Nutzy from the Richmond Flying Squirrels baseball team helped us kick off our March reading challenge last week! Any student that reads 8 books and turns in this bookmark (print copy was sent home) by March 22, will receive a FREE ticket to the May 15^th Flying Squirrels evening baseball game!  Pinchbeck will have a special section to sit in, and the opportunity to walk around the field before the game while the players are warming up! It’s an amazing experience! Any adult taking their child will need to purchase a ticket (and last year the $10 tickets sold out!!). Soooo, begin with the end in mind, and buy your adult ticket early through this link: https://fevo.me/pinchbeckes2024 and let’s get your kiddo reading! More program details can be found here.

Over the past twenty years, Elizabeth “Libby” (Coulter) Gregg had such a positive impact on so many students, families, and colleagues here at Pinchbeck. Even after her retirement, she continued to be a ray of sunshine to all those who were blessed to know and love her.

Along with her Pinchbeck family, the PTA would like to create a living legacy here on our campus by planting a tree in her memory. If you would like to contribute to this memorial for Mrs. Gregg, please do so by visiting Pinchbeck Elementary PTA - Henrico County, VA - Libby Gregg Memorial Fund (membershiptoolkit.com). The Donation window will close on Sunday, March 17th.

Thank you for helping us remember our teacher, colleague, and friend. “Once a Ray, always a Ray!”.

Each year we recognize an outstanding parent volunteer and teacher/staff volunteer who have made a positive impact on Pinchbeck and its students. These special volunteers do not need to be the people who log the most volunteer hours or serve as an officer or committee chair but rather people who have worked to build a strong school community.

Please complete this form to submit your Volunteer of the Year nominations by Monday, March 11th. All nominations will be collected and then presented to the PTA members for a vote. Thank you!

This is a great way to recognize and congratulate your Pinchbeck Ray!  Text-only shout outs are $5, picture shout outs are $10. Click here for detailed instructions on how to create yours today! Deadline is now Monday, March 18th.

Take a look and save these important and fun event dates to your spring calendar. You won't want to miss a single event taking place this April and May! Click Here!

We have several opportunities to support Art Night this year- and the first is around the corner March 27, 11:30- 2:00pm! Get a sneak peek of the student's artwork and help mat/organize the artwork for the Art Show. See all opportunities to support Art Night by clicking on the SUG link below. 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B49A4AA2DA0F8CE9-48470518-student

The event has 3 stages of volunteer support:

- March 27, 11:30- 2:00- help mat/frame artwork in the art room.

- April 17, 11:30- 3:30- help install artwork panels in the gym for the actual event. All will tour the exhibition the day of April 18th.

- April 18, 8:00pm- help remove artwork from the walls and carry it back to the art room. 

Email artnight@pinchbeckpta.com with questions. Thank you!

It may not feel like it right now, but summer will be right around the corner, and that means sparking reading excitement in May with hopes our Rays keep that reading fun going over the summer months.

The week of May 13th, Mrs. Glanden, Pinchbeck Librarian, and the PTA committee Friends of Library & Literacy, will host the “Pinchbeck New-To-You Book Fair” where each Ray will have the opportunity during school to browse the amazing collection of books, and choose 1 to keep and enjoy (for free of course!!), or even trade with a friend, or our Book Nook, all summer long! Our goal is to collect 600 books by April 30th.

If you can donate a ‘like-new’ book to the cause, please send to school with your child or drop off at the office with your name and LIBRARY noted on it. Thank you for helping to get this initiative rolling!! If you have any questions, please reach out to mjglanden@henrico.k12.va.us or friendsofthelibrary@pinchbeckpta.com 

We are excited to share the application for the 2024 Mary Beth Graff Scholarship. This scholarship recognizes a well-rounded Henrico County Public High School Senior who intends to pursue a career as a teacher in special education or a career in supporting children with special needs. To learn more about the Marybeth Graff Scholarship Fund, CLICK HERE.

Please help us by sharing the application (CLICK HERE) with graduating seniors who might be interested in applying. All applications are due April 1, 2024 and should be mailed or delivered to Pinchbeck Elementary School PTA, 1275 Gaskins Road Henrico, VA 23238, Attention: Marybeth Graff Scholarship Committee. 

Consider supporting this important scholarship by donating to the Marybeth Graff Scholarship Fund!

PTA Programs manages a budget which funds and coordinates programming for our Pinchbeck students and/or families. Ideas for Programs come from school administrators, teachers, students- and you! Did you know in September PTA Programs hosted the Virginia Repertory Theatre for all grades to attend a performance of “Have You Filled a Bucket”? This coordinated to lessons planned by our school counselors for all students. And in February, PTA Programs is hosting Mad Science at Pinchbeck for all grades to attend a science show related to SOLs. We are currently coordinating with our teachers on several ideas for students this spring, but are interested in Program ideas from YOU geared toward our Pinchbeck families. Need inspiration for ideas? How about Family Game Night, Internet Safety, Leader in Me for Families, Family Service Day… any program idea that supports, educates, or strengthens our Pinchbeck families is welcome!

Email programs@pinchbeckpta.com with your suggestions. Thank you! 

Circumstances change throughout the school year. To assist you, applications are accepted for the Free or Reduced-Price Meal program at any time during the 2023- 2024 school year. Reduced Priced meal fees are being waived this year, so if you qualify for a Reduced Priced meal, your meals will be free! Visit this webpage for additional information Pinchbeck Elementary PTA - Henrico County, VA - Free and Reduced-Price Meals (membershiptoolkit.com)

Did you know Pinchbeck had 38.11% students qualify for free or reduced-priced meals in 2022-23? If a school exceeds a threshold of 40% students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals, under the "Community Eligibility Provision", the entire school will be designated as a free meal school the following year. This is why some neighboring elementary and middle schools near Pinchbeck receive free lunches for all students.

Please check out our Spirit Wear inventory at https://pinchbeckpta.membershiptoolkit.com/ptastore to find great hoodies, cups, car stickers, and more!  Email spiritwear@pinchbeckpta.com with questions.

• PTA website:pinchbeckpta.membershiptoolkit.com. You can make an account to have access to all sorts of information. You can also link the PTA and HCPS county calendars to your phone’s calendar so you never miss an event (or half-day….).
• PTA Newsletter & Calendar: the Newsletter is emailed every Monday, full of information regarding upcoming events. Create an account on the PTA website and then, under the tab “My Account”, select “Newsletter/Calendar Subscriptions” to Receive the Weekly PTA Newsletter and sign up for the calendar.
• PTA Facebook page: Visit www.facebook.com/group/PincheckRaysPTA to request access. This is a private group with members having a student connection to the school. It's a great place to stay up to date on what's happening with the PTA.

• PTA Instagram: Our newest venture into social media is the Pinchbeck PTA Instagram @pinchbeckrayspta. Please tag us in any school-related posts!

• Your child’s Room Parent! You can reach out to them at any time. If you aren’t sure who the room parent is for your class, just ask your child’s teacher.

Emailmembership@pinchbeckPTA.com to reach the Membership co-chairs, Jessica Jannuzzi and Mary Lauren Lam.