Sharing Information at
PTA Council Meetings
They come for a variety of reasons but the most important one is to share information. The monthly PTA Council meetings in the Huntington School District never fail to attract a healthy crowd, including new faces.
Meeting agendas are posted in advance on the district website at www.hufsd.edu, which lets folks know who will be that months' guest speaker(s). At the most recent meeting, Dr. Kenneth Card, Jr., assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, spoke about a variety of issues, including the Race to the Top federal/state grant program, implementation of the core reading program and "response to intervention" and accountability. "He had a captive audience and answered many questions," said Bari Fehrs, who is in her first year at the PTA Council president.
At the group's November meeting, Kitty Klein, the district's director of guidance, "discussed how students are monitored to ensure that they are meeting their potentials, including end of year reviews," Mrs. Fehrs said. "She explained about how counselors actually go into the classrooms to meet their students and make them feel that their guidance counselors are accessible. She also spoke about transcripts and diplomas, as well as making sure that each student has something to be involved with outside of academics."
Ms. Klein also stressed the importance of students learning how to advocate for themselves. She is working with Mrs. Fehrs to create a parent's roundtable discussion in the spring.
The PTA Council also welcomed Suffolk Police Officer Drew Fiorello, a school resource officer, to a recent meeting. He discussed the steps taken by the SCPD to improve security in the Huntington Station area. "Officer Drew was very well received and we hope to have him back in the spring with further updates," Mrs. Fehrs said.
Guest speakers have been coming to PTA Council meetings this school year since last September. In addition to Mrs. Fehrs, the organization is led by Donna McKenna (vice-president), Edie Pulizzotto (vice-president), Cindy Neber (recording secretary) and Laura Montefusco (treasurer).
"We are looking forward to an exciting second half to the year," Mrs. Fehrs said. "The PTA Council strives to be positive, informative and inclusive to everyone in our district. There is something at our meetings for everyone and I hope to continue to see more people come to our meetings and get involved. It's a great opportunity to share information, ask questions and find out what is going on in every one of our buildings."