Welcome to the SMS PTA Website
 
 
SMS PTA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE BUDGET STATEMENT 2013:
The SMS PTA Executive Committee supports the Final Budget (Budget) and asks all residents to Vote Yes on May 21st.  Because the tax levy is over the tax cap, we need 60% of the voters to approve this budget, and so we urge residents to find the time to express their support.  We believe that the Administration and Board of Education (Board) have been diligent and fiscally prudent in their budget creation process.  Many line items originally requested by the Administration were removed.  Views and questions from residents and local organizations have been welcomed and addressed.  Comprehensive materials have been made available.  We are extremely appreciative of the efforts of all those involved in this process. 

We are pleased that elementary class sizes will be maintained and that the fitness center will be updated and relocated to allow for further capital improvements that support Scarsdale’s Education for Tomorrow.  We look forward to being regularly informed of the Board’s progress as aspects of a Facilities Master Plan are discussed and as the Wellness Curriculum is developed.  We appreciate the investment to bring security to industry standards and to increase the high school eating space as a resolution for current and anticipated overcrowding.  We are grateful that two librarians remain at the high school, and we urge the Board to review the effect of reducing librarians from 2 to 1 at the middle school throughout the year. 

We also recognize that difficult choices had to be made to get here and regret that certain aspects were compromised due to fiscal conservatism.  We refer specifically to the loss of a middle school librarian, the potential for more classes at the high school to contain 25+ students, the elimination of a math teacher at the Middle School, and a reduction in arts and aesthetics instruction.  Hopefully, the Board will reevaluate the elimination of these integral programmatic items next year.

We urge those voters who are thinking of voting No on May 21st to consider the potential outcome of a failed budget.  If this Budget fails, the Board may find that it has no choice but to cut further into the critical structure of Scarsdale’s education to create a second budget.  Such cuts could have dire consequences not only to our educational system and the opportunities afforded to our children, but also to Scarsdale’s overall reputation.  

People move to Scarsdale for its educational system.  Many residents hope their grown children return so that their grandchildren can also benefit from this school district.  We value Scarsdale’s reputation and support this family tradition.  This Budget supports the deeply held belief that we should invest in our schools.  Education is at the core of Scarsdale’s identity as a community, and our real estate values are closely tied to the quality of this education.  These thoughts are communicated year after year.   As a community, Scarsdale has always given education priority and should continue to do so.

Please Vote Yes with us on May 21st to ensure that Scarsdale will remain a place where academic, artistic and athletic experiences remain strong.

Respectfully submitted by The Scarsdale Middle School PTA Executive Committee:

Pam Fuehrer – President                   Joan Frankle – Director of Programming

Seema Jaggi – President-Elect         Jennifer Gross – Director of Membership

Karen Ceske – Secretary                    Ansu Thomas – Director of Hospitality 

Nancy Brady - Treasurer

 

 
OVERVIEW OF THE SMS PTA: 
 
The Scarsdale Middle School PTA is a volunteer organization comprised of parents, teachers and administrators. We are organized under National and New York State bylaws to serve the youth in our community. We are a self-governing group dedicated to enhancing the Middle School experiences of students through programs and activities.  On these pages, you'll find information about our programs, volunteers opportunities, and other useful information.
 
All SMS PTA Membership meetings are held several times during the school year. Meeting dates and other PTA sponsored activities and events are listed in the 2012-2013 SMS PTA Calendar.
 
We invite you to become involved in the SMS PTA.  Whatever time or talents you can donate will be greatly appreciated. Our activities are all volunteer-run and without your involvement, they will not happen. A complete list of the SMS PTA Committees can be found in the Middle School Student Directory, which also includes the committee chair's name and contacts, so you may contact them directly.  The Directory will be available in the fall.  You may also sign-up to volunteer by by clicking here.  
 
To join the SMS PTA email distribution list or to update email information we have on file,  click here
 
 
To join the PTA or renew your annual membership, click here.
 
 
If you have other questions, please email us at: scarsdalemiddleschoolpta@gmail.com.  We look forward to working with you during the year ahead. By working together, we can make our children's experiences at the Middle School exceptionally rewarding.

Yours,
 
The PTA Executive Board 2012-13 
 
Pam Fuehrer, President                                   

Seema Jaggi, President Elect                         

Karen Ceske, Secretary                                       

Joan Taback Frankle, V.P. Programming     

Jen Gross, V.P. Membership                           

Ansu Thomas, V.P. School Events                

Nancy Brady, Treasurer                            

Michael McDermott, Principal                                                     
 
 
 
NOTICES: 


SMS Calendars
Please click on the "Calendar" link to the left to access the SMS District Daily Calendar.
* You can customize the calendar by using the "Filter Options" button and choosing the schools and categories of your choice. Please remember to choose "Scarsdale Middle School" (and other Scarsdale schools your children attend) under the heading "Site and Subsite Filters" and "PTA" under the heading "Category Filters."  The 2012-2013 Calendar can be found here.
  

2012-2013 Scarsdale School District Calendar is now available.  To access it, please click here.
 
 
2012-2013 SMS Handbook
To download the SMS 2012-2013 Handbook, please click on the "Handbook" link on the left. 
Last Modified on May 8, 2013