HPTA Wraps Up 2009-10 Year, Looks Toward 2010-11

Posted Jun 6, 2010
HPTA President Cindy Bernardo receives a check for $1,600 from Dale Danahy 
of Colella’s Supermarket from the sale of Guida Dairy products.

Members of the HPTA gathered at Elmwood School on May 17 for the HPTA General Meeting, which included award and check presentations, 2010-11 budget approval, voting in of new board members and reviewing the year’s accomplishments.


HPTA membership reached an all-time high of 609 members this year. 

“Thanks to all of the volunteers who worked countless hours from the book fairs to the carnival to the libraries stocking shelves to helping out with field day,” said Cindy Bernardo, HPTA president.


Members unanimously approved the new board, which includes new and seasoned members. Outgoing vice presidents include Karen Sylvester, Allison Murphy, Carol Quinlan, Jean Bertschmann, Leda Arakelian, and Pam Litchfield. While Lynne Auslander, Barb Henise, and Joanne Lucas will remain in their current VP roles. Michele Weilding will move from her VP position at Elmwood to one at Hopkins. Other new VPs include town-wide Esther Driscoll, Nancy Cavanaugh and Heather Kelley at Center, Kristin Kane at Elmwood, and Kathleen Karpe and Liz Pomeroy at Hopkinton Middle School.


At the meeting, Dale Danahy of Colella’s Supermarket presented Bernardo with a $1,600 check from sale of Guida’s products. In total, the 2009-10 funds raised surpassed projections by $41,000.

“I think this is due to the creativity and energy our fundraising team had this year,” said Bernardo. “We had some events that really brought parents and families out to support the schools. Our Silent Auction was a HUGE success with the Children’s Gallery and 2nd online auction bringing in over $44,000 and the carnival brought in over $15,000.”


This year’s fundraising will allow the HPTA to give $135,000 to the schools next year including:

*$38,000 in technology, including at least one SmartBoard to every school except the High School, which will be receive an Apple Laptop cart with 30 laptops.
*$11,000 for professional development to support the district’s guaranteed and viable curriculum.
*$5,000 toward building a “green” curriculum in the schools.
*a continued $50,000 in enrichment programs to support each grade’s curriculum.



“We want to thank each and every volunteer for making this year how amazing it has been and it could not have happened with them!” said Bernardo. “We want to wish everyone a happy and healthy summer too!”

Article by Jean Cann. Photo by Amy Ritterbusch.

Fundraiser Events, General Info, The Runner

First HPTA Carnival a Big Hit

Posted May 23, 2010
The HPTA Carnival, on bright and sunny May 15, drew crowds to the Town Common for hours with crafts, games, entertainment and food. The Carnival, sponsored by Outdoor Recreation and organized by the HPTA, raised approximately $15,000 for the schools.
Wagons and strollers started rolling into the Common at 9 a.m. with kids ready to get their faces painted, play games, make crafts, eat cotton candy and dunk their teachers, coaches and neighbors in the dunk tank. Some popular activities included an inflatable jousting ring, a Velcro climbing wall and bounce houses. Arthur O’Malley, the father of an Elmwood teacher, emceed the event, announcing acts like Magic Matt the magician and encouraging kids to dunk their favorite teacher or coach.
             
The Carnival enjoyed strong support from local businesses. Contributions from title sponsor, Outdoor Recreation, allowed many perks, such as a keepsake eco-friendly visitor bag. Uno’s Chicago Grill provided fresh cooked pizza for the lunchtime crowd.  The Joseph P. Keefe Technical School designed and built multiple colorful games.  Karen McDermott, of RE/MAX Executive Realty, funded prizes for the games. For a full list of sponsors, please visit www.hptaonline.com.
The proceeds from the Carnival will directly benefit the HPTA in its mission to support the enrichment and betterment of the Hopkinton Schools through curriculum enrichment, parent education, communication and teacher support. For the 2009-2010 school year, the HPTA plans to contribute over $120,000 to the Hopkinton Public Schools.
Thanks to the hundreds of volunteers, chairperson Joanne Sabetti and committee members: Liz Murchie, Shari Matza, Aimee Graeber, Amy Montalto, Laura Wauters, Betsy Crawford, Leda Arakelian, Holly Miller, Beth Anne Carrier, Jodi Palmieri, Celine O’Rourke, Linda Picozza, Gretchen Stephan and Mary Pawela.

Family Fun, Fundraiser Events, The Runner

HopSwap Helps Community Go Green, Makes Some Green

Posted May 9, 2010

The gym and cafeteria at Hopkinton High School were overflowing with donations of gently used children’s items on May 1. It was all for the 2nd Annual HopSwap, a green event co-sponsored by the HPTA and Hopkinton Moms Group.

Items were collected at various locations throughout town during April, then a group of very hard-working volunteers organized it all for shoppers. 

Shoppers poured in with their reusable shopping bags in hand. They were allowed to fill their bags for $10, or, if they had made a donation, $5 per bag! Most of the larger items were less than $5. 


“Kids grow out of their clothes so quickly,” said Marsha Birtwistle, Hopkinton Moms Group President. “And they get bored with their toys too. HopSwap is a great source for all of us to switch our stuff!”

The event raised $1,555 for Hopkinton Public Schools.
Thank you to the many, many donors, volunteers, and shoppers who made HopSwap a successful event! And thanks to REI and Stroller Strides, both of Framingham, for their donation to our raffle. And congratulations to Jean Cann for winning that raffle — a CoPilot single jogger stroller and 10 passes to Stroller Strides!

Article and photo submitted by Jill Delasco

Fundraiser Events, Green Committee, The Runner

Carnival Committee Needs Help!

Posted Apr 25, 2010
The HPTA is hosting the First Annual Carnival on May 8 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on the Hopkinton Town Common. 
In order to raise the most money for schools, we are looking for gently used or new items for the carnival games. We have many games built by Keefe Tech, but still need small items to go with the games. Below is a list of things we need. 
Please email Aimee Graeber at agraeber@verizon. net if you are willing to supply any of these items.  You will receive an email back if we still need the item.
Footballs – 1 (any size)
Darts – 2 sets
Basketballs – 2
Softballs – 4
Six cans or bottles that would be good for a Milk bottle/can knockdown
Six rings for a 1 liter ring toss
One set of 3 bean bags
Frisbees – 5
1 plastic pool
Ducks for duck pool – 50 to 75
1 plastic basketball hoop
Card tables or banquet tables (bring day of)
12 canopies (bring day of)
cardtable chairs (bring day of)
And lots of volunteers! Six people for set up (9:00-10:00 a.m.), 6 people for breakdown (3:00-4:00 p.m.) and 72 people to work the games. Teams of two will work the games in 2-hour shifts, so volunteer with a friend!

Thanks for supporting the HPTA!

Family Fun, Fundraiser Events, The Runner

SCHOOLKIDZ is Coming!

Posted Apr 11, 2010

Back by popular demand…your SchoolKidz Back-to-School Kit Fundraiser order opportunity is quickly approaching.  
If your child is entering Grades 1-8 this fall, you will soon have the chance to purchase grade-specific school supply kits. We have worked closely with administration and staff at each school to offer kits tailored to each grade’s supply needs.  

Order forms (with more details) will go home in backpacks on April 30 and be due back by May 13. Order forms will also be available online at www.hptaonline.com. Kit distribution will be in late August.  
If you have any questions, please contact Kelly Asherman at kelly.asherman@ritzcarlton.com or Jodi Furlong at sjasfurlong@verizon.net.

Fundraiser Events, The Runner

HopSwap — Donations needed throughout April

Posted Mar 28, 2010
The HPTA and Hopkinton Moms Group are teaming up for another HopSwap.

HopSwap, a sale of gently used children’s items, will take place on Sat., May 1, from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Hopkinton High School. Like last year, patrons are asked to bring their own reusable shopping bags and will be able to fill their bags for $10. Larger items will be available at nominal prices — most under $10.

Want to fill a bag for $5? Just donate your gently used children’s items! Donations can be dropped off throughout the month of April at the Town Hall (rear entrance), PlayTown Express, Hooray For Books (both locations), and in the lobby of these Hopkinton schools: Preschool, Center, Elmwood, Hopkins, and Middle.

HopSwap is only as good as your donations…start cleaning out the house! Any clothing (newborn-size 14), baby gear, toys, books, DVDs, trikes/bikes, sporting equipment, or anything else that another child can use is what we’re looking for. (Sorry, no car seats or high chairs.) Be sure to write your name down when you drop-off your donations.

All proceeds from this green event will go directly to the Hopkinton Public Schools.

For more information, check the HPTA’s website (www.hptaonline.com) or email HopSwap@gmail.com. 

Fundraiser Events, Green Committee, The Runner