Hamden PTA Survey - Revisited

October 12, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A recent survey of all Hamden elementary school PTAs and the middle school PTA revealed the incredible value that our PTAs bring to our school system.

Bringing families together to have fun is a core focus of our PTAs. They sponsor “family fun” events that are either free to families or charge an admission that is just enough to cover expenses. The following is a sampling of family events that will be held in the coming year by a variety of schools:

• Welcome Back Picnics
• Ice Cream Socials - for incoming kindergarten students and their families
• Holiday Parties – Harvest Hoedown, Halloween, Valentine’s Day
• Themed Dinners & Seasonal Picnics
• Talent Shows
• School Photos
• Craft Fairs
• Sporting Events - Cutter’s Baseball Game
• Applebee's Breakfasts - students and parents are the hosts, servers and cooks
• Father/ Daughter Dances
• Family Bowling Nights
• Book Fairs
• Game Nights
• Art Showcases
• International Fairs
• Field Days

Hamden PTAs also fund and/or help with the following school publications:

• Newsletters
• Student Handbooks/ Directories
• Yearbooks

All elementary schools provide additional support to the running of a school by organizing room parents for each class. Room parents are responsible for contacting other parents to help with classroom activities and celebrations, and are the branches of a telephone tree that is used in case of an emergency.

All PTAs hold fundraisers to pay for the free programs they offer to families and cultural enrichment programs for students. Hamden has recently adopted guidelines to encourage healthy lifestyles and encourages PTAs to raise money with non-food items. It turns out that wrapping paper, something we all can use that won’t tip the scale, is one of the best fundraisers for our PTAs.

Hamden PTAs work in concert with their administrators and teachers to bring curriculum enhancements to their schools. This help comes in the form of art nights and workshops, school-wide assemblies with guest teachers and performers, and visiting authors and scientific demonstrations in classrooms. Many PTAs also subsidize field trips outside their school, whether it’s a trip to the Eli Whitney Museum, a local apple orchard, a day at Holiday Hill, or a trip to Ellis Island.

NONE of the above activities could be accomplished without the dedication and support of our students’ families, both nuclear and extended. Every hour or dollar you contribute to your neighborhood PTA is appreciated and necessary. “Many hands make light work” has never been a truer sentiment when it comes to running a PTA and all the programs and services they provide.

We invite all Hamden residents, but especially parents, grand parents, aunts and uncles, to contact their student's school PTA through the school's main office (see list below) and find out where you can lend a hand. Even if it’s only an hour helping kids pick out books at the book fair, or flipping pancakes next to your kid at Applebee’s, your involvement is critical to student success.

We also extend a BIG “Thank You!!!!” to all the Hamden PTA presidents and your committees for all that you do to make Hamden schools such a great asset to our town.

Hamden PTA Council Executive Board:

President, Marjorie Clark
Vice President, Mary Clough
Treasurer, Melissa Stasiak
Secretary, Karen Leeper
Corresponding Secretary, Cheri Brooks

Hamden PTA Council Representatives:

Bear Path School

Co-President Cathy Crowe
Co-President, Jennifer McGarry
Council Rep, Mike Alissi

Church St. School

President, Cindy Cardo

Dunbar Hill School

Co-President, Kim Treloar
Co-President, Karen Alexander
Council Rep, A.J. Scheetz

Helen St. School

President, Colleen Mackay

Ridge Hill

Co-Presidents, Terri and Lou Lettiero

Shepherd Glen

Co-President, Tamara Boemmels
Co-President, Stephanie Bezerra
Council Rep, Karen Leeper

Spring Glen

President, Michelle Humble
Council Rep, Patti Klaje

West Woods

Co-President, Eileen Vita
Co-President, Cheryl Cartier
Council Rep, Cheri Brooks

Wintergreen

President, Sue Murphy
Council Rep, Shanta Smith

Middle School

President, Jackie Downing
Council Rep, Kathy Muolo