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HSMSE PTA Newsletter
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SEND DATE TO
BE
DETE
RMINED 2017
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Donate to the
HSMSE PTA
Family Fund
Your tax-deductible donations to HSMSE PTA help support sports teams, clubs and student enrichment, and purchase needed materials for classrooms. Make a secure online donation through PayPal. HSMSE PTA FAMILY FUND |
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Matching Gifts
If your company matches Gifts, it can help HSMSE. Ask your employer for a matching gift form and mail it to the PTA:
PTA @HSMSE
240 Convent Avenue
New York, NY 10031
Matching gifts can make a huge huge difference in the lives of our children. All you have to do is ask.
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- Freshman orientation--Wednesday, September 6 (?)
- First day of school--Thursday, September 7
- First PTA meeting, Thursday, September 14
- School closed for Rosh Hoshanah, Thursday and Friday, September 21 and 22
- Parent/Faculty Mixer, Tuesday, October 3
See "A Year in the Life" below for a run-down of the whole HSMSE year, including school closing dates.
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Dear HSMSE Families,
The 2017-18 school year will be starting soon. This newsletter is more than just a welcome or welcome back. Here you'll find a run-down of the major events, traditions, and goings-on at HSMSE, listed by month.
We know we're missing some dates and details, but we hope this list gives you an idea of exciting things to come for the HSMSE community.
A note on volunteering at HSMSE
We ask that each parent consider contributing 3 hours of volunteer time to an HSMSE event or fundraising opportunity. That's only 3 hours for the whole year. Of course, more is always welcome. We welcome your ideas if you don't see something below you'd like to do. Research shows students perform better when parents are involved in their schooling.
Keep an eye out for a number of ways for parents to volunteer and be involved at HSMSE. It's a great way to get to know your kids' school experience better, and it's fun!
A note on fundraising at HSMSE
We are expecting a budget shortfall this year! Based upon requests from faculty and administration, we're projecting a deficit of nearly $7,000, even though we raise over $20,000 annually. Please help to shrink that number so that our kids can continue to enjoy the many clubs, sports, and programs at HSMSE! Please contact PTA Fundraising Committee Chair
Nicole Jacoby if you would like to organize a fundraiser.
Best,
Susan
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Message from the Vice President
Dear fellow parents,
Welcome back to another year at HSMSE! And for the new parents, a special welcome to our family.
We are always looking for parents to get involved with our PTA. Some of you might have only a few hours a year, while others have more available time. Regardless of the time, we can always use the help.
The easiest way to see what we have going on is to attend one of our PTA meetings. You will receive emails that give you the dates and times for our upcoming meetings. Stop by, check it out, and you may find that becoming involved in our community will be a satisfying thing for you and your kid(s).
Feel free to reach out to me via email (
PTAVP@hsmse.org
) or phone/text (
914-522-1911).
Regards
Ken Katzman
VP, HSMSE PTA
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What Were the Teachers Up to This Summer?
While some teachers continued teaching during the summer, others took the opportunity to complete professional development courses or workshops, augment their club and sport sponsorship abilities, or expand their horizons and their education through travel and personal challenges. Here's a sampling of what HSMSE teachers and staff were doing this summer:
Mr. Henning, Physics and Engineering, Track team coach
I will be competing in the NYC Triathlon for the seventh time, spending ten days on the coast of Maine enjoying lobster, family, and friends, and then doing specific run training so as to keep up with the Flying Dragons starting in mid-August. I'll also be keeping tabs on the HSMSE students who are interning in CCNY science labs.
Colin Meret '10, Max Drogin '14, Coach Henning, and seniors Brandon Fajardo, Matthew Lau, and Abe Drogin
Ms. Hudson, Astronomy, Physics, Engineering, Track team coach and yoga instructor
I am super excited about this summer. In July, I will be teaching yoga at The Birchwood Center for Yoga and Massage in Nyack, NY on Monday evenings. In addition to teaching, I will be completing at 15-hour Restorative Yoga training, which will count toward continuing education credit on top of my 200-hour certification. I will also be taking a 2-week Modeling in Physics course offered through Columbia University's Teachers College at the end of July. In August, I will be traveling to Cuba with my husband and son and then be visiting with our daughter who is stationed in Bayfield, Wisconsin, serving in the U.S. Coast Guard.
Mr. Liu, Math, Games Club
I will be traveling solo to Peru, hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and then taking the family to Cuba :-)
Ms. Zafonte, History and Social Studies, Girls Soccer coach, Summer Internship Coordinator
I will be studying Jainism and Indian history and culture in India for three weeks this summer through
the Jain Institute.
Mr. Thompson, Chemistry
Mr. Thompson reported that
Mr. Diunte, Ms. Downey, and he all
took professional development courses this summer to achieve a higher level of certification in the Department of Education. Mr. Thompson
also traveled to Provincetown, MA, to visit friends and family and Washington D.C. for a kickball tournament!
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A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF HSMSE
Here's what to expect from the upcoming year at HSMSE.
When we have dates, we include them. Otherwise events are listed under the month when they typically occur. Upcoming events are always included in the PTA Newsletter. Some events need parents to help out. Those opportunities are highlighted in purple.
EVERY MONTH
Principal Bonds hosts a Principal's Breakfast once a month. These meetings are usually held on a Friday on the week following the monthly PTA meeting. They are scheduled in the mornings to accommodate the parents who cannot attend the evening PTA meetings. It's a great way to get to know her, the school, and what's going on that month.
The PTA
meets once a month to discuss ways we can support
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Ms. Zafonte presents summer internship opportunities at a PTA meeting.
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HSMSE and enhance our children's educational
experience. Meetings usually feature speakers on topics relevant to parents of high schoolers, including experts on college financial aid, summer internships, and writing those college essays.
Parent donations to the PTA help pay for clubs, sports, special school-wide events, prom, field trips, teacher appreciation, and materials for the classrooms.
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In 2016 the freshman class took a trip to the Tappan Zee bridge, courtesy of an HSMSE parent's connections.
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Volunteer opportunity! Parent connections can make wonderful field trips. Last year the Freshman class traveled to the Tappan Zee Bridge to learn about its engineering and construction. Contact
Principal Bonds if you have an opportunity for a grade-wide trip.
AUGUST
8/14--Cross Country team practices and tryouts begin at 9am in Van Cortlandt Park. Email Coach Henning for information.
SEPTEMBER
9/6--Freshman and new student orientation.
Welcome to the class of 2021! New students get IDs on this day.
9/7--First day of school!
First varsity boys soccer game.
9/9--First varsity girls soccer game.
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Girls soccer
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Both boys and girls teams made it to the playoffs last year. Keep up the good work, Dragons!
9/14--First PTA meeting
9/21--22-Rosh Hoshanah.
School is closed.
9/23--Cross Country
team season opener and family picnic. Cross Country try-outs/practice begin August 14. See below for contact information.
Senior College Night
--Wade Klein, Guidance Counselor, will host a meeting for senior families about applying to college. Information about applying to college can be found on the HSMSE website.
Club Fair on the Quad
--Students can find out about all the clubs at HSMSE. Plus there's pizza! (Parent donations to the PTA cover club expenses and the pizza!)
OCTOBER
10/3--Parent-teacher mixer
at Fumo, 1600 Amsterdam Avenue across from City College.
10/9--Columbus Day.
School is closed.
10/19--PTA meeting
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| HSMSE faculty and administration decked out for Oktoberfest. |
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Oktoberfest!
HSMSE celebrates its German language classes, organized by students in the HSMSE Leadership elective (@hsmseevents on Instagram and HSMSE Events Page on FaceBook)
Open House for prospective students.
Date determined by the DOE. Parent volunteers are needed, especially 9th and 10th grade parents.
PSAT
administered to sophomores and juniors.
College Trip-
-Guidance Counselor Wade Klein takes a group of HSMSE students on a college trip. In 2016, they visited the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Tufts University in Massachusetts and Brown University and Rhodes Island School of Design in Rhodes Island.
Parent-Teacher Conferences,
evening and afternoon hours available. Parents will have an opportunity to sit down with their children's teachers to discuss progress. School lets out at half day to allow for afternoon conferences. Exact dates TBD, usually the last week in October. This week also usually features a Spirit Week, complete with dress-up days and Halloween costumes. Organized by the HSMSE Leadership elective.
NOVEMBER
11/7--Election Day.
School is closed.
11/16--PTA meeting
11/23--24-Thanksgiving.
School is closed.
11/28--Giving Tuesday
Students run a fundraising drive for charity. Last year, they donated to Doliana School, a school for refugees on the Greek island of Peloponnese; Starfish, an organization on the Greek island of Lesbos assisting refugees; and Flushing International High School, a public school here in NYC that serves recent immigrants to the US. Organized by the HSMSE Leadership elective.
Parent and freshman cross country race. Yes, parents, you can run too!
DECEMBER
12/14--PTA meeting
12/25-1/1--Winter recess.
School is closed.
Holiday cookie day. 
(Parent volunteer opportunity!) The PTA provides a goody bag to all faculty and staff. We will need cookies donated and volunteers to put together the baggies. The best time to volunteer is at PTA meetings. Also keep an eye out for calls for cookies and other volunteer opportunities in the monthly newsletters.
Students Winter Dance,
organized by the HSMSE Leadership elective.
JANUARY
1/2--School resumes.
1/11--PTA meeting
1/15--Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
School is closed.
1/22-25--Regents Exams
1/26--Scoring Day
for Regents exams. Students do not attend.
1/29--Chancellor's Conference Day.
Students do not attend.
1/30--Spring term begins.
Basketball season. HSMSE has both a girls and boys teams. Girls basketball made it to the playoffs and were seeded 11th in the city.
The National German Exam
is usually given this month.
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Laser tag on the senior trip
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Senior Trip!
All seniors go on an overnight trip with teacher chaperones to kick off their final months at HSMSE. Last year they played laser tag, went rollerblading, sang karaoke, and held a drag contest. The PTA helps pay for students who would not otherwise be able to go. Please contribute to the PTA through HSMSE Donations Page
Your donations matter!
FEBRUARY
2/8--PTA meeting
2/19-23--Midwinter recess.
School is closed.
HSMSE's Got Talent auditions
Get ready for spring sports!
Volleyball, softball, baseball, and track. Boy's volleyball made it to the playoffs for the first time last year. Girls softball returned to the playoffs. Boys baseball had a Cinderella run in the playoffs, reaching the quarter finals. The track team saw ever more athletes qualifying for city championships. Teams always
welcome help from parents, and donations go toward uniforms, equipment, and the occasional celebratory pizza!
MARCH
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HSMSE students in the Eats NYC Club tending the rooftop garden
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3/8-3/9--Parent-Teacher Conferences
3/14--Pi (Ï€) Day
3/15--PTA meeting
3/21--SAT exam
administered free to all juniors
3/30-4/6--Spring recess.
School is closed.
PTA Online Auction
--Parent volunteer opportunity and our biggest fund-raiser of the year. Please think about what you can donate. In years past, parents have offered gift baskets, restaurant gift certificates, tickets to Yankees games and Broadway shows, test prep and tutoring courses, and much, much more! Creative ideas are always welcome.
Spirit Week and Intergrade Olympics
, organized by the HSMSE Leadership elective
Open House for Admitted Students--
Parent volunteers needed to meet and greet, sell merchandise, and answer questions.
Senior yearbook--Parents, if you want to buy an ad in the senior yearbook, this is the month! Contact Ms. Boylan, the yearbook sponsor, to do so.
APRIL
4/9--School resumes.
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HSMSE students designed and painted a mural about historical and contemporary architectural monument. See it on the 2nd floor outside the history rooms.
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4/12--PTA meeting
HSMSE's Got Talent show
Game Night,
featuring Escape the Room, organized by the HSMSE Leadership elective
MAY
5/10--PTA meeting
5/28--Memorial Day.
School is closed.
10th graders select a major
from three options--math, engineering, and science, which focuses on medicine at Mt. Sinai hospital.
Multicultural Night,
organized by the HSMSE Leadership elective
Belgian Beer Night,
PTA fundraiser
Track family picnic
JUNE
6/5--PTA meeting
(a Tuesday)
6/7--Anniversary Day.
Students do not attend.
6/12-21--Regents Exams
6/15--Eid al-Fitr.
School is closed.
6/22--Regents Rating Day.
Students do not attend.
6/26--Last day of school.
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HSMSE students at the 2017 prom.
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Prom!
Parent volunteer opportunities
Prom Boutique
. For the past two years, Ms. Bonds has solicited donated prom dresses to enable HSMSE girls to dress for prom without having to spend a fortune. This year the hope is to have donations for boys fashion too! Parents can help sort the dresses in the days ahead of time or assist the students to pick out their special outfit and accessories. Parents with sewing skills needed for alternations!
Parents are also needed to help decorate and set up for prom.
Finals!
HSMSE hosts Oasis Week, to allow students time to blow off stress steam. It culminates with a barbecue on the quad. (Volunteer opportunity!
Parents needed to purchase and transport food, paid for by the PTA.)
New Freshman and New Parent Orientation
--Parent volunteers needed to welcome new parents and answer questions.
Teacher Appreciation--Parent volunteers needed to donate goodies and write thank you notes.
The end of year wraps up with National Honors Society inductions, an awards ceremony, and graduation. Congratulations class of 2018!
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SPORTS AT HSMSE
HSMSE sponsors 11 PSAL sports teams.
Contact one of the coaches for more information.
Team names that are linked go to FaceBook pages.
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TEAM
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COACH
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COACH EMAIL
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Baseball - Boys
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David Scheiman
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Basketball - Boys
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David Scheiman
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Basketball - Girls
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David Scheiman
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Thomas Henning
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Thomas Henning
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Thomas Henning
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Thomas Henning
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Soccer - Boys
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Nick Diunte
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Soccer - Girls
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Regina Zafonte
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Softball - Girls
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Crystal Downey
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Volleyball - Boys
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Nick Diunte
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For the Public School Athletic League website and
HSMSE Team events, click here:
http://www.psal.org/profiles/school-profile.aspx#05692
Go Dragons!
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HSMSE CLUBS
HSMSE offers a variety of Clubs and extra curricular programs for your student to join. HSMSE hosts an afternoon Club Fair on the Quad in late September for students to meet faculty sponsors and hear from students already involved. Links within the list take you to FaceBook pages maintained by the clubs.
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Equality Talks
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Girls Who Code
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Junior Statesmen
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Movie Watchers Club
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Boys' Programming
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Euro Challenge
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Fed Challenge
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Arduino Club
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Anime Club
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Volleyball Club
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Ping Pong
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The Alliance
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Baseball Club
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Cheerleading
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Robotics
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Dance Team
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Mindfulness Club
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A Capella
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Yearbook
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Theatre Club
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Softball Club
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Photography
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Black Student Union
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Magic the Gathering
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Legal Studies
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Marine Biology
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Math Team
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Math Club
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Yoga
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Muslim Student Association
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HOW DOES STUDENT GOVERNMENT WORK AT HSMSE?
Student Government at the
High School of Math, Science and Engineering at City College
has three components.
1. Class Co-Presidents.
The first component is that each grade has two co-presidents. Candidates run as a team, the elections for Sophomore, Junior, Senior are held in the spring for the following year. Freshmen elections are held a few months after school starts so that they can meet and get to know each other before deciding to run and who to vote for. The grades do not have positions for vice-president, secretary, treasurer, or other positions, only the co-presidents.
2. The School Leadership Team, "SLT"
The second component of student government is the School Leadership Team, or simply "SLT."
This is a mandated structure from New York Department of Education. Included in the team are administrators, teachers, students, and parents. The two student representatives are distinct from the class co-presidents. One is a senior, the other a junior who is recommended by the graduating senior and approved by the principal. There are five teacher representatives. The parent representatives are the PTA president and one or two additional parent(s) elected at the PTA meetings. SLT meetings are held once per month to discuss issues important to the entire school community. As dictated by the New York Department of Education, the SLT must compile and approve the
school's annual "Comprehensive Educational Plan" and advise the Principal on major budgetary issues. The SLT serves as a regular forum for school-wide issues where everyone has an equal voice.
Visitors are welcome to attend and the minutes of the meetings are posted on the school's website.
Parents can propose agenda items through the PTA president.
3. Leadership Class
The third component of Student Government is the elective class "Student Government/Leadership" (GLS11). Class co-presidents and SLT reps are highly encouraged to enroll in this class unless they have a major requirement at the same time, and the class is open to other students from Sophomore year up. In this course students focus on leadership skills and event planning to encourage school spirit and raise money. Topics include proper execution and evaluation of events and fundraisers, proposal writing, group communication, ethics, and methods of persuasion. Leadership skills of all enrolled in this class are advanced, and the responsibilities for each grade's activities are fulfilled by all the students in the Leadership class.
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200 hour COMMUNITY SERVICE REQUIREMENT FOR HSMSE DIPLOMA
Fulfilling the 200 hour service requirement is a way to encourage HSMSE to build social skills, create a sense of responsibility to their community, and help promote the development of their individual strengths.
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PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION
MEETING SCHEDULE 2017-18
All meetings are on Thursdays at 6:30pm
The PTA meets in room B7 in Baskerville Hall except when a change of venue is needed to accommodate larger attendance.
Sept 14, 2017
Introduction to HSMSE; learn about parent volunteering opportunities; hear about meeting topics for the year; meet the Health and Wellness Counselor
Oct 19
College Counselor Wade Klein presents on financial aid
Nov 16
All about tests, part I--the ACT and SAT
Dec 14
Summer internship presentations led by history teacher Regina Zafonte and parent Randy Taylor
Jan 11, 2018
Consent--talking to your kids about sexual assault and other difficult topics
Feb 8
Selecting a major at HSMSE--math, science, and engineering
Mar 15
All about tests, part II--Sean Dolcy talks about the ACT, SAT, AP, Regents, and SAT subject tests
Apr 12
The Director of Admissions at Columbia University walks us through the process and the founder of an application consulting company discusses college essays.
May 10
Senior parents speak about their experiences with their kids applying to colleges. Elections for next year's PTA officers will be announced.
June 5 (
Tuesday)
PTA Officer elections will be held; next year's budget will be reviewed; plans and volunteer needs for next year will be discussed.
The PTA pays for
- Clubs
- Sports teams
- Senior Prom
- Field trips
- Curricular materials
- Teacher training
- ***Makes sure no student will be turned away from any event or activity because they cannot afford it***
- And more!
The PTA helps organize
- Open Houses
- Parent/teacher mixers
- Teacher appreciation events
- Class-wide or school-wide field trips
- Prom
- Graduation
- Monthly PTA meetings with speakers and presenters
- The HSMSE website
- This newsletter
- And more!
Please contact us with your questions, your ideas, and your willingness to volunteer!
PTA President, Susan Townes -
PTA Vice President, Ken Katzman -
Corresponding Secretary, Kari Steeves -
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THE FIRST PTA MEETING 2017 - 2018
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2017
6:30 to 8:00 pm
Baskerville Hall
Room B-7
Agenda - WELCOME NEW PARENTS!
Elections for:
- 9th Grade Rep
- School Leadership Team Rep
- Alumni Relations
SAVE THE DATE!
Parent/Teacher Mixer October 3, 2017, 5:00pm
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HSMSE MERCHANDISE
It is a scientific fact that people who wear HSMSE school merchandise are one hundred and four times more likely to have a smile on their faces than those who don't. What we mean by a scientific fact, is that it is through our experience and observation, and when the PTA has enough funding we are definitely going to do the actual research to prove it. It's at the top of our list, really, some may think it is a bold and assertive claim, but you should buy HSMSE merchandise for your entire family, and see how true it really is!
The following merchandise is available for purchase at the school store.
Sweatshirts - $35
Sweatpants - $25
Pajama Bottoms - $35
Short Sleeve T-shirt - $15
Long Sleeve T-shirt - $25
Drawstring Bag - $15
Zipper hoodies - $35
Exact Change Appreciated
Prices may be subject to change.
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Support HSMSE! The PTA helps to pay for clubs, sports teams, the Senior Prom, field trips, curricular materials, teaching training, and much more. The PTA also makes sure no student will be turned away from an event or activity because he or she cannot afford it. We ask for an annual family donation of $500. We'd like to reach 100% participation by all families, so we encourage you to give what you can afford. Your donations are what makes up the PTA budget, so please contribute!
Donations are tax-deductible! To donate with a credit card online, please visit the HSMSE website donations page.
Checks should be hand-delivered to the school located at Baskerville Hall, 240 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031.
Does your employer make matching gifts to charities? The PTA of HSMSE is recognized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit by the IRS and is eligible for matching gifts. Our federal tax ID number is 11-3671895.
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For an article, link, or story to be considered for inclusion in the monthly PTA Newsletter
please email:
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