HHS PTSA Enjoys Successful Year
The Huntington High School Parent-Teacher-Student Association hit the ground running last September, registering new members and pursuing a long list of activities that kept the group engaged throughout the year.
The organization developed and executed a plan that involved students, staff and community members. This year's PTSA counted 333 members in its ranks, including 104 teachers and 60 students. The figure is the largest in memory. "It couldn't have happened without the incredible efforts of our membership chairperson Sue Cataldo and our teacher liaison Bonnie Guarino," PTSA President Alice Marie Rorke said.
Huntington High School students received community service credit for the time they spent assisting the PTSA with its membership drive and helping at the organization's events during the year.
"Homecoming was an impressive showing, not only with the floats, but with a record number of parents and students that marched and joined in the fun at the homecoming football game," Mrs. Rorke said about the big September event. "Our PTSA did an awesome job rallying up the troops!"
In October, the HHS PTSA sponsored a full assembly for all four grades in the building. It included a presentation by the Red Watch band/Stony Brook University on the dangers of alcohol poisoning. "The students and staff were also treated to a presentation by author Jamie Isaacs on bullying and the 75 member strong anti-bullying club closed out the event with a few short skits and personal stories," Mrs. Rorke said. "It was a great way to kick-off the year!"
When Hurricane Sandy struck in late October, the HHS PTSA mobilized and collected food and clothing for those most affected. The items were brought to the areas of Breezy Point and the Rockaways in Queens, "which is where we learned of an elementary school in Belle Harbor whose first Floor was completely destroyed, so again the PTSA collected school supplies to help get the school up and running again," Mrs. Rorke said. "Our parents, teachers and students were very generous!"
The organization's November and April meetings featured guest speakers, who were booked as a service to parents and students. "In November, Hugo Morales spoke with families, who were informed of the many opportunities that exist for Huntington students through town's Project Excel, including college trips, free SAT prep classes, a college and career fair in the fall, as well as internships and job opportunities," Mrs. Rorke said.
Snowflakes for Sandy Hook
In the aftermath of the December 14 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, which took the lives of 20 students and six staff members by a lone gunman who barged into the building, the HHS PTSA joined its peers around the country by participating in the Snowflakes for Sandy Hook campaign.
Huntington students made 400 "absolutely beautiful" snowflakes to decorate the halls of the Sandy Hook student's new school "and to hopefully bring a little joy," Mrs. Rorke said. The snowflakes helped create a "winter wonderland" for the Connecticut school's community.
The month of February saw the HHS PTSA spearhead Valentine's thank you notes to armed forces personnel through the Grateful Hearts campaign. The PTSA invited retired Sgt. Paul Kelly to Huntington High School to speak with students about sacrifice and appreciation as the teenagers worked on their heartfelt notes.
"We mailed close to 500 letters, with half going to a US Marine base in Virginia and half being sent to a US base in Afghanistan," Mrs. Rorke said. "It was a very special two days."
As the spring drew near, the PTSA was busy supporting a variety of organizations. The group assisted the Key Club with its K Factor talent show, funded a bus for ESL students to attend a college and career fair at Suffolk Community College, helped the Huntington High School Alumni Association meet its scholarship program financial needs and threw its weight behind a student summer trip to China by sponsoring a fundraising performance by Chinese acrobats in Louis D. Giani Gymnasium.
The HHS PTSA also:
• Promoted and supported the Young Leaders organization headed by district security guard and athletic coach Kevin Thorbourne.
• Donated a gift to each grade level to put toward their class fund, which helps defray prom related expenses," Mrs. Rorke.
• Helped the student government by overseeing the engraved brick program, which is now up and running again and thriving. "We even did a graduation mailing of the brick order forms," Mrs. Rorke said
Fashion Show Successful
The organization's spring fashion show was successful, "and what made it even more special was watching the seniors in their evening gowns and tuxedos," Mrs. Rorke said. The event raised more than $2,000 for the PTSA's scholarship fund.
Guest speaker Steven Chassman from the Long Island Center for Alcohol and Drug Dependency spoke to parents and students during a PTSA meeting about the serious issue of substance abuse. "The information was both shocking and scary," Mrs. Rorke said. Plans are being developed to have Mr. Chassman return to Huntington High School in the fall to speak with all students during an assembly program.
The HHS PTSA presented three graduating students "who have demonstrated academic improvement during high school as well as good citizenship and good character" with $500 scholarships this past June.
"We couldn't have done any or all of these wonderful things without the support of the administration, teachers, parents, students and community," Mrs. Rorke said. "I have to thank my executive committee: Delores Breslin, Maryann DeSimone, Laura Mills, Laurene Napurano, Nancy Shivers and Debbie Knowles.