The South Avenue Elementary School PTA is a volunteer-based organization that works directly with the school to support and benefit our students, staff, and community. We host family-fun events to bring our community together. We bring assemblies into the school and offer financial support for field trips outside the school. We support our teachers through mini-grants and appreciation events. We promote school improvements by purchasing supplies and volunteering our time to make the building, garden and playground beautiful and welcoming spaces. And we host fundraisers throughout the year to make everything possible.
Family Fun Nights
Throughout the year, the PTA hosts family-fun events including:
- Spirit of Beacon Day Parade – With the help of parent volunteers, the South Avenue community shows their Beacon spirit with a float and student marchers, joining other Beacon schools and community organizations, for a parade down Main Street.
- Trunk or Treat – Whether they’re spooky, scary, cute or clever, the South Avenue community always brings their creativity for a night of trick or treating in front of our school.
- Small Tall Ball – Students and grownups come together for a night of dancing, ice cream and fun!
- And more! Past events have included Ugly Sweater and Karaoke Night, Movie Nights and Craft Nights.
Assemblies and Field Trips
In-school assemblies for the students during the year to broaden young minds and expose kids to new subjects not covered extensively in school. Popular assemblies include R-E-S-P-E-C-T Spells Hip Hop!, Native Cultures appreciation with Evan Pritchard and Mad Scientist!
Support from the PTA helps reduce or eliminate the cost of field trips. Each year, students in every grade are able to leave the school for field trips across the Hudson Valley. Recent field trips include the Bear Mountain Zoo, Teatown Lake Reservation, and more.
Teacher and Staff Support
Our teachers and staff are crucial members of our community. The PTA shows our support through mini-grant allocations and appreciation events throughout the school year.
Mini-grants allow our teachers to purchase supplies for their students to remove financial burdens from families and make the school a more comfortable, safe and fun space. Recent mini-grants include:
- $117 for water bottles and cinch sacks to use on field trips for Ms. Biersack’s 4th grade class
- $93 for headphones in Ms. Phelan’s 1st grade class
- $114 in Scholastic dollars for 12 books for Ms. Phelan’s book club
- $360 for recorders Ms. Tippin’s music classes
The PTA shows our appreciation for teachers and staff by providing breakfast, lunch and snacks before the school year begins, during evening events like Meet the Teacher Night and Open House, before school breaks and summer vacation, and during May’s teacher appreciation week. We’re thankful for donations from local restaurants and stores, along with parents for providing delicious food for our teachers and staff!
School Improvements
Through donations of goods and with fundraising dollars, the PTA has worked with school and district administrators to make our school a more beautiful and welcoming place.
Before the 2022-2023 school year began, South Avenue parent Lauren Adelman designed a beautiful mural for the main entrance by the school office. With paints donated by Brett’s Hardware and labor from students and families, the mural was finished before the first day of school, providing a welcoming image for staff, students and visitors.
New pencil signs and two free little library stands in front of the school during drop-off and dismissal.
The PTA also purchased and planted trees along the fence line around the playground, supported the school garden over the summer and is helping to facilitate the planting of a pollinator pathway for butterflies and bees.
Future plans include permanent signage above school doors to delineate grade-level entrances and exits during drop-off and dismissal.
Fundraising
To support our efforts throughout the year, the PTA raises money through a variety of fundraisers. In both the fall and spring, we host the Scholastic Book Fair, which earns cash and Scholastic dollars, which can be used to purchase books and classroom supplies. In December, students are able to buy low-cost gifts for the family, friends and pets at the Holiday Shop.
We bring in money from product sales, with national organizations selling candy and wrapping paper and local shops like The Chocolate Studio and Beacon D’Lites, which share a portion of the proceeds with our school.
Throughout the year, we invite our community to join us at restaurant nights at franchises like Chipotle and Panera, as well as local restaurants like The Tomato Cafe and Athena Gyro in Fishkill. A portion of sales are donated to the PTA afterwards.
Twice a year, the spiritwear shop opens for families to buy South Avenue Panther gear to show school spirit.
And at our events, families are able to buy snacks, baked goods and drinks to fund our events and endeavors.
Keep in Touch
Lastly, the PTA is a great resource to stay connected with the school and to develop a network of parent support. A school administrator joins us at meetings to give updates and answer any questions. Our members are families who have children of all ages and in all different grades ranging from kindergartners and upper elementary grades to older siblings in middle and high school. Any questions you have, someone will be able to help support you.
South Avenue PTA 