Lilja PTO Newsletter (11/1/21)
Upcoming events
NPS Space Planning Forum 11/1
Panera Fundraiser 11/3
PTO Meeting 11/17
Picture Retake Day 11/23
Scholastic Book Fair 12/1-2
Morning Mischief - THANK YOU!
Thank you to everyone who helped make our Morning Mischief event a success! We raised over $2,000 for the PTO, which will go straight back into programs benefitting the students and teachers at Lilja. Particular thanks to the families who brought decorated vehicles, and the parents and staff who helped at our tables. Finally, a special shoutout to Lilja's head custodian Mark D'Agostino, who spent a lot of extra time helping us before and after the event, and our principal Stefani Wasik for selling raffle tickets.
Photo Submissions
We want your photos! Upload a pic from the event here and be in to win a spirit gear pack! Your photo may also be featured on our website, Facebook page and the yearbook.
If you are having trouble with the Google form submission, you can also email us the photos directly at pto@liljapto.org and we will send you a photo clearance statement to confirm.
Winners
Congratulations to Carol Izuto who won our 50/50 Raffle, and Miles Willard who won the candy count with his guess of 1,492, which was the closest to the actual number of 1,498!
NPS Space Planning Forum
Don't miss the community forum tonight to discuss issues of class sizes and offerings across Natick Public Schools.
Community Forum
Monday, November 1 @7PM
Join the meeting via Computer or Phone App:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81394916525
Meeting ID: 813 9491 6525
You can read the in depth report on Facilities, Space and Capital Planning, or the shorter version of it in the Executive Summary. Related information can be found on the Capital & Space Planning Information Site.
Panera Fundraiser 11/3
Take the night off and help the PTO by dining in or getting takeout from Panera at 9/27 plaza this Wednesday 3 November, 4-8pm! Order online or on the app, use code PRFUND at checkout, or show this flyer to your cashier.
Natick Service Council Thanksgiving Drive
Thanksgiving Drive is BACK this year!
There is nothing quite as magical as giving and knowing you made a difference in someone’s life.
We are excited to announce that Lilja will again be helping the Natick Service Council (NSC) by sponsoring Natick families in need this Thanksgiving. For over a decade, each classroom at Lilja have donated the ingredients for a Thanksgiving meal for one family, contributing 20-24 full turkey dinners to the NSC. They distribute Thanksgiving meals to over 200 Natick families per year, and we are so proud that Lilja plays a part in this mission.
Similar to last year, monetary donations are preferred over direct food donations, so that families are able to purchase their own Thanksgiving meal.
Lilja has had great success in years past by having each classroom sponsor one family of 4-5 people. To keep the tradition going, we will be asking for donations through your classroom so each class can raise enough money to sponsor one family.
This is a wonderful way to keep this Thanksgiving Drive meaningful and teach our students what it means to be part of a community. The deadline to contribute is Nov 12th.
Your Room Parents will send an email to your child’s class to collect funds for your classroom. Or you can donate here: venmo.com/u/Lilja-Thanksgiving-Drive
Thanks in advance for your generosity!
Holiday Card Partner Programs
If you haven't ordered your holiday cards already, why not do it through one of our Partner Programs and help the PTO at the same time? You can either shop through Shutterfly using this link, or order from Minted.com and enter code FUNDRAISELILJA at checkout.
New Month, New Menu
Don't forget to check out the new November lunch menu from Natick Food Service here.
Did you know that participating in the school lunch program (which is free for this school year) can have wider benefits for all children at the school, and the district? Find out more in this article.
Lost & Found Reminder
Please remind your child to check the Lost & Found shelves near the cafeteria, or have a look at the virtual Lost & Found. All items not claimed by vacation weeks will be bagged up and put in the white donation bins by the carpark.
NPS Covid-19 vaccine clinics
In case you missed it in last Friday's NPS blast from Dr Nolin:
Vaccine Clinics for Kids Ages 5-11
I have been working with a private donor and the Natick Board of Health, and we have two vaccine clinics for 5-11 year olds ready to go. We are just waiting another week while the FDA fully approves and the vaccines are released. It is our vision to do Saturday clinics at both middle schools. I will also (hopefully) provide tours with our student leaders of the new KMS while people are there. NATICK VACCINE CLINIC DATES ARE TBD
There are also hundreds of vaccination sites across the state that have indicated their willingness to vaccinate children ages 5-11. Many accept walk-in appointments, including CVS and Walgreens pharmacies, Market Basket and other grocery chains, and community health centers. More information on these sites, as well as safety information and helpful questions and answers, are all available at mass.gov/covidvaccine.
Staff Spotlight: Becky Moss
What do you do at Lilja?
I am the Lilja Librarian (actual title is Elementary Library Media Paraprofessional) What I do is a different question.
Can you tell us about your family?
My husband Charlie is a house painter, actor and all around great guy. Our daughter Julia is a recent college grad currently living in Oregon — too far away for words!
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Being outside in nature
You get one song to listen to for the rest of your life, what is it?
(So hard to pick one!) Spain, Chick Corea
Finish this sentence: I can't live without…
People!
What's a surprising fact about you?
For one season I played on the Men’s JV Soccer team in college (yes Title IX)
If you weren't at Lilja, what would you be doing?
Relocating to a library in the Pacific Northwest!
Talk to usWhether you're a new or returning family, we would love to hear from you! If you have any questions, ideas or suggestions, or want to help us out, please contact us at pto@liljapto.org. For PTO updates outside of this newsletter, visit our website or find us on Facebook. For the latest Lilja School Newsletter from the Principal, click here. If you have received this email in error, i.e. you no longer have children attending Lilja, please contact us at pto@liljapto.org and we can remove you from the mailing list.