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Happy Winter!
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PTA Spring Fundraiser — February 27th-March 5th. Gertrude Hawk Chocolate & First Response First Aid Kits. Just in time for spring time. We are offering a variety of the famous Gertrude Hawk chocolates, including great basket fillers for Easter and delicious chocolate for any occasion. Also new this year, we are offering First Response First Aid kits in a variety of sizes and packaging…perfect for your car, your purse or brief case, your sports bags and for on-the-go families. Why not even purchase one for your home or for by the pool or deck…yes, the warm spring and summer weather is just around the corner! Orders are due by March 5th. Order pick up will be on April 3rd from 2-7 p.m. in the Arongen Rotunda. A reminder will be sent home.
Next PTA Meeting — Tues, March 6th, 7-8 p.m., Arongen Library. Join us for our next meeting. It’s a great opportunity to meet other parents and staff, share your ideas and input, discover volunteer opportunities, and stay connected with school and district-wide initiatives. Hope to see you there!
Box Tops for Education — The spring Box Tops for Education contest runs from March 2 - March 16. Please have your child(ren) turn their Box Tops in to their teacher by the 16th. The top class in each grade will win an ice cream sundae party! If you need additional collection sheets, please e-mail Tammy Friend, Box Tops Chair at tammymfriend@hotmail.com.
McDonald’s Night — Tues., March 13th, 4:30-7:00 p.m., Route 9 Halfmoon. Join our wonderful teachers and staff as they greet families and assist with food preparation (the students get a hoot seeing their teachers making McFlurries…some will even throw in a few extra Oreo pieces or M&Ms for their students)! This fun and tasty event provides an opportunity for Arongen families to dine together and catch up (as the children play in the playland), while raising funds for the school. It’s also a friendly competition among the classes—whichever class has the most students in attendance (and the drive-thru counts!) will win an ice cream party.
Spring Fling Carnival — Fri., March 30th, 6:00-8:30 p.m., Arongen Gym & Cafeteria. Join us as we celebrate spring with games, prizes, food and FUN! Information re: advance ticket sales was sent home. For more information, please
Contact Jennifer Brooks 867-9385 or jlbrooks@nycap.rr.com
“Shen All-In” Basketball Tournament (formerly Almost March Madness) Ticket Sales — April 2nd, 6:00-8:00 p.m., Arongen’s Rotuda Area (outside of gym) Tickets and T-shirts for Shen All In Elementary Basketball Tournament will go on sale on Mon.., April 2nd, 6:00-8:00 p.m. in Arongen’s Rotunda area. Tickets are $4 each and T-shirts are $8 each. Limited number of tickets available. First come, first serve. We wish we could accommodate all of our families, but each school has limited number of tickets for safety reason and fire code regulations of the High School gym. You will receive the actual tickets the night of the ticket sale and will be able to order your event t-shirts. So don’t miss out on this spectacular school spirit event on May 2nd at High School East as we cheer on our faculty and staff. GO ARONGEN EAGLES! Ticket & T-shirt order forms will be sent home so you can complete the form and bring with you the evening of the ticket sale. Limited to 8 tickets per order form. We will also have the order form available on our website shortly, so check back soon!
Original Works Fundraiser — May 7th-May 14th. Students will be working with Mrs. Hallenbeck, our art teacher, to create fun artwork reflecting the theme: “What I want to do over the summer.” Your child’s artwork would be sent home for preview, along with an order form and a menu of products that you can purchase with his/her artwork design. You can treasure and enjoy your child’s creation on a tote bag, coasters, notecards, t-shirt, magnet, mug, mousepad, and so many more. What great gift ideas! Orders will be delivered to school by mid-June. More information will be sent home soon.
BOGO Book Fair — April 20-27th, Arongen Rotunda Area. Volunteers needed -- many shifts available. Contact Alison Miller akmiller@nycap.rr.com
Year-end Picnic — SAVE THE DATE: June 7th, Arongen Playground/Fields. Details to follow.
Advocacy Briefing from NYS PTA:
National PTA’s 2012 Federal Public Policy Agenda
In 2012, PTA will work with U.S. Congress and the Administration to advance the
following policy recommendations to ensure that all children reach their highest potential.
Click here for a brief summary of the National PTA’s 2012 Federal Public Policy Agenda:
112th Congress, Second Session that is available in its entirety at PTA.org.
Education Update
Neil Johanning, Education Coordinator, NYS PTA
NYSED has released the 2012 Guide to the Grades 3-8 Testing Program. This guide, which includes information about the English Language Arts and Mathematics tests, is available at: www.p12.nysed.gov/apda/ei/eiguide-12.pdf.
Special Education Update
Joyce Cattani, Special Education Specialist, NYS PTA
Combined with past cutbacks in both state and federal aid, the cost of educating special education students has soared for local school districts. Despite recent proposals of budget cuts, federal spending for students with disabilities will actually increase this year. Congress approved an additional $100 million for special education as well as an extra $5 million for programs supporting young children with disabilities as well as increases in funding for parent information centers and technical assistance. But that is no promise of anything additional in the future. New York State is continuing to look for areas to ease these costs. Each month there are new changes that parents, educators and all who are concerned about these students must be aware of. Click here for details.
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