A year of activities and fundraisers already is under way.
By: Eileen Oldfield
As students start cramming new notebooks into their new backpacks, find the perfect lunch box, and convince their parents to run out to the store for more pencils, markers, and glue to replace the one that dried out between June and September, one thing is certain: The summer’s over, and school starts Sept. 6.
For the district’s PTA members, a school year of planning activities and fundraisers already started.
Weston School students had a head start with meeting new classmates at the PTA pool parties last week, which were held at Memorial Pool. According to Weston PTA President Mary Ellen Zangara, the parties allow kids to meet their classmates before school starts.
Kids and their parents can anticipate another icebreaker during September, since the PTA is planning an ice cream social. This will be the first ice cream social the PTA has held, though a date hasn’t been secured for the event.
"We have new programs through out the school year," said Ms. Zangara. "We wanted to have more programs for parents and students. It’s a good icebreaker for the kids."
The social will give parents and children an opportunity to connect with old friends and meet new ones, said Ms. Zangara. Though many kids know each other from previous grades, new students and parents may feel overwhelmed at the school’s start.
The school will also start its annual wrapping paper fundraiser in September, which will raise money for programs through out the school year.
Ms. Zangara said no other events were scheduled for the rest of the year yet.
Debbie Agans, president of Roosevelt School’s PTA, said the school will hold its Back to School Carnival on Sept. 15. The carnival, which started last year, will feature games, rides for younger kids, and a DJ.
"We were going to do it as a nonprofit thing, but we did make a profit (last year)," said Ms. Agans. "It went better than we expected."
The PTA will also help out at Back-to-School night Sept. 25, and hold a card and gift fundraiser to raise money for more events. According to Ms. Agans, money that isn’t used by the end of the school year is given to graduating students as scholarships.
Though no other events are planned for September, Ms. Agans said the PTA is already working on events for October.
"We do usually wait and plan it out," said Ms. Agans. "Right now, we’re working on the Halloween bash for the kids."
The Alexander Batcho Intermediate School PTA has not met to plan events for September yet, but intend on throwing a small celebration for students on the first day of school. A school dance may also be planned during the month.
High school students and parents will have a new opportunity to get involved, since the school is reforming its Parent-Teacher-Student Association (PTSA) this year. The association, which the school has not had since 2001, will have its first meeting on Back-to-School-Night Sept. 26.
"The PTSA gets students involved in activities and planning," said Ms. Zangara, who is also president of the high school PTSA. "Students can do anything but hold the office or president or treasurer."
Students and parents were informed about the group’s formation through an information packet the district sent during the summer. Because the group has not met yet, no activities are planned for school’s start.
Ms. Zangara hopes to see the PTSA introduce new programs into the schools, including Project Graduation, an all-night alcohol- and drug-free celebration for graduating high school students.
Whether it’s calculus or recess, 11th grade or first grade, Manville students can look forward to a year of new information and new trials and new opportunities to relax and have fun with classmates at PTA events.

