Symonds Elementary School PTA

"Every Child, One Voice"

PTA Officers 2023-2024

Alyssa Zalaski - President
Katie Lacey - Vice President
Angela Robinson - Secretary & Hospitality
Jen Swartout - Treasurer
Katelyn Ahern - Fundraising
Cheryl Cavaleri - Communications & Bookfair
Katie Lacey - Events and 5th Grade Yearbook

Enhancing Student Lives at Symonds School

PTA is the nations oldest, largest and highest profile volunteer organization working on behalf of public schools, children and families. PTA volunteers work in their schools and communities to improve the education, health and welfare of all children and youth. Since its founding in 1922, the Symonds School PTA has been enriching the educational experience of our students. Here are some ways we do it today.

Artist in Residency Program

The Symonds PTA sponsors the Bi-annual Artist in Residency program where the student body work alongside invited artists such as Emile Birch to create works of art for the school.

Field Trips

At Symonds School field trips are an excellent way to expand classroom experiences. To allow our students to fully participate, the PTA funds admission cost over $5.00 per child as well as admission for chaperones. We also pay the transportation costs for about half of our field trips.

Symonds Circus

Symonds Circus is a tradition at Symonds School. This afternoon of fun, food, rides and games begins each year with a parade. The PTA funds this activity and organizes this special event.

Scholarships and Sponsorships

Camper scholarships are provided to students with financial need so that they may attend summer camps such as YMCA, Roots & Wings, or Stonewall Farm.
Holiday Food Baskets are given to several needy Symonds School families each year.
The PTA has been a long-time supporter of Scouting, We are the charter organization of Cub Scout Pack 348, and have been for 40 years. We also sponsor numerous Girl Scout Troops.
Cheshire Smiles is a PTA supported program for grades K-3, which provides free dental care for many of our students.

5th Grade Fun Day & 5th Grade Graduation

Fun Day consists of a swimming and pizza party for the 5th grade class. The PTA organizes and funds this activity.
At graduation, each graduate is given a class photo and special gift. The 4th grade parents host a graduation reception as well as decorate for this memorable event.

School Community Activities

A variety of special family programs are organized to foster a sense of community and family fun for Symonds families. Some of these have become tradition, such as Movie NIght, while others are fresh each year.

Book Fair

The PTA organizes two book fairs each year. In addition to providing a variety of scholastic books for purchase to our students, the book fair also helps earn books for our library.

Appreciation of Staff

The PTA organizes and funds many events throughout the school year which are intended to show our appreciation for faculty and staff of Symonds School. Some include: Welcome Back Lunch, Teacher Appreciation Week, and End of Year Appreciation Lunch.

Fundraising

Fundraising is necessary to provide our many activities, but we do not like PTA to be synonymous with fundraising. To offer these activities we must request students participate in the fundraising events.