Hi all!!

You are receiving this email because you were a PTA Member last year or signed up for notifications!

We are writing to let you know that you can now RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP for the 2026-27 school year here:

https://ncpta-12505909.givebacks.com/shop

Consider adding a “Sponsor a Teacher Membership” to your cart for $7 before checking out!

And you can SIGN UP FOR PTA COMMITTEES here:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4DA8A92FA4F5C52-64085640-afes

Reminder: The Committee Signup is for PTA Members who have some extra time to donate towards organizing and planning! We would LOVE to have you! Send any questions to us at hello@afespta.org anytime!

Look for specific event signups such as : Fun Run, Field Day, and Book Fair time slots close to the time of these events in ROOM PARENT EMAILS, PTA NEWSLETTERS, and on our SOCIAL MEDIA groups!

Spirit Wear will be sold during Meet the Teacher! Look for the PTA table!!

Thank you all for your continued support of AFES PTA and our school community!

We couldn’t do it without you!

~Jen Shannon (PTA President) & the AFES PTA Board of Directors

Hello AFES PTA Families!

If you own a business and are interested in becoming an Apex Friendship Elementary PTA Sponsor, we have some exciting new opportunities this year and would love to have you join our team! Your support helps fund child advocacy, family engagement, and campus enrichment. We would love to have you help us create an even brighter future for our Shooting Stars!

Email afesptasponsors@gmail.com for inquiries.

Thank you,

AFES PTA Board of Directors

Join us on Wednesday, May 27th at 6:00 P.M. in the Media Center for our last PTA meeting of the year. Our School Board Rep. Jennifer Job will be attending and speaking. We will also vote on the budget and on the board officers for 2026-2027. Here is our list of officers:

President- Jen Shannon

VP1- Alicia Rogers

VP2 - OPEN

Secretary - Cherie Bartell

Treasurer - Sarah Brack

Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you there!

NEXT PTA MEETING: This Wednesday, January 14th at 9:45-10:30 A.M. in the cafeteria -- we have some updates to the budget and have to vote on them, so please plan to attend!

Teacher Hospitality: Help us stock the break rooms by either contributing something by donating, and we will do the shopping for you! 

Specialist Wishlists: Interested in helping out our specialists and purchasing something off their wishlists? Please click this link.

Field Trip Donations: If you would like to make field trip donations for other students, please click this link.

Current Events:

Penny Wars: January 5-16 - student and staff participation only! Each grade will have a large empty plastic jug in the cafeteria; each penny is worth a point and whichever grade collects the most points, wins! But... grades can sabotage each other and try to deduct points by dropping silver coins into other grades' jars. Grade level that wins will get to make a recess playlist - and bring home the bragging rights. Proceeds will go to AFES PTA to rent field day inflatables

Paper Drive: Please send your child with at least one ream of white or colored copier paper

Running Stars Spring Registration Fridays before school starting February 27-May 22

PTA Positions for 2026-2027: We are looking for a social media coordinator and room parent coordinator. Those two positions and all positions will be voted at the May meeting.

International Night Committee: Are you interested in helping with the International night in mid-May? It will showcase cultural diversity through food, music, dance, crafts, and educational displays representing other countries. Please e-mail afes.int25@gmail.com if you can help!

Ongoing Celebration Opportunities:

Rent the Rock: Do you have a student or teacher that you would like to recognize?  A birthday celebration or special accomplishment?  Just want to show some school spirit? What better way to share this with the school than renting the Spirit Rock? Spots are filling fast; reserve here for your week.

Celebration Book Club: New this year! We would like to invite your child to join the Celebration Book Club (CBC) which allows your child’s birthday to be celebrated in a special way and help our Media Center collection continue to grow. Participation in this optional program involves a $25 donation per book.

Upcoming events: 

Marathon - TBD

PTA Meeting: March 5th -- 6:30-7:20 in the media center

Spring Book Fair: March 23-27

BINGO Night: March 26

Reflections Art Award Ceremony: end of March

STEM Night: April 22

International Night -- mid May

Field Days: May 19 and 20

Final PTA Meeting: May 27th -- 6:00-7:00 in the media center

Contact us with any questions or to volunteer: afespta@gmail.com We're always open! PTA website: afespta.org

Happy 2026!

Teacher Hospitality: Help us stock the break rooms by either contributing something by donating, and we will do the shopping for you! 

Specialist Wishlists: Interested in helping out our specialists and purchasing something off their wishlists? Please click this link.

Field Trip Donations: If you would like to make field trip donations for other students, please click this link.

Upcoming Events:

Next PTA Meeting: January 14 at 9:45-10:30 A.M. in the cafeteria

March 5 at 6:30-7:20 P.M. in the media center

May 27 at 6:00-7:00 P.M. in the media center

Penny Wars: January 5-16 - student and staff participation only! Each grade will have a large empty plastic jug in the cafeteria; each penny is worth a point and whichever grade collects the most points, wins! But... grades can sabotage each other and try to deduct points by dropping silver coins into other grades' jars. Grade level that wins will get to make a recess playlist - and bring home the bragging rights. Proceeds will go to AFES PTA to rent field day inflatables

Paper Drive: Please send your child with at least one ream of white or colored copier paper the first week back.

Running Stars Spring Registration Fridays before school starting February 27-May 22

PTA Positions for 2026-2027: We are looking for a social media coordinator and room parent coordinator. Those two positions and all positions will be voted at the May meeting.

Ongoing Celebration Opportunities:

Rent the Rock: Do you have a student or teacher that you would like to recognize?  A birthday celebration or special accomplishment?  Just want to show some school spirit? What better way to share this with the school than renting the Spirit Rock? Spots are filling fast; reserve here for your week.

Celebration Book Club: New this year! We would like to invite your child to join the Celebration Book Club (CBC) which allows your child’s birthday to be celebrated in a special way and help our Media Center collection continue to grow. Participation in this optional program involves a $25 donation per book.

Upcoming events: 

International Night - TBD

Marathon - TBD

Spring Book Fair: March 23-27

BINGO Night: March 26

STEM Night: April 22

Field Days: May 19 and 20

Contact us with any questions or to volunteer: afespta@gmail.com We're always open! PTA website: afespta.org

Just in case you're doing some holiday shopping this weekend:

Teacher Favorites List

Class Buddy List

For your 2026 calendar: the next PTA Meeting is January 14th at 9:45 A.M.

Happy Holidays from the Apex Friendship Elementary PTA! We look forward to another great year with you in 2026!

Membership: Family Membership for 2 adults is $20 this year. Individual Membership is $12 this year. We will continue the tradition of paying the $7 dues for any staff member who wishes to join. 

Volunteer Sign Up

Teacher Hospitality: Help us stock the break rooms by either contributing something by donating, and we will do the shopping for you! 

Specialist Wishlists: Interested in helping out our specialists and purchasing something off their wishlists? Please click this link.

Field Trip Donations: If you would like to make field trip donations for other students, please click this link.

THANK YOU to everyone who made the Book Fair a success!

Upcoming Events:

- Conservation Poster Contest - DEADLINE IS TOMORROW THE 17th!!!!: Calling all 3rd, 4th and 5th graders! AFES is participating in a Conservation Poster Contest! This is a statewide, OPTIONAL and AT HOME project for the students. There are prizes at the district, regional, and state level. For all the information, please visit this website. For all questions, please email Mrs. Caruso (our STEM teacher) at bcaruso@wcpss.net. All posters are due by November 17, 2025. 

- AFHS Food Pantry: Our first goal is to provide full Thanksgiving meals for approximately thirty families in our Friendship campus community. In order to do this- we need your help!
If you are able, please consider donating non-perishable food items such as:
Boxed stuffing
Canned cranberry sauce
Instant mashed potatoes
Turkey gravy
Canned vegetables
Breakfast items
Canned soup/pasta
Snack items
Dry pasta/rice
Pasta sauce
Peanut butter/jelly
AFHS also has an Amazon wishlist. There is also a refrigerator that was generously donated by the PTSA, so we have the ability to store perishable items as well.
Additional information AND CONFIDENTIAL form if your family can benefit from some extra kindness.

- We had many requests to order Spirit Wear again so we have opened up the link again through Sunday the 23rd. Here is the shared link: https://afeswinter25.itemorder.com/shop/home/

- Book Vending Machine: Here is a wish list for the startup of the book vending machine at the school. Please consider donating!

Ongoing Celebration Opportunities:

Rent the Rock: Do you have a student or teacher that you would like to recognize?  A birthday celebration or special accomplishment?  Just want to show some school spirit? What better way to share this with the school than renting the Spirit Rock? Spots are filling fast; reserve here for your week.

Celebration Book Club: New this year! We would like to invite your child to join the Celebration Book Club (CBC) which allows your child’s birthday to be celebrated in a special way and help our Media Center collection continue to grow. Participation in this optional program involves a $25 donation per book.

Contact us with any questions or to volunteer: afespta@gmail.com We're always open! PTA website: afespta.org

Membership: Family Membership for 2 adults is $20 this year. Individual Membership is $12 this year. We will continue the tradition of paying the $7 dues for any staff member who wishes to join. 

Volunteer Sign Up

Teacher Hospitality: Help us stock the break rooms by either contributing something by donating, and we will do the shopping for you! 

Specialist Wishlists: Interested in helping out our specialists and purchasing something off their wishlists? Please click this link.

Field Trip Donations: If you would like to make field trip donations for other students, please click this link.

Upcoming Events:

- Book Fair: November 3rd-17th -- We can't do it without you! Please consider 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 to help at our AFES Book Fair. The story starts with you! Sign up for some Book Fair shifts on the Sign-up Genius.

Create your child’s Book Fair eWallet so they can shop cash-free, worry-free, and independently! It’s easy to set up and easy for others to contribute funds! (Remember! Only K-2nd are coming home with wishlists this year.) Start here: AFES BOOK FAIR HOMEPAGE (https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/apexfriendshipelementary)

- AFHS Food Pantry: Our first goal is to provide full Thanksgiving meals for approximately thirty families in our Friendship campus community. In order to do this- we need your help!
If you are able, please consider donating non-perishable food items such as:
Boxed stuffing
Canned cranberry sauce
Instant mashed potatoes
Turkey gravy
Canned vegetables
Breakfast items
Canned soup/pasta
Snack items
Dry pasta/rice
Pasta sauce
Peanut butter/jelly
AFHS also has an Amazon wishlist. There is also a refrigerator that was generously donated by the PTSA, so we have the ability to store perishable items as well.
Additional information AND CONFIDENTIAL form if your family can benefit from some extra kindness

- Conservation Poster Contest: Calling all 3rd, 4th and 5th graders! AFES is participating in a Conservation Poster Contest! This is a statewide, OPTIONAL and AT HOME project for the students. There are prizes at the district, regional and state level. For all the information, please visit this website. For all questions, please email Mrs. Caruso (our STEM teacher) at bcaruso@wcpss.net. All posters are due by November 17, 2025. 

- Book Vending Machine: Here is a wish list for the startup of the book vending machine at the school. Please consider donating!

- Reflections Contest: The 1st and 2nd place winners in each division and category will advance to the Wake County competition, with results expected in January or February. Physical entries will be displayed in the glass display case across from the media center throughout November. All participants will be celebrated at an awards breakfast reception in the spring (March/April), with details to come. Thank you for your support! 

Ongoing Celebration Opportunities:

Rent the Rock: Do you have a student or teacher that you would like to recognize?  A birthday celebration or special accomplishment?  Just want to show some school spirit? What better way to share this with the school than renting the Spirit Rock? Spots are filling fast; reserve here for your week.

Celebration Book Club: New this year! We would like to invite your child to join the Celebration Book Club (CBC) which allows your child’s birthday to be celebrated in a special way and help our Media Center collection continue to grow. Participation in this optional program involves a $25 donation per book.

Contact us with any questions or to volunteer: afespta@gmail.com We're always open! PTA website: afespta.org

Membership: Family Membership for 2 adults is $20 this year. Individual Membership is $12 this year. We will continue the tradition of paying the $7 dues for any staff member who wishes to join. 

Volunteer Sign Up

Teacher Hospitality: Help us stock the break rooms by either contributing something by donating, and we will do the shopping for you! 

Specialist Wishlists: Interested in helping out our specialists and purchasing something off their wishlists? Please click this link.

Field Trip Donations: If you would like to make field trip donations for other students, please click this link.

Current Fundraisers:

Fun Run (HELP NEEDED -- PLEASE volunteer): The AFES Stars Run for FUNds is coming up this fall on October 17, and we need your help to make it a success! Spectators can cheer runners on from the bleachers, BUT if you want in on the action, check out our signup genius and volunteer for a race or two! We can’t wait to see you on the field!! Here is the sign-up link to help volunteer on October 17th!

Please note that all volunteers must be approved through WCPSS on the MyVolunteer site prior to race day!  Volunteers are not allowed to bring younger siblings onto the field or track due to safety reasons.  

Upcoming Events:

***DIRECTORY (Please complete this ASAP!): The PTA is working on a 2025- 2026 School Directory. This is a great way to help families connect and stay informed throughout the school year. Participation is optional, and only the information you provide will be included. If you would like to participate, please use this link. An option to fill out a hard copy will be sent home later as well, but the digital form is the easiest and quickest to accurately share your information. 

- 2025-2026 Reflections Arts Program (LAST CALL) is live! This year’s theme is “I Belong”. The AFES PTA is proud to bring this amazing program to our students, which increases community awareness of the importance of arts in education nationwide.

Students will be required to submit their completed works of art no later than October 15, 2025, in one of the following categories: Dance, Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, or Visual Arts. 

Visit the AFES Reflections Program Website for detailed program information. 

- Purchase your State Fair tickets by Oct. 16 and give back to your school (BY THURSDAY!!!!)

NC Agriculture’s Tools for Schools program works with local school districts to give back during the State Fair season. For every Advance Adult Gate Admission Ticket purchased using a school code, the State Fair will donate $2 to the school. For every Advance Child Gate Admission Ticket purchased using a school code, the State Fair will donate $1 to the school. Find your school code and enter it as your External Subscription ID at check-out on the Tools for Schools link. This promotion expires on Thursday, Oct. 16 at 11:59 p.m. and only applies to tickets purchased online in advance of the fair. 

- Conservation Poster Contest: Calling all 3rd, 4th and 5th graders! AFES is participating in a Conservation Poster Contest! This is a statewide, OPTIONAL and AT HOME project for the students. There are prizes at the district, regional and state level. For all the information, please visit this website. For all questions, please email Mrs. Caruso (our STEM teacher) at bcaruso@wcpss.net. All posters are due by November 17, 2025. 

- Book Vending Machine: Here is a wish list for the startup of the book vending machine at the school. Please consider donating!

Ongoing Celebration Opportunities:

Rent the Rock: Do you have a student or teacher that you would like to recognize?  A birthday celebration or special accomplishment?  Just want to show some school spirit? What better way to share this with the school than renting the Spirit Rock? Spots are filling fast; reserve here for your week.

Celebration Book Club: New this year! We would like to invite your child to join the Celebration Book Club (CBC) which allows your child’s birthday to be celebrated in a special way and help our Media Center collection continue to grow. Participation in this optional program involves a $25 donation per book.

Contact us with any questions or to volunteer: afespta@gmail.com We're always open! PTA website: afespta.org

Membership: Family Membership for 2 adults is $20 this year. Individual Membership is $12 this year. We will continue the tradition of paying the $7 dues for any staff member who wishes to join. 

Volunteer Sign Up

Teacher Hospitality: Help us stock the break rooms by either contributing something by donating, and we will do the shopping for you! 

Specialist Wishlists: Interested in helping out our specialists and purchasing something off their wishlists? Please click this link.

Field Trip Donations: If you would like to make field trip donations for other students, please click this link.

Current Fundraisers:

Fun Run: The AFES Stars Run for FUNds is coming up this fall on October 17, and we need your help to make it a success! Spectators can cheer runners on from the bleachers, BUT if you want in on the action, check out our signup genius and volunteer for a race or two! We can’t wait to see you on the field!! Here is the sign-up link to help volunteer on October 17th!

Please note that all volunteers must be approved through WCPSS on the MyVolunteer site prior to race day!  Volunteers are not allowed to bring younger siblings onto the field or track due to safety reasons.  

Upcoming Events:

- The 2025-2026 Reflections Arts Program is live! This year’s theme is “I Belong”. The AFES PTA is proud to bring this amazing program to our students, which increases community awareness of the importance of arts in education nationwide.

Students will be required to submit their completed works of art no later than October 15, 2025, in one of the following categories: Dance, Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, or Visual Arts. 

Visit the AFES Reflections Program Website for detailed program information. 

- The PTA is working on a 2025- 2026 School Directory. This is a great way to help families connect and stay informed throughout the school year. Participation is optional, and only the information you provide will be included. If you would like to participate, please use this link. An option to fill out a hard copy will be sent home later as well, but the digital form is the easiest and quickest to accurately share your information. 

Ongoing Celebration Opportunities:

Rent the Rock: Do you have a student or teacher that you would like to recognize?  A birthday celebration or special accomplishment?  Just want to show some school spirit? What better way to share this with the school than renting the Spirit Rock? Spots are filling fast; reserve here for your week.

Celebration Book Club: New this year! We would like to invite your child to join the Celebration Book Club (CBC) which allows your child’s birthday to be celebrated in a special way and help our Media Center collection continue to grow. Participation in this optional program involves a $25 donation per book.

Contact us with any questions or to volunteer: afespta@gmail.com We're always open! PTA website: afespta.org

First Meeting: September 25 at 6:20-6:40 P.M. in the cafeteria between Curriculum Night sessions

Membership: Family Membership for 2 adults is $20 this year. Individual Membership is $12 this year. We will continue the tradition of paying the $7 dues for any staff member who wishes to join. 

Volunteer Sign Up

Teacher Hospitality: Help us stock the break rooms by either contributing something from this SUG or donating and we will do the shopping for you! 

Current Fundraisers:

Kidz in Lids: The Apex Friendship Elementary PTA is honored to participate in a fundraiser called Kidz in Lids on Wednesday, September 24 benefiting Children's Cancer Partners and their mission to assist Carolina children on their cancer journey. In order to participate and wear a hat on the 24th, students will be asked to bring in $1. Staff is invited to wear jeans and contribute $5 as well that day. 

You should have seen a flyer about this in your child's take home folder this past week as well.

Go, Play, Save: These amazing coupon books are still for sale via QR code on your student's form they received at Meet the Teacher.  Sale ends/orders due by September 26. 

Fun Run: The AFES Stars Run for FUNds is coming up this fall on October 17, and we need your help to make it a success! The Run for FUNds committee is currently looking for volunteers in the following areas:

Graphic Design

Pep Rally Planning and Management (October 6 all morning)

Volunteer Coordinator for Event Day (October 17 all day)

Class Incentives Tracking and Fulfillment 

General Campaign Volunteers available to help with tasks along the way

Planning begins now, the campaign will run October 6-17, and event day will be October 17.  If you are able to help in any of these areas or have questions, please email afesfunrun@gmail.com  **We will ask for event day volunteers at a later time.

Upcoming Events:

The 2025-2026 Reflections Arts Program is live! This year’s theme is “I Belong”. The AFES PTA is proud to bring this amazing program to our students, which increases community awareness of the importance of arts in education nationwide.

Students will be required to submit their completed works of art no later than October 15, 2025, in one of the following categories: Dance, Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, or Visual Arts. 

Visit the AFES Reflections Program Website for detailed program information. 

The PTA is working on a 2025- 2026 School Directory. This is a great way to help families connect and stay informed throughout the school year. Participation is optional, and only the information you provide will be included. If you would like to participate please use this link. An option to fill out a hard copy will be sent home later as well, but the digital form is the easiest and quickest to accurately share your information. 

Ongoing Celebration Opportunities:

Rent the Rock: Do you have a student or teacher that you would like to recognize?  A birthday celebration or special accomplishment?  Just want to show some school spirit? What better way to share this with the school than renting the Spirit Rock? Spots are filling fast; reserve here for your week.

Celebration Book Club: New this year! We would like to invite your child to join the Celebration Book Club (CBC) which allows your child’s birthday to be celebrated in a special way and help our Media Center collection continue to grow. Participation in this optional program involves a $25 donation per book.

Contact us with any questions or to volunteer: afespta@gmail.com We're always open! PTA website: afespta.org

First Meeting: September 25 at 6:00-6:25PM in between Curriculum Night sessions.

Membership: Family Membership for 2 adults is $20 this year. Individual Membership is $12 this year. We will continue the tradition of paying the $7 dues for any staff member who wishes to join. 

Volunteer Sign Up

Spirit Wear: We have new colors and options available for pre-order! Orders will be fulfilled within the first few weeks of school and delivered to students. These orders are due by 9/12.

Teacher Hospitality: Help us stock the break rooms by either contributing something from this SUG or donating and we will do the shopping for you! 

Current Fundraisers:

Go, Play, Save: These amazing coupon books are still for sale via QR code on your student's form they received at Meet the Teacher.  Sale ends/orders due by September 26. 

Fun Run: The AFES Stars Run for FUNds is coming up this fall on October 17, and we need your help to make it a success! The Run for FUNds committee is currently looking for volunteers in the following areas:

Graphic Design

Pep Rally Planning and Management (October 6 all morning)

Volunteer Coordinator for Event Day (October 17 all day)

Class Incentives Tracking and Fulfillment 

General Campaign Volunteers available to help with tasks along the way

Planning begins now, the campaign will run October 6-17, and event day will be October 17.  If you are able to help in any of these areas or have questions, please email afesfunrun@gmail.com  **We will ask for event day volunteers at a later time.

Ongoing Celebration Opportunities:

Rent the Rock: Do you have a student or teacher that you would like to recognize?  A birthday celebration or special accomplishment?  Just want to show some school spirit? What better way to share this with the school than renting the Spirit Rock? Spots are filling fast; reserve here for your week.

Celebration Book Club: New this year! We would like to invite your child to join the Celebration Book Club (CBC) which allows your child’s birthday to be celebrated in a special way and help our Media Center collection continue to grow. Participation in this optional program involves a $25 donation per book.

Upcoming Events:

Running Stars is back this fall! Please register your student for our all comers, grades K-5 Friday morning run club by Friday, September 12! 

Back to School Picnic: Please join us on the playground for a Back to School Picnic on Monday, September 15th from 5:30pm to 7pm. Put on your AFES Spirit Wear, bring a picnic and a blanket, and spend some time with your Shooting Stars Family! 

Contact us with any questions or to volunteer: afespta@gmail.com We're always open! PTA website: afespta.org

Welcome back, Stars! We can't wait for you to see all we have planned for this school year and invite you to join us in any way you can throughout the year. Our PTA is only as strong as its members and our goal is to share as much as we can with as many members as possible to provide our students, staff, and families with an involved, connected, and special experience all year long. 

Membership: Family Membership for 2 adults is $20 this year. Individual Membership is $12 this year. We will continue the tradition of paying the $7 dues for any staff member who wishes to join. 

Volunteer Sign Up

Teacher Hospitality: Help us stock the break rooms by either contributing something from this SUG or donating and we will do the shopping for you! 

Contact us with any questions or to volunteer: afespta@gmail.com We're always open!

Updated Website: The AFES PTA is SO excited to share our updated website! Please visit https://afespta.org any time for updates and links to what we have to offer this school year. A very special THANK YOU to Henan Li for his hard work this summer getting this site up and running in time for the beginning of the year. 

Spirit Wear: We have new colors and options available for pre-order! Orders will be fulfilled within the first few weeks of school and delivered to students.

School Calendar Magnets: NEW this year! We are sending school calendar magnets home to all our families! We want to thank our four sponsors for their donations to make this happen: The Blackwell Group, Squeaky KLIN, Kim Yong-In Martial Arts, and Sharkey's Cuts For Kids! Please look for these in your child's folders the first week of school, and be sure to support our sponsors.

Current Fundraisers:

- Go, Play, Save: We are selling these amazing coupon books again this year, but NOT sending the books home except with our Kindergarten kiddos. You can still order hard copy books through the QR code on your student's form they received at Meet the Teacher and we will send those home with them. Sale ends/ orders due by September 26. 

- Fun Run: The AFES Stars Run for FUNds is coming up this fall on October 17 and we need your help to make it a success! The Run for FUNds committee is currently looking for volunteers in the following areas:

Graphic Design

Pep Rally Planning and Management (October 6 all morning)

Volunteer Coordinator for Event Day (October 17 all day)

Class Incentives Tracking and Fulfillment 

General Campaign Volunteers available to help with tasks along the way

Planning begins now, the campaign will run October 6-17, and event day will be October 17.  If you are able to help in any of these areas or have questions, please email afesfunrun@gmail.com  **We will ask for event day volunteers at a later time.

Ongoing Celebration Opportunities:

- Rent the Rock: Do you have a student or teacher that you would like to recognize?  A birthday celebration or special accomplishment?  Just want to show some school spirit? What better way to share this with the school than renting the Spirit Rock? Spots are filling fast; reserve here for your week.

- Celebration Book Club: New this year! We would like to invite your child to join the Celebration Book Club (CBC) which allows your child’s birthday to be celebrated in a special way and help our Media Center collection continue to grow. Participation in this optional program involves a $25 donation per book. For this donation, your child may select a new book from a special collection of “celebration” books located in our Media Center. A special bookplate with your child’s name or dedication will be placed in the inside front cover of the book. Your child also has the honor of being the first to check out the new book and their picture will be on display. This donation helps us add popular and frequently-requested titles to our Media Center’s book collection.

Upcoming Events:

- Back to School Picnic: Please join us on the playground for a Back to School Picnic on Monday, September 15th from 5:30pm to 7pm. Put on your AFES Spirit Wear, bring a picnic and a blanket, and spend some time with your Shooting Stars Family! 

Run Clubs:

- Girls on the Run: August 25th is not only our first day of school but the first day of EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION for Girls on the Run! Open to any 3-5 grade girl! 

Early Bird Registration: 8/25/25 - 8/31/25 --- Discount Code: FA25EARLYBIRD
General Registration: 9/1/25 - 9/15/25
Program Starts: 09/15/2025
Practices: T/TH 4:00-5:15 PM
Program Fee: $205, but with income-based financial assistance, the cost can be as low as $25. Fee includes: Twenty 75-minute sessions conducted by certified volunteer coaches, curriculum and lesson materials, official program T-shirt, and water bottle, 5K Registration fee, medal, & 5k event on December 6!

- Running Stars is back this fall! Please register your student for our all comers, grades K-5 Friday morning run club by Friday, September 12! 

We look forward to a wonderful school year with you!

Hello AFES Families!!

We are so excited to welcome those of you who will be with us again for the 2025-2026 school year! If you are moving on to another school, thank you so much for all you have done with us. We will miss you! For the rest of you....

We are building on our plans for the school year and want to invite you to join us again as official PTA members -family membership or individual membership, with our staff memberships at no cost to them (you'll get a separate email on this). Our PTA depends upon your help and to that end, we are asking you to take a look at this Sign Up Genius to find a committee you are interested in leading or joining. And don't worry, you can do more than one! :-) We have a section for general volunteer help too if you know you want to lend a hand in a more general way (e.g. as a day-of volunteer for an event).

We will have so many things to share with you soon, including a new website, the sign up for the Spirit Rock, all the details about our Fun Run, the unveiling of our Celebration Book Club and so many more fun, rewarding, and exciting things. As always, please feel free to reach us at afespta@gmail.com.

Thank you again!

Amy Skorich, President

Dani Blackwell, Vice President

Jen Shannon, Vice President

Alicia Rogers, Secretary

Nick Banks, Treasurer