Webutuck’s K-12 PTA had its first meeting on Monday, September 17^th and a group of parents and staff members, along with Superintendent Nick Johns and new elementary principal Joel Freer attended. There was good parental representation of all grade levels and the PTA officers hope that these meetings will give parents a chance to hear what is going on in their children’s school as well as throughout the district. The PTA theme for the year is “Including Families for Student Success” and a main goal this year is improving the flow of information to families.

Mr. Freer reported that the opening of school at the K-5 level went very smoothly and he is grateful for the warm welcome he has received from staff, parents and students. Dr. Johns thanked the PTA once again for all the support our members offer the schools. This year’s operating budget was approved by the members present.

Valarie Corcoran is the PTA president for this coming school year. Each building has a vice president: Sharon Vesely -AES, Sue Lopane -WES, Tina Robustelli - EBMS and Joann Herald - WHS. The officers presented the events scheduled for the next weeks– picture days, books fairs, open houses – and reported that volunteers are needed and much appreciated. The easiest way to get involved is to contact a PTA officer, but writing a note to your child’s classroom teacher saying you are willing to help would also work.

An event being planned at the high school level which will include and involve parents and students from the lower grades is a COMMUNITY DAY on Saturday, Oct. 20th. Our community BLOOD DRIVE will be held Saturday Oct 27^th, MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY, at the high school. Please mark your calendar now for both dates more information will be forthcoming

Sue Campbell, the English Language Arts district chairperson, spoke about the Charlotte Award and our elementary students’ involvement. The Charlotte Award was named after the beloved character from Charlotte’s Web, and is awarded for outstanding literature to three children’s authors, by the students in New York State, during the biannual New York Reading Conference. Throughout the year our classroom teachers will read the books aloud and our students will determine their favorites in March.

The PTA, along with Assemblyman Molinaro’s office, has funded the purchase of the classroom book sets. The local libraries and Oblong Junior will have the books available so families can get involved in the discussion of the literature. This is a great example of involving families and the community for student success – the more students read, the more successful they are in school.

The PTA next meeting is Monday, November 19^th at 6 PM at the high school.