DECEMBER 2023 NEWSLETTER

Help Families in Need During the Holidays!

The Bulldog Family Fund is has received requests to provide holiday gifts and winter coats to 38 students, and food baskets to 20 families in financial need. Thanks to your generosity, our Giving Tuesday campaign raised $2,250, but we are still short of our $5,000 goal! If you didn’t have a chance to donate, it’s not too late! No amount is too small and every dollar helps us meet the needs of students and families through the school year and summer.

Dec. 12 - Dec. 15 | MSS Gym

The MSS Book Fair fundraiser is happening this week! Students shop with their class during the school day, so remember to send in cash or load your child's e-Wallet. Families can come and shop at the Book Fair on Wed, Dec. 13 at 3-6pm and Thu, Dec at 1-3pm and 5:15-8pm. Questions? Email Shannon Weber. Volunteer to help staff the Book Fair below.

 The PTSA Nominating Committee (NC) is looking for 4 volunteers to review applications and interview candidates for upcoming openings on the PTSA Executive Committee (2023-2025 term). The Committee holds three virtual meetings starting in February, and conducts group interviews and votes on a slate of nominees. Click here for a detailed description of the NC role and sign up below!

If you’ve renewed your 2023-24 PTSA membership, you can now access the District directory by logging into Givebacks (formerly MemberHub). Click HERE for detailed instructions on how to navigate and search the directory. Click on the link below to renew your membership and donate to our General Fund! Membership dues and cash donations help us raise nearly $40,000 towards covering programs, events and infrastructure in our schools.

Commemorate a milestone or your student's legacy in stone on the IHS Campus Quad! Buy a custom-engraved 4X8 or 8X8 Belden brick to celebrate a special occasion (graduation, birthday), honor a beloved teacher, memorialize a loved one, or simply mark your student's legacy at Irvington! A portion of the proceeds from all brick sales benefit the PTSA General Fund to support grants and programming.

Irvington Bulldogs SpiritWear Pop-Up Shop

Now Open Until December 21st for 2024 Delivery

Due to an overwhelming response, we’ve extended our holiday spiritwear pop-up shop until Thursday, December 21st, for delivery after the holiday break. The pop-up features Irvington Bulldog hoodies, joggers, sweats, fleece jackets, trucker hats, beanies, drawstring bags and more! Proceeds from sales benefit the PTSA General Fund which supports programs and grants to enrich the educational experiences of our students.

Got Questions or Comments? Email Your School's PAC Representatives

The Parent Advisory Council or PAC is a forum for parents to anonymously raise questions/concerns or share suggestions with school administrators about topics that impact the District, the school, the grade or a class. Each school (Dows Lane, Main Street School, Irvington Middle School and Irvington High School) has its own PAC which is composed of that school’s principal and assistant principal, and the PTSA Vice Presidents (VP) and Grade Parents. 

PAC questions can be submitted through a Google Form and parents can opt to remain anonymous. Visit www.irvingtonnyptsa.org/pac to meet your school’s PTSA PAC representatives, check PAC meeting dates, read PAC minutes, and the submit a question or comment to your school’s PAC.

New Families Welcome Mixer

On November 2nd, the PTSA New Families Welcome Committee hosted its annual mixer at Hudson Prime in Irvington. Newcomers to the Irvington school community connected with fellow new families and PTSA representatives over apps and drinks.

Special thanks to Pamela Grunstein, PTSA VP of Outreach for spearheading the mixer, and the team at Hudson Prime for their hospitality.

Main Street School Talent Show

On November 16th, the PTSA proudly renewed its support for the annual MSS Talent Show. Families, students and staff came together to celebrate the diverse talents of MSS students which ranged from dancing, singing and playing music, to solving a Rubik’s Cube and DJing.  

Special thanks to Meredith Gibbons, for chairing this special event, along with PTSA MSS VPs Heidi Rhodes and Shannon Weber, and parent volunteers.

View the Photo Gallery

PTSA Grants

A major focus of the PTSA is to support teacher- and administrator-driven projects/programs and provide necessary resources for our schools. In November, we approved the following grant:

• MSS: World Read Aloud Day Author Visit by David Bowles - $2,100

Upcoming Events

• Dec. 5: Board of Education Meeting (Link to Video)
• Dec. 6: PLRD One-Hour Early Release
• Dec. 6: Dows Lane PAC Meeting (Minutes)
• Dec. 6: IMS/IHS Winter Orchestra Concert - 7:00pm - Campus Theatre
• Dec. 7: Hanukkah
• Dec. 7: IHS PAC Meeting - Canceled (Minutes)
• Dec. 12 - 15: MSS Book Fair Fundraiser - MSS Gym
• Dec. 12: Dows Lane and MSS Parent/Teacher Conferences (Delayed Opening)
• Dec. 13: MSS PAC Meeting (Minutes)
• Dec. 14: Dows Lane and MSS Parent/Teacher Conferences (Early Dismissal)
• Dec. 14: IMS/IHS Chorus Concert - 7:00pm - Campus Theatre
• Dec. 19: Board of Education Meeting - 7:30pm - Campus Presentation Room (CPR)
• Dec. 20: PLRD One-Hour Early Release
• Dec. 21: IMS PAC Meeting (Minutes)
• Dec. 22: Early Dismissal - Holiday Break
• Dec. 25 - 29: Holiday Break - SCHOOL CLOSED
• Jan 1 - 2: Holiday Break - SCHOOL CLOSED

Useful Links

• District & School Calendars
• School Newsletters: Dows Lane Buzz | MSS Scoop | IMS Bulldog Bark | IHS Bulldog’s Blast
• District Newsletter
• Board of Education
• Irvington Athletics
• IUFSD Staff Directory
• Home Access
• School Hours & Closing Schedules

VISIT US: www.irvingtonnyptsa.org | CONTACT US: hello@irvingtonnyptsa.org