Stephen Foster PTA

Our own Citizen of the month!! Go Grayson!

🎉 Congratulations to Our September Citizens of the Month! 🎉

We’re thrilled to celebrate these outstanding students from each elementary school in Alachua County, recognized for their exceptional scholastic achievements, positive attitudes, and contributions to their communities. Selected by their teachers and peers, these students shine as role models in their schools!

A special thank you to our amazing partners for making this program possible! Let’s give these young leaders a big round of applause! 👏

📖📚📰We're thrilled to announce that our Read-A-Thon is underway!📰📚📖
We're counting on you to make it a success. If you haven't already, please take a moment to activate your child’s personal reader page by clicking on the following link:
https://www.read-a-thon.com/readers/r/323339313931

It only takes a minute or two, and your support will greatly assist us in meeting our financial goals.
Thank you for your help in reaching our goal.

Stephen Foster PTA

Reader Signup

Join us for our first Skate Station Spirit night on Friday!!!
Get amazing prices and the place to ourselves, while raising money for our school!
See you there!
Foster PTA

Do you like reading books? So do we!
Sponsor your kiddo during our Read-a-thon!
https://www.read-a-thon.com/readers/tool/323339313931/3

Thanks so much,

Stephen Foster PTA

Read-a-thon Readers Share What They Like to Read Young readers share what kind of books they like to read as their www.read-a-thon.com fundraiser gets started.

It's time for the Stephen Foster PTA Read-A-Thon!
Our school Read-A-Thon begins on Monday October 21, 2024 and is sure to be a fun and exciting event.

We understand that your time is valuable. We also know that providing the best education for your child is important. That's why we are encouraging everyone to activate their student's Read-A-Thon account as soon as possible. The instructions are straightforward, making it quick and hassle-free, and it should take less than 5 minutes of your time.

Watch a short video to see how to signup your reader:
https://youtu.be/12tmuXH8zCg

This account will serve as a hub for recording and monitoring your child's progress as a Reader in the event, and for you to share their Read-A-Thon message with friends and family. Use the link below to activate your student's Reader account:
https://www.read-a-thon.com/readers/r/323339313931/1

Thank you so much for your participation and support. Together, we can make this Read-A-Thon an amazing experience for our young readers! Thank you,

Stephen Foster PTA

Stephen Foster PTA has decided to hold a Read-A-Thon this year!
Read-A-Thons actually get your reader excited about reading and it gives friends and family the opportunity to encourage your child to read even more.

Our Read-A-Thon starts Monday October 21, 2024.

We have sent home instructions on how to activate your reader's personal page. This is where you will be able to view and record their progress. We will send out another take home sheet this week!

We encourage you to activate your reader’s account today by clicking on https://www.read-a-thon.com/readers/r/323339313931/1 and following the simple instructions.

We've chosen Read-A-Thon because it will not take much of your time, gives your child a reason to read and helps in the development of stronger reading skills.

We hope EVERYONE participates.

Thanks so much,

Stephen Foster PTA

Reader Signup

Get ready, Alachua County! 💡

The Annual Magnet Showcase is coming up on Saturday, November 16th from 10 AM - 1 PM at the Alachua County Sports and Event Center!

This year is BIGGER and BETTER than ever, with ALL magnet programs on display—from elementary to high school! 🏫 Whether you're exploring options for your young learners or thinking ahead for middle and high school, this is your one-stop event to:

✅ Learn about every magnet program ✅ Get important application details and deadlines ✅ Connect with program coordinators ✅ Plan for your child's future

📍 Location: Alachua County Sports and Event Center
📅 Date: Saturday, November 16th
⏰ Time: 10 AM - 1 PM
📫 Address: 4870 Celebration Pointe Ave, Gainesville, FL 32608

Come find out what makes Alachua County’s magnet programs some of the BEST in the state! 🌟

For more info, visit www.sbac.edu/magnets or email us at [email protected].

Share with friends and family who should be there! 🙌

We hope everyone made it through Hurricanes Helene and Milton safely! Please take note of the scheduled make-up days for any missed school:

📅 December 20, 2024
📅 January 6, 2025
📅 February 14, 2025

We hope everyone made it through Hurricanes Helene and Milton safely! Please take note of the scheduled make-up days for any missed school:

📅 December 20, 2024
📅 January 6, 2025
📅 February 14, 2025

Due to Rawlings Elementary's Year-Round schedule, they will only need to make up 1 school day on January 6, 2025.

Thank you for your continued flexibility. Stay safe out there! View the 10-month and 12-month school calendars at www.sbac.edu/calendars

Fyi! School is in session Wednesday!

Schools and district offices will be OPEN as usual on Wednesday, September 25. The district is monitoring Tropical Storm Helene and working closely with Alachua County Emergency Management to prepare.

We plan to notify families and staff by 2 pm on Wednesday about plans for Thursday. In the meantime, we encourage everyone to begin planning for the storm now. Local updates and preparation tips are available at alachuacountyready.com

--

Familias de ACPS

Como puede ser ya de su conocimiento, la tormenta tropical Helene tiene pronosticada su trayectoria hacia el Estado de Florida, lo cual pudiera estar llegando a las costas al final de la semana en categoría de huracán.

El distrito escolar, está monitoreando la tormenta y trabajando de cerca con las autoridades de emergencia del Condado de Alachua con relación a preparativos y demás.Las escuelas de nuestro distrito escolar estarán ABIERTAS este 25 de septiembre en horario regular. Nuestras oficinas de la junta escolar tienen planificado notificar este miércoles 25, alrededor de las 2:00 PM a las familias y empleados acerca de las labores y clases del día jueves 26, por medio de correos electrónicos, llamadas y textos; así como en nuestro portal digital y redes sociales.

Mientras tanto, recomendamos a todos a comenzar la planificación para el paso de la tormenta de inmediato. Esto, incluye preparación en su casa o negocio para tener a mano todo lo necesitado mientras el fenómeno climático pase.

Para más información, incluyendo actualizaciones del tiempo, recomendaciones, refugios y locaciones para distribución de sacos de arena; visite https://www.alachuacountyready.com. Este portal, está disponible en español y otros idiomas.

So excited for our first skate station spirit night on 9/26!

Check out the PTA's planned activities for this school year, and save those dates on your calendar!

¡Consulta las actividades planificadas por la PTA para este año escolar y guarda las fechas en tu calendario!

Join us for Plants for Pollinators: A Plant Giveaway with the Florida Museum of Natural History on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 12 p.m. at the Millhopper Branch.

The Florida Museum of Natural History will be coming to the Millhopper Branch to give away around 300 free pollinator-friendly plants to folks in the community. They will also have informational booths set up with informational literature about plants for pollinators, common Florida butterflies, live insects, and drawers of insects.
attend.aclib.us/event/11200776

We look forward to meeting our Foster Steamer parents, talk about planned events for the upcoming school year and opportunities to volunteer both in person as well as remotely.
See you tonight at 6pm!!

Join us Thursday 8/29 at 6pm at https://sfcollege.zoom.us/j/95438508505

Back to School

Classes begin for Alachua County’s public elementary, middle, and high school students on Monday, August 12th. Santa Fe College’s Fall and Fall A classes begin on Monday, August 19th. UF’s Fall semester begins on Thursday, August 22nd. The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office would like to offer some tips and information to make the back-to-school transition a little easier for our area students.

• Children who walk or ride their bike to school should be reminded to obey their school crossing guards when crossing a street. In the absence of a school crossing guard, they should look both ways before crossing a street. NEVER cross against the light. Walk with a buddy if possible. Bike riders should walk, not ride, their bikes through the intersection.

• Bus riders should wait for the bus in a safe location out of the roadway. Stay three giant steps back from the bus until it comes to a complete stop and opens the doors.

• Parents, slow down in school zones and pay attention to speed limits and school crossing guards.

• For high school students who drive, please buckle up, obey the speed limits, and keep your focus on the road – not your cell phone. Texting while driving is illegal in the state of Florida.

• College students, please remember that the number one campus crime is theft so keep your personal items secure at all times. Remember, lock it or lose it!

• Have a safe and fun school year!

Here is a welcome message from our Awesome Principal Roberson!!

First Day of School Information This video gives information about the first day of school and walking their child to class on August 12th and 13th.

😍🤓Are you ready for the next school year???🤓😍
😍😎Become a proud member of the Stephen Foster PTA!😎😍
😍😍Check out the link below and join for just $5!😍😍

https://square.link/u/PdSOY1XZ

Thank you so much Alachua County School Meals-Your Choice Fresh! Having meals available to all children ages 0-18 over the summer is an amzing service!
The summer meal program ends today July 26th, check it out!

Home Food & Nutrition Services is made up of a team of food and nutrition professionals that are dedicated to students' health, well being and ability to learn.

Did you see the changes to our school days this coming year? Early release Wednesdays is now only *once* per month, so let's set that alarm real quick, parents and caregivers!

From our School System:
To families and staff at all elementary schools, High Springs Community School, A Quinn Jones, Sidney Lanier and Duval Early Learning Academy:

For the 2024-25 school year, early release Wednesdays for the above schools will now occur ONLY on the third Wednesday of each month. (In March of 2025, it will be held the fourth Wednesday, March 27, so it will not conflict with Spring Break.) For all other Wednesdays, dismissal will be at the same time as the other days of the week.

A full list of school hours for the upcoming school year, including information about early release Wednesdays, is available at

School Hours / School Hours Important Update: Change in Early Release Days for 2024-25 School YearStarting in the 2024-25 school year, early release days for elementary schools will now occur ONLY ON THE THIRD WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH. This change applies to all elementary schools in our district. 

It's time to be a Stephen Foster Steamer!
See you Wednesday at 2pm!!!

Kindergarten Round-Up 2024! Incoming Kindergartener? Come to the Kindergarten Round-Up! What is it? Kindergarten Round-Up is a districtwide event to welcome our incoming kindergarten students and their families to Alachua County Public Schools. They'll meet school staff and learn about their new school. When and where is it?

Second Free Coffee Day got off to a late start, but we loved getting to talk to you! Next one is in April!

We are so excited for our community partners participating in Foster Frolics on Friday!
Third up: The Alachua County Solid Waste & Resource Recovery Department!
They help manage our waste, and anyone who has ever had to go out to the Leveda Brown Environmental Park has interacted with this important service!

The Alachua County Solid Waste & Resource Recovery Department invites residents to participate in two “Community Reuse & Recycle Days” on Saturday April 6, 2024 and Saturday May 11, 2024. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of the free spring clean out, donation and hazardous waste recycling events.
Non-profit organizations will be onsite to receive the following items:
• clothing in wearable condition (no dirty or damaged items)
• non-perishable food (no expired or open items)
• housewares in usable condition
• school/office/art supplies
• Household hazardous waste such as paint, chemicals, old electronics etc. for recycling or proper disposal.

🍁🍂🌹🍂🍁It's time! 🍁🍂🌹🍂🍁
See you at the school for our Beautification day!

Some tools will be available but bringing your own gloves, sunscreen and a
good water bottle are key to a safe and successful day! Any other helpful tools
are encouraged!

🍁🌹🍂😍🤩🥰🍁🌹🍂Thank you Gaston Mulch and Soil, LLC for your generous donation of soil!! Our garden beds and planters will be able to grow some gorgeous projects for our whole school!!

Come to Beautification day Saturday from 8am to noon to help us spread it out!!🍂🌹🍁😍🤩🥰🍁🌹🍂

🍂🌹🍁
Will we see you at our Grounds beautification Saturday at 8 am?
We have so much to do, and there is something for everyone! Come out to the school for the whole 4 hours, or just for one!
🍂🌹🍁
Some tools will be available but bringing your own gloves, sunscreen and a
good water bottle are key to a safe and successful day! Any other helpful tools
are encouraged!
🍂🌹🍁