Rockland School PACs Raise Over $90,000 for Student Enrichment
Parent groups fund field trips, community outreach, and classroom support while high school graduates receive $178,000 in local scholarships
ROCKLAND - June 9 - Parent Advisory Councils from Rockland's three schools report raising more than $90,000 this academic year, providing extensive support for student activities, teacher appreciation events, and community outreach programs.
Representatives from Esten Elementary, Phelps Elementary, and Rogers Middle School presented their fundraising accomplishments at the June 9 School Committee meeting, detailing how the funds benefit students and staff.
"We had a very successful year," says Heather Pratt from Phelps PAC, which raised approximately $78,000 through various initiatives. "We ended up bringing in about $78,000 between fundraisers and other events we've done."
The Phelps PAC's most successful fundraiser was their Fun Run, which generated about $24,000. Their Name the Circle fundraiser brought in an additional $17,000.
Lauren Tosano and Nicole Murphy from Esten PAC report raising approximately $13,000 through six fundraisers, including their own Fun Run, a Turkey Feather fundraiser, and a Name the Circle event.
"Due to our lead, Nicole, we had a really great year and a decent amount of parent participation, as opposed to what I've heard from last year," Tosano says.
Rogers Middle School representatives Allison and Marcy share that their PAC raised about $6,000, a significant increase from previous years.
"We started three years ago with under $1,000," Marcy explains. "It's an increase of almost over 50% from last year."
The PACs use these funds to support a wide range of activities and needs. Phelps PAC provided full Thanksgiving and Christmas meals to 16 families, covered transportation costs for field trips, and funded various enrichment programs.
Esten PAC supported teacher appreciation events, classroom supplies, and educational programs including visits from Barnyard Babies and Joe's Crazy Critters. They also provided Thanksgiving dinners for three local families.
Rogers Middle School PAC contributed to eighth-grade field trips and a scholarship for a Rockland High School senior. They've also committed to funding part of field trips for each grade next year.
"It's the first year in like three years that we've been able to finally help those teachers with their field trips for the students," Marcy notes.
Superintendent Dr. Alan Cron emphasizes that the value of these fundraising efforts extends beyond the monetary contributions.
"Every parent that you get to come in and help with the Shamrock Classic or any of the events that you put on, it's one more person that you're bringing into the school community," Cron says. "It's not about the money. It's the fact that you're giving, that you're in the schools, that you're talking to one another, and you're doing this work for the schools. It's what makes us stronger."
Dr. Cron highlights another significant financial contribution to Rockland students: $178,000 in scholarship money awarded to this year's high school graduates.
"This town gave to, I think we might have had 140 plus graduates... $178,000 in scholarship money that came from the local community," he says. "Percentage wise, that is extraordinary. And I think it just represents what a very special place Rockland is."
Dr. Cron notes that many local businesses repeatedly support school initiatives, demonstrating the community's commitment to education.
"These are local businesses who give so much to the schools," he says. "Our kids got $178,000 from this community for college in a time when money is not flowing from the spigots."
Committee member Melissa Mauro-Small also recognizes the adults who chaperoned the recent Philadelphia trip for middle school students, providing them with an educational experience outside the classroom.
"What a jam-packed agenda they had and everything went so smoothly and they learned so much," Mauro-Small says. "I think some of them may have caught the travel bug."
Other highlights from the meeting include:
* Rockland High School's graduation ceremony was praised for its execution, including improvements to the sound system
* A retirees' luncheon attracted 82 former staff members, exceeding expectations
* The district continues to focus on supporting student transitions between grade levels and schools
* The eighth-grade step-up ceremony is scheduled for Monday, June 16 at 8:30 a.m.
School Committee Chair Jaime Hennessy notes that the committee has one more meeting scheduled before the end of the school year.
The meeting demonstrates how Rockland's parent organizations, local businesses, and community members actively support student enrichment and educational opportunities through both volunteer efforts and financial contributions.