Page 22A/The Rivertowns Enterprise
Back to School
Friday, August 24, 2012
Ardsley PTA works to enhance all 3 schools
The Ardsley PTA is looking forward to another year working collaboratively with the parents, teachers, administrators and students in this wonderful school district. The PTA is grateful for the enthusiastic support received, allowing for critical contributions to education. The PTA has a three-pronged approach — supporting the individual schools, the Ardsley school district family and the broader Westchester community. The PTA supports schoolwide, gradewide and individual classroom programs throughout the three Ardsley schools. At Concord Road School, the PTA supported: C = Chicks! The PTA purchases chicks and equipment so every second-grade class can observe the day-by-day development of the eggs and study the hatching chicks. R = Reduce-Reuse-Recycle Concert! The PTA gives each school a cultural arts grant. Concord Road celebrated Earth Day with a special live performance by Tom Chapin and Michael Mark. S = Science! The PTA purchased new balance scales for the science classes to give students better data — critical for budding young scientists. At Ardsley Middle School, the PTA supported: A = AV equipment! The PTA purchased a new state-of-the-art audio/video system for the auditorium with a highdefinition projector and screen.
M = Master classes! In June, local author Laura Dower came to AMS to lead a series of fifth-grade master classes focusing on inspiration, motivation and the fine art of revision. S = Supplies! The PTA purchased materials for the elective Fashion 101 and Art You Can Sit On classes, culminating in a fantastic show highlighting our students’ talents. At Ardsley High School, we supported: A = Amazing Wellness Fair! With a focus on stress reduction and months of planning, the fair featured over 30 activities for students, with information on healthy eating, fitness, substance abuse, tolerance and much more. H = Horseshoes! And other classic recreational games for a new gym unit highlighting retro games like baggo, blomgoball and bocce ball. S = Student Lounge! High school students now have an alternative space to spend their lunch period, with the opportunity to play games, socialize and form new friendships. The Ardsley PTA also sponsors programs for the whole district. From a town hall-style principals’ panels to community lectures, the Ardsley PTA is dedicated to communication, education and advocacy. The PTA celebrates our community with thousands of dollars in scholarships for graduating seniors, as well as highlighting the contributions of the many individuals — from teachers to parents to
community leaders — who go above and beyond in their service to Ardsley youth. The Ardsley PTA is dedicated to strengthening the bonds within our district and our ties to the broader community. The PTA reaches out to individual students and families in the district who may be struggling. Part of the mission is helping ensure that every student has the chance to participate in the many opportunities the district offers. For several years, the PTA has developed ArdsleyCares activities to share the love of community service with students and to impact communities throughout Westchester. Last fall the PTA held its third annual ArdsleyCares Day, offering 16 hands-on family volunteering opportunities to over 600 people. Other ArdsleyCares programs include the second annual Hunger Awareness Week — with food drives, educational materials and volunteer projects — the Concord Road Book Swap and monthly volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House in Valhalla. What are the Ardsley PTA goals for this year? Anything and everything to enrich Ardsley’s education, support the teachers and schools, and maintain the Ardsley school district’s well-deserved reputation for academic excellence and community spirit. A special thank you to the many volunteers for their hard work and sincere appreciation to the Rivertowns community for its partnership.
Dobbs Ferry Continued from page 21A
tiated instruction and the Common Core Standards, while still making lessons informative and fun for students. It harnesses the power of digital tools to help students learn and love math. It allows them to take ownership of their learning. The use of technology to benefit instruction has been a thrust this summer as 26 teachers across the district have been participating in a pilot laptop program which will enable faculty to increase regular technology access as we further develop plans for a fully integrated student 1:1 computing model. At Springhurst, the co-teaching model (supported by co-teaching workshops over the summer) has grown and expanded to include one co-taught class at every grade level. This effort is designed to further support and enhance the inclusive special education model that is unique to our Dobbs Ferry Schools. Springhurst principal Julia Drake was thrilled that almost 70 percent of the faculty participated in at least one or more professional development opportunities this summer at the elementary school. Five teachers recently spent the week at Confratute, an annual workshop on meeting the needs of advanced learners, which took place on the UCONN campus. The big theme of the summer work has been aligning the curriculum to the Common Core Standards and utilizing ATLAS online curriculum mapping. Springhurst has been home to our extended school year Continued on the next page
The Beginners Club
A “younger” affiliate of The Homework Club, Inc.
Join our unique, fun-filled After-School Program For Kindergartners and First Graders Creative Playtime, a Healthy Snack, and a Kaleidoscope of Enrichment Activities Creative Arts Games utdoor O & Woodworking & Clay r o indo Karate
Cookin g music & mov ement
September through June Open Daily 12:00pm to 6:00pm
Plus snow days, holidays & school closings by arrangement
“Just September” Kindergarten Only Why: Kindergarten days end at noon in September. If you need us to help... a short school bus ride will bring your child from Hillside to the First Reformed Church in Hastings. (we pickup Dobbs kids, too!). There they’ll enjoy the afternoon with a healthy snack and playful, enriching activities. Our cheerful space mirrors the Kindergarten experience for a smooth transition in your child’s day. When: September 2012 Time: 12-2:00 pm or stay on until 6:00 pm
mary Cahill, Director: 478-2334 For Registration, call Pam Koner: 478-0756 18 Farragut Avenue, Hastings-on-Hudson www.TheHomeworkClubProgram.com