PTA PRESIDENT’S CORNER – BY JOHN SCARSO
October 13, 2009
To All in the PS 373R Family:
As we begin a new school year, I would like to thank all those new parents who attended the first PTA meeting/pot luck dinner. There were many new faces and I hope that the change in time to the evening will prove beneficial to all. Our PTA has retained its officers for another year and their experience will prove invaluable; yet school continues to struggle with budget cuts and many other challenges. Our principal and her staff has been working long hours to address many of the issues affecting all of our children and we need to continue our support of them We wish to thank all those generous parents who have donated dues to the PTA to help fund our programs. We have collected so far close to $500. At the last meeting, we passed our budget which included a $250 grant to the garden program which is in the back behind the mini building. We have kicked off our cookie dough sale and we are planning our holiday fair for the first week in December. We cannot function without the support of our student’s parents. We as a PTA realize that many parents work long hours and have many issues but we all do and together we can come together to build a stronger PTA. Our next meeting is Tuesday October 27 at 6PM and we hope to see more parents there. Thank you.
As another school year ends I along with my executive board wish to thank everyone for allowing us to serve another year as your PTA officers. I will be continuing to serve as your President along with Dawn Port as 1st Vice President, Laura Strohm as 2nd Vice President, Jennifer Walsh as Treasurer, and Perian Wise as Secretary. We had many successes this year, including the Holiday Fair, the cookie dough sale, the plant sale, and the Spring Carnival. We sponsored a back pack give away and donated to the Thanksgiving turkey drive. We, along with the new school administration staff, learned under fire and we all emerged better than ever.
We have already begun to plan for the coming year. We are meeting with our elected officials to discuss important issues regarding our school, started formulating our upcoming budget, and we have started planning the events in the upcoming year. Look for more info coming regarding our pot luck dinner in September. We are fortunate to have Principal Harnett at the helm of our school with the dedication of her Assistant Principals and let us not forget Kirsten Rorke, who has been indispensable to everyone this past year.
Due to popular demand, the upcoming PTA meetings will be in the evening and the schedule will be announced in August. We hope to see more parents get involved this year anyone wishing to get involved is invited to call me at 718-986-8856.
We are continuing to be faced with many extremely difficult challenges in the upcoming year, including overcrowding and DOE budget cuts. We need more parental involvement so please come out and help. It is our kids at stake. We continue to look forward to an exciting year ahead. Thank you.
John Scarso
President PTA 373R 2009-2010
January 22, 2009
To All in the PS 373R Family:
As we begin 2009 we are faced with many challenges and many changes. With the inauguration of President Obama, we are witnessing history unprecedented in our lifetimes. Our school has recently seen a near complete change in administration, with a new principal and two new assistant principals. The PTA has four new officers representing three different PS 373 sites. We are in the mists of a troubled economy that has affected everyone. Our school is struggling with budget cuts and many other challenges.
Our PTA is facing challenges of our own. Out of over 400 students in our school, the attendance at average PTA meeting is between 8 and 10 parents, which is a dismal 2-2.5%. Many parents approach either me or one of my officers regarding important issues but rarely are those parents present at a meeting. During the holiday faire, if it wasn’t for my board members and a handful of extremely dedicated parents, the faire would not have been possible.
The PTA cannot function without the support of our student’s parents. I realize that many parents work long hours and the PTA has tried several approaches to accommodate varied work schedules but the reality is that no matter what is tried, the same dedicated parents are able to adjust their schedules and attend.
This cannot go on. Some of those parents have expressed frustration and have said, “Why bother if no one cares”. In order for the PTA to continue, more participation is needed. If not, we run the risk of losing those who are dedicated and become defunct. We have many fights left to fight and the only way we can succeed is if we all pull together. It is time for all of us to put on our helmets and get into the game. Our next meeting is February 26th at 11:30 AM at the main site, 91 Henderson Ave and I hope to see more new parents there. Jennifer Acosta will be there as an interpreter for those Spanish speaking parents. Let’s pray that the New Year brings better times.
-John Scarso (718) 986-8856
July 25, 2008
To All Parents/Guardians in the PS 373R Family;
As PTA president, I wish to welcome Ilene Goldstein-Harnet to our school as our new principal. I was on the C30 committee and I wish tell everyone how fortunate we are to have her come aboard. Her combination of years of experience and her dedication to our children will be an asset to our school and I am looking forward to a very productive year.
I met with her on 7/24 for an informal “get to know you” meeting which was very productive. I am sure that we have forged the beginning of an excellent working relationship, and many of our goals for the upcoming year will be eagerly addressed and met.
We face many challenges in the year ahead and I am confident that together, the parents, teachers and administration will achieve many important results. Again, welcome Ilene and the best of luck in your new position.
Regards,
John Scarso PTA President
June 26, 2008 As most of you know, our Principal, Mike Zangwill is retiring in July 2008. On June 25, 2008 PS 373R held a meeting to facilitate the C-30 process to pick a new Principal for our school. We had three interviews with candidates for the position. I would like to thank the parents who participated in this process. They are Ida Gilman, Jennifer Walsh and Catherine Bragg-Spicer. - John Scarso, PS 373R PTA President
June 12, 2008 Reminder about the autism walk on 6/22: Any body who wants to join a team, contact me at scarso63@hotmail.com or call 718-986-8856. A li9mited amount of hats will be available for $5 that day.
Thanks. John Scarso (718) 986-8856
May 30, 2008 To Everyone in the PS 373R Family:
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is John Scarso and I have had the pleasure of being elected president of the PTA association of PS 373R. Most people at the main site know me as Joan Scarso’s dad. She is currently in Ms. Laura’s kindergarten class in the mini building at the main site. My fellow officers are: Jennifer Walsh/ Treasurer, Laura Strohm/ Recording Secretary and Periann Wise/ Corresponding secretary.
On behalf of myself and my fellow new board members, we would like to thank Siri Kagan and the out going board members as well as Kirsten Rorke for their many hard hours of dedication that they donated to the PTA’s many activities.
We are continued to be faced with many extremely difficult challenges in the upcoming year, including overcrowding and DOE budget cuts, and the board would like to invite all parents to come out and help us. Anyone wishing to get involved is invited to call me at 718-986-8856. We are looking forward to an exciting year ahead. Thank you.
John Scarso said
let’s give a round of applause to Kirsten Rorke and Siri Kagan for a wonderful pot luck dinner. There was great food, music and fun for all.
Michael Reilly said
Michael Reilly For Community Education Council # 31 (Staten Island)
Dear Parents/Guardians
I am seeking your support, to represent Staten Island parents as a member of the Community Education Council for New York City School District # 31 (Staten Island).
I am a retired Police Lieutenant and currently serve in a voluntary position as the Transportation and Safety Committee representative for the PS 55 Parent Teacher Association. This position has allowed me to coordinate with Ms.Schultz, the Principal of PS 55, to address safety and transportation concerns. The PTA partnered with the PS 55 Administration, to effectively institute a Morning Drop Off Program. This Drop Off Program allows the parents to discharge the children curbside, to awaiting staff. Myself and the staff ensure the children safely enter the school building. This program has relieved traffic congestion and increased pedestrian safety within the PS 55 community. While serving as the Transportation and Safety Committee representative, I have conducted assemblies on Pedestrian and School Bus Safety based on the Safe Routes To Schools program.
The Community Education Council consists of 9 elected parent volunteers, 2 Borough President appointees, and 1 District High School student. The council meets monthly with parents and the District Superintendent to address concerns within the district. The Community Education Council serves as a liaison between the parents and the District Superintendent. The council also serves as an advisory board to the Chancellor of the New York City Public Schools. You may obtain further information at the Council’s website : CEC31.org.
Each candidate will attend an open forum in late March/ early April to address questions from the parents within the district. The location of these forums will be announced at a later date.
The election will be held from April 6th – 12th , 2009 on the website powertotheparents.org. Each school will provide the district parents with a code to vote on the website. The Parent Teacher Association Presidents within the district will vote based on the parent votes. The PTA votes will be cast on May 12th – 14th , 2009.
The selected candidates will serve a 2 year term from July 1st, 2009 through August 31st, 2011. It would be a privilege to represent Staten Island parents as a member of Community Education Council 31.
Sincerely,
Michael Reilly
John Scarso said
It would be nice if Mr Reilly would contact the PTA directly and ask to come to one of our meetings. My Ccell is 718-986-8856
John Scarso PTA President