Dear Ames Families,

We hope this finds you healthy and getting settled into a new routine for the next several weeks. The Ames PTA Board is working together and with Mr. Geirman to cancel or reschedule our programming as appropriate during the coronavirus pandemic. We will continue to follow the lead of District 96 as it relates to future events.  Here is a quick update on how we will proceed with programs currently in the works.

Boon Supply – We are working with the company to delay the order due date. We encourage you to shop online at boonsupply.com or text SHOP to 888.886.0998, during this time.

LaBarra – Dining in at LaBarra for our Food Night Fundraiser scheduled for April 18th is now not possible.  Please consider supporting LaBarra (708) 887-7700 and our other local businesses that support us with take out orders.

STEM Fair – The Ames STEM Science Fair on the evening of Thursday, March 19 has been cancelled.  Mr. Geirman anticipates rescheduling the science fair for a later date.

Wolves Game – The Wolves Family Night scheduled for April 4th has been cancelled.

5^th Grade Games – The team running this event will work hard to reschedule for a future date.  More details to come in April.

Junior Great Books – Upon return to school we will work closely with Mr. Gierman and his team to determine rescheduling of the final events of this program.

Artist in Residence. — Ames PTA sponsored Aritst in Residence Week is being rescheduled for an extended two week time period of April 30-May 15th. The PTA is partnering with Code Play Learn in Oak Park to bring an exciting STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math) project to Ames students this year. The project will consist of two sessions. In the first session the students will learn how to code and manipulate a sphero robot. In the second session the students will take what they have learned and build a code to paint a picture with the robots. Each of the students will be able to bring their final paintings home to be displayed.

Our April PTA meeting will be cancelled.  We hope to re-group in May. Please reach out to any PTA Board member if you have questions.

Thank you,

Susan Wolfe, PTA Co-President swolfe447@gmail.com

Jennifer Butler, VP Cultural Arts & Programs butler2022@sbcglobal.net

Debbie Kummer, VP Fundraising deb.kummer@sbcglobal.net

Michelle Galindo, VP Hospitality missesgalindo3@gmail.com

Dana Frank, VP Room Representatives afdfamily@gmail.com

Kristin McCormack, VP Communications and Membership kristin.mccormack@outlook.com

Patty Romero, Secretary donovanpatty@msn.com

Kelly Tabb, Treasurer kmt0906@yahoo.com

AMES CONSTRUCTION * SPECIAL MEETING * WED MARCH 11

Please show your support for the Ames Construction Project this week at a special Planning and Zoning Commission hearing on Wednesday, March 11 at 7pm.

The hearing will include a discussion, motion and recommendation regarding the District 96 application to expand Ames Elementary and associated parking lot and playground improvements.  The complete agenda can be found here: http://www.riverside.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03112020-940

The Commission along with the Trustees would like to understand the broader community support and sentiment for this project as they shape their decisions this week. Please consider attending the March 11 meeting in person to voice your opinion. Or consider sending an email in advance of the meeting to President Ben Sells, Trustee Doug Pollack (liaison to Z&P) or Community Development Director Sonya Abt.

Meeting Details:

Village of Riverside Panning & Zoning Commission

Wednesday, March 11, 2020 at 7 PM

Historic Water Tower Conference Room

10 Pine Ave., Riverside

Please share with your Ames and community networks.

THIS MONTH! Be Counted in the 2020 Census!

The 2020 Census kicks off this month and invitations to respond will be delivered to each residence between March 12 and 20. Invitations will include directions on how to respond online, by phone, or by mail.

The U.S. Census is conducted every 10 years to get a complete and accurate count of the population. Information collected will be used to determine each state’s congressional representation and distribute billions in federal funds to local schools and governments.

Everyone counts in the U.S. Census. The Census is a count of residents, NOT citizenship. Survey responses are completely confidential and will not be shared with any other agency. Answers will only be used to generate statistics.

Census participation is so important because Illinois will lose $14,000 ($1,400 per year) for every student who isn’t counted. Your Census participation will help ensure every child in District 96 counts.

If you have any questions about the U.S. Census, please contact Cristin Evans, former Ames parent, Riverside Village Trustee and liaison to the Cook County Complete Count Census Commission: cevans@riverside.il.us.

Please see link HERE OBOS Selfie Request to print this form and return it to school.

See flyer HERE AMES SCHOOL FUNDRAISERS 2020 FLYER

Please join us for our next PTA meeting this Thursday, March 5th at 6:30 pm in the Ames Art Room.

AMES SCHOOL FAMILY DANCE

Exercise 30 minutes per day for a total of 25 hours between February 10th and April 6th and earn free June admission to Raging Waves.

Please see fitness log HERE 2020-English-Fitness-Log