Parent Association

St. Patrick's Parent Association

On behalf of the Parent Association (S.P.A.), we are delighted to welcome you to the Saint Patrick’s School Family. The S.P.A. is a dedicated group of parents who are actively involved in the life of our school and are committed to making our children’s educational experience the best it can be. The S.P.A. not only encourages the exchange of ideas between parents and the school’s administration, but also offers a link to Saint Patrick’s in various social settings. 
 
We hold several general meetings throughout the school year and invite all parents to attend. These sessions offer an opportunity for parents to collaborate on programs at the school, become informed of current events and upcoming activities and join in our on-going fundraising efforts. In addition to sharing ideas and resources, S.P.A. members vote on matters that influence our children and their experience at St. Patrick’s. 
 
The S.P.A. also provides and enhances many programs, activities and services that directly benefit the students and school. In addition, throughout the course of the year, the S.P.A. sponsors a number of family and school spirit events. These functions are not only fun for the students and their families, but also encourage the development of friendships and close bonds. We also have Ambassador Families to assist in transitioning and welcoming new families to Saint Patrick’s School.
 
We are proud of the contributions that the Parent Association makes to enhance the quality of education our children receive, as well as their overall individual school experience. One of the many benefits of attending Saint Patrick’s, and what we feel sets us apart from other schools, is the interaction and cooperation between parents and the school administration. We all work together to in the best interests of our children.
 
In closing, we welcome you to the Saint Patrick’s School family and wish you and your child a rewarding experience for the upcoming school year. We hope that you will choose to join us and participate in our exciting events throughout the course of the year. 
 
May God bless you all and our special school!

Scholastic Book Fair

St. Patrick’s partners with Scholastic Book Company and holds an annual book fair. A vast display of books are available for immediate purchase on the book fair days. The students in K- 8th grade visit the book fair with their classes and have the opportunity to purchase books or make a wish list for books they would like and return the next day to make their purchase. Pre-K students usually visit with their parents before or after the school day. All parents are encouraged to discuss with their children what they are allowed to purchase. The book fair is usually held on a Tuesday in conjunction with the first S.P.A. Meeting and until 12pm the following day. Parent volunteers are needed to assist the children with their book sales as well as set up and pack up the book fair.

By-laws

The chairperson for this committee shall be responsible for reviewing and updating the by-laws for the S.P.A. and make recommendations for change on an as needed basis. The chairperson shall ensure that the Executive Board conducts all business accordingly.

Catholic Schools Week/Open House

Catholic Schools Week is a celebration of what sets Catholic schools apart from all others, our Catholic faith, students with strong characters and consciences, discipline and high academic standards. Most importantly, the students of St. Patrick's participate in a Mass to celebrate this special time and participate in a number of "spirit" events throughout the course of the week. The Co-Presidents of the S.P.A. work with the principal, parent volunteers and the publicity and booster committees to coordinate the various Catholic Schools Week and Open House events.

Canteen

Canteens are 7th and 8th grade social events that take place throughout the year. Parents schedule social events that take place both at school and other establishments, set-up/clean-up for parties, collect event fees and chaperone events. The canteens are run by 2 or 3 parents from both 7th and 8th grades, the parents usually hold term for two years.

Class Parents

At the beginning of each school year, outreach and information is sent to all families for two or three parents in each grade to help out as class parents. Responsibilities include being a primary source of communication between the parent and the S.P.A., attending S.P.A. general meetings (about four or five a year), assisting teachers with class parties or special events, attending class trips, collecting and managing class dues, etc. It is a fun and rewarding way to be more involved in the school. Class Parents receive a full orientation, prepared information and templates to use when corresponding with parents, as well as continued support throughout the year from the Head Class Parents. The term is usually one year.

Head Class Parents

Head Class Parents are responsible for coordinating information, communications, and updates to all the Class Parent volunteers. Head Class Parents are responsible for receiving and reviewing Class Parent request forms and also assigning Class Parents to each class at the beginning of the school year. They provide a full orientation to all Class Parents, act as a resources for Class Parents and prepare/update information and templates of correspondence, which class parent use throughout the year. They are also required to attend S.P.A. general meetings and be a primary contact between the school, S.P.A. and all Class Parents. The term is usually two years.

Craft Fair

The annual St. Patrick’s Craft Fair is held during the first quarter in our gymnasium. It is a day filled with fun and festivities and timed perfectly to get everyone in the spirit of the holidays! Local vendors showcase crafty or holiday themed items that are for sale. The school runs the kitchen and baked good table featuring breakfast and lunch items, as well as beautifully wrapped baked goods. Parents are asked to contribute soups, stew and chili for the kitchen lunch and home baked goodies like….loaf breads, pies, cookies, cakes, brownies, coffee cakes, jams/jellies and homemade chocolates. A drawing is held during the Craft Fair, watch for your tickets via backpack mail! Help is need for set up, the entire day of the craft fair as well as at clean up time. This is a great opportunity for teens to obtain some Community Service Hours.

Family Fun Nights

Family Fun Nights are gatherings sponsored by the S.P.A. The events are either free to parents and families of the school or offered at a minimal cost, and take place after school hours. Help setting up and cleaning up is always welcomed. If you have an idea for a Family Fun Night, please let us know! 

2022-23 Engagement Events (a detailed list is included in our monthly calendar)

• Pizza Social
• Ice Skating Party
• End of Year Picnic          
• Multicultural Day & Food Festival
• Trunk R’ Treat
• Turkey Bowl             
• Pocketbook Bingo
• Field Day
• Yorktown Stage Trip
• Senior Citizens Tea
• Winter Wonderland
• Santa Shop
• St. Patrick’s Day Parade
• Arts Fest
• Father/Daughter Dance

Upcoming Fundraisers         

• World’s Finest Chocolate Sale
• Golf Outing
• Fall Clothing Drive
• Fun Run (or Color Run)
• Santa Bag Sale
• Fall Pie Sale
• Craft Fair

Field Day

Field Day takes place in May or June and is a day filled with fun and contests for the students.  Students are assigned color teams and take turns competing in various contests inside and outside the school. The kids visit the fun tent where they can get their face painted and take a break with snack and water. Students gather together for a BBQ lunch, watermelon, ice pops and the annual tug of war against the 7thand 8th grade students. Parents are asked to help out with the games and the lunch, one or two parents are needed to head up the event and work with Mrs. Alvarez in planning the event. Field Day is sponsored by the S.P.A.

Golf Outing

The Golf Outing is coordinated by a group of St. Patrick’s parents, both present and past, and is usually played the last Tuesday of September. Golfers enjoy 18 holes of golf at a local club, light lunch and full dinner, one golf cart is assigned to each 4-some. Golfers can sign up as a 4-some, a pair or as individuals and the committee will pair them up with other players. Various raffle chances are available at check in and at the dinner, challenges are presented a many of the holes. Help is needed securing sponsors, for the event, soliciting prizes for the event, during the day at check in, monitoring each hole and at the dinner in the evening.

Membership to the Parent Association (S.P.A.)

As a family of St. Patrick’s School, you are a part of our S.P.A. and we urge you to become an active member. We encourage you to volunteer for the various S.P.A. events throughout the course of the year. Volunteering is not only an opportunity for you to become involved in your child’s educational experience at St. Patrick’s, but it will also allow you to develop relationships with other parents and families.
 
Four General Membership Meetings are held throughout the school year. Please refer to the school calendar for the dates and times. These meetings offer an opportunity for you to become informed of current events, upcoming activities and speak with fellow parents. In addition to sharing ideas and resources, as parents and members of the S.P.A. you will be asked to vote on matters that influence our children and their experience at St. Patrick’s School. This year, we are happy to offer babysitting, homework help and quiet games for students while you are attending the meeting.

This year, we will collect the annual S.P.A. dues through SMART tuition. 

S.P.A. Board (St. Patrick's School Parent Association)

Our board is a group of elected parents charged with working closely with the Principal and acting as liaisons to the parents. The board members meet once a month with the Principal and hold the bi-monthly S.P.A. meetings with the parents. Our board members hold a 2 year term and are responsible for overseeing events and fund raisers as well a running certain events such as the monthly meetings, open house, and teacher appreciation week.

Responsibilities of each office include:

Presidents – Schedule and coordinate the various S.P.A. family and school spirit events that are held throughout the course of the year, help with implementation of various programs and services that benefit the students and school, assist the principal in organizing Open Houses and Catholic Schools Week festivities, coordinate the school's participation in the annual Yorktown Street Festival, conduct the S.P.A. General Meetings along with the Principal.
 
Vice-Presidents – Provide support and work closely with the Presidents, School Principal and other board members.  Coordinate the Advent Reflection Dinner and Teacher Appreciation Week
 
Secretary – Record and review the minutes of both the Board Meetings and the S.P.A. Meetings
Treasurer – Work closely with the principal and board members and oversee the financials of the S.P.A., prepare, update and present the budget, issue checks to cover sponsored events and reimbursements to parents.

Teacher Appreciation 

We very grateful for our terrific teachers and staff at St. Patrick’s School and we take pride in celebrating them monthly! We aim to treat them to something special at least one time a month, as well as throughout Teachers Appreciation Week in May. Parents may be called upon to provide food and beverages throughout the year and especially during Teachers Appreciation Week where help is welcomed setting up and cleaning up after daily the celebrations.  Members of the S.P.A. Board carefully coordinate these celebrations. 

Uniform Exchange

We have a collection of gently used uniform pieces that are available throughout the year by contacting the coordinator or inquiring at the school office.  Donations of gently used uniform pieces are welcomed, simply send them into the office with a note saying "for uniform exchange". From time to time we donate extra uniforms or the old style uniforms to the missions in Haiti and our school clothing drive.

Yearbook

The Yearbook Committee produces a book depicting the current school year’s memorable events, celebrations and activities along with class pictures and a special section honoring our 8th grade graduates. The committee is made up of two coordinators from the school staff (Mrs. Sauerhoff & Mrs. Vespucci) along with 7th and 8th grade students.  Parents of 8th grade students are tasked with putting together a dedication page for their 8th grade student – detailed information is usually handed out at the beginning of the school year and due back in the beginning of January. Yearbook order forms usually go out to all school families in January or February. Parents who have taken photographs of school events are welcome to submit them for publication consideration to: [email protected]. The yearbook is “put to bed” in early April and distributed in June.