Susan Godreau is the 2009 PTA Volunteer in New York State!
Bullying - A Proactive Approach to a Problem
PTA Award & Grant Opportunities
PTSA Theme - Leadership
Membership - MEMBERS ONLY - Calendar of Events
PTA Legislation -
100 Ways to Get Involved in Your Child's Education
School Board Members
Updated: March 8, 2010
The Potsdam PTSA continues to provide a vital link between home and school. The theme of the National PTA is Every child, one voice. This reflects the National PTA’s focus on advocacy for children - every child, according to their needs. The Potsdam Central PTSA unit believes Together we can make a difference! Parents, united with teachers, administrators, and members of the community, can make a difference in our schools and with our youth.
Note: The Board of Education usually meets every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month in the High School Library at 7 p.m. The public is always welcome to attend.
March 9: Board of Education meets at 7 pm in the HS Library.
March 16: Potsdam PTSA meets at 7 pm in the HS Library.
March 23: Board of Education meets at 7 pm in the HS Library.
Best-of-show in Literature was awarded to Alex Wang for "Harmony: the Essence of Beauty" and Kenny Ferguson for his poem "Beauty."
In Photography, a Best-of-show photography award went to Dustin Grant of Potsdam Central for his photo of a deer entitled "Nature's Beauty."
Best-of-show in Visual Arts went to Potsdam students Saanvi Dhaniyala of Potsdam for her outstanding drawing "From a Seed to a Flower," and Charlie Helenbrook for his drawing "The Peaceful Meadow."
AUTHOR VISIT: For several years now, Potsdam PTSA has sponsored a school visit from a well-known children's author at the elementary and middle schools level. The 2008 author was Montana's Ben Mikaelsen who came to the AAK Middle School in October. Your support of the Fall Sportwear order helps to make this program possible!
SCHOOL SPIRIT SPORTSWEAR: Potsdam PTSA holds a sale of popular sportswear, often with the Sandstoner logo and school name.
See photos of this year's sportwear items!
The sale of school sportswear goes to support the many PTSA-sponsored events in the district schools, like visits by authors and performing artists, Reflections, and student activities like the elementary Fun Fair and middle school Fun Nights.
PTSA FUN NIGHT: The Potsdam PTSA holds a fun night at the AAK Middle School for 5th and 6th graders. These students spend a few hours playing games and dancing to the DJ's music.
PTSA DANCES: The Potsdam PTSA sponsors dances for the 7th and 8th graders at the AAK Middle School. In addition to dancing and music, there are other activities such as volleyball, ping pong, basketball shoots, and food and drinks.
PTSA CITIZENSHIP AWARD: Each year the Potsdam PTSA, in consultation with the high school staff, selects a senior to receive this award of $100 in recognition of community service.
Stanley Marcus Humanitarian Award: This award is given annually by New York State PTS to a high school junior or senior who has demonstrated involvement and ability to make a difference in the community.
Jenkins Award: The Jenkins Award in the amount of $3000 over four years by NYS PTA to a student attending a state college and who intends to pursue a teaching career. Download the application right now!
Gazzola Fellowship: An award of $1000 to be given to a teacher for continuing education to upgrade his/her teaching skills.
POTSDAM PTSA NEWS: Our free newsletter sent to teachers, PTSA members, and parents of district students four times per year.
National PTA has partnered with The Ad Council to launch a three-year public service advertising (PSA) campaign designed to encourage parents to become more involved in their children's schools and education. The campaign targets English- and Spanish-speaking parents of school-age children, urging them to "Know What Really Matters. Know About Your Kid's School and Know About Your Kid."
In support of the campaign, National PTA provides the 100 Ways to Know More. Do More. website, which provides articles and handy tips for parents about getting involved in their children's educations, the campaign's video PSAs (as seen on TV), and ordering information for the "100 Ways to Know More. Do More." brochure.
Potsdam PTSA's Annual Sandstoner Sportswear Sale
The sale of school sportswear goes to support PTSA-sponsored events in the district schools, like visits by authors and performing artists.
Membership in the Potsdam PTSA is open to anyone with an interest in public school education and is a great value at only $5 per person. You can sign up for membership at any of the building open houses, attending a PTSA-sponsored event or meeting, or you can also print a membership form from this website.
PTA members, the username and password are printed on your 2009-10 PTA membership card.
Remember to save your username and password to your computer's "password list" so you won't need to enter the information each time.
The National PTA has recently partnered with Consumer Reports and the National School Boards Association to form the School Safety Alert Program to alert parents, schools and educators immediately to imminent dangers and allow them to remove potentially dangerous—even lethal—products from their homes and schools.
Previously recalled products are one of the top hidden hazards in the home. Most recall information never reaches a family until tragedy strikes. Tens of millions of children are needlessly exposed to unsafe products, toys and foods that have been recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
This is why National PTA has partnered with Consumer Reports and the National School Boards Association to form the School Safety Alert Program. The School Safety Alert program will alert parents, school administrators, and educators immediately to imminent dangers and allow them to remove potentially dangerous even lethal products from their homes and schools.
PTA has a long a valuable record of legislative activity at both the national and the state level. PTA is recognized as the leading child advocacy and the largest volunteer organization in the world. The Potsdam PTSA provides links to major PTA legilsative information services, as well as timely news about what is happening in both Albany and Washington:
PTA looks forward to the opportunity to strengthen parent involvement and family engagement in the upcoming reauthorizations of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA-NCLB) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
PTA will advance its opportunity and equity platform with the implementation of state advocacy efforts for the Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCSSI), the reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA), and federal appropriations to support student achievement and family engagement.
In 2010, PTA will advocate to improve child health and wellness through the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act.
Available are National PTA's Issue Talking Points Cards. Check out these 20 updated issue cards that give you what you need to know and key talking points for answering questions about National PTA's positions on the important issues today. These cards are downloadable and printable—right from your computer! We have also completely rewritten every issue brief on our website, updating them with the most current information, talking points, and resources.
The Issues & Action section now contains 24 in-depth issue briefs that also include official letters National PTA has sent to Congress, the White House, and federal agencies. New letters sent will be posted on the site, so check back often!
Last, but certainly not least, everyone can now access National PTA's most current resolutions and position statements. Go to the new Resolutions section, under Issues & Action, and see the official documents outlining the opinion or intent of the association to address national problems, situations, or concerns that affect children and youth that require national action. Information also is provided on how you can submit a new resolution to be considered at the national convention each June.
PTA members may wish to join National PTA's Member-to-Member Network, the grassroots advocacy system that provides direct contact with members of Congress, and occasionally with federal regulatory agencies. When contact is needed, National PTA's Washington, DC, office issues Action Alerts that describe the pending legislative issue and the action needed. Network participants also have access to a staff liaison who can answer their questions and assist in their advocacy efforts.
Want to know more about Potsdam? Visit: NorthCountryNow.com, packed with local news, entertainment listings,
hometown photos, and information of interest.