2008 has started off with a tremendous amount of planning for late winter and early spring events for the children of our district.
Five schools participated in the National PTA Reflections program this year. Entries have already been judged at the local and council level and winners have been sent on to the regional level. We are anxious to hear if any of our students’ work will move up to the State level competition. The theme this year is “I Can Make a Difference” and the artistic interpretation by our kids was just incredible.
Our 9 PTA/PTSAs are working overtime to provide educational and informative programs for the families of Easton. We encourage you to consider offering your time and talent to any of the events you will read about here. Elections of officers for next year are coming up and new faces and ideas are vital to our success. It’s never too late to get involved.
The next meeting of the Easton Area Council PTA is March 3rd, 7 PM, at Palmer Elementary school. This is when all 9 schools get together to discuss district wide events and parental concerns. Our tentative agenda includes an opportunity to discuss plans for Paxinosa, March and the MS with administrators and engineers. All are welcome to attend.
Sincerely,
Jen Holzberger
President, Easton Area Council PTA
Easton Area High School PTSA Reports:
The high school PTSA is focusing a lot of attention on our safety and health initiatives, including the drug and alcohol and safe driving education matters.
We are already well into the process of post-prom planning, which this year also includes the "pre-prom" hiring of buses for those students who want or need transportation. Ideally, everyone would have access to a bus, but for now, we are going with two. Cost funded by PTSA and defrayed by $12 per student price provides another safe option for getting to prom and back. Last year one bus went and was beneficial for students who would not have been able to go otherwise.
The PTSA Health & Safety Committee is working with Dr. Silvestri on strategic plan for programs etc. addressing alcohol and substance abuse. Plans will be finalized before sending to administration. The graphic design/technology teacher will be helping with Billboard designs (Tim to assist) to present the "social norms" message that 72.5 % of EAHS students have not had a drink in the last 30 days.
Dr. Silvestri will be speaking to the Junior and Senior classes in early Feb. He will also speak to the baseball and lacrosse coaches and athletes in early March. The grant monies that allow the district to work with Dr. Silvestri will not be available after June. We need to see what we can do to continue this partnership.
We are looking into how to fund the Save A Life Tour for next year for the sophomore class. This was the simulator to show students how impairment affects their abilities. It was a valuable program this year and was well received. The SADD advisor offered to fund this partially. There will be a SADD chapter fundraiser on 1/23 from 4 - 7 pm at Red Robin. Percentage of proceeds will go towards the chapter.
At our last meeting we heard a report from the Future Business Leaders club, who have had a remarkable number of students going on to district and state competition in their respective academic fields, but who do not have the financial support to make it feasible for them to attend overnight competitions elsewhere in the state. Understanding that these are academic matters, and a showplace for our students, we donated some money to help defray their expenses.
The PTSA contributed $1000 to the PSCA (PA Student Council Assoc.) convention this past fall to help with additional bills incurred following their impressive weekend event. They are currently $6000 in the red due, in large part, to bills for the convention for security during the event and transportation of students from one venue to another.
At our February meeting we will hear from the librarian, the library being a regular recipient of our support.
Easton Area Middle School PTA Reports:
The Middle School PTA recently received a presentation on 4Sight and PSSA testing. This presentation was put together by the Math and Reading Specialists at the Middle School. It was an excellent presentation detailing the hows and whys of testing. Additional information about activities for home was provided to parents. We are hoping to extend this presentation to the rest of the Middle School parents.
PTA parents have been active in soliciting volunteers and donations for the new Middle School afterschool program. This new afterschool program has been rolled out with much success and there is currently a waiting list of students to get into it.
The PTA has donated a book to the Middle School Library in memory of Bobby Lehr, our beloved custodian who passed away earlier this year. A separate scholarship is also being set up in his memory which will send students to sports camps over the summer.
We are currently planning Rover Relay Day, a favorite day of 5th and 6th graders, and a family fun night to take place as a celebration after the completion of PSSA testing.
The next Middle School PTA meeting is February 6 at 7pm in the Middle School Library.
The Forks Elementary School PTA has been busy over the last few months. Our Holiday Shop in December was a success. The students enjoyed shopping for their loved ones. A Kids Night Out was held on a Saturday in December. Students were able to stay for half the day or the entire day. The Winterwonderland themed day was a huge hit with students and also with parents seeking extra shopping time without the kids. The next Kids Night Out will be February 29th and is themed "World Travel Expedition". Different cultures from around the world will be showcased.
We have begun the process of finding officers for the 2008-2009 school year for our PTA Executive Board. Elections will be held in March. Work has begun on planning our annual Forks Bazaar for the end of the school year. We are also working closely with the "Forks Playground Committee" in raising funds for a new playground for Forks Elementary School.
Respectfully submitted by,
Terry Caffrey
Forks Elementary School Delegate to Area Council
