Originally delivered on 10/12/2025 6:00 pm

SUBJECT: October 12, 2025

October 12, 2025
Click here to join the Gayton PTA for the 25-26 school year!
Gayton Grounds Clean Up 10/19 - Sign Up Here!
Lunch Helper Sign Ups!
Gather for Gayton 11/15 - Get Your Tickets Here!
Thanks to You!

Because of our generous Gayton families and sponsors, our students already enjoy hands-on learning through programs like Young Scientists and Fit4Kids. Now, we have the opportunity to add some enhancements to the ways our kids can play!

This year, recess has been extended to 40 minutes, and we want to provide dynamic ways for our students to play whether they are inside due to weather or outside on school grounds. 

The PTA is proposing an Excess Spending Request of $2,000 to provide supplies to benefit each grade level. We will be voting on this addition to our budget at the General PTA Meeting on November 11, 2025. 

Please plan to attend the meeting to vote for this exciting addition to your student's recess!

Thank you!

This Week: ASE Begins!

Thank you to those who signed up for an After School Enrichment class!  Classes begin THIS WEDNESDAY- Oct 15th and will continue every Wednesday through Nov 19th.  Please plan to pick up your child at 4:10 PM. (Dismissal information was sent by the ASE chairs last week. Please pick up your child from the way you requested. Thank you!)

RECESS EXTRAVAGANZA THIS WEEK!

Our Gator Giving fundraiser celebration- RECESS EXTRAVAGANZA- will take place this week for each grade level.  PLEASE HAVE YOUR CHILD WEAR HIS/HER NEW GRADE LEVEL/SPONSOR TSHIRT — * K-2 wear tshirts to school this Thurs, Oct 16th and Grades 3-5 on Friday, Oct 17th.  (* 1st grade parents- we know your kids need to also wear their shirts for the zoo field trip on Friday— if you prefer, feel free to send your kids in spirit wear on Thursday.)

There will be a popsicle station during the Extravaganza rotation. You will find the name of the popsicles and ingredients list for the popsicles in Principal's Principles. If you would like to opt out your child from receiving a popsicle during the extravaganza, please email Mrs. Reeves (mailto:ckreeves@henrico.k12.ba.us). In your email, please share your child’s first and last name, grade level, and teacher. 

Thank you! 

Mrs. Reeves

✨ Let’s Clean Up GAYTON✨

Our school grounds are the heart of our community—where kids learn, play, and grow. Let's make it shine! 🌿

Join us for a Grounds Clean-Up Day and help create a welcoming space for students, teachers and families. A little time, teamwork and spirit will go a long way.

📅Date: Sunday, October 19th 

⏰Time: 2:00-5:00 PM 

📍Location: Gayton Elementary School

Bring gloves and tools- we'll have bags, snacks and trailers.

🌟Be part of the change. Be part of the community. Be part of the clean-up!🌟

Sign up to volunteer and bring supplies here - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E094BAFAB28A1FA7-58878764-gayton#/

"Gather For Gayton" Parent's Night Out Tickets Available Now!

🍂 Kick off the season of gratitude at Gather for Gayton: Bidding, Bites & Brews! 🍻✨

Join your fellow Gator parents at Waygone Brewery on Saturday, November 15th for a lively fall evening filled with great company, local brews, and plenty of school spirit! 💚🐊

🎟️ Tickets are $35 each and include two drink tickets (for beer) + light bites. Get your tickets here(Purchase in the MTK store)

🧡 Don’t miss your chance to snag one-of-a-kind teacher experiences in the silent auction — all while supporting our amazing Gayton community!

We can’t wait to see you there! 🙌🍁

USO Snack & Candy Drive at Gayton Elementary

Let’s Support Our Troops – One Snack at a Time!

Our school is partnering with the Richmond International Airport USO to collect snacks and candy for service members. These small treats can bring big smiles and a sense of home to the brave men and women serving our country. These items will be shared with service members traveling through the airport.

We are asking students, families, and staff to donate individually wrapped, non-perishable snacks and candy to show our appreciation for their service.  We will start collecting items at our HalloSTEAM event on Thurs, Oct 23 6-7:30 PM.

 Collection Dates: Oct 23-Nov 7

 Suggested Donations:

    •    Granola bars

    •    Mac & cheese cups

    •    Chips

    •    Trail mix

    •    Drinks (juice boxes and other individually packaged drinks)

    •    Cups of Ramen Noodles

    •    Beef jerky

    •    Gum & mints

    •    Crackers & pretzels

    •    Candy (Store-bought bags of individually wrapped pieces OR…Here is a chance to get rid of extra Halloween candy—please send individually wrapped candy in a bag — any size Ziploc bag works great!)

Every donation counts! Let’s come together as a school community to give back to those who give so much. Thank you for your support!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES!

When adults volunteer, all students benefit!  Your help is needed!  

We have volunteer opportunities for parents to help in every manner and time capacity. Don’t think that helping out with the PTA is a full-time job – many folks donate an hour or two a year, while others want to dig into the trenches.

There is space for everyone! From volunteering for a shift at the spring carnival to signing up as a lunch helper, from painting the spirit rock to dropping off muffins for a teacher breakfast, there are many ways that you can help support our students and teachers.

Click here to sign-up for a volunteer opportunity:https://gaytonpta.membershiptoolkit.com/sign_ups

We are also looking to fill a few more Committee Chair positions. Take a look: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfyUmGzqufJgV9xJucpkRj97GfUzx6ud8ndQ0gdLzh5nTxnLQ/viewform

For questions, please contact Jolene Giandomenico at gaytonvolunteers@gmail.com

Please note that all parents who volunteer MUST have submitted a HCPS electronic volunteer form. The form must renewed every school year. 

Volunteer Form: https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/NTQ4ODplbi1VUw==

Early Bird Yearbook Prices available NOW!

School hasn't started yet, but you can already order your 25-26 yearbook for a discounted price! Order yours here - Gayton Yearbook 2025-2026

  • Early Bird: Order before December 31, 2025 for $21

  • Regular Price: Order on or after January 1, 2026 for $25

  • Give a Yearbook: Anonymously purchase a yearbook for another student who is unable to purchase one for $21 

We recommend one PER CHILD. Yearbooks are typically delivered during school within the final weeks of school so kids can have their classmates and friends sign them. More information to come. Purchase now and save!

Fall 2025 Spirit Rock Dates!

RESERVATIONS FOR AUGUST-DECEMBER, 2025.

Click on the link below for more information!

https://gaytonpta.membershiptoolkit.com/spiritrock

The GES Rock is a Gayton Community Builder, a tool to promote PTA or school/SCA events, and a PTA fundraiser. The Gayton Spirit Rock is for current Gayton families only.

**Please note: the PTA has blocked off dates to use the Spirit Rock to support Gayton & PTA Programs and Events. Thank you in advance for your understanding and for being flexible! We can't wait to see your SPIRIT ROCK designs!

PTA Calendar of Events!
Introducing: 2025-2026 Sponsors!
⭐Gator Star Sponsors!⭐
🐊Team Gayton Sponsors!🐊
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