October Update from the FTO!

After many years of fundraising and planning, we are excited that our 3-5 Playground is almost finished. The grading work, new retaining wall, and drainage problems have been addressed. We have a new soccer field with beautiful new grass, a lovely gravel walking path for our teachers and student to use during recess, a brand new paved basketball court with hoops coming soon, and starting next week, the new play equipment will be installed! Last year our swings came in, so this final installation of two large pieces of climbing and play equipment (installation begins middle of next week) is the cherry on the top of this long-awaited project! Thank you to all of your support of the Jones FTO over many years; we are so pleased that this outdoor space will finally be complete for Jones Scholars, current and future!

We have also opened a limited number of spots for 4th and 5th Graders to join our tech and stage crew! Please sign up at our registration form and choose the tech crew option! Spaces are limited but we just opened the spots so sign up today! We'd love to have your student participate, even if they don't want to be in the spotlight! The folks behind the scenes are just as important!

Stay tuned to your student's take home folder, our school newsletter, our marquee, and our FTO website for more information about our annual fundraiser, the Jones Heroes Campaign! This will kick off the week of October 16th and is our primary source of funding for all the things the FTO does each year! Please support us if you can and share with friends and family. No amount is too small - it all adds up! With your support, we:

• Fund Teacher Appreciation
• Helped build a new playground for 3rd through 5th graders!
• Put on an AMAZING school musical with close to 100 students, and offer many scholarships so that everyone can let their talents shine!
• Support our school library
• Purchase materials for special projects in each grade
• Bring in our amazing community coordinator, Leo Ott, through the Americorps program
• Support focused tutoring in literacy and math to be sure every student succeeds!
• Keep our campus beautiful and green
• SO MUCH MORE!

Our website: http://www.jonespto.org/home

Our email: irabjonespto@gmail.com

Our meetings: Second Wednesday of each Month, at IBJ Unless Otherwise Posted (Reminder that in October, meeting is 10/9/23). Childcare & Snacks provided! All are welcome!

Our mission:

• Foster a welcoming community that celebrates diversity (e.g., providing dinner and childcare at FTO meetings and events, Kindergarten Tea & Tissues, teacher-appreciation activities, Spring Fling, and family nights).

• Fund educational resources (e.g., academic and behavioral support, classroom investment funds, math and literacy tutors, and teacher grants).

• Promote arts and experiential learning (e.g., our annual school play, field trip scholarships, and cultural programming).

• Support teachers, families, and students in need (via scholarships, our clothing closet, financial support, and more).

• Engage our families and the Asheville community to ensure success for every student at Jones.