Students at the Millstone Township elementary and primary schools are about to get some educational “goodies” to enhance their learning experience.
The items will be provided through the fundraising efforts of the PTO. Silvia Dimino, who served as president of the PTO during the 2013-14 school year, attended the Sept. 15 meeting of the Millstone Township K-8 School District Board of Education meeting to make a presentation to the district.
With “great pride and pleasure,” Dimino said, “We would like to present to the board an amazing amount of gifted money. We are giving $54,501.70 in cash.”
In addition, the PTO donated $15,390 in credits for the purchase of new Chromebook computers, iPad tablet computers, library books, group learning tools, projectors and other equipment for the two schools, according to Dimino. The credits will also fund author visits, she said. Dimino said the grand total of PTO donations for the 2013-14 school year was $84,242.
“We are glad that our donation will directly benefit the students,” she said. “The donated cash will go toward the purchase of new technology.”
Dimino listed events and items the PTO was able to fund during the 2013-14 year. These included a fall ice cream social, Teacher Appreciation Week events, a secondgrade ice cream party and a fifth-grade bash. The PTO also funded new library books, publications and weekly readers.
Superintendent of Schools Scott Feder graciously accepted the funds and praised the PTO for its efforts on behalf of the community’s children.
“I feel that the PTO is exceptional,” Feder said. “They were able to successfully raise an incredible amount of funds for our kids. This will go a long way in improving on programming, technology and our literature selections. This is a tremendous accomplishment with the grand total for the entire year reaching over $80,000. I cannot thank them enough.”
Feder complimented the PTO members for always lending a hand when necessary and for showing a presence at school activities and other educational events.
“They are an exceptional group of people and although we say goodbye to this (PTO) executive board, there are no doubts that the new team will be just as impressive,” the superintendent said.
Dimino praised the officers on her former executive board: Theresa Marsicovetere, vice president, Kristin Schloss, treasurer, and Maria Spadaccini, recording secretary. Dimino said she enjoyed working with this group of women because they wanted to make a difference for the students and they worked hard to succeed.
“Thanks to a great PTO board and all of the actively involved parents, our goals were reached,” Dimino said. “I sincerely want to thank all of the parents and local businesses whose support was invaluable. Without the efforts of all of these people, this kind of donation would not have been possible. I am very grateful.”
She said the secret to the PTO’s success might have to do with what she called common sense tips. Dimino said she and her fellow PTO board members realized the importance of being respectful and appreciative of others, particularly the school district administrators, parents, community members, business operators and volunteers.
Dimino said the PTO received overwhelming support and help from the administration, teachers and parents.
“We leave the PTO board, but we will still be around helping out as much as we can,” she said. “Our last two to four years have been a wonderful experience, raising almost $287,000 in cash, donations and books that we are proud to say have contributed greatly to our children’s education.”