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Letters to the Editor
Updated: August 13, 2012 6:29AM
John Mills School PTA 2011-2012 highlights
The Illinois PTA was organized on May 30, 1900, and has since worked diligently to support public schools and to ensure that all children have equal opportunities and access to education. Our local PTA at John Mills has been going strong since 1921. I personally feel that we are partnered with an amazing and successful organization. With membership more than 120,000, Illinois PTA is doing a marvelous job, along with your local John Mills PTA. Please enjoy the following highlights:
September - Kevin Anderson, our new superintendent, was a guest speaker at our PTA meeting. We also presented a poem at the 9/11 Memorial, provided wrap packs for students, funded installation of Project Fit equipment at Mills Park, funded birthday books for the entire year, held our one and only fundraiser, funded Popsicles for summer reading program, purchased calendar magnets for all PTA members and welcomed back our teachers with a wonderful breakfast.
October – Our guest speaker was the new Police Chief Frank Fagiano, held our first book fair, participated in the Illinois PTA Reflections Program in which several students moved to the state level, sponsor Market Day each month and had funded our first assembly, “Dance to Your Own Beat.”
November – John Mills PTA won the Gold Ribbon Award for outstanding PTA in District 28, participated in the Long Range Landscape Planning meeting for EPCUSD401, sponsored Santa’s Workshop and funded a new stereo system for the music room.
December – Funded a district-wide assembly about Internet Safety with Katie LeClerc Greer; students who sold 30 items or more, with our fall fundraiser, went on a limo ride and had lunch at Culver’s.
January – Invited members to attend state conferences regarding legislation and parent education, funded another assembly, a ventriloquist and coordinated spirit wear for parents, staff and students.
February – Funded our first Movie Night, held PTA Founder’s Day, funded another assembly, “Honest Abe,” coordinated a Wolves game night, provided information to parents about standardized tests along with helping children be their best, sponsored another book fair.
March – funded an assembly featuring “KID Power: Health and Nutrition 3-D,” supplied healthy snacks for all students during state testing and membership decided to donate $500 to each of the following departments: Music, Band, Art, Gym and Technology.
April – Our guest speaker was Amy Lynn Vero, co-director of the EP Summer School Academy, funded an Ice Cream Social for the entire student body. John Mills PTA was also awarded the Juvenile Protection and Safety Award from the Illinois State PTA. Please visit the Illinois PTA website www.illinoispta.org and read the article about John Mills in the PTA Bulletin.
May – Our guest speaker was Al Schmidt, director of the Department of Recreation at the Civic Center, we presented a $500 scholarship to an Elmwood Park senior pursuing a degree in education, funded a cultural enrichment program, “Staley” from the Bears stopped by to speak to the students about healthy eating, funded the sixth-graders’ breakfast (with donations from Mori Milk and Reuter’s Bakery), said farewell to our staff with a healthy luncheon and sponsored our last book fair for the year, “Buy One Get One Free.” Ellen Peterson, our book fair chairwoman says, “Thank you, parents, for your continuing support of the John Mills PTA. We sold over $4,500 worth of books, our best for a buy one/get one free fair. Have a great summer and keep on reading!”
In addition, throughout the year the John Mills PTA distributed information to children, parents and staff regarding: Improving your child’s nutrition; happy and healthy eating, along with information about ChooseMyPlate.gov; and “How to Encourage a Love of Reading and Learning in Your Child.”
I would like to thank the John Mills’ staff for a wonderful year of learning, along with everyone who volunteered their time to enhance every child’s learning experience at John Mills. You are much appreciated! Have a fun-filled and safe summer!
Gail Galioto-Fang, PTA President; Deanna Wassom, PTA Vice President; Laura Jean Spathies, Secretary; Ellen Peterson, Treasurer
