Symonds School PTA

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We are Symonds PTA!

2023-2024 Board

Alyssa Zalaski, President
Katie Lacey, Vice President
Jen Swartout, Treasurer
Angela Robinson, Secretary
Katie Lacey, Activities
Katelyn Ahern, Fundraising
Cheryl Cavaleri, Communications

Our Mission and Values

Every Child. One Voice.

In accordance with the National PTA, and the New Hampshire PTA, Symonds PTA's mission is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.

PTA Values

Collaboration: We will work in partnership with a wide array of individuals and organizations to broaden and enhance our ability to serve and advocate for all children and families.
Commitment: We are dedicated to children’s educational success, health, and well-being through strong family and community engagement, while remaining accountable to the principles upon which our association was founded.
Diversity: We acknowledge the potential of everyone without regard, including but not limited to: age, culture, economic status, educational background, ethnicity, gender, geographic location, legal status, marital status, mental ability, national origin, organizational position, parental status, physical ability, political philosophy, race, religion, sexual orientation, and work experience.
Respect: We value the individual contributions of members, employees, volunteers, and partners as we work collaboratively to achieve our association’s goals.
Accountability: All members, employees, volunteers, and partners have a shared responsibility to align their efforts toward the achievement of our association’s strategic initiatives.

What We Do

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. (Please note: many of these activities have been adjusted or suspended during the current school year due to COVID-19)

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 Symonds School families in need 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.