Announcements

Events

Dates to Note – October 2018

Hello O’Hara Families! Be sure to mark your calendars for these October events and dates to note:

  • Wednesday, October 3, 2018 (4 – 8pm) PTO Chipotle Dine and Donate Event, Chipotle at 1027 Freeport Road. Make dinner a selfless act by joining us for a fundraiser to support O’Hara Elementary School PTO. Bring in the flyer, show this post on your smart phone, or simply tell the cashier that you’re supporting the cause for the O’Hara Elementary School PTO to make sure that 33% of the proceeds will be donated to O’Hara Elementary School PTO. More info can be found here.
  • Monday, October 8 – Friday, October 12, 4th Grade CoGAT testing
  • Tuesday, October 9, 2018 (9-10am), District Forum Meeting, LGI Room at FCAHS. Join District Forum for a discussion of the FCASD budget and the budgeting process.
  • Wednesday, October 10, 2018, Noon Dismissal
  • October 16-19, 2018, Fifth Graders at Camp Allegheny 
  • Thursday, October 18, 2018 (6pm) PTO Meeting, O’Hara Auditorium. Join the O’Hara PTO for our first evening meeting of the year. 
  • Friday, October 19, 2018 – Last Day to Turn in Box Tops for the Fall Collection!
  • Wednesday, October 24, 2018 (9:15am), PALS Meeting, Roots of Faith, 800 Main St, Sharpsburg, PA 15215
  • Friday, October 26, 2018, Noon Dismissal
  • Monday, October 29, 2018 (6pm) Elementary Math Parent Night, Kerr Elementary School. The Fox Chapel Area School District invites parents to an informational event about your child’s math curriculum. Parents can also learn ways to help your child with math at home, participate in a Q&A, and find out about homework. Please RSVP at https://goo.gl/9e1KxD.
  • Wednesday, October 31, 2018 (2:45-3:40pm) Annual Halloween Parade and Classroom Parties.  Additional information on the parade to follow. Note: Volunteers for classroom parties are assigned by the homeroom representative. If you have not already indicated your interest in helping with the Halloween or other class parties, you can do so here.

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Announcements

Your Look at the Week Ahead – Filled with Spirit!

We hope to see you at tomorrow’s PTO meeting from 9:15-am – 10:15am in the Auditorium. Bring your ID and sign in at the front office. Coffee will be provided! 

Next week will be spirit-filled as we celebrate Fox Chapel’s Homecoming. We’ve also got several open volunteer opportunities and a new class added to the O’Hara Foxes Club (details below).

DATES TO NOTE – WEEK OF 9/24

Spirit Week (9/24 – 9/28)

Students are encouraged to dress up and show their #OHaraSpirit! Email photos to communications@oharapto.org to be featured on our Facebook page!

SPIRIT WEEK

Please note: no spaghetti strap or strapless tank tops.  Students must wear shoes to school (no slippers or slipper socks). 

Reminder: Online Spirit Store Closes 9/23

You can still grab some great O’Hara Spirit Gear in time for the pep rally and Homecoming at https://www.fmgweb.com/ohara/. The store will remain open until 9/23. Items purchased will be distributed by 9/26.

Mobile Fingerprinting (9/26 from 10am – 6pm) – Foxwall EMS – Registration Required

In partnership with the Kerr PTO, a Mobile Fingerprinting event for the Act 114 FBI Criminal Reporting requirement will be held on September 26th at Foxwall EMS. The event will run from 10am – 6pm. To register and reserve a spot to be fingerprinted, please follow these instructions: http://bit.ly/mobilefingerprint2018  (Note: we are aware of some issues registering and are working to resolve). 

Community Homecoming Carnival – Friday, September 28, 2018 (4-7pm).

In honor of Homecoming Weekend, the Fox Chapel Area High School invites community members to its annual Homecoming Carnival, with lots of fun activities, games, and rides for kids. Head out to the Front Lawn at Fox Chapel Area High School and look for the O’Hara PTO! We’ll be hosting a game and selling our remaining spirit inventory.  The football game follows at 7pm.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Volunteers are needed in each classroom to help with class parties, field trips, Box Tops, and Spring and Thanksgiving Basket collections. Sign up today and let your homeroom representative know how you’d like to help:  https://goo.gl/forms/l7uaXmfYqBUfQps12

TAG is an art enrichment program in which volunteers become amateur docents–bringing art history, criticism, aesthetics, and art-making experiences to our students.(Don’t worry, no art degree required!). More information and sign up available here: https://oharapto.org/tag/

Volunteers are needed to help represent O’Hara Elementary School at the Fox Chapel Foxes Homecoming Carnival on 9/28. Sign up here:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0d4daba623a1f49-homecoming

Looking for something else? Volunteer opportunities are posted when available at oharapto.org/volunteer. 

O’HARA FOXES CLUB CONTINUES WITH LAB RATZ SCIENCE CLUB

The OFC continues with Lab Ratz Science Club. Lab Ratz presents basic science principles in an engaging, hands-on manner- encouraging students to be inventive and creative, to question the world around them, and to make discoveries through firsthand experimentation. The Fall session is open to students in grades 3 – 5. Classes begin on Monday, October 8th and will run for 5 weeks from 4:00-5:00 pm. The cost is $70. For additional details and to register, visit oharapto.org/ofc or view the flyer attached.

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PTO Meetings

Join us 9/20 for Our First Meeting of the Year

Hello O’Hara Families,  We hope to see you this coming Thursday, September 20th at 9:15am in the auditorium for our first meeting of the year!  We will provide an overview of new programs and activities and the many ways you can get involved throughout the year.  We’ll also be reviewing and approving our budget for the year. All are welcome to attend (just sign in at the front office and head to the auditorium – don’t forget your ID!).

Our Principal’s update will introduce you to a new opportunity to volunteer in your student’s classroom (Themed Learning Centers, kicking off in October), and share plans for the O’Hara Elementary Showcase in April (those of you missing Open House are going to love this!).  Additionally, Dan DiDesiderio, Director of Student Achievement and Instructional Verification, and Dana Simile, Coordinator of English Language Arts, will share brief updates from the School District.  View the detailed agenda here. 

Add to Your Calendar

Events

Dates to Note – September 2018

Hello O’Hara Families! With Labor Day weekend upon us, school is in full swing and Fall is on its way. Be sure to mark your calendars for these September events and dates to note:

  • Monday, September 3, 2018 No School (Labor Day)
  • Wednesday, September 5, 2018 (5:30-8:00pm) Back to School Social and School Spirit Sale, O’Hara Playground. This annual O’Hara PTO event is a favorite among students and provides an opportunity for families to connect. Bring the whole family for dinner, dessert and fun (rain or shine).  You can also stock up on O’Hara gear to show your O’Hara Spirit on Fridays.  Interested in helping out?  You can volunteer for a shift and still have time to enjoy the festivities.
  • Thursday, September 6, 2018 (6:00-7:30pm) O’Hara Elementary Camp Allegheny Parent Meeting, O’Hara Auditorium. 5th grade parents are invited to discuss the annual class trip to Camp Allegheny.
  • Monday, September 10, 2018 No School (Fall Break)
  • Wednesday, September 19, 2018 No School (Fall Break)
  • Thursday, September 20, 2018 (9:15-10:15am) First PTO Meeting of the Year, O’Hara Auditorium. Caregivers are welcome to attend the first PTO meeting of the year and learn about ways to get involved at O’Hara. We will be discussing volunteer involvement in committees, the budget, and exciting new events coming to O’Hara this year. Homeroom Representatives are invited to stay for an additional meeting at 10:15am to discuss their role and responsibilities for the year. 
  • Monday, September 24-28, 2018 Spirit Week. It’s Homecoming Week in the Fox Chapel Area School District and O’Hara Elementary students can show their pride by participating in Spirit Week. 
    • Monday: Mismatch Day
    • Tuesday: Tank Top Day (no spaghetti straps or strapless clothing items)
    • Wednesday: Woke Up Like This (no slippers or slipper socks. Children need to be wearing shoes)
    • Thursday: Red Zone-wear your O’Hara T-shirts or Fox Chapel gear for a Homecoming Pep Rally in the afternoon
    • Friday: Disney Day
  • Tuesday, September 25, 2018 (6:30pm) Public Meeting on School Safety, Fox Chapel Area High School LGI. The Fox Chapel Area School District is holding a public meeting to discuss the district’s safety plan. Administrators and local police officials will discuss approaches aimed at enhanced prevention and response protocols throughout the district’s campuses. Parents are encouraged to attend. 
  • Wednesday, September 26, 2018 (9:15am) PALS Meeting, Eat N’ Park in Waterworks. 
  • Friday, September 28, 2018 (4-7pm) Community Homecoming Carnival, Front Lawn at Fox Chapel Area High School. In honor of Homecoming Weekend, the Fox Chapel Area High School invites community members to its annual Homecoming Carnival, with lots of fun activities, games, and rides for kids.  The football game follows at 7pm. 
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Events, Fundraisers

Back to School Social & O’Hara Spirit Sale

The Back to School Social and O’Hara Spirit Sale will be held Wednesday, September 5th from 5:30pm – 8pm on the playground.  This annual O’Hara PTO event is a favorite among students and provides an opportunity for families to connect. Bring the whole family for dinner, dessert & fun (rain or shine)!  You can also stock up on O’Hara gear to show your O’Hara Spirit on Fridays!  Interested in helping out?  You can volunteer for a shift and still have time to enjoy the festivities!

Food Trucks

Food will be available for purchase from several food trucks and local restaurants, including:

A portion of food sales will be donated back to O’Hara PTO.

Raffles

Raffle tickets will be available for purchase to win a variety of prizes.  All raffle ticket proceeds benefit the O’Hara PTO and have been donated by our generous PTO Directory advertisers. Tickets start at $1/each (cash and checks accepted) Raffle prizes include:

  • Seven Springs (4 Highland Ski Tickets /4 Tubing Tickets)
  • Hidden Valley (4 Tickets to Golf at Hidden Valley)
  • Laurel Mountain (4 Ski/Board Tickets)
  • Cornerstone ($50 gift certificate)
  • Tavern in the Wall ($25 gift certificate)
  • Rosebud’s (Backpack, lunchbox, Desk pad)
  • Kristi Boutique ($50 gift certificate)
  • Soothe the Soul ($25 gift certificate)
  • Aspinwall Beans N Cream ($20 gift certificate)
  • Lauri Ann West Community Center (6 month membership and 2 tickets to Celebrate the Center)
  • O’Hara Elementary (event parking space!)
  • Borough of Aspinwall (T-shirts)
  • At the Wall Pilates (Free private lesson)
  • Pure Barre (one month unlimited classes)
  • One Brilliant ($100 gift certificate)
  • Dovecote ($50 gift certificate)
  • Lynott Miniatures (Penguin Stuffed Animal)

Spirit Sale

This year’s Social will also feature an on-site O’Hara Spirit Sale! Items for sale include:

  • T-shirts in adult and youth sizes ($15 each)
  • Youth Hoodies ($25)
  • Umbrellas ($20+tax)
  • Water Bottles ($14+tax)
  • Window Clings ($3+tax)

Credit cards will be accepted for Spirit Sale purchases.  Special “Back to School” pricing will be available at the Social, including:

  • 2 shirts for $25 (mix and match youth and adult sizes)
  • Water bottle + Youth Shirt for $25
  • 2 Window Clings for $5
  • Free Window Cling with $25 purchase

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Any remaining inventory will be sold through our online spirit sale after the social.

Volunteer

Volunteers are needed to help with beverage sales, raffle ticket sales, and the Spirit Sale.  View available opportunities and sign up here! 

We look forward to seeing you at the Back to School Social and Spirit Sale!

PTO 2018 Back to School Social (1)

Volunteer

Volunteer to be a Homeroom Rep by 9/4

Welcome to the 2018-2019 school year!  We’ll be sharing lots of ways to help at O’Hara throughout the year.  Serving as your child’s homeroom representative is one of them. Homeroom Representative is a year-long commitment and requires clearances.  If you are interested in serving as a homeroom representative, please complete the online form by no later than September 4th.

Homeroom representative responsibilities include:

  • Communicating regularly with the classroom teacher
  • Coordinating chaperones for classroom field trips
  • Organizing an end-of-the-year class gift
  • Overseeing the classroom Box Top coordinator
  • Overseeing the collections for the Thanksgiving and spring baskets
  • Championing volunteer opportunities at school outside of the classroom

Importantly, homeroom representatives are also responsible for overseeing and coordinating volunteers for the classroom parties. This year, the parties will be held on the following dates:

  • 10/31 Halloween Parade and Classroom Parties
  • 12/21 Holiday Classroom Parties
  • 2/14 Valentine’s Day Classroom Parties
  • 6/7 End of the Year Classroom Parties

Please note: Each homeroom will have one representative, who will be selected at random from among the submissions. Notifications will be sent on or before September 10th. If you are not selected as a homeroom representative, there are a variety of other volunteer opportunities in the classroom and the PTO will share these throughout the year!

If you have any questions about Homeroom Representative responsibilities or the selection process, please feel free to email sarah.blask@gmail.com.

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