SECONDARY SCOOP - Massapequa Jr/Sr PTSA
Transcription
SECONDARY SCOOP - Massapequa Jr/Sr PTSA
SECONDARY SCOOP everychild. onevoice.® Newsletter of the Massapequa Jr/Sr HS PTSA® Parent-Teacher-Student Association Serving Berner Middle School, MHS Ames Campus, Massapequa High School Nassau Region New York State Congress of Parents and Teachers, Inc. -Branch of the National PTA- September 2007 www.MASSAPEQUAPTA.org Volume 4, Issue 1 THE SECONDARY SCOOP IS PAID FOR BY PTSA FUNDS, PREPARED BY VOLUNTEERS AND PUBLISHED THREE TO FOUR TIMES A YEAR. From the President’s Desk It’s hard to believe that the first month of school has already gone by. I hope everyone had a relatively easy time settling in. For those of you who may not know, Massapequa Jr/Sr HS PTSA is the PTA unit for Grades 7 through 12. Our goal is to run programs and workshops in order to educate the parents and students on issues facing today’s youth. We also give awards to a number of graduating seniors through the efforts of our Prom Fashion Show Committee. It is with your support of our fall fundraiser and membership drive that we will be able to achieve these goals. Please contact our Membership VP to join PTSA if you haven’t already done so. If you would like to help out on a committee, it’s never too late to contact me. We are always looking to meet new parents and students. Please join us at our October 15th 2007 General Meeting at 7:30 PM in the Berner Cafeteria. It promises to be a very informative meeting. In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to thank last year’s Ways & Means Committee co-chairmen, Linda Duggan and Donna Pullan, for the phenomenal job they did with the Jr/Sr HS PTSA spring fundraiser. Everywhere I went over the summer, I saw Massapequa Chiefs tee shirts and “hoodies”. Thank you to all who supported us. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact either the individual building VPs or me. Our numbers can be found in the district calendar. Have a great school year! PTSA 2007/2008 General Meetings Please attend our General Meetings where you will learn important information about your child’s secondary education. Stay up to date with the educational changes that will start with the current Ninth grade class. Monday, October 15, 2007 ~ BMS 7:30PM Monday, March 10, 2008 ~ Ames Cafetorium 7:30PM Monday, May 19, 2008 ~ Ames Cafetorium 7:30PM (Executive & General) Maureen Geier Jr/Sr HS PTSA® Officers President - Maureen Geier - 799-3483 Executive Vice President - Lucille Vitale - 798-8718 Vice President Membership - Carol Ann O’Donnell - 799-6161 Treasurer - Dianne Sheffield - 795-9127 Recording Secretary - Debbie Muller - 795-3940 Corresponding Secretary - Terry Yard-Healy - 797-3427 VP BMS - Sheryl Cowan - 795-7148 VP Ames - Linda Duggan - 798-6070 VP MHS - Kimberly Enderley - 798-2877 Past President - Gloria Parlatore - 797-1230 Massapequa Council of PTAs® Officers President - Gloria Parlatore - 797-1230 1st Vice President - Anne Kasschau - 799-2699 2nd Vice President - Grace Hussey - 795-2298 Treasurer - Vicki Spinelli - 835-2782 Recording Secretary - Maureen Cohen - 797-2024 Corresponding Secretary - Allison Prystupa - 799-5399 We are looking for student representatives to attend PTSA meetings. If you are interested, please call Maureen Geier at 799-3483. Thank you. Page 2 SUPPORT YOUR PTSA! FALL FUNDRAISER - Clemente Gift Wrap Our PTSA is sponsoring a Fall Fundraiser to support our budget, which includes funding for programs and activities for our students. Brochures have been distributed during homeroom, please make sure your child brought it home. We encourage everyone to participate by sharing the brochure with friends, relatives, neighbors and co-workers. It is a great opportunity to do some early holiday shopping, while helping to bring in the funding needed to run the PTSA during the year. The deadline is near so please be sure to send in your orders ASAP! Call Ann Marie Loibl at 799-4740 with any questions. SECONDARY SCOOP Stephen R. Scarallo, Principal Berner Middle School Here we are at the start of another new school year! For students, and for some parents, September can be a time of renewal as well as apprehension. It is a time to resolve to do one’s best and to seek to realize the hope of doing well. At the same time, there is the fear of the unknown. At Berner, many of our teachers have been meeting over the summer to write new curriculum and plan new learning activities. We’ve also been getting the building and classrooms ready as we look forward to greeting our new 7th graders and welcoming back those entering 8th grade. This year we’re excited about the new robotics unit that has been added to the technology curriculum, as well as the addition of Honors by Achievement in Art. Parents will be notified soon about an evening meeting that will occur in October. At that meeting, we will discuss, in detail, the Honors by Achievement Program in Social Studies, English and Art. For those students transitioning into middle school, we expect that they will strive to be more independent, more focused and more responsible. We understand that the changes they are going through can be unsettling, however, it is our expectation that they will “rise to the occasion” and make all of us very proud! We look forward to working together with parents and students for a successful new school year! S. Scarallo, Principal Alfred. G. Berner Middle School Dr. Barbara Williams, Principal MHS Ames Campus Welcome back everyone! I sincerely hope that you and your families have enjoyed a healthy and happy summer. With a brand-new roof, approved by the taxpayers as part of last year’s bond issue, our building is ready to usher in the new school year. The faculty at the Ames Campus of Massapequa High School is looking forward to working closely with the parents of the members of the Class of 2011, as we help students meet the challenge of their first year of high school. We hope that you will encourage your ninth grader will take the time to get involved in as many activities as possible either at Ames or at the Main Campus. We are extremely proud of all of program initiatives, which include expanded Pre-AP and accelerated course offerings, lunchtime Learning Centers in Mathematics and Earth Science that will begin after the first mid-quarter appraisals, and an after-school credit recovery program in English and Social Studies that will begin in January 2008. Look for more information on each of these programs and more in my quarterly newsletter. Mark your calendars: “Back to School Night” at the MHS Ames Campus is on Tuesday, September 25 at 7:00 pm. Information regarding the schedule for that evening will be given to students during homeroom. The details will also be posted on our district website (www.msd.k12.ny.us). Please feel free to contact me at any time if you have any questions, concerns or ideas. Dr. Barbara Williams Principal, MHS Ames Campus Dr. James Grossane, Principal MHS Main Campus Welcome to the start of the 2007-2008 school year at Massapequa High School. This year we welcome over 1,900 students to our school. We are very excited to announce that our eight-room addition was successfully completed and the classrooms look great! We are beginning classes promptly at 7:30 and I’m happy to report that student attendance is greatly improved over last year. We have instituted electronic period-by-period attendance to assist us in more closely monitoring student attendance as well. More students are enrolled in SCALE and AP courses than ever before and we have instituted several new elective courses as well. We will also keep you informed of our progress as we move closer to the “Academy” concept as we develop specific, sequenced course offerings in our Business and Technology programs. I look forward to a great year working with our students, staff and parents as we strive to ever improve our instructional practices and extra-curricular and athletic programs. I wish you all an exciting and productive school year. I hope to see you at our Back to School Night on Monday, September 24th. OCTOBER 2007 Page 3 Sheryl Cowan, VP Berner Middle School Welcome back to school once again. My name is Sheryl Cowan and I am the Massapequa Junior Senior HS PTSA Berner Vice President. For those of you new to middle school, the PTSA covers the secondary schools from grades 712. There is a Vice President contact at each building. Adolescence is an intimidating word; not only for the children living it, but for the parents as well. This is the only time in life where everything happens all at one time, physically, emotionally, and hormonally. I attended a workshop this summer at the PTA National Convention in St. Louis entitled, “Yes, Your Teen is Crazy”. The speaker touched on years of studies on how the teenage brain is “wired”. One of his key points was that our kids didn’t come with instruction booklets, and early childhood was a breeze compared to what we’re facing now. All parents need guidance and a wealth of information to stay on top of the ever changing world our kids are growing up in today. PTA can offer some of the information you may be looking for. Programs addressing cyber safety, drugs, gangs, bullying, etc. are often run at our General Meetings. Please take time to join PTA and attend these meetings. The officers of the PTSA also meet monthly with building principals, other PTA presidents within Massapequa, district administrators, and twice a year with the Board of Education. If at any time you have issues you would like addressed, please contact me as your Berner representative and I will bring your concerns to the appropriate people. My e-mail address is [email protected] and my number is 795-7148. Sheryl Cowan Linda Duggan, VP MHS Ames Campus Summer vacation has ended and Massapequa’s Class of 2011 has arrived at the Ames Campus. Welcome to High School! The freshman class has been busy finding classrooms, lockers, friends they haven’t seen since June, as well as someone to sit with during lunch. Now that everyone has had a chance to settle into their new routines it would be a good time to take another look at the Parent Information Packet that was mailed to you during the summer. Clubs will soon be forming and you can find a complete list of them in the packet. Remember that clubs are held at the Ames Campus and the Main Campus. Bus transportation is provided. As the MHS Ames Campus VP, I am the link between parents and students and the Administration. Please feel free to call me at 798-6070 if you have any questions or concerns. Linda Duggan Kimberly Enderley, VP Massapequa High School Main Campus Welcome to the Massapequa High School Main Campus, I am the PTSA High School Main Campus Director. The Massapequa Jr/Sr PTSA works tirelessly to keep an open dialogue between Parents, Administration and Staff. My goal is to facilitate this communication. Parents of sophomores it is a new adventure for your children (and you) as they continue on with their high schooling at the Main Campus where they will become adjusted to the larger campus and also the entitlement of having an open campus for lunch. And yes, they do get back to class on time. Parents of juniors (I am one of those with my son Michael) please take advantage of the college workshops. They will provide you with a tremendous amount of useful information. Finally for parents of seniors, where has the time gone? This will be a busy year making decisions about college, work, driving cars and what to wear to the Prom, just to name a few. Seniors take the time to make your last year at MHS a memorable one. Join the clubs, get involved in the activities. Years from now you will be happy that you did! Remember to utilize the Massapequa Jr/Sr PTSA, along with the highly qualified support team at the High School. This team is comprised of academic chairpeople, guidance personnel, social workers and psychologists. Attending our PTSA meetings is a good way to be kept in form of what is happening in and around the campus. Also check our website www.massapequapta.org and of course read this newsletter. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any concerns, questions or suggestions. My phone number is 798-2877; my e-mail address is [email protected]. I am looking forward to a great year and getting the opportunity to meeting many of you at our meetings and functions. Page 4 SECONDARY SCOOP Massapequa Jr/Sr HS PTSA 2007/2008 Proposed Budget RECEIPTS Membership Income Fundraising $3,750.00 14,920.00 Total income $18,670.00 EXPENSES Administration: Installation NYS PTA Insurance Officers' Expense Leadership Development: National and State Conventions Presidents' and Principals' Dinner State and Region Conferences State and Region Workshops Operating: Council Dues Honorary Life Hospitality Postage (newsletter) Membership Supplies Supplies Yearbook and Journal Ads Programs: Aids and Health Arts in Education Environment Fundraising Expenses: Fall fundraiser Spring fundraiser Health, Wellness and Safety Miscellaneous Newsletter Parenting and Family Life Prom Fashion Show $200.00 705.00 125.00 2,600.00 420.00 450.00 150.00 1,145.00 200.00 100.00 1,400.00 250.00 50.00 150.00 25.00 5,000.00 25.00 200.00 -------25.00 50.00 3,500.00 100.00 500.00 Reflections 750.00 SADD Halloween 100.00 Herbert Pluschau Senior Award 100.00 Mary Keric Senior Award 100.00 Staff Appreciation: 250.00 Total Expenses $18,670.00 OCTOBER 2007 Volume 4, Issue 1 October 2007 Editor Maureen Cohen 797-2024 [email protected] Newsletter Deadlines February 8, 2008 April 18, 2008 Newsletter Distribution The Jr./Sr. newsletter Secondary Scoop is mailed home, one per household. For households with more than one secondary student, the youngest child receives the mailing. When it comes to twins, etc., the student is chosen alphabetically. If there is an error in a name or address, please let me know at [email protected]. Thank you! PTSA® is a registered service mark of the National Congress of Parents and Teachers, Inc. Page 5 Invites All With Students Enrolled In Berner Middle School, MHS - Ames Campus & Massapequa High School Main Campus To Attend a Presentation by Building Principals Dr. James J. Grossane, Dr. Barbara Williams, Stephen R. Scarallo, & Guidance Supervisor Lou Sabatini on Secondary Education in the Massapequa School District. Presentation Will Be Followed By a Question and Answer Period. Massapequa JR/SR HSPTSA ® General Meeting October 15, 2007 @ 7:30pm Berner Middle School Cafeteria 50 Carman Mill Road, Massapequa, New York 11758 For Directions or more information contact: Lucille Vitale, Executive VP ~ (516) 798-8718 [email protected] Page 6 SECONDARY SCOOP 7th Grade Directory The 7th grade directory is getting ready for print. Copies will be distributed in early November. These will be delivered to students in their homeroom period. Only students who participated will receive a directory. If you can volunteer to help with distribution, please contact: Mary Alibrandi 798-2166 Health, Wellness & Safety Committee The Health, Wellness, Safety Committee is looking for volunteers and ideas for programs for parents and students. As chairperson, I will be meeting with building principals to see if they have specific concerns they would like to see addressed. The committee will also be working along with the Massapequa Takes Action (MTA) committee to coordinate programs. If you would like to be part of this committee, please e-mail Susanne Smoller at [email protected]. Thank you, Susanne Smoller Reflections Reflections….or not? The theme for this year’s Reflections is “I Can make A Difference By…” However, as we go to press, nobody has volunteered to chair the Reflections committee for 2007-2008. If we do not get someone to step forward, we will not be participating in this year’s competition. If you are interested in chairing, please contact Maureen Geier at 799-3483. OCTOBER 2007 Page 7 School Board Buzz At the September 6th Board Of Education Meeting: Mrs. Susan Woodbury presented a Curriculum Update. Some of the items discussed were: HIV/AIDS curriculum has been updated, Secondary research manuals have been updated, Spanish 1 and 2 have some updates to the curriculum, Grade 7 revised LAB manuals, a new program, "Writing for College and Career", is a pilot ADHD program to help teachers develop strategies. Mr. Alan Adcock presented a Facilities Update: The new addition at the high school is complete, the parking lot at the high school has been completely repaved and approximately 40-50 new parking spaces have been added, Ames campus is having a roof replacement and will be complete sometime in October, new girls lockers have been installed in the girl's locker room at BMS. Important Upcoming Dates to Remember: Thurs., Oct. 11 Board Of Education Meeting 8 pm , Central Office Board Room Thurs., Oct. 25 Board OF Education Meeting 8 pm , Central Office Board Room The public is welcome and encouraged to attend and participate in all regular meetings of the Board of Education. Residents are encouraged to share their ideas, comments and questions. Lenore Meyer Jr/Sr PTSA Board of Ed Rep. 795-5215 JR/SR HS PTSA Recognitions The following awards were presented at our June meeting: New York State PTA Honorary Life Membership The purpose of this award is to recognize individuals for their contributions to the welfare of children and youth. Mrs. Stephanie Bisignano Mrs. Christine Perrino Mr. Stephen Scarallo New York State PTA Distinguished Service Award The purpose of this award is to recognize outstanding contributions to the welfare of children and youth or to a PTA organization. Recipients must be PTA members who have been awarded a State Honorary Life Membership. Mrs. Donna Pullan Congratulations to the award recipients and the Massapequa Jr/Sr PTSA thanks you for your contributions to our children. Shared Decision Making Team ` BERNER FAMILY FUN NIGHT FRIDAY NOVEMBER 2nd, 7:30-9:30PM Tickets will be sold during lunch periods on 10/25,26,29,30 & 31. FREE refreshments and DJ Sponsored by the Berner SDM team Page 8 SECONDARY SECONDARY SCOOP Committee Chairpersons 2007-2008 Committee AIDS Arts in Education Board of Ed. Rep Budget By-Laws/Procedures Curriculum Environment Gifted Health, Wellness & Safety Legislation Marketing/Publicity Newsletter Parenting & Family Life Prom Fashion Show Reflections SEPTA Liaison BMS Ames MHS Teacher Reps BMS Ames MHS Ways and Means Website Chairperson Mark Koenigsmann Phone Email 799-3354 [email protected] Lenore Meyer Lenore Meyer Grace Hussey Vicki Spinelli Debbie Spiro 795-5215 795-5215 795-2298 835-2782 799-2818 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Barbara Green Susanne Smoller Marie Festa Terry Yard-Healy Maureen Cohen Debbie Austin Laura Coiro 799-5981 799-5539 798-7521 797-3427 797-2024 795-0562 541-1516 [email protected] [email protected] Lydia Magaddino Grace Hussey Leslie Dowell 798-4667 [email protected] 795-2298 [email protected] 798-8186 [email protected] Sue Rapp 797-6080 [email protected] Lois Hawkins Ann Marie Loibl Tracy Cohen 797-6110 [email protected] 799-4740 [email protected] 797-2024 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Join PTSA Executive Board for 2007/2008 Name___________________________________Phone___________________ Address_________________________________ E-mail address___________ Child’s Name/s - Grade/s___________________________________________ Please check the committees in which you are interested. Next to the committee name please indicate whether you would like to Chair the committee or be an active Member of the committee: AIDS/Health________ Arts-in-Education_____ By-Laws____________ Curriculum__________ Family Life_________ Gifted__________ Health, Wellness & Safety ______________ Legislation________ Membership_________ Prom Fashion Show_____ Publicity__________ School Board Rep______ SEPTA Liaison_______ Ways and Means______ Website_____________ Budget_____ Environment____ Hospitality_____ Newsletter_________ Reflections_________ SDM Committee_____ Chairmen are part of the Executive Board; which meets once a month. We have four General Meetings per year and run several programs throughout the year. All Executive Board members are encouraged to attend as many meetings as possible. In addition to the standing committees, we are currently forming a committee of helping hands. If you are interested in helping, please check the box. Helping Hands Please return this form to the General Office of any of the buildings above or mail to: Maureen Geier, 19 Burton Lane, Massapequa, NY 11758 If you have any questions, please call Maureen @ 799-3483 or e-mail @ [email protected] OCTOBER 2007 PAGE 9 SEPTA Fundraisers Don’t forget to support SEPTA’s 2 fundraisers. Once again, we are selling the pocket-sized version of the MSD calendar for only $5.00 each. Contact Stephanie Carpenter at 795-7996 for information. Also, due to popular demand, we are repeating our Joe Corbi pizza & cookie dough sale. Orders will be taken between 10/22 and 11/2. Contact Cathy James at 804-9746 for info. On Saturday, October 27th, Massapequa High School will host its annual Homecoming Day. The Homecoming Parade will begin at 1 PM at the Massapequa Park train station and conclude at the MHS Athletic field, just prior to the Homecoming football game against Syosset starting at 2 PM. Halftime activities will include performances by the MHS Marching Band, Cheerleaders and Kickline. Halftime will also feature the presentation of the 2007 MHS King and Queen as well as the Homecoming Court. COLLEGE EXAM DATES PSAT & NMSQT - Saturday, October 20, 2007 SAT/SAT Subject - Saturday, October 6, 2007 March 1, 2008 November 3, 2007 May 3, 2008 December 1, 2007 June 7, 2008 January 26, 2008 ACT - Saturday, October 27, 2007, December 8, 2007, April 12, 2008 & June 14, 2008 Congratulations to the following students who were awarded a PTSA Senior Scholarship Award last June. Jessica Carrique Frank Ferraioli Toni Ann Hodge Melissa Olster Michael Rine Sarah Solomon Jacob Spiro Erica Vehstedt Jessica Weinbrecht Ali Werner Good luck to them in their future endeavors! Page 10 SECONDARY SCOOP CALENDAR OF EVENTS OCTOBER FEBRUARY November cont. October 11 - BOE Public Session 8PM November 13—Grade 11 College Workshop #2 February 2 - Science Discovery Fair BMS October 15—Jr/Sr PTSA General Meeting BMS 7:30PM November 15—BOE Public Session 8PM February 4 - PTA Council mtg. MHS 7:30PM November 20—Jr./Sr. PTSA Exec. Mtg. MHS 7:30PM October 16—Gr. 9 Guidance Workshop Ames 7:30PM February 5 - Mandatory Prom mtg. M-Z November 22 & 23—Schools Closed -Thanksgiving October 18—Student Rec. Program Begins BMS 34:30PM February 6 - Schools closed November 26 - Gr. 11 College Wkshp. #3 February 7 - BOE Public Session 8PM October 25—BOE Public Session 8PM October 20—PSAT/NMQST October 27—Homecoming Parade/Game 1PM October 28 - MHS SADD Safe Halloween 2-5:30PM NOVEMBER November 1—BOE Public Session 8PM DECEMBER February 11 - Jr/Sr PTSA Exec. Mtg. MHS 7:30PM December 1—SAT I/SAT Subject December 6—BOE Public Session 8PM February 12 - SEPTA Exec. Mtg. McK Sr. Ctr., 7:45PM December 8—ACT February 18-22 - Schools Closed December 24-31—Schools Closed (Holiday Recess) JANUARY MARCH November 3—SAT I/SAT Subject January 1—Schools Closed (Holiday Recess), New Year’s Day November 5 - Gr. 11 College Workshop #1 (A-K) January 7—PTA Council Mtg. MHS 7:30PM November 6 - Schools closed - Election Day January 10 - BOE Public Session 8PM November 7 - Gr. 11 College Workshop #1 (L-Z) November 8—PTA Council mtg. MHS 7:30PM January 14—Jr/Sr PTSA Exec. Board Meeting MHS 7:30PM November 12 - Schools closed - Veteran’s Day January 21 - Schools closed November 13—SEPTA General mtg. Mck Sr. Ctr. 7:45PM January 24 - BOE Public Session 8PM January 26 - SAT/ SAT Subject January 31 - Mandatory Prom Mtg. A-L PTSA WANTS March 1 - SAT March 3 - PTA Council mtg., MHS 7:30PM March 4 - Gr. 11 College Wkshp., MHS 7:30PM March 6 - BOE Public Session 8PM, Budget Discussion #2 March 8 - Parent University 8:30Am-12PM, Mck M-TRACT Center March 10 - Jr/Sr PTSA General Mtg., Ames 7:30PM YOU! The Parent Teacher Student Association is looking for parents (Moms and Dads), teachers, students, grandparents, aunts and uncles to join PTSA. Anyone can join! Be an active member in your child’s education. Seniors, you must be a member of PTSA to apply for a PTSA Senior Award Scholarship. Questions? Call Carol Ann O’Donnell at 799-6161. Please complete and return this form to the PTSA Mailbox located in the General Office of Berner, Ames and Massapequa High School. (Mark envelope: ATTENTION PTSA MEMBERSHIP) Please enclose a check or cash for $8 per Adult / $5 per Student payable to Massapequa PTSA Adult’s Name__________________________ Adult’s Name______________________________ Address________________________________________________________________________ Telephone number_____________________ Student’s Name___________________________ Grade____ Teacher______________________ Student’s Name___________________________ Grade____ Teacher______________________ Student’s Name___________________________ Grade____ Teacher______________________ # of Adults ________ OCTOBER 2007 # of Students ________ Amount enclosed $_________ Page 11 PTA Websites Nassau Region PTA - http://www.nassaupta.4t.com New York State PTA - http://www.nyspta.org National PTA - http://www.pta.org National PTA Parent Newsletter - http://www.pta.org/newsletters/parent Education Websites New York State Education Department - http://www.nysed.gov U.S. Department of Education - http://www.ed.gov College Testing ACT- http://www.act.org SAT–http://www.collegeboard.com We’re on the Web! www.MassapequaPTA.org Massapequa Junior/Senior PTSA Massapequa High School Merrick Road Massapequa, New York 11758 Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID Massapequa Park, NY Permit #9