PTO

Welcome to the Northampton High School PTO page. We are a volunteer organization that works to support and strengthen our high school community by:

• raising funds to support teachers and staff and the enrichment of our students' educational experience,
• enhancing communication between school and home,
• sponsoring activities for students that are inclusive, fun, and safe.

The PTO meets on the first Tuesday of each month. The next meeting is at 7pm on June 5, 2012, in the NHS library. Enter at the traffic circle, go upstairs, turn left, and follow the hallway, bearing right, until you come to the library on your right. If you can't make it to meetings but would like to support the PTO's efforts, please email Monica Green at mgreen@periodyssey.com. You can also view minutes of the PTO meetings on the "PTO meetings" page of this website.

At the June 5 meeting, we will decide how best to support NHS with the funds we've raised this year. It’s also time to nominate and elect 2012-13 officers for the PTO; what a good time to get involved with this vibrant organization that helps make NHS a great school! Please join us to learn how you can make a difference.

SUBSCRIBE TO NHS UPDATE: To stay in touch with current events at NHS, sign up for the email listserve managed by the PTO. You will receive notices of school activities, PTO meetings, and other important news. The listserve allows us to communicate with families between the monthly HampHighlights newsletter which goes to all NHS households. To subscribe to the listserve, send an email to Wendy Bernstein at mdrd1607@gmail.com with "subscribe" in the subject line; you may also email Wendy if you wish to unsubscribe.

UPCOMING EVENTS

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Wednesday, April 25  In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, the NHS and JFK PTOs jointly hosted a screening of the documentary film, "American Teacher" in the NHS auditorium. For more information about the film, visit www.theteachersalaryproject.org.

2011-2012 RECENT ACTIVITIES

FLORENCE SAVINGS BANK 2011 CUSTOMER CHOICE AWARDS Thanks to everyone who voted for NHS in 2011: The PTO received the second highest award this year, in the amount of $3,600. We are grateful to Florence Savings Bank for their generosity and commitment to the community. The award will help make it possible for the PTO to respond to teacher requests for educational enrichment programs and technology needs unmet by the district budget. If you are a Florence Savings Bank customer, it's not too soon to vote for NHS in 2012!

NHS STUDENT DIRECTORY The 2011-2012 NHS Student Directory was sent home with students on November 10. If you didn't receive one, please check with your student/s to find out whether it is buried deep in a backpack. If you received two copies and need only one, you may send the extra to the school office. If you received one copy and need a second, extras are available in the school office; please request one. Special thanks to alum Leigh Daniels' father, Scott Daniels, for again laying out the directory this year, and to Joanie Daniels for initiating and coordinating this valuable resource for its first three years.

The directory is paid for with voluntary contributions - please consider taking this opportunity to make a gift to the NHS PTO in support of our efforts to enhance communication among NHS families.

TEACHERS' WISH LIST

Earlier this year, teachers identified the list below of supplies, equipment, and other items that would enhance their ability to teach NHS students. Do you have used equipment on this list that could be given a new lease on life in a classroom? Art books gathering dust that could inspire NHS students? An in-kind donation of supplies is always appreciated, and/or a cash gift.

Many wishes were fulfilled during the December holiday season. Since then, the PTO has purchased a number of items with funds raised by the Honor Thy Teacher campaign in 2011.

Donations may be brought to the NHS office where they will be checked off the list before being distributed to teachers. If you have questions, please contact Ruth Ever (everhale@gmail.com) or Monica Green (green@periodyssey.com). We will update this list regularly to reflect what has been contributed and what is still needed; the list was updated on May 15, 2012.

Batteries: AAA, AA, D, 9V (received)

Rechargeable AA and AAA batteries with charger

Lego pieces

Dice

Pop beads (baby type)

3-ring binders (used are fine) (received)

Gloves, disposable (received)

Dry erase markers in a variety of colors (received)

Coffee filters (for physics lab) (received)

Hand soap, liquid  (received) 

Dishwashing liquid  (received) 

Sponges & spray disinfectant cleaner (received)

Potters' wheel, hand-operated

Marching bass drum

Aprons & pot holders (received)

Kitchen utensils (received)

Art books (some received)

Art reproductions

Old digital cameras (1 received)

Fishing waders (for biology class)

Lab coats

Rubber mats to cover computer cables

Acrylic box picture frames

8" boards, 6 feet long (8 needed)

Cork tiles (received)

Microwave (received)

Boombox (received)

Heavy duty stapler (received)

Headphones (received)

Mac computers (newer)

Bullhorn

Flip cameras

Moll easels

Document camera (Elmo device)

Smart boards

Document reader

Martial arts kicking pads

Martial arts striking paddles

Mountain bikes (for wellness classes)

Cash contributions for field trips and field trip scholarship fund

The following needs were also identified: if you would like to help fulfill these wishes, please speak directly to the teacher or write to mgreen@periodyssey.com:

Modified versions of 9th grade English books (Antigoni Tzoumakas)

French literature for children & teens (Barbara Bitgood)

Chemical Demonstrations Volume 5, $36.60 on Amazon.com (Susan Biggs)

The Alchemy of Air, 50 copies, $10.20 on Amazon.com (Susan Biggs) (received)

Finale notepad software, 10 licenses (Deb Coon)

Financial support for improvements to the NHS Theater Studio, including construction materials, lighting equipment, stage flooring, and 70 modular theater seats (Stephen Eldredge) (a parent committee is actively working on this project)

Thank you for your help and generous support! If you would like an acknowledgement of your gift for tax purposes, please provide your name & email or postal address with any items you bring to the office.