-
2020-2021 Proposed Boyce PTO Executive Board
President - Andrea Amorose
1st Vice President - Amy Quevedo
2nd Vice President - Dan O'Rourke
Treasurer - Melissa Waldron
Secretary - Natalea Oliverio
Board Advisor - Gina Swanson
Note: Voting for open positions will begin on June 5 via email to all current PTO members. Any questions, please contact Gina Swanson at ginaswanson.9697@gmail.com.
2020-2021 Proposed Budget
Click Here to Download Proposed Budget
Note: Voting to affirm the proposed budget will begin on June 5 via email to all current PTO members. Any questions on the budget or voting process, please contact Gina Swanson at ginaswanson.9697@gmail.com.
Proposed Adjustments to 2019-2020 Budget
Due to the school closure, many of the PTO sponsored spring activities were cancelled. The PTO is proposing using the unspent budgets for various activities and improvements to the school. Since these funds will be spent after the end of the school year, we are asking PTO members to approve the following changes to our current budget.
Proposed spending includes:
- Flexible seating for a new classroom occupying the former computer lab; additional flexible seating options in various classrooms $7000
- End of Year Celebration and/ or reunion $2000. (to be held when appropriate under social distancing guidelines)
- Indoor and outdoor recess improvements $1500
- Panther Paw Prizes $1500
- Custom mural/ artwork for schoolbuilding; artist and price TBD
Any additional funds from the 2019-2020 year will be used as needs arise in the future (at the discretion of the Executive Board in consultation with the Principal), with all expenditures to be reported by the Treasurer at PTO meetings.
Boyce Middle School Yearbook - Order Now!
The Covid -19 virus won’t cancel the Boyce Yearbook! The Yearbook Committee has been hard at work to make sure a yearbook is available to commemorate all the great activities at Boyce, including in-school activities and remote learning. Ordering is easy!!
Order online: yearbookordercenter.com. (Boyce code is 17867)
Order deadline: June 1
Price: $16.99 ** includes FREE shipping
The yearbook will be delivered directly TO YOUR HOME from Herff Jones via mail, with expected delivery by June 30. Please make sure to enter the correct mailing address when you order your yearbook. FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY PURCHASED A YEARBOOK, THE FIRST ADDRESS LISTED FOR THE STUDENT IN THE USC DIRECTORY WILL BE USED FOR MAILING PURPOSES. If you have purchased a yearbook and your family is not listed in the USC directory, the PTO will be contacting you for a mailing address. Please note that the delivery date will be subject to changes/ availability of the printer. We will do our best to keep you updated with any changes!
Help Fill the Yearbook Pages! The Yearbook Committee is asking Boyce families to send us a pic of your student working in their new “classroom”. We’d love “First Day of Virtual School” pics, how you rocked remote learning, and ANY others from this school year too! While not all pictures we receive will be able to be included in the final yearbook, the committee will include as many different students and pictures as possible! To submit pictures, please email to boycemiddleschoolpto@gmail.com. Deadline to submit pictures is May 22.
Don’t miss out —- order your yearbook TODAY! NO extra yearbooks will be ordered this year. IF YOU WANT A YEARBOOK, YOU MUST ORDER NOW!
If you have any questions, please contact Yearbook Chairperson Michelle Urban at urban1326@yahoo.com
Teacher Appreciation
Due to the school closures caused by Covid-19, we are unable to celebrate the amazing teachers and staff at Boyce with our traditional end of year staff appreciation feast. Because we want to acknowledge our gratitude to them throughout the year, and especially during our remote learning, the Boyce PTO is sending each member of the staff an e-gift card on behalf of all families. We thank them so much for all of their hard work and support!
Want to do even more to thank them? Have your student make a “thank you sign”, as simple or elaborate as they would like. Take a picture of your student with their sign and email it to ginaswanson.9697@gmail.com. The PTO will combine all the pictures into a single video and share with the teachers. These pictures will also be included in a video the PTC is putting together for the entire district. Please participate! Let’s make sure our teachers and staff know how much we appreciate them!!
We Need Your Help!
USC Schools Care for USCSD Families
To no surprise, USCSD families have been reaching out to see how they can help others during this pandemic. As it stands, we currently have families in USC that could use some help right now and we unfortunately expect to have many more in the future.This is why the Boyce PTO, in conjunction with all other USC PTO/PTA/PTSOs, has established the "USC Schools Care for USCSD Families” fundraiser. If you can and want to help out during this difficult time, please donate any monetary amount here:
paypal.me/BoycePTO.
You may also use the following email to donate on paypal: BoycemiddleschoolPTO@gmail.com.Every donation, dollar for dollar, will be turned into gift cards and e-gift cards, for places like Walmart, Giant Eagle and Target. 100% of the funds donated will be distributed to USCSD families. Our district’s student support services will be responsible for distributing the gift cards. All recipients will remain anonymous.If you know of a family that could use a little help, please notify your building’s principal. This could be someone who unexpectedly is laid off, a sick family member, etc., and is not necessarily based on demonstrated financial need. Again, all recipients of gift cards will be anonymous.Thank you so much for being so wonderful, so giving and so caring. The strength of our community will get us though this.We Rise By Lifting Others.Any questions?Contact Boyce PTO President: Gina Swanson ginaswanson.9697@gmail.com Boyce PTO Board Advisor: Jen Schnore jennifer_aitken@yahoo.com
Arts in USC
Thank you to all the participants, and judges, of the 5th Annual Arts in USC contest, “No Place for Hate.”
We are pleased to announce the winners!
Fifth Grade
First Place – Sohana Shreya Senthil
Second Place – Joshua Beitler
Third Place – Matthew Beitler & Avantika Jayawant Palayeker
Sixth Grade
First Place – Medha Misra
Second Place – Ray Lindstrom
Third Place – Tanvi Kallur
Unfortunately, the Arts & Chocolate Spectacular, as well as district wide judging, has been cancelled. Look for further information regarding the display of all artwork once we have resumed our regular school calendar.
Sincerely,
Micki Takac & Sarah Beitler
PTO Meeting & PTC Open Mic
You're invited! The Boyce PTO will hold a Membership meeting on March 11, at 9:30 in the LGI. PTO meetings are a great way to learn more about your student’s school, to meet other parents, and to find ways to get involved. School Board member Daphna Gans will provide an update, as will our PTO Teacher Representative Mr. Henderson, and Principal O'Rourke. The proposed PTO budget for the 2020-2021 school year will be presented. You will also have a chance to submit questions to be addressed at the PTC Open Mic.Also, mark your calendars! The Spring PTC Open Mic will be held on April 22 at 10:00 am in the Boyce LGI. Dr. Rozzo and district administrators will be speaking about the Strategic Plan process, as well as answering questions from those in attendance. Those planning to attend are encouraged to register and submit their questions online :
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact: PTO President Gina Swanson at ginaswanson.9697@gmail.com
FINAL DAYS FOR THE USC DISTRICT-WIDE FOOD DRIVE!
The district-wide food drive ends on Friday, February 28! Please consider donating any non-perishable food or personal items to SHIM. SHIM helps families right here in the South Hills of Pittsburgh and donations are very low in the winter months.There are collection boxes for each Team at Boyce, so feel free to send any donations to school with your student(s).Thank you! Any questions? Contact Jen Schnore at jennifer_aitken@yahoo.com
Winter Blast was a Blast!
Check your Tickets, Prizes Remain!
The Winter Blast was a fun-filled evening, complete with bingo, carnival games, inflatable obstacle course, DJ, dodgeball, pizza and loads of laughter and fun. The Boyce PTO would like to thank USC Cares for Kids, an initiative of the Youth Steering Committee of Upper St. Clair, as well as the Upper St. Clair Community & Recreation Center staff, and the USC HS Natural Helpers for making this a fun and successful event. We would also like to thank Principal O'Rourke and Assistant Principal Mussomeli, along with Boyce Student Council advisor Mr. Gremba and Miss Homer, for their amazing support as well.Many thanks to everyone who brought a donation for SHIM. An INCREDIBLE amount of food and personal care items were donated and will be delivered to SHIM as part of the PTC District-Wide SHIM Drive. Don't forget that donations for this drive are being collected at Boyce until Friday, February 28.Three unclaimed raffle prizes remain! Check your tickets!- 896827
- 1648215
- 1647872
If you have the lucky ticket, please contact PTO President Gina Swanson at ginaswanson.9697@gmail.com to make arrangements to claim your prize.
Last Call - Box Top Collection - Please Help
As the Box Tops for Education program is being phased out and transitioning to an app-based receipt scanning system, this will be the last opportunity to send in your last unexpired box tops that you may have at home. We will be conducting our final traditional box tops collection drive starting on Monday February 17th and ending on Friday February 28th. So please send in all your remaining unexpired box tops into school with your child in either an envelope or ziploc. Each homeroom teacher will have a collection bag displayed in the front of the classroom for students to deposit their box tops.Also, we encourage all parents to PLEASE download the Box Tops for Education app to their smartphones and to scan their eligible receipts within 14 days of purchase into the app so that Boyce Middle School can continue reaping the benefits of this great program that earns money for our school to fund all of our great PTO programs! Thank you. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Aylin Aksehirli at aylinaksehirli@gmail.com
YSC - Winter Blast
The Upper St. Clair Youth Steering Committee (“YSC”) is holding a Boyce-aged (only) party called WINTER BLAST on February 22, 2020IT IS RECOMMENDED TO PRE-REGISTER ONLINE, however the $10 entrance fee is paid at the door. Please bring a non-perishable food or personal care item to donate to SHIM as part of admission.
2019 Winter Blast Registration Form:
2020-winter-blast- registration-registration- 90199022705
☃ï¸â˜ƒï¸ In order to make this awesome event happen, volunteers with clearances are needed! We are asking, on behalf of YSC, to please help fill the huge need for volunteers. YOUR STUDENT(S) GETS FREE ADMISSION IF YOU CHAPERONE! Please consider donating your time. Volunteers are only needed for two hours - the length of the party - and it will be easy and fun.
To volunteer (thank you in advance!!), sign up online here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/ go/8050a49acaa2da3f94- chaperones1PARTY DETAILS!!:
Saturday, February 22, 2020
6:30 - 8:30 p.m at the Upper St. Clair Community and Recreation Center.
There will be a $10 fee per student, and a SHIM donation, at the door for admission. Please pre-register online.
Inflatables! Live DJ! Pizza! Bingo! Games! Dodgeball Tournament!
This is a drop-off party that is modeled after the other YSC events, but is limited to 5th and 6th aged students.
Thank you for helping YSC and our kids have a fantastic night!
Valentine Grams
Would you like to surprise your Boyce student with a Valentine message?
In conjunction with Random Acts of Kindness Week (Feb. 10-14) Student Council is selling Valentine Grams through February 13th to benefit the Ronald McDonald House.
Simply print out a blank copy, write a message to your Boyce student and send it in with your donation to Amy Antonio (sixth grade students) or Tonia Autieri (fifth grade students). Click Here to Download Valentine Gram
Student Council will attach a Valentine pencil to the Valentine Gram. All Valentine Grams will be delivered on Friday, Feb. 14. Any donation is appreciated! Our goal is to raise $1,000! Checks can be made payable to Boyce Middle School (Valentine Gram donation in memo). Please be sure your child's first and last name and homeroom teacher are written on the Valentine Gram. Questions? Contact Mrs. Antonio at aantonio@uscsd.k12.pa.us.
Chess Club - Winter Session
Boyce PTO is pleased to announce that the Winter session for Boyce Chess Club starts on February 5, 2020!
Is your child interested in learning Chess or looking for an opportunity to practice his/her skills and/or learn more strategies? Boyce PTO has teamed up with USC High School instructors to bring you a 5-week chess club session this winter.
DETAILS:
Location: Boyce Middle School
Days: Wednesdays 2/5, 2/12, 2/19, 2/26, 3/4
Time: Immediately after school until 4:30 PM. Pick-up of child will be at the front doors of Boyce Middle School.
Who: 5th and 6th graders
Cost: $5/child
At this time, space is limited to 30 students so please register by February 1st to secure a spot for your child. Please register and pay online athttps://tools.ptoffice.com/Stores/Chess2868
If your student is unable to make this session of chess club, we are offering 1 more session this school year!
**Important Info:- Please send a note into school if your child will be getting picked up by someone other than their parent or legal guardian.
- Also, please send a note if your child will be attending EDS after the program. If your child will be going every week, only one note at the beginning will be necessary. However, if this will be intermittent, please send a note each week that your child will be attending EDS.
- Parents MUST come to the school doors to sign out the child at the end of the day, children will ONLY be released at the front doors.
- Registration will be first come, first join. Please register and pay online. An email will not be an acceptable form of registration.
Please feel free to contact me at yeshamk@gmail.com for any questions.
The Pit is It!
The Boyce PTO is proud to announce that the Gaga Pit and new protective sport flooring has been installed and the kids are ready for action! Gaga is a fast paced high energy sport with multiple players which combines the skills of dodging, striking, running and jumping — a great way to spend recess. We’re gaga for Gaga!
This exciting news represents your PTO dues at work. The PTO dues and Student Activity fees allow the PTO to provide amazing opportunities for all Boyce students. Thank you for your support!
Special thanks to Ken Suchan, Boyce Head Custodian, and his team for their hard work in completing the installation.
Spirit Wear Sale
Support the Boyce PTO and show your Panther pride by ordering from our online Spirit Wear Sale. The online store is open NOW and will close at midnight on November 24.
Orders will be delivered before the Winter Break, perfect for holiday gift giving!
Order online at :Spirit Wear Sale
Merchandise samples will be available in the office of Boyce MS, if anyone would like to preview items before purchasing. (Samples will be available beginnng November 12.)
Questions? Please contact Hani Kelly at hanikelly@sbcglobal.net or Kris Jenkins at cookiejar30@gmail.com
Informational Meeting for Gifted Education
Informational meeting for gifted education – Nov 8
Are you curious about gifted and talented education (GATE) in the Upper St. Clair School District? If so, please join us at 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019, in the Upper St. Clair Township Library multipurpose room.
The assistant director of student support services, Lauren Madia, will be on hand to discuss the following:
- What is gifted?
- Gifted education in Upper St. Clair
- Staffing
- The process for identifying and evaluating giftedness
- Resources for parents
This informational session is sponsored by the Parent Teacher Council GATE Committee. Should you have any questions about the event, please contact Penney Miller, PTC GATE chairperson, at gateuscptc@gmail.com.
Service Projects for Soldiers - Care Packages and Candy Collection!
Do you have a family member or family friend currently serving active duty overseas? Boyce Middle School students would like to send them encouraging letters and care packages. Please send their COMPLETE address to Amy Antonio at aantonio@uscsd.k12.pa.us by November 7th.
Thank you!
Not sure what to do with all the extra Halloween candy in your house? There will be a collection box in the office through November 12th. All candy collected will be sent to our troops overseas or donated to a local shelter.
To Honor Our Veterans - Wall of Honor
In honor of Veteran's day, we are looking for Boyce family members for our Wall of Honor! Any family member, whether actively serving or a proud veteran, deserve a place on our wall!Please complete the attached form and send it to Amy Antonio at Boyce by November 14th.To download the Wall of Honor form, click here: Wall of Honor form
It's Socktober!
Boyce Middle School will be celebrating SOCKTOBER! during the month of October. SOCKTOBER! is an event that is hosted by the Boyce Student Council and Guidance Department.Crazy socks will be on sale in the front foyer every morning for two dollars a pair.Additionally, there will be a collection box in the office for new sock donations. We are accepting new socks of all sizes, which will be donated to the Washington City Mission.Boyce will celebrate crazy sock days for students and staff every Friday during the month of October.All money and socks collected will be donated to the Washington City Mission.For information on the City Mission, please visit citymission.orgFor more information on Socktober, please visit happysocktober.com
Box Tops For Education Fall Collection Drive
It's once again time for Boyce PTO's Box Tops for Education fall collection drive! The Fall Box Tops for Education collection drive will start this Monday October 7th and last for three weeks, ending on Friday October 25th. Please send in all of your unexpired clipped/saved box tops to school with your child during this period. This is a very simple and valuable program to earn money for our school's PTO!
As many of you may know, the Box Tops for Education program is beginning to phase out their clipped box tops program and is transitioning to a digital app-based platform. Here is a link to download the latest information regarding the Box Tops for Education program, with specific details about downloading the app to your smart phone. Be sure to set Boyce Middle School as your designated school in the app. Then simply start scanning your receipts into the app within 14 days of purchase! We really appreciate your help and participation with this Boyce fundraiser. Please contact Aylin Aksehirli with any questions at aylinaksehirli@gmail.com.
Welcome to Boyce PTO
Welcome to the 2019-2020 School Year!
I am looking forward to a great year for our students, staff and families.
We are excited to announce that we have a new software system to improve our communications and allow for online payment of PTO dues and Student Activity fees.
Have you registered online yet? If not, check out this link and complete these simple steps:
https://tools.ptoffice.com/reg/PA_BMSPA6B
(Please note that this is a new and improved link from the one provided in the back to school packet. We appreciate your patience as we work to refine this process!)
Our website will be soon be updated for the current year, so be sure to check back often.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at ginaswanson.9697@gmail.com.
See you at our first PTO meeting!
Thank you,
Gina Swanson
PTO President
MISSION OF THE PTOTo support and speak on behalf of children and youth in the schools, in the community and before governmental bodies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children.
To assist parents in developing the skills they need to raise and protect their children.
To encourage parent and public involvement in the public schools of this nation.
THE PURPOSE OF THE PTO
To promote the welfare of the children and youth in home, school and community.
To raise the standards of home life.
To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth.
To bring into closer relation the home and the school, that parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education of children and youth.
To develop between educators and the general public such united efforts as will secure for all children and youth the highest advantages in physical, mental, social, and spiritual education.
