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Dear Friends and families
of Commack PTA,
We’re in the home stretch!
Spring is here and with it brings the season of year end festivities, which
include spring concerts, course reviews, finals and Regents exams, field
days, staff appreciations, award ceremonies, moving up ceremonies and
finally graduation. I want to thank all of the parents and supporters of all
the Commack PTAs for a great year.
As this year began, I talked about communication and participation as the
key components of a successful PTA and an enriched school experience for our
children. I believe the home and school connection has been strengthened
this year, largely due to your commitment to the process. Most significant
in our community partnership was the successful campaign to bring more State
Aid to our schools to relieve the tax burden of our residents. The
collaborative efforts of PTA, especially the Budget committee chaired by
Paulette Mancuso, Commack
District Administration, notably Superintendent Dr. James Feltman, the
Commack School Board and our local legislators, especially Senator John
Flanagan have resulted in record high increases in state aid to our schools.
This means a 2008-2009 Budget tax levy increase of 2.2%, significantly lower
than that of recent years. We are delighted at this outcome as it clearly
illustrates that there truly is strength in numbers. Thank you to all who
sent in the letters to the governor and to all who participated in the NYS
PTA Advocacy campaign and Virtual Lobby Day.
I encourage you to let your voice be heard again, loud and clear, as I ask
you to cast your vote for the school budget on May 20. As you know, the
district held a series of Budget workshops, detailing the budget line by
line, offering opportunity to raise questions and offer suggestions. The
2008-2009 Budget includes additional teachers and co-curricular
opportunities to meet the needs of the growing Secondary population. Your
support is critical to insure the continued future success of all the
children of Commack.
Planning for next year is well underway. Commack PTA units will be choosing
members for committees and this is a great time to get involved or recommit
ourselves to supporting the children of Commack.
As always, you may contact me with questions, concerns or ideas at
lawerner74@optonline.net
Thanks again for a terrific year.
Laura Werner
PTA Council President |
"Working Together...
Coming together is a beginning,
Keeping together is progress,
Working together is success." |
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Legislative Update
On March
1st, 2008, the Suffolk District PTA hosted its annual Legislative
Breakfast.
This event was attended by representatives from the NYS Legislature
and Assembly along with Suffolk County Elected Officials that spoke
on current issues.
The main topic discussed was that our children will be significantly
impacted by the proposed budget cuts in state aid to Long Island. We
are sending a lot of money to Albany and are getting so little back.
We deserve our fair share. Suffolk County Legislature is prepared
for a unified campaign fight for a fair Long Island budget. We need
to contact our local and state government officials regarding our
fair share of state aid. Individual hand written letters appear to
have the greatest impact. (Legislature contact lists are attached)
March 19th is PTA Virtual Lobby Day to contact your legislature and
let them know
that our schools need more state aid. Write, call, e-mail, or fax!
There was an Education and Taxpayer Rally in Farmingdale following
the Legislative Breakfast.
Additional issues discussed:
●NCLB- Reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act; Unacceptable
Funding
●Suffolk County Task Force on Under Age Drinking; Social Host Law
●Recommendations on how expenses should be spent once funded
●Funding Peer Leadership Programs for 12th graders to keep youth out
of trouble after High School
●Challenging PTA to continue parent education
●Children’s Health Summit; Vaccines- many children are opting out.
●State Mandates- No more state unfunded mandates!
●Suffolk County Legislature remains active against sex offenders.
●Functional Consideration-Rising benefit costs. Pooling resources of
local units.
Not ready for 2008.
●Police Smart- Collaborating with our Suffolk County Police
Department to bring age appropriate life-lessons into our schools.
The older levels would include priority issues such
as gangs, internet safety, and safe driving. Funded by the police
department.
Judy Murphy
PTA
Legislative Chair
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Budget Update
- Please click here for the latest Budget
Report. |
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Reach Liaison Report
The
REACH Committee, along with Dr. Robb-Fund, met with the
REACH CYA Representatives on January 31st at Old Farms
School.
REACH runs a weekly teen recreation night at Old Farms on
Fridays from 5 to 9 pm, and approximately 12 to 15 Commack
Middle and High School students attend
In the near future, the Commack Middle School will be
establishing a babysitting training program in conjunction
with REACH. Students will have the opportunity to learn
skills necessary for caring for younger children, while
becoming familiar with the essential steps to take in case
of an emergency.
We will also be exploring the feasibility of offering a
drop- in basketball program, similar to one that REACH now
runs at Candlewood Middle School in the Half Hollow Hills
School District.
We are looking forward to distributing information for
REACH’s summer programs and trips as soon as it becomes
available.
Lisa Kratter
Rose Koven
Amy Rosenberg
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PTA Council Officers for 2008-2009
President - Laura Werner
1st VP - Eleanor Stentiford
2nd VP - Mary Lionetti
Treasurer -Sue Schultheiss
Recording Sec'ty - Jill Minovich
Corresponding Sec'ty -Joyce Migliori |
HELPFUL WEBSITES:
www.suffolkpta.org - The
legislative link provides a directory to contact your local, state,
and federal elected officials.
www.nyspta.org - The website of
the New York State PTA
www.commack.k12.ny.us -
Under the Parent Resources Link- Your Legislative Representatives |
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