Welcome. Back. I hope everyone enjoyed the summer weather during this November break. Who’d have thought that we’d have consecutive days of 75F (or 23.8C for all my celsius peeps out there) during this particular school break, but here we are. It's the run-up to the holiday period, and there’s a lot going on.

A letter from Nora

Our wonderful PTA Pres Nora O'Rourke is asking you to consider giving back as we head into the holidays. Read her letter here.

Take two

Did your TT miss photo day? Don’t worry! The Tuscan photog will be back in action on Wednesday, November 16. Please register TODAY by emailing hi@iamcamera.net with the school name, your child’s name, grade, and teacher.

Thanksgiving drive

Each November, the PTA raises money for Tuscan families to help them with their Thanksgiving meal. We hope to help 35-40 families and raise between $3,500 and $4,000 by November 18.

If you are able to help, there are three ways to give:

1) by donating online here

2) by sending a check to your child’s classroom made payable to the Tuscan PTA - please write ‘Thanksgiving Drive’ in the memo line

3) by sending cash to your child’s classroom in an envelope marked ‘Thanksgiving Drive’

Any donations will be used by the PTA to purchase grocery store gift cards. We will give these to Ms. Buggy, our school social worker. We use grocery store gift cards so each family can celebrate the holiday according to their own tastes and cultural traditions.

Thank you for your generosity!

Help us, help your TTs

Here’s the deal: WE NEED MORE TUSCAN SHOW DIRECTORS AND WE DON’T HAVE ENOUGH AND IF WE DON’T HAVE ENOUGH, WE’LL HAVE TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF SKITS AND IF WE LIMIT THE NUMBER OF SKITS, WE’LL HAVE TO DO A LOTTERY, AND IF WE DO A LOTTERY, NOT EVERY TT WILL MAKE IT AND KIDS WILL BE SAD. Sign up here.

Recess and lunch need you

Do you suspect that your TT tosses those healthy parts of the lunch you give them? Now is your chance to keep a watchful eye on them at recess and lunch, while also keeping a watchful eye on other kiddos. We need more volunteers please! Sign up here.

Conversations on race

Join Professors Khalil Gibran Muhammad and Peggy Cooper Davis on November 15 at 7:30pm for a conversation about Critical Race Theory, what it is, why everyone is talking about it, and why we should be paying attention to how history is (or isn’t) being taught in our schools. The event is being hosted by the SOMA Community Coalition On Race, and you can register here.

Get ready for summer

If you’re anything like this newsletter author, you get to January and spit and curse about why you weren’t more prepared for summer camps. URGH. But there is good news! The 6th Annual SOMA Summer Camp Fair is here and happening earlier in the planning cycle! The Camp Fair will be held on December 11 from 1pm - 4pm at The Woodland (60 Woodland Road, Maplewood).

Free town parking is available, as well as light refreshments.

Two Towns Turkey Trot

Folks! Lace up your runners, and fasten your wooly hat- it’s time for the Two Towns Turkey Trot. A fundraising event for Seth Boyden, this annual 5k is a fun way to get some exercise, hang out with MAPSO friends and do some good. The run starts at 10am on November 19. More information and the sign up is here.

SUBJECT: Tuscan PTA Newsletter 11/13