we're already starting to plan the Winter Carnival. It's early this year, on December 10, 2010! And once again, it's going to be great. If you'd like to volunteer, please email rocketpto@gmail.com and let us know. We've got all sorts of opportunities, even some with very few decibels involved. The other thing is, a parent or guardian has to stay on-site (in case of emergency) ... if you're there anyway, you could help out, no? We have some nice perks for our volunteers.

Family Directory: Coming Soon to an Inbox Near You

The PTO Family Directory for 2010-2011 is on its way to the email inboxes of all participants. Thank you for your participation, If you haven't received it already, you should receive it in the next 24 hours or so.

You may print the document for your use and/or save the file on your computer, smartphone, or other handy device, for reference. Remember, the PTO Family Directory is copyright of Rochester School PTOs and is intended for non-commercial use by district families, staff and administration only.

If you ordered a printed copy of the Directory, look for it within the next week. If you'd like to order one ($5 per copy), or if you have any questions about the directory please email rocketpto@gmail.com and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

PTO Family Directory Details & Notes

THE PTO FAMILY DIRECTORY IS BACK!
The Rochester School PTOs have once again joined forces to compile and distribute a district-wide Family Directory. Handy for communicating with classmates, teammates, friends and acquaintances, the Directory will include all grade levels at Rochester Schools. Participation is optional and voluntary. Only the information you provide (which may include names, phone numbers, addresses, emails) will be published. The Directory will be distributed only to families and staff in the Rochester School District.

This year, Family Directory participation will be done ONLINE,
by the participating households, and distribution will be via email.

  

WHY?

1. By self-entering data via online survey, participants directly manage their directory information and…
2. You can enter your household's information from any computer with internet access and really …
3. It takes less time than filling out and returning a paper form and …
4. Is lots better for the environment plus…
5. It will take hours instead of weeks for the PTO Directory Team to compile the data. Also …
6. It’s much less expensive to send 1000 files than print 1000 books, which saves money and…
7. If this works, we may be able to produce a new, updated Family Directory EVERY YEAR!

Data will be collected via a secure online survey at Zoomerang.com

To OPT-IN, please go to the following link:

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22B52K8ERVF

• Follow the steps to input Directory information. One survey per household.
• Carefully read the disclaimer information on the final page before you agree to submit.
• The survey is open from now through midnight, Sept. 15. At that time the survey will close.
• Then the data will be compiled and a complete directory file will be e-mailed to participants.
• Participants can print the file for their use and/or store the file (pdf) on a computer or smartphone for ref erence anytime.

SECURITY CONCERNS: Participation in the PTO Family Directory involves submitting identifying information (student and parent names, address, phone numbers, email addresses) online. Participants choose the data they submit. This data is available online only to the PTO Directory Team. The Directory, once finalized, will be distributed only to Rochester School District families (only to those who participate) and staff. Although we don’t expect anyone to misuse access to the PTO Directory, the possibility exists. Please consider this before participating.

PARTICIPATION IS OPTIONAL AND VOLUNTARY.

If you would prefer a printed copy of the directory, those will be available for a $5 printing fee and MUST BE ORDERED BY SEPT. 26. Email rocketpto@gmail.com for ordering instructions.
Remember, the survey closes at midnight on September 15.

Thanks, from the PTOs.

RMS PTO Meeting Agenda 9/14

RMS PTO Meeting Agenda

September 14, 2010

Welcome & Introductions................................................................

      Note email rocketpto@gmail.com and website http://rocketpto.blogspot.com/

Report from Last Meeting...............................................................  

Principal’s Report.............................................................................

Treasurer’s Report...........................................................................

      Fundraiser Update

                  Early results

                  Assembly Review

                  Prizewinner review

                  Money Grab & Limo Lunch Dates

                  Pick-Up is 9/29, volunteers needed for the late shift

Boxtops & Labels............................................................................. Chair Needed

      Boxtops Blitz for October?

Directory  .........................................................................................

Fall Book Fair...................................................................................

      September 27-October 1

Fall Fun Party....................................................................................

      September 24, 8:15-11:30

      Do we have the gym and band room activities?

      Inflatables are ordered

      Shifts & Volunteers

      Refreshments (juice and Krispies, same as last year, water for volunteers)

Friday Night Prime Time................................................................................

Future Problem Solvers....................................................................

Red Ribbon Week................................................................................

Skating Parties................................................................................

Teacher Appreciation....................................................................... Chair Needed

      Regularly-scheduled activities? ISAT/TA Week?

Winter Carnival................................................................................

      December 10

Questions, Suggestions, Comments?

Fundraiser Ends Today!

The Rochester Middle School PTO Fundraiser is drawing to a close. Thank you to all participants for your efforts to support our school. Please complete your sales and turn in your order forms and funds in the envelope provided TODAY! Forms must be turned in promptly to ensure that everyone gets the prizes they have earned.


An opt-out donation option is available for those who did not participate in product sales. The PTO provides fun events, classroom extras, teacher support and equipment upgrades to Rochester Middle School. We appreciate everyone's support of these efforts. Our budget averages out to about $40 per student per year; please choose an amount you are comfortable with. A participation prize will be awarded to students whose families donate instead of selling.

Fundrasier Update

Important updates regarding online ordering through our Club's Choice Fundraiser

The correct school code for online orders is ROCHE3
You may order from any of the catalogs that appear on the "Order Online"
page:http://clubschoicefundraising.com/
Once you go to check out, you will need the student's name and the schooll code ROCHE3.

ALL ORDERS OVER $60 SHIP FREE!

Kickoff is TODAY -- please Support RMS PTO so the PTO can support RMS!

Rochester Middle/Intermediate School
Fall Fundraiser 2010

IMPORTANT FUNDRAISER DATES:
Wednesday August 25: Fundraiser Kick-Off and Start Date
Wednesday September 8: Fundraiser ends; All forms and funds turned in to RMS
Wednesday September 29: FUNDRAISER PICK-UP from 3:30 to 6 p.m.

On August 25, the Rochester Middle School PTO will kick off the Fall Fundraiser, working again this year with Club’s Choice Fundraising. We hope you will make it a family fun event as you contact friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family members for their support of your child’s school. Remember, no door-to-door sales! Club’s Choice offers a variety of items like pizzas, sweets, dry mixes, wrapping paper, holiday gift items, and much more, including 100 products $10 and under.

Thank you for your continued support of our school!!!
THINGS TO REMEMBER:
 Payment MUST be collected at time of order
 ALL checks should be payable to RMS-PTO
 Money MUST be turned in with the order form on Wednesday, September 8th

ONLINE ORDERING:
Send e-mails to far-away friends & family. They can order from you and have it shipped directly to their homes. Please note that, as in past years, shipping charges apply and orders for RMS pickup will be limited to selections from Warm Wishes and Today’s Favorites catalogs.
go to http://www.clubschoicefundraising.com/
click on the “Order Online” link at the top of the page
follow the prompts using Contract Number: 66712.

PROCEEDS GO TO THIS AND MORE:
* Playground planning & purchasing
* New teacher assistance
* Friday Night Primetime reading
* Classroom parties & incentives
* SnowFlurry , for good life choices
* Teacher Appreciation
* Assembly Speakers
* Winter Carnival
* Contributions to School Projects
* Contributions to Student Projects
* Supplement school budget for technology in the classrooms

PRIZES * PRIZES * PRIZES
Sell 3 items or more to receive a Participation Prize

Sell 10 items or more and win the above and ONE DRAW from the Lundin Money Box for each 10 items sold. Winnings can be picked up at product pickup on Wednesday, September 29.

Sell 20 items or more to win the above AND be entered into another drawing: one chance for each 20 items sold to enter the Money Machine to win cash! Two students per grade level will be chosen. The game will be played during an all school assembly, date TBA.

The CLASSROOM in each grade with the highest participation percentage wins a 5 -POUND HERSHEY BAR to share! One per grade.

GRAND PRIZE - Sell 30 items or more per student (45 items or more per family) and win a Limousine/Party Bus ride to a pizza party!!!!

PTO Seeks Collators, Offers Chocolate

We will be collating fundraiser materials on Monday, August 23, from 2-3:15 p.m. and again from 4:30 to whenever the job is done. Please email rocketpto@gmail.com if you can help out!

There will be chocolate.

Happy Second Day of School!

We try to stay relevant.

Happy First Day of School!

Happy first day of school to all the students, parents, teachers and administrators!

We'll Let the Cake Do the Talking

Fundraiser Information

Rochester Middle/Intermediate School

Fall Fundraiser 2010

IMPORTANT FUNDRAISER DATES:

Wednesday August 25: Fundraiser Kick-Off and Start Date
Wednesday September 8: Fundraiser ends; All forms and funds turned in to RMS
Wednesday September 29: FUNDRAISER PICK-UP from 3:30 to 6 p.m.

On August 25, the Rochester Middle School PTO will kick off the Fall Fundraiser, working again this year with Club’s Choice Fundraising. We hope you will make it a family fun event as you contact friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family members for their support of your child’s school. Remember, no door-to-door sales! Club’s Choice offers a variety of items like pizzas, sweets, dry mixes, wrapping paper, holiday gift items, and much more, including 100 products $10 and under.

Thank you for your continued support of our school!!!

THINGS TO REMEMBER:
 Payment MUST be collected at time of order
 ALL checks should be payable to RMS-PTO
 Money MUST be turned in with the order form on Wednesday, September 8th

ONLINE ORDERING:

Send e-mails to far-away friends & family. They can order from you and have it shipped directly to their homes. Please note that, as in past years, shipping charges apply and orders for RMS pickup will be limited to selections from Warm Wishes and Today’s Favorites catalogs.

• go to http://www.clubschoicefundraising.com/
• click on the “Order Online” link at the top of the page
• follow the prompts using Contract Number: 66712.

PROCEEDS GO TO THIS AND MORE:

* Playground planning & purchasing

* New teacher assistance

* Friday Night Primetime reading
* Classroom parties & incentives
* SnowFlurry , for good life choices
* Teacher Appreciation
* Assembly Speakers
* Winter Carnival
* Contributions to School Projects
* Contributions to Student Projects
* Supplement school budget for technology in the classrooms

PRIZES * PRIZES * PRIZES

• Sell 3 items or more to receive a Participation Prize
• Sell 10 items or more and win the above and ONE DRAW from the Lundin Money Box for each 10 items sold. Winnings can be picked up at product pickup on Wednesday, September 29.
• Sell 20 items or more to win the above AND be entered into another drawing: one chance for each 20 items sold to enter the Money Machine to win cash! Two students per grade level will be chosen. The game will be played during an all school assembly, date TBA.
• The CLASSROOM in each grade with the highest participation percentage wins a 5 -POUND HERSHEY BAR to share! One per grade.
• GRAND PRIZE - Sell 30 items or more per student (45 items or more per family) and win a Limousine/Party Bus ride to a pizza party!!!

The RMS PTO Website has arrived!

That's all for now, look at all the shiny stuff over there ...

And stay tuned!

RMS PTO Meeting Minutes 2/23/10

PTO Minutes

February 23, 2010

Principal’ s Report:  ISAT’s are next week.  Also, found out that the middle school was awarded the excellence award from the ISBE for 90% of the students meeting or exceeding standards on the ISAT testing. Tomorrow, there are 6 students from RMS going to the spelling bee at Pawnee. Mrs. Lundin also gave updates on the new school and on cuts the district has made.

Treasurer’s Report: Sally Cray reported that we have a balance of $37, 318.32. Winter Carnival did really well.

Future Problem Solvers: Mary Denney reported that Saturday is the regional competition at Porta High School. There are 12 teams competing and Rochester has 3 of the 12 teams. If the kids do well at the regional, they will get to go to state. The two training sessions seemed to have helped the kids a lot.

Boxtops and Labels: There will be another boxtop blitz in April. The class with the most labels will win a pizza party.

Winter Book Fair: Angie Resch reported that the book fair was very successful. The PTO earned  $4660.19 in Scholastic dollars. The PTO has decided to buy interactive boards through Scholastic with the money.

Skate Parties: We will try and put together incentives for kids to attend this event. It was reported that we may lose this benefit if attendance doesn’t increase.

Teacher Appreciation during ISATs:  The PTO will be providing breakfast on Tuesday, lunch on Thursday, and a treat on Friday. The PTO may also provide lunch on Wednesday as well.

Winter Carnival: Overall went really well. The area was less crowded and seemed more spread out. There were a few places a little crowded. Some discussion how winter carnival will fit into the new school.