• To support and speak on behalf of children in the school and in the community
• To encourage parent and public involvement in the school
• To promote open communication between teachers and parents

Committees/Scheduled Activities (2008/2009):

PTA members work together throughout the school year on the following committees - volunteers are always appreciated! Please contact us at ps102pta@yahoo.com and your message will be given to the appropriate committee chairperson:

Membership - All parents, guardians, and full-time teachers are members of the PTA. We request a donation of $10 per child or $20 per family at the beginning of the year. However, payment is not required and does not affect the right to vote or run for office. Any money raised by the PTA during the year is given back to the school to be used where it is most needed.

Candy Drive - The candy drive is the main fundraiser of the year. On September 19, each child will bring home a package with materials for the candy drive. Order forms and money are due back to the school in October. Children will receive delivery of all the items they ordered by mid-November.

PTA Subcomiittee on Title I Parent Involvement - PS 102 receives funding under the Federal Title I program and must set aside 1% of this funding for Parent Involvement activities. Parents in this committee research ways to spend this money on programs to engage parents in their child's learning and provide a budget of their spending recommendations to the SLT and Principal for approval. They also review and update the PS 102 School-Parent-Student Compact and Parental Involvement Policy which are part of our school's CEP (Comprehensive Education Plan.)

Kermess - We will hold our 2nd Kermess (or multicultural family fun festival) with food, games and raffles -- in the large school yard on Friday night October 17.

School pictures - October 23rd is picture day for all the children! Graduation Pictures - On December 11th, the PTA holds a special picture day for our graduating fifth graders.

Halloween Hooplah! (formerly known as the Pumpkin Patch) On October 31st, we decorate the school garden and turn it into "spooky" walk. Children from Kindergarten, First Grade and Second Grade are invited to tour the garden, take pictures and take home a surprise!

Book Fair -On November 19-21, the PTA will hold its annual book fair in the auditorium. Each class is invited to attend, and children can bring between $5-$20 to purchase books. Parents are welcome to attend the book fair with their child during the day and evening, including November 20th when the book fair will be open during parent-teacher conferences.

Craft Fair - On December 5, the PTA will sponsor a Craft Fair in the school gym. While all the children will get a chance to attend with their classroom teacher, it will also be open to people from the community to do some early holiday shopping.

Holiday Toys - During the holiday season, children will be asked to donate a toy to be given to a child who is less fortunate.

Used-Book Drive - During the first two weeks of January, the PTA will sponsor a used book drive. Children will be asked to bring books that they have outgrown to school, where they will be sorted and distributed to the teachers for use in their classroom libraries.

International Celebration - On January 30, the PTA will host an International Celebration in the school cafeteria. Parents are asked to bring desserts related to their ethnic background. With our very diverse population (and the great culinary skills of our parents!) we end up with a wonderful smorgasbord. Also, some of the school children provide entertainment, playing cultural music and performing ethnic dances.

Bake Sale - On February 13, the PTA holds a Bake Sale in the gym. Parents are encouraged to send in homemade desserts and children will get a chance to visit the bake sale and buy some treats.

PS 102apalooza - This extraordinary Parent & Staff Talent Show and Art/Gift Auction will return for the third year in a row and be held on February 26, 2008.

Staff Appreciation Luncheon - Parents are asked to show our thanks to P.S. 102's wonderful teaching staff by planning and hosting this luncheon, which is held on the day of spring Parent-Teacher Conferences, March 19.

TV Turnoff Week - Our Seventh Annual (TV) Turnoff Week will be held April 20-26, 2009 and will have a GREEN theme. Last year, over half the children participated and the week included a sky-watch, sprots night, music workshops, pottery class, yard games, and more!

Buy One Get One Free (BOGO) Book Fair - As a way to say thank you to the children, parents and staff for their support throughout the year, the PTA hosts a BOGO Book Fair in April, scheduled for April 27 & 28. Basically, if you purchase a book for whatever dollar amount, you get another book of your choice (of equal or lesser value) absolutely FREE!

Plant Sale - The PTA holds a plant sale in May in the school yard. It is scheduled for May 8th - just before Mother's Day, giving the children a chance to buy a nice gift for that special someone.

Box Tops - An on-going activity of the PTA is collecting General Mills Box Tops for Education. For every Box Top we collect, our school gets 10 cents. Since 1999, through the efforts of students and parents, we have raised over $1650 to benefit our school. You can find Box Tops on General Mills Cereals, and on many Pillsbury, Green Giant, Totino's, Progresso, Old El Paso and Gold Medal Products. The Box Tops can be sent to school with your child in an envelope labeled "PTA - Box Tops." Visit http://www.boxtops4education.com/ to see a sample box top, to find a complete list of participating brands and to sign up for additional on-line shopping opportunities that give a percentage of your purchase to PS 102's box top program. Please note: our school is listed as PUBLIC SCHOOL 102 BAY VIEW PTA/PTO.

Campbell's Soup Labels - This year we will again be collecting Campbell's Soup Labels which will be submitted for school supplies - see http://www.labelsforeducation.com/ for eligible brands and products.

www.greenraising.com - The PTA gets 25% of the sales of the environmentally-friendly items sold on this site. We receive 40% during a special 2-week web drive (to be scheduled.)

Teacher's Wish List - Through this PTA program, teachers can submit requests for special items they would like in their classroom.

Hospitality Committee - coordinates refreshments for our events.

Assembly Committee - The PTA arranges and sponsors at least two assemblies for PS 102 students each year.

Graduation - In May, a committee will work with the PTA Vice President on 5th Grade graduation trip, gifts, ceremony and party.

School Spirit - Monthly events designed to bring families out to have fun together are held almost every month during the school year - these events have included Sports Nights, Movie Nights, Ice-Skating Parties, Family Art Night and a trip to see the Brooklyn Cyclones game in June.

PS 102 Goes Green! - PS 102 is committed to a greener school community in 2008/09. The PTA will look for ways to ensure that we are following the three R's - REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE during our many activities. See our school green pages for more information. Our PC, Margaret Sheri, Recycling Coordinator, Ms. Easterling and PTA members are planning an ECOFEST 2009 to be held this spring.

Ideas (and help!) with additional fundraisers and events are always welcome. Come on out and get involved! Contact us at ps102pta@yahoo.com. Please ask to be put on our e-mail list.