PTA council reports on Warwick Valley School happenings

Warwick - The Warwick Valley PTA Council would like to make our community aware of the positive things going on in our schools and the amazing talents of our students and teachers and administrators. Every two weeks the council will be submitting current school news to this column. Our intention is to help families keep track of up-coming events and to keep the community informed of the contributions of our school district and its students and teachers. Interim information about our schools is available at the District Web site, www.warwickvalleyschools.com and by joining any of the PTAs. Warwick Valley School District • The next Board of Education meeting is Nov. 13th at 7:30 p.m. at the Middle School. • Schools are closed Nov. 7 (Election Day) and Nov. 10 (Veteran’s Day). • An early dismissal for elementary schools and the Middle School on Nov. 17. • Report cards are sent out the week of Nov. 20. Warwick Valley High School • The PSAT was recently held for sophomores and juniors. The PSAT offers students a chance to become familiar with the format of the SAT, the exam that seniors will have to compete for college admissions. • The SAT will be offered on Nov. 4 at 8 a.m. at the High School. • The PTSA is holding a Tricky Tray on Friday, Oct. 27, from 6:30-9:30 at the High School South Cafeteria. Please note this is a different date than that listed on the district calendar. The event is open to the entire Warwick community. Trays and baskets, with themes to appeal to everyone and made by local merchants and PTSA members, are available for bidding. It is a fun night which provides vital financial support for the PSTA activities of the HS. • The WVHS Drama Club will be presenting “Aladdin.” Performances will be Nov. 17 and 18. For tickets, call the high school at 987-3050, select option #4 for the voice mail system and type in extension #4100. • The 10th grade Harvest Queen Dance will be held Nov.3, 7-10:30 p.m. • Fall sports are winding down. Many of the Varsity teams are competing at the top of their divisions. JV and Freshmen teams also did well. • High School daily announcements can be reviewed on the district Web site by clicking onto “Our Schools” and scrolling to the HS and then “Announcements.” • The next PTSA meeting is scheduled for Nov. 16, at 7 p.m. Warwick Valley Middle School: • Mountain Creek Season Ski Passes are now available for purchase from the WVMS PTA. Applications are available at the MS Office and at Caffé a la Mode and should be returned to the MS Office with payment by Nov. 20. The prices for the passes are $199 for children and $249 for adults, age limits are indicated on the application. • Principal John Kolesar will be hosting regular “Coffee Chats” with parents in the media center. The next one will be Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. The schedule of “Coffee Chats”, along with Team calendars and updates, daily announcements, intramural club and compact team information can be found on the updated school Web site available through the district Web site by clicking “Our Schools” and scrolling to the MS. • Red Ribbon Week promoting a “Drug Free” life ends Friday, Oct. 27. • The first group of sixth graders is just returning from Ashokan, the traditional and memorable week long field trip enjoyed by generations of students. • MS Parent-teacher conferences will be held Nov. 2 and Nov. 8 from 5-8 p.m. and Nov. 17 (an early dismissal day) from 11:45 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. Parents wishing to have a conference should call the MS office at 987-3100 or send in a note to the teacher. • There will be a PTA Dance for sixth graders on Oct. 27 from 7-9 p.m. • Early in the morning on Halloween, goblins will be running about the halls of the MS, leaving donuts and cider for every student and teacher in the school. Halloween Treats is a welcome, long-standing tradition at the Middle School. Elementary Schools • The national “Reflections” art program is under way. Good luck to all of the participants. • Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held Nov. 6 and Nov. 8, from 5:30-8:30 p.m., and Nov. 17, 12:30-3:30 p.m. • State testing for fifth grade Social Studies will be held Nov. 15-16. All fifth graders should get a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast to be their best. Park Avenue Elementary School • Park Avenue was selected as a 2006 NCLB-Blue Ribbon School. It is an honor bestowed to only a select number of schools in the nation by U.S .Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings. The regional deputy of The U.S. Department of Education presented the award to Principal Kathleen Affigne, head teacher Judith Mehlenbacher and the staff and students of Park Avenue on Oct. 24. Affigne and Mehlenbacher will be going to Washington, D.C., on Nov. 8, to attend the awards ceremony with the other select national recipients. • The final plans for Halloween Happenings are in the works. The PTA turns the gym into a festive Halloween celebration, which includes a trip through the haunted forest for those brave of heart. • The Park Ave family comes together for a relaxing breakfast on Nov. 4. With music supplied by Mr. Pellegrino, it is an enjoyable morning for all. • The Park Ave. “Reflections” fair will be held Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. • Food Pantry donations are requested to be sent in Oct. 27 and the last Friday of every month. • The next Park Ave PTA meeting is Nov. 30 at 7:30 p.m. in the school library. Pine Island Elementary School • Pine Island is concluding its month long Harvest Moon Festival and Art Show, displaying the work of local artist and Warwick Valley students, depicting the beauty of the Black Dirt region. The Festival included a pot luck dinner with the artists, local farmers and the staff and families of the school. The art work is on display at the school though the end of October. • The PTA Book Fair and Wrapping Paper fundraiser are concluding. • The 2006-07 Odyssey of the Mind team has been selected and is gearing up to win a spot in the World Tournament. • The Pine Island intramural program is under way. • The annual “Halloween Parade” will be held on Oct. 27 at 2 p.m. • Pine Island staff and students pay tribute to our veterans at a special recognition ceremony on Nov. 9 at 10 a.m. • The next PTA meeting is Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. Kings Elementary School • The Kings Book Fair will be held Oct. 30 through Nov. 9. It offers a great opportunity to get a jump on the holidays with the best present a child can receive. The book fair will be open during parent-teacher conferences. • The next PTA meeting is Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m. Sanfordville Elementary School • Sanfordville “Spooktacular” will be held to the delight of the students on Oct.30. • Sanfordville is also holding a Book Fair from Nov. 1 through Nov. 9. • Sanfordville staff and students will show off their talents at the Talent Show on Nov. 3. • The next PTA meeting is Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. This material was provided by Virginia Snigur, president of the Warwick Valley PTA Council.