In today's world, the term “support group” is common and most people can point to one they have, be it formal or informal. For years, a support group has existed for school districts, mainly in the form of Parent Teacher Associations. At Southern Cayuga, the mission of the district and support of the students is aided by three groups: The Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), Booster Club (sports) and P'ART (fine arts ). All of these groups were formed by concerned parents, teachers and students.
The PTO started more than 10 years ago and has been chaired by Karen Philip since its inception.
Its mission is to provide a wide variety of support, filling in areas where the district's budget won't reach. The philosophy is that their funds are directed back to students and teachers. Its budget is derived from selling wrapping paper in the autumn and chocolate in the spring.
The support offered includes assemblies, small technology grants (via the district THINK team), field trips, school supplies and a myriad of needs that may be requested via an application form. Additionally, the PTO provides a story book for each newborn in the district.
Meetings are held monthly to discuss topics of interest and importance to the school. The PTO looks for ways to resolve problems and is always interested in new members and fresh ideas. It has worked in concert with the other support groups, most recently helping Boosters with a purchase.
The Booster Club, too, is more than 10 years old and was born of an idea discussed between Lin McGonagle and her child's teacher at the time, Patricia Bowman. Many of the creators worked for years, building the organization from coolers and fry pans to a full building of its own. The reins have been passed to others, who are carrying forward the original hard work and enthusiasm.
By selling concessions at home games, along with school team sportswear, it supplies needed services and provides teams with items that are otherwise out of reach.
Recently Boosters gave the district a check for more than $4,000. These funds are providing touch pad timers for the swim team and a new scoreboard for the gym that will be used for the upcoming basketball season. Its most recent endeavor was supporting the many events surrounding the Homecoming Weekend at the end of September. Beginning shortly after 7 a.m., refreshments were available and were served throughout the day's events. Many of the hardest workers were middle school students.
P'ART is the youngest of the support groups, having been founded two years ago. It stands for Patrons of the ARTs, and supports the music, theater and art departments at school.
Its primary source of income is concessions during the spring and fall drama plays, community bake sales, T-shirt sales, community donations and program advertisements in drama productions.
Endeavors to date have enabled it to help keep a spring production available to students, buy theater supplies and equipment and purchase a new sound system for concerts.
Future ambitions include underwriting field trips and other extracurricular activities that will enrich the students and strengthen ties with the community.
All groups are comprised of parents, teachers and students, and aim to raise school and community spirit. All attribute their success to the level of volunteerism they experience.
All groups voiced that their greatest desire is for new members.
If you would like to contribute your time to one of these organizations, contact the appropriate group via the information listed below. PTO and P'ART meetings are listed on the district calendar.
Cindy Sharshon works for the Southern Cayuga School District.
Contacts
PTO: Paula Colton at coltonp@southerncayuga.org
Sports Boosters: Chris Osterhoudt at Ost@bci.net or Randy Lawrence at randyinscipio@aol.com or 364-7940
P'ART: Linda Mandel at 364-8827
Its mission is to provide a wide variety of support, filling in areas where the district's budget won't reach. The philosophy is that their funds are directed back to students and teachers. Its budget is derived from selling wrapping paper in the autumn and chocolate in the spring.
The support offered includes assemblies, small technology grants (via the district THINK team), field trips, school supplies and a myriad of needs that may be requested via an application form. Additionally, the PTO provides a story book for each newborn in the district.
Meetings are held monthly to discuss topics of interest and importance to the school. The PTO looks for ways to resolve problems and is always interested in new members and fresh ideas. It has worked in concert with the other support groups, most recently helping Boosters with a purchase.
The Booster Club, too, is more than 10 years old and was born of an idea discussed between Lin McGonagle and her child's teacher at the time, Patricia Bowman. Many of the creators worked for years, building the organization from coolers and fry pans to a full building of its own. The reins have been passed to others, who are carrying forward the original hard work and enthusiasm.
By selling concessions at home games, along with school team sportswear, it supplies needed services and provides teams with items that are otherwise out of reach.
Recently Boosters gave the district a check for more than $4,000. These funds are providing touch pad timers for the swim team and a new scoreboard for the gym that will be used for the upcoming basketball season. Its most recent endeavor was supporting the many events surrounding the Homecoming Weekend at the end of September. Beginning shortly after 7 a.m., refreshments were available and were served throughout the day's events. Many of the hardest workers were middle school students.
P'ART is the youngest of the support groups, having been founded two years ago. It stands for Patrons of the ARTs, and supports the music, theater and art departments at school.
Its primary source of income is concessions during the spring and fall drama plays, community bake sales, T-shirt sales, community donations and program advertisements in drama productions.
Endeavors to date have enabled it to help keep a spring production available to students, buy theater supplies and equipment and purchase a new sound system for concerts.
Future ambitions include underwriting field trips and other extracurricular activities that will enrich the students and strengthen ties with the community.
All groups are comprised of parents, teachers and students, and aim to raise school and community spirit. All attribute their success to the level of volunteerism they experience.
All groups voiced that their greatest desire is for new members.
If you would like to contribute your time to one of these organizations, contact the appropriate group via the information listed below. PTO and P'ART meetings are listed on the district calendar.
Cindy Sharshon works for the Southern Cayuga School District.
Contacts
PTO: Paula Colton at coltonp@southerncayuga.org
Sports Boosters: Chris Osterhoudt at Ost@bci.net or Randy Lawrence at randyinscipio@aol.com or 364-7940
P'ART: Linda Mandel at 364-8827
The Citizens' Say
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