Dear Friends and Families of Commack PTA,

 I wish you all a peaceful and happy holiday season, and a very happy New Year. I'd like to congratulate all the recipients of the PTA Founder's Day Awards, and thank you for all your efforts on behalf of our children.

Typically, as a PTA Council President, I should be talking to you about involvement in the schools and PTAs, and I do encourage you to do that! What I want to address with all of you parents is also about getting involved - in your children's lives. In our society today. many parents are overwhelmed working many hours and juggling many responsibilities. Often children are left to their own devices and don't always make good decisions. They rarely realize how serious one mistake can be. I know that while it isn’t always easy, it is important, actually essential, that we know what’s going on in our children’s lives more than ever. It is important that we know what is happening in their leisure activities (where are they, who are they with, what they're doing online) to help to ensure their safety. While the District has always promoted Internet Safety, it is important for us to be aware, especially with the onslaught of social media sites, what our children are doing online. Does your child have a Facebook account? Have you seen it? Have you looked at the photos posted there? At friend's photos? Is it private? Although our children may not want them in their “internet” business, we as parents have every right to monitor our children's activities online and it is our responsibility to keep them safe.

We know that alcohol and drugs are available in our community, like every community. These drugs affect decision making and tend to lead to some very risky behavior. Just "taking away their keys" so they don't drive while impaired is not enough. There are parents who host parties in their home and allow underage drinking. The excuse of, "I know they're going to drink anyway, better that it's in my home" is rubbish. It's against the law. Not only do these parents put our children at risk, but they set a poor example for our children of what appropriate parenting choices should be.

I bet you've heard the following phrases from your teenaged son or daughter:
* But mom, everyone drinks!
* Cathy's parents don't care if we drink at her house...
* Yes, her parents will be home...
* No one else has an 11pm curfew...

And guess what? Everyone else is not doing it! Again, to ensure our children’s safety, take that extra step: Know where your child is going. When we drop off our children at a "friend's" house, walk him/her up to the front door and introduce yourself or check that an adult is there to supervise. When you hear there's a party, call the parents to make sure they're going to be home. Parenting is the hardest job in the world. Establishing your authority, sticking to your guns, being the “bad guy” and not their friend…not easy. Just remember: You are in charge. You are the parent, the guide, you set the example. We have many resources available in Commack - the Commack Coalition of Caring, the Anonymous Alert System, and caring staff and guidance counselors. If you need help, just reach out and ask for it.

I am always available to address your questions, please email me at JackiF65@aol.com .

Sincerely,
Jacki Fleishhacker
PTA Council President

"Working Together... 
Coming together is a beginning,
Keeping together is progress,
Working together is success."

Founder's Day Info
Invitation
RSVP by January 3 LATEST!    
February 3, 2011 - 6pm
Watermill Caterers
Smithtown, NY

HONOREES
Council Distinguished Service
Eleanor Stentiford
Honorary Life (Council)
Jeremy Thode

CHS
Distinguished Service
Amy Rosenberg
Honorary Life
Karen Dow and Terri Caracciolo

CMS
Leslie Cronin and Mark Schwartz

Burr
 Maria Yandolino and Krista Brancato

Sawmill
 Pam Amato and Tara O'Grady

Indian Hollow
Mary Fox and Cristina Iavaroni

North Ridge
Donna Lagner and Christine Flynn

Rolling Hills
 Michelle Morley and Fran Mazeika

Wood Park
Michelle Collison and Tracey Meyer

SEPTA
Theresa Maricevic and Maureen Murphy