September 2011
Dear Parents,
Welcome back! I feel like summer has just begun, but here we are finishing up our first month of the new school year. Time sure flies! By now everyone has met their children’s teachers and followed your child’s schedule in the middle school and high school at Back to School Nights. How exciting.
My name is Gail Madigan and it is my pleasure to serve as your PTA President for a second year. I am fortunate to be working with the many volunteers who have offered their time to help make the GCPTA run so smoothly. Working alongside of me is President Elect, Cristina Kilberg. We have been in touch over the summer with many of the parent committees who have been busy at work all for the benefit of our children.
Our Sportswear committee co-chairs, Roberta Clarke and Doris Brunning, and their committee members have worked hard to bring several new items to our Sportswear Sale and we are excited to have our first pre-season PTA Sportswear Sale Day indoors at St. Paul’s on September 24th (rain or shine). Bring your children with you as it is the perfect way to be sure to order the correct sizes. The new deluxe rain poncho is perfect to have this time of year.
Arts and Ed, chaired by Jody Treanor and Deborah Sullivan-Melgar are working with their committee to book exciting programs for all of our students. Keep an eye out for eblasts from Jeanie Verdis and Lisa Licari, chairs of Health and Safety committee, for the many important topics that they deal with. Also the Reflections Contest information will be forthcoming from co-chairs, George Peterson and Joellen Crowley. This year’s theme is “Diversity Means …” The PTA has hired a new photography company this year and for the first time we are able to view and order our children’s school pictures on line. Technology is a wonder! Our Chairs of Photography Marie O’Donnell and Beth Mercadante are on task, working out any kinks that may have occurred. I have been told that picture day in all schools went smoothly and parents are thrilled to view the pictures online. Our Membership committee chair Ronda D’Antonio has been working endlessly on our membership drive. We have a new membership level this year called the GC pride. This new level is offered for anyone that would like to show additional support for the GCPTA. The name GC Pride was chosen because it ties in nicely with the districts’ and the PTA’s efforts to raise spirit and pride in the community. We have joined forces with the school district by suggesting a district wide spirit day. We have been working collaboratively to make the 1st district wide Spirit day on October 14th a huge success followed by the homecoming parade on Oct 15th. The schools will be selling a very unique spirit day tee shirt to wear while celebrating. Please be on the lookout for information on that. The PTA will be holding a fun Spirit Day Poster Contest. Details to follow shortly.
All of our students have noticed how beautiful the schools look this fall as our staff has worked tirelessly over the summer to present schools that they will be proud to attend. You can see the proceeds from the recent school bond have been put to work with the new bus circle at the High School and the progress made on the addition to the Middle School. Back to school is an exciting time for our students, the staff and parents alike. Many opportunities lie ahead and we are eager to get started. The PTA will give parents an opportunity to be engaged in their children’s school life. Research shows that in schools where parents are involved, students have a greater chance for success and is evidenced by higher test scores, more consistent attendance and an overall involvement in their school. As parents and guardians it is important we show our children that we value education through our active involvement in the schools. Attend a PTA and Board of Education meeting or volunteer on a PTA committee, participate in all district votes. Simply collecting Boxtops4Education shows your child that you are interested in their education and in their school. There are many ways in which you can be involved, such as volunteering your time at Book Fairs, Holiday Parties, Photo Day and the Freshman BBQ in addition to our popular fundraising events such as the PTA Dinner, our Sportswear Sale and our Plant Sale. We are grateful to all of the amazingly talented parents who are involved with the PTA and contribute their time and talent in many ways, big and small. I have found that being involved in the PTA keeps me connected to my children’s school and has been a rewarding experience for me.
As always, The PTA would like to welcome the new teachers and staff to the district. We look forward to them sharing their talents and expertise with our children.
The PTA continues to focus on improved communications with parents. To start your school year off in the right direction you received your school calendar by mail which is a huge undertaking that the PTA does along with the school district. Our Calendar chairperson Tara Walsh put in more hours then anyone could even imagine. Also to help meet our goal of improved communication, the PTA website will provide you with important announcements, school related information and PTA news. We hope you will visit the site often at www.gardencitypta.org for updates and encourage you to join our e-mail list. Our website would not be what it is without the numerous hours that our 3rd VP of Technology, Brian O’Neill puts in at his computer. I am excited this year that Vilma Sceusa has agreed to come on board to organize our new electronic newsletter that will be coming to you in the very near future. You will be able to read about what is going on at each school in our district. Our publicity committee co-chairs, Liz Menges and Debra Cupani, are busy meeting deadlines so our informative articles can make it into the local publications.
One last announcement I have is that the new language lab at the High School is up and running and the students and teachers are using it to its fullest extent. The PTA is so proud to have been able to donate $30,000 to help make the language lab a reality.
On behalf of the PTA Executive Board and all the volunteers who give their time so freely and enthusiastically, I thank you for your support. If at any time during the school year, you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me at gmadigan@gardencitypta.org.
Again, welcome back and have a great year!
Sincerely,
Gail Madigan