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Happy Winter!
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Next PTA Meeting — Wed., March 6th, 7-8 p.m., Arongen Library. Join us for our next meeting. It’s a great opportunity to 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 — Keep clipping those Box Tops! The spring Box Top drive is right around the corner! More details will be sent home soon.
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 — SAVE THE DATE: March 30th, 6:00-8:30 p.m., Arongen Gym & Cafeteria. We need YOUR help to make this a successful Fundraiser!
**Please Volunteer** If you have any questions or you are interested in volunteering,
please Contact Jennifer Brooks 867-9385 or jlbrooks@nycap.rr.com. More information about the carnival 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
“Shen All In” Basketball Tournament — SAVE THE DATE: May 2nd, High School East Gym. Date of Ticket Sales will be announced soon. Shen All-In is an annual district event organized by the elementary schools and their PTAs, in which faculty and staff participate in a friendly basketball tournament, including a cheerleading squad and all. This action-packed, family-fun event takes place in the High School East
Gym. So, Save the Date and get ready to show our awesome school spirit! GO ARONGEN EAGLES! More information will be sent home after the February Winter Break.
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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