Here's an end-of-December update of events at the Bluffton elementary school:

ELEMENTARY CHRISTMAS SERVICE PROJECT: The project for Bluffton elementary staff and students is “Coins for Kids!”  A coin drive to help raise money to help some local families is underway with donation banks in the elementary lobby. Coins are collected until Dec. 17. 

ELEMENTARY MEMORY BOOKS: An elementary memory book for the 2019-2020 school year will be on sale in January until Feb. 14. Flyers will be sent home with each student.  

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Reading tutors are needed at all elementary grade levels. Grandparents are welcome. If you are interested, contact Beth Ackerman at 419-358-7951.

P.T.O. NEWS: A note to Amazon shoppers – when customers shop on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases are donated back to the Bluffton PTO when your charitable organization is selected. 

D.A.R.E. SKATE BENEFIT: Edgewood Skate Arena’s Christmas skate benefit for D.A.R.E. program is Wednesday, Dec. 18, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Admission is $3 and skate rental is $2/$3. Bring a non-perishable food item and receive a free soft drink. At the event will be a giving-away of new roller skates to one boy and one girl. Additional prizes will be awarded.

December calendar
Friday, 13th  – Mid-term reports go home with students
Thursday, 19th – Last day of school 2019

January calendar
Thursday, 2nd – School re-opens 2020
Monday, 6th – PTO meeting, teachers’ lounge, 8 p.m.Monday, 13th – Fifth and sixth grade quiz bowl, Shawnee Middle School, 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, 16th – Second grade – Lion & Lamb 
Friday, 17th – End of second grading period
Monday, 20th – No school, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (make-up day, if needed) 
Tuesday-Friday, 21st-31st – Second grade Iowa Achievement Testing, morning class time
Friday, 24th – Grade cards go home with students 
Monday, 27th – Fifth and sixth grade quiz bowl, Shawnee Middle School, 4:30 p.m.