COUNCIL:  consists of the six elementary schools, the Special Ed PTA and the Jr./Sr. PTA.

AIDS:  Committee members meet with Council representative and work to enhance our children’s and parent’s knowledge of AIDS.

ARTS IN EDUCATION:  Bring educational and entertaining programs to the children of McKenna.  Committee members preview shows, meet with the Council committee to discuss findings, and make necessary arrangements with the Principal for presentation of programs at McKenna.

 BLOOD DRIVE:  Organize Blood Drive with representative from the L.I. Blood Center.  Work with class parents to secure recruitment of donors. Send out reminder postcards to donors.

 BOOK FAIR:  Make the necessary arrangements for the Book Fair, including negotiating with the book company and scheduling with school administration.  Committee runs the Book Fair.

 BOX TOP$ FOR EDUCATION:  Responsible for collecting and bundling box tops and mailing to General Mills for reimbursement.

 LABELS FOR EDUCATION:  Responsible for collecting and bundling soup labels and mailing to Campbell’s Soup for reimbursement.

 BULLETIN BOARD:  Create monthly displays of the bulletin board with an educational or seasonal theme.

 COUNCIL DELEGATE:  Attend Council Meetings one evening meeting per month with other District-wide delegates, PTA Presidents and committee chairs.  Report at monthly McKenna PTA meetings on topics that are relevant.

 CURRICULUM:  Committee members meet with Council representative and administration to keep abreast of change in curriculum and State mandates.  Plan parent workshops and improve communication between school and parents regarding curriculum.  Participate in planning of Family Math Day.

 EDUCATIONAL NEEDS:  Identify and organize educationally rewarding programs for all students that can be supported through particular funds collected.

 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION:  Advise and organize McKenna families to help at the Massapequa Park environmental cleanup on Earth Day.  Provide information to the Incorporated Village so they may accommodate.  Send out literature on local issues and provide educational information to the students during Earth Week.

 GIFTED:  Meet with Council representative to assist in communicating parent information and other services aimed at supporting the gifted child.

 HEALTH, WELLNESS & SAFETY:  Meet with Council representatives and coordinate District programs on the following topics:  Health & Nutrition, Substance Abuse, Juvenile Protection and Safety.  Plan and coordinate activities related to health and nutrition in district and at McKenna.  Arrange activities based on programs such as Red Ribbon Week and Substance Abuse Week. Address safety issues at McKenna and on the District level.  Plan safety programs for students and parents.  Increase public awareness of child abuse and protection services, Internet safety and bicycle safety.

 HISTORIAN:  Keep permanent records on all information or publicity about McKenna PTA.

 HOLIDAY FAIR:  Plan the annual Holiday Fair shopping week in December.  Meet with vendors to select items for purchase by student.  Organize and set up volunteer schedule.

 HOSPITALITY:  Responsibilities include maintaining hospitality supplies in PTA closet, setting up schedule for refreshments for monthly meetings and providing refreshments for periodic events such as Council Meeting, Back to School Night and PTA Installation Dinner.

 JR/SR REPRESENTATIVE:  Attend Junior/Senior PTSA meetings and report back to unit at monthly PTA meetings.

 KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION:  Work with McKenna administration on Kindergarten Registration and Orientation. Prepare folders to be given as gift for incoming students.  Organize 1^st Grade Orientation for current Kindergarteners. Train for and perform Amblyopia screenings. Plan Boo-Hoo Breakfast for parents for first day of school.

 LEGISLATION:  Meet with Council representatives and work to review and recommend legislative resolutions that could eventually become part of New York State PTA’s legal stand on a particular issue.  Write letters to State Senators, Governor, etc. on issues concerning our children and school.

 McKENNA ANTENNA NEWSLETTER:  Responsible for the publication of the quarterly newsletter.  Collect articles from chairpeople, edit and organize articles, bring to printer, and coordinate distribution.  Produce monthly calendar “Live Wire” focusing on District and School events.

 MEMBERSHIP:  Responsible for membership notification material, collection of annual dues, maintaining accurate membership lists, issuing of membership cards and promoting membership.

 PARENTING & FAMILY LIFE:  Meet with Council representative and coordinate activities set forth on family life topics.  Organize the 7^th Grade Directory with Council representative.

 PARP (PARENTS AS READING PARTNERS):  This committee encourages children and their families to read, read, read! The committee works closely with the teachers and staff to plan various fun activities throughout the school year.  Meet with Council representatives to help coordinate a District PARP program and exchange information.

 PROGRAMMING:  Responsible for arranging PTA sponsored activities and programs throughout the year for the enjoyment of McKenna children and their families. Events can only be held if parents volunteer to help run them. Each program has been broken out so that different groups can plan and organize each event separately.  Annual events include, Welcome Back BBQ, Halloween Party, Vendor Night, Pajama Movie Night (s), Live TV Game Show, McKenna Madness, VIP Breakfast, BINGO, Bowling Night, School Supply Boxes and the year-end Field Day.  Security has also been added to include “dad” to help with crowd control during evening events held at school.

 PUBLICITY:  Responsible for photographing and publicizing McKenna activities and special events.  Digital camera will be made available for use. 

 REFLECTIONS:  Meet with Council representatives and coordinate Reflections Program at McKenna.  This includes displaying entries and arranging judging and awards ceremony. 

ROOM AND GRADE COORDINATORS:  Select class parents and grade representatives.  Arrange a meeting between teachers and newly chosen representatives in early September to go over the annual agenda.  Maintain current class list.  Meet with Grade representatives to review year-end Field Day procedures.

 SCHOOL BEAUTIFICATION:  Coordinates the planting and grooming of perennials and annuals around the perimeter of the building and in the Garden of Knowledge.  Acknowledge seasonal changes with various decorations.   This committee encourages family participation since they occasionally plant on weekends.  Dads are encouraged to help.

 SCHOOL BOARD REPRESENTATIVE:  Represent McKenna PTA at regular School Board meetings and report back to unit at monthly PTA meetings.

 SCHOOL BUDGET:  Committee members meet with Business Administration and Council Representatives to review School District Budget.  Inform parents of the budget process and publicize dates regarding the budget and voter registration.

 SCHOOL PICTURES:  Interview and select photographer.  Organize “Picture Day” volunteers.  Distribute photo packets upon arrival.  Organize make-up day for re-taking of pictures.

 SCHOOL SIGN:  Responsible for changing messages weekly and keeping school signs information current.

 SCHOOL STORE:  Run and maintain the McKenna Magic Market.  Store hours are Tuesday and Thursday before and after school.  Order and purchase school related merchandise to be sold at cost.  Organize shopping days in August for school supplies.

 SENIOR AWARDS:  Review and arrange for the administration of the two scholarships sponsored by McKenna PTA that are awarded to high school seniors.

 SEPTA LIAISON:  Attend SEPTA meetings and report back to unit at monthly PTA meetings.  Coordinate SEPTA activities at McKenna.

 SPIRIT AND PRIDE:  Plan activities throughout the year to promote school spirit and pride.  Encourage “Blue and Gold Day” on the first Wednesday of the month.  Order and distribute McKenna clothing.

 SPRING PLANT SALE:  Order plants and coordinate volunteers for Plant Sale.

 STAFF APPRECIATION:  Organize the “Welcome Back to School Breakfast” for the teachers and staff, and the annual luncheon during Teacher Appreciation Week.

 STUDENT BANKING:  Set-up new student accounts with bank.  Coordinate and make deposits on a regular basis for students.  Train new volunteers on the computer-aided banking procedures.

 WAYS AND MEANS:  This committee is responsible for the major fundraising for the unit in September.  Select a vendor and deal with all aspects of the fundraising drive.  Coordinate orders and organize distribution of merchandise.  Arrange/select prizes.

WEBSITE:  Create a website and keep information current regarding the PTA and school activities.

 

**SPECIAL HELP**

 COMMITTEE HELPING HANDS:  Some committees need a few members to operate but many volunteers to run an event.  If you can help out for a particular event such as the Spring Plant Sale, Book Fair or Holiday Fair but cannot commit to being on the planning side of the committee, please sign up to be a helping hand.

 GENERAL HELPING HANDS:  Help with the typing, copying, and phone calls.  Assist with activities that are not done as an annual committee event, such as Family Math Day Prep, Science Fair and Author/Illustrator Night.