Donations from parent groups assist schools
BY TOYNETT HALL
Staff Writer

HOWELL - Members of parent-teacher associations in Howell are doing their best to ensure that children and staff members in Howell schools have the tools they need to succeed.

According to information provided by the Board of Education, the Land O' Pines School PTO donated white boards (dry erase boards) valued at $25,000 to be installed in 20 classrooms.

Land O' Pines PTO President Kimberly Flanagan said funds for the white boards were raised through the organization's gift auction held in March. The white boards will replace chalkboards.

Flanagan, who has a son in third grade at Land O' Pines, said all of the money the PTO raises goes directly to the students.

"My child's education is important [and] being involved in his life is important to me," Flanagan said.

Land O' Pines Principal Sandra DeYonker said the installation of the white boards will eliminate chalk dust in classrooms.

The Southard School PTA made a donation of $4,000 for the purchase of a new sound system for the gymnasium.

PTA President Michael Torres said, "It is important for parents to stay involved in their children's education. Two ways they can do this is helping their children with their homework and joining their school's PTA."

Torres and vice presidents Johanna Carrol and Albert Miller were instrumental in raising funds through the Ways and Means Committee to provide Southard with a new sound system for the gymnasium.

According to Torres, Southard's gym also serves as an auditorium. He said the current sound system is 20 years old and in poor condition. The school needed a new sound system in order to host events such as gift auctions, dances and back-to-school nights.

Torres said the $4,000 came from money put aside last year by the PTA executive board to be used for a school gift.

"I try to make sure the kids have what they need, which goes above and beyond whatever the school budget allows them to do," he said.

Southard School Principal Drew Smith said, "the quality of the current sound system is fading and was compromising student presentations."

According to Smith, the PTA donated $4,000 as a gift to the school for its 50th anniversary last year. The new sound system is expected to be installed this summer.

Finally, the Taunton School PTA donated $3,000 to assist in the purchase of a seating section for the media center.

According to Taunton School Principal Diana Rochon, before Howell's middle schools were built, Taunton educated students through the eighth grade. Now the school educates pupils through the fifth grade. The media center was built with high shelves and now has to be updated to better serve current pupils.

"The higher shelves will be taken out and lower shelves and brighter colors will be installed," said Rochon, who has been working on the project for several years. "I felt this was a focal point in our school. I want it to look nice and to be comfortable for the children."

The media center is being renovated and will eventually be dedicated in the name of Gina Sgambati, a teacher's aide who died in February.

Rochon said the project is a combined effort and the Special Education Parent Advisory Council also donated money toward the seating.

In addition to the new seating section in the media center, the Taunton School playground is also in the process of being renovated.

"The old playground had to be torn down because it was unsafe and not up to code. This project is an ongoing one; however, one piece has been installed," Rochon said, adding that the PTA always supports the children.

"The extra things we can offer to our students is like icing on a cake," she said.