Co-President’s Message FALL 2008
Cynthia Connors and Dorene Commisso
Welcome to all our new families and returning families!!
Once again we are looking forward to an exciting year. We would like to send a special welcome to Mr. Arnold Goldstein, our new superintendent. On the home front, we welcome Ms. Mitchell, 1st-3rd grade teacher, Ms. Bakula, learning specialist, Ms. Kaminska, behavioral consultant for the district and Ms. Meaney, who will be working as leave replacement Special Education Teacher. Also over the summer, Mrs. Lennihan and her husband welcomed the birth of their son, Brett Martin 8 lbs 6 oz. on July 2. Congratulations!
Our first PTA Meeting, will be on September 22nd at 7:00 p.m. It will be a very informative meeting, that will include a Special Bond Presentation by Mr. Goldstein, Ms. Eskew, and Ms. Cincotta. We will also vote on our PTA Budget, and answer any questions you may have regarding this budget. Any changes that were made to our by-laws will be made available for you to see. As always reports by the executive committees, Teacher Liaisons, and our principal, Mrs. Testa, will be made.
The Executive board has been working hard to ensure the upcoming year will be a success and full of fun. The School Directory is well under way. If you receive a consent form to have your families info in the school directory, please return it as soon as possible so we can get it out to you.
Please check out the section “ What’s Happening with your PTA” to see what we have all done in the latter part of the last school year. We have worked very hard and will keep on working to give your children and all of you the best we can.
We are excited to announce that we are going to implement a new program through the national PTA. It is called “3 For Me”, and what it entails is simple…...We are asking parents to pledge to give 3 hours of their time throughout the school year. Your 3 hours can include volunteering at a fair, field day, coming to a PTA meeting, etc- - just give 3 hours.
We hope you all have a Great Year !
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORTS
Co-Vice Presidents of Ways and Means , Kim Taratko and Tara Wachswender
(Fundraising)
The primary way the PTA supports all of the wonderful programs we provide is through our fundraising efforts. In order to keep up all that we do, we need your support. This can be accomplished by either by stepping up as a chairperson or helping hand to one of our fundraisers, or to keep supporting the
fundraisers through the year.
We are always open to any ideas or suggestions that you may have.
Once again thank you for your support last year.
MEMBERSHIP NEWS: Annmarie Brogan
Welcome Back Students, Parents, Faculty and Staff! The PTA is filled with the Olympic Spirit this year, and so our 2008/2009 Membership Theme will be “Going for the Gold – Living the Dream”.
Help us teach our children that when they believe in themselves, anything is possible. Join PTA! A Membership Packet will be sent to you shortly, with everything you need to know about becoming part of Gunther’s PTA family.
In addition, a Membership table will be set up in the Lobby at Back-to-School Night. Stop by to join, ask a question, or just chat about the exciting things we have planned for the coming year!
If you have any questions, call Annmarie Brogan
Do you PTA?
Enrichment: Erica Lepurage
Watch for the exciting line up of enrichment classes which will be coming home with your child in early September. We hope to offer new and exciting classes as well as past favorites for students of all ages throughout the school year.
At this time we have Miss Heaney's Healthy Kids and Girl's Just Want to Have Fun ready to begin in September on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Both classes will be open to student's in grades 3 - 6. Mr. Mulvey's popular Bashball will run on Wednesdays starting in September. Bashball is for 4th through 6th graders.
New ideas are always welcome. We are in need of instructors so please contact me if you know someone who would like to teach a class or to discuss your ideas.
THANK YOU !!!
We would like to say a special thank you to the following:
Naomi Stackpole
a wonderful job with Project Rise. Once again, the children had a great experience.
Debbie Acri
for planning a very special evening at the Installation Dinner.
Kristin Pezzuto
for the wonderful design , all the children loved the T-shirts for field day
Maryanne Stock
Field day was very eventful
Mary & Frank Pullano
for always bringing your tables to the school we do appreciate it.
Jean Coster
Father’s Day Boutique, All the children loved buying gifts for the men in their lives
Fran Monello
The children were so happy to see all the pictures through the year in the yearbook and all of our flowers from the Plant Sale are still blooming
Ronnie Tohme, Deborah Martorana & Bonnie Plantyn
For making all the children comfortable at the ambloypia screening
Liz Ferreri and all the Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troops
for a very festive Arbor Day Celebration.
What’s Happening with your PTA
As the school year came to a close, there was so much going on for the children and the PTA. With everyone's support the PTA was able to purchase a Smartboard, which the children started using in June and loved. We also purchased a new sound system, that came in handy at graduation and the 5th grade poetry reading.
Incoming Kindergarten students benefited from Project Rise, plus the screening and ambloypia went smoothly.
All the children in the school enjoyed field day, which included an assembly, lunch, ices and T-Shirts, The day turned out great.
The PTA sponsored the Arbor Day Celebrations with the purchase of 2 new trees.
We received many lovely letters from the staff and teachers, thanking us for the staff appreciation lunch and the week full of activities. Just so you know, we do appreciate you.
Career Day was an inspirational day for all those who attended. Children learned so much from all the parents who volunteered their time.
Once Again Putting on the Hits was a huge success, All the students who participated showed so much talent, with their acts.
The PTA Dinner and Game Show was a fabulous night. Everyone was a winner, ..whether it was a basket, an evening of laughs and most of all a tremendous fundraiser that allowed us to do so many of the wonderful programs and gifts we did.
This is just a sampling of the great things the PTA is able to provide with all of your support.
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
SEPTEMBER
September 3– 8:45 a.m. Welcome Tea in APR
September 9-7:30 p.m. Bond Fair@ Newbridge Rd. School
September 10– 8:00 p.m. Board of Ed Mtg. @ Martin Ave.
September 10– Fall Catalog Fundraiser Kicks Off
September 17– Open School Night
September 22– 7:00 p.m. PTA Meeting in APR including
SPECIAL BOND PRESENTATION
September 29– All Fall Fundraiser Orders are Due
OCTOBER
October 2– 7:30 p.m. Bond Fair @ Sawmill Rd School
October 7– 1:00– 10:00 Bond Vote @ Newbridge Rd. School
October 16–8:00 p.m. Board of Ed Mtg. @Martin Ave.
October 20– 8:45a.m. PTA Meeting
October 31– Halloween
NOVEMBER
November 4– No School.. Parent Teacher Conference
November 4– Blood Drive
November 4, 5, 6– Book Fair
November 9– Parent / Child Bowl
November 13-8:00 p.m. Board of Ed Mtg.@Martin Ave.
November 10- All Reflections MUST be submitted
November 19– 7:30 p.m. PTA Meeting
November 20– School Picture Day
DECEMBER
December 11-8:00 p.m.Board of Ed Mtg @ Martin Ave.
December 17&18– Holiday Boutique
December 23– PTA Holiday Assembly
IMPORTANT CONTACTS
Fall Catalog Chairs
Kim Taratko & Tara Wachswender
School Photos Chair
Mary Bove
Blood Drive
Bonnie Plantyn
Book Fair Chairs
Liz Ferreri & Cathy Schiavo
Parent / Child Bowl
Dawn Nolan & Jody Yanover
Reflections Chair
Michele McDonagh
Holiday Boutique Chairs
Theresa Casamassima & Felicia Gluck
Box Tops Chair
Angela Berlin
BOX TOPS UPDATE
For the 2007-2008 School Year, we are happy to announce that we collected over 6,000 box tops. That equals over $600.00
Keep sending in those Box Tops! Our goal for the 2008-2009 school year is 10000 box tops. Look for updates on how we are doing.
Reflections Theme WOW !!!
All Reflections must be submitted by November 10, 2008
Please watch for further details coming soon
