Communication, Anti-Drinking Campaign Top List of PTSA Priorities for Next School Year

may be about to break for summer, but the PTSA will still be hard at work wrapping up the current school year and preparing for the next.

The school’s PTSA held their final meeting for the school year on Monday evening, but several of their priorities from this year will carry on into the 2011-2012 school year.

PTSA President Geri Shapiro — who will be president in the next school year after winning a vote in Monday’s meeting — highlighted some of the PTSA’s main objectives that will carry on into next year.

1. Communication, Communication, Communication

The PTSA listserv, BLIPS, is being converted to a Yahoo Groups account, which will hopefully help increase communication and decrease the cost of the list serv, Shapiro said. The PTSA will use the BLIPS and the PTSA website to help make sure parents are involved and informed. Also, the PTSA plans to develop the secretary’s job to increase communication within the PTSA, Shapiro added.

2. Develop the Calendar

Making sure the PTSA website has an accurate, detailed calendar is a priority for the next school year, Shapiro said.

“The PTSA needs to be on the lookout for things like staff appreciation lunches and other activities so we can coordinate with the school and see how we can contribute,” she said.

Having a reliable PTSA calendar will also help the leaders within the group have a better idea of upcoming events, she added.

3. Increase Volunteer Base

The Churchill PTSA has the most members than any other PTSA in the county and the highest membership when considering the parent to student ratio at the school; however, more volunteers are still needed, Shapiro said. The recruiting effort will continue to be a push in the next school year.

“We do have a great group of volunteers who are already participating, but we can use more,” she said.

4. Promote Anti-Drinking and Anti-Drug Campaigns

While anti-drinking and anti-drug programs have been a priority for the PTSA this year, it is something that will certainly continue in the future, Shapiro said. The PTSA and the Character Education and Student Life Committee will work together to promote more programs and help bring speakers to the school to talk to the kids about those issues.

5. Digital Sign Funding and Installation

This year, the PTSA and the Character Education and Student Life Committee have worked to raise funds for the , which will be installed on the corner of Tuckerman Lane and Gainsborough Road. Throughout the rest of this school year and into the next, fundraising will continue to for the sign, which will cost between $20,000 and $45,000. The PTSA and the committee are working to sell engraved tiles for a “Celebration Wall” that will help fund the digital sign.

For more information about joining the Churchill PTSA, check out the membership information on the website.