Find us on the WEB!

For up-to-date, easily accessible PPO information, log on to www.academyppo.com.  Here you'll find news of upcoming events, PPO meeting minutes, calendars, current and past Connections publications, emergency notifications, plus links to other valuable information resources. Stay informed!

Welcome

We are off to a great start at the Academy. It is wonderful to see your children. They have put the energy back in the building! Students have been actively involved in selecting their electives, projects, clubs and senior internships. We've been busy in many community based activities and are excited about the year ahead. Additionally, our SPARK students met with the freshmen again this week, in their continuing efforts to help them feel at home at the Academy.
The entire Academy gathered together to pay tribute to the victims of 9/11. At a moving assembly, hosted by the Student Council, students from all grade levels gave their personal interpretations of the impact of 9/11. My attention was drawn to the fact that all of our current students were in elementary or middle school on that day. It was interesting how eloquently they spoke of their memories and how different, yet similar they were. My gratitude and thanks to the Student Council and all of the participants for their leadership, maturity and sensitivity.
Hurricane Katrina relief is currently on many students' minds. Therefore the Student Council, in conjunction with several students, has initiated a number of fund raising activities that we are anticipating will contribute to the nation's efforts.
I hope to share with you a variety of upcoming events at our next PPO meeting on Monday, September 26.

Regards,
Pat Cosgrove

WELCOME-BACK BREAKFAST

Academy staff were welcomed back to school on September 1 with the annual PPO-sponsored faculty breakfast.  Parent volunteers served early-morning treats to returning staff before the first-day teacher orientation sessions.  It was a pleasure to serve you!

Nancy Lagomarsino

Many thanks to the volunteers who helped to make the faculty welcome back breakfast a success. Meg McNicholas, Hala Saardi, Fay Chang, Amrita Singh and Pam Hecht, along with the PPO executive board, arrived at 6:30AM in order to quickly set up a buffet for over 100 faculty and staff in just over an hour! Your efforts are much appreciated; it couldn't have been done without you!

Mary Wright, Faculty Breakfast Chairperson

Time to meet new friends and catch up with old acquaintances! Join us for...
  International Dinner 2005
An Annual Family Event 
Sponsored by the Academy PPO


Date: Saturday, October 15
Time: 6:30 - 9:30 PM

Place: The Academy Gymnasium
RSVP: October 5
(Flyer and response form in mail.)
Questions?  Academydinner@yahoo.com
Lost Response form?  www.academyppo.com


This event is open and free to all PPO dues-paid member families (parents, students, and student's siblings). 
Just bring one or more of the following dishes from your heritage to the Dinner to share: 

an appetizer for 25 people
a main entrée for 15 people
a dessert for 25 people

2005-2006 PPO EXECUTIVE BOARD
President:  Nancy Lagomarsino
NancyLago@aol.com, (201)261-7242
Vice President:  Shiaoling Paxson
    wpsling@aol.com, (201)385-3009
Treasurer:  Mindy Ho
minho07652@yahoo.com, (201)291-2527
Corresponding Secretary: Seungah Kim
  SeungahLeeKim@aol.com, (201)871-8693
Recording Secretary:  Susan Bromberg  susan@tnovausa.com, (201)573-1459.

Vol. 8, No. 1                        PPO CONNECTIONS                            September 2005        Page 2

Class News

Class of 2006:  *There are several events already on the calendar for which we'll need your help! We are looking for dance chaperones and volunteers for the bake sale and Art Auction. *The Fall Dance is on Friday, September 23, at 7:30PM, in the BCA gymnasium.  *The Art Auction is on Friday, November 18. *The Open House Bake Sale is on Sunday, November 20. Please contact a Class Parent or Advisor if you are interested in helping. We ask for your continued support as we complete this busy, exciting year for the students!

Class of 2007:  *The students received a sale packet last week for the Innisbrook Wrapping Paper Sale.  If you haven't seen it yet, please ask your daughter or son. The Class of 2007 receives 50% of the profits. All orders are being collected in the Guidance office. The sale ends October 3, 2005. * Sabrina Ganz is Chairperson of our Golf Outing, scheduled for Spring 2006.  Please contact her at SabSTG@aol.com if you can help. * The Junior Prom is planned for May 19, 2006. More info to follow.*Thanks to all those who helped us last year. We look forward to another great year!
Class of 2008: *The 2008 class parent liaisons this year are Mary Wright and Donna Gormley. We are looking forward to working with our class advisors and the student officers to plan fundraisers which will allow us to plan and fund senior year activities such as the prom. We hope that all sophomore families will support the students in these endeavors so that they will have an unforgettable senior year! Our Academy logo pen sale will be ongoing, and we will notify you as to other fundraisers as they are planned.

Class of 2009: *The freshmen class advisors would like to take this time to introduce ourselves. Mrs. Giulia Mendelsohon, Mr. Victor Samarakone, and Ms. Kerri Hubbard will be working with the class of 2009 for the next four years. We will be meeting with the freshmen class to explain elections within the next week and campaigning for positions will take place a few days prior to the Frost Valley trip. Voting for positions will take place while the freshmen are at Frost Valley.  We look forward to working with you and your children over the next four years.

Vol. 8, No. 1                        PPO CONNECTIONS                            September 2005        Page 3

SAVE THE DATE!

ART AUCTION
Friday, November 18

Come to purchase or just to enjoy art, music, and food!
Your presence alone helps us
to raise funds!

Artwork supplied by Ross Galleries, Holbrook, NY
Sponsored by the Class of 2006
 
Check next month's newsletter
for more details!

PPO MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS ADVANTAGES!

Only PPO member families enjoy these privileges:
· Admission to the annual International Dinner
· Admission to the annual springtime picnic
· Receipt of the PPO family directory
· Eligibility for monetary senior awards
· Eligibility to vote at PPO meetings

Additionally, your membership dues fund invaluable activities for our students and parents, and entitle you to participate in PPO events throughout the year.
Not yet a PPO member?  Send your membership form with $50 dues (per family) to Sabrina Ganz, 214 Patriot Lane, River Vale, NJ 07675.  Checks should be made payable to Academy PPO.
Membership forms can be obtained from any PPO board member or by logging on to www.academyppo.com and clicking on the links for "About the PPO" and "Membership Form."


ANXIOUS TO BECOME INVOLVED?

If so, then fill out a PPO volunteer form and drop it in the PPO mailbox in the Academy main office.  Copies can be obtained from any board member or by logging on to www.academyppo.com and clicking on the links for "About the PPO" and "Volunteer Form."
If you'd like to help on an as-needed basis, email Lalitha Ramakrishnan at ramakrishnan.lalitha@gmail.com.  As requests for help within the PPO and around the school arise throughout the year we'll contact you to help us.
We look forward to working with you!


FAMILY DIRECTORY

Later this fall PPO member families will receive our much-sought-after Family Directory, a compilation of parent and student names, addresses, phone numbers, and academy information.  If you'd like to be included in this book, be sure to indicate on your Information Release Form that we may print your family information.
Remember - only paid PPO families receive a copy of this valuable book.

Vol. 8, No. 1                        PPO CONNECTIONS                            September 2005        Page 6