NEXT MEETING: Tues, May 14th. Meetings are EVERY SECOND TUESDAY OF THE MONTH at 7pm, all are welcome. The PTO meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 5/14 will be in a hybrid format. Zoom link info will be shared via Parent Square.
April 15-19: NO SCHOOL April Vacation
UPCOMING 2024 PTO MEETINGS: 5/14 and 6/11
To submit information to be featured here in our News section or included in Hamp Highlights (the PTO monthly newsletter), please email nhsptonews@gmail.com
To communicate with our PTO President with agenda items, questions or inquiries for just about anything about the Hamp PTO, please email: nohopto@gmail.com
Northampton Education Foundation (NEF) Spring Application Cycle Small Grants to Educators program
Twice a year, NEF’s Small Grants to Educators program awards grants to encourage the development of creative and innovative teaching and learning initiatives for Northampton’s public schools. Through the grant program, NEF supports projects, events, and opportunities that enhance student learning, professional development, and collaboration across our public schools. Small Grants are available for up to $3,000/year and up to $5,000/year for grants submitted jointly and involving collaboration by two or more schools.
Spring applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, April 15, 2024.
Spring applications are for projects that will begin no sooner than July 1, 2024 and must be completed by June 30, 2025. Applicants will be notified by June 2024 if their project will receive funding or not.
Applicants must thoroughly review the Small Grants to Educators program guidelines before applying online. CLICK HERE to learn more and apply.
Contact Jennifer Sanders James and Sam Hopper (phjsjames@gmail.com, samantha.e.hopper@gmail.com), Co-Chairs of the NEF Small Grants to Educators Committee, with any questions.
Check out the NHS Band’s silent auction!
https://www.32auctions.com/nhsinstrumentalcampaign
FUNDRAISER ENDS 4/15/24
The NHS Band is starting a capital campaign to raise funds for percussion instruments. Our first goal— a marimba!
The marimba is a large percussion instrument with a beautiful tone that is called for in every piece we program. We have an awesome percussion section who are so ready to take on the challenge of learning and caring for a new instrument!
This silent auction is being administered with fees-offset by NHS volunteer caregivers — so 100% raised will go towards the marimba. We have already raised at least half of the $10,000 purchase price of the marimba. Our goal with this fundraiser is for an extra $2000! If you would simply like to donate directly, please contact Paul Kinsman at pkinsman@northampton-k12.us for instructions.
We thank you sincerely for your support of instrumental music education and student-driven communities in public schools!
Questions? WANT TO ADD AN ITEM FOR BIDDERS? Please reach out!!
Leah Berkowitz-Gosselin LEAH@TAHLSTAR.COM
YMCA LEADERS CLUB
Leaders Club is the premier character building, professional development, and service learning program through the YMCA and they are currently looking for new members. It is free this semester and they meet on Tuesdays from 5:00 to 6:00 in the Teen Center of the Hampshire Regional YMCA. Download the flyer below for more information:
New HOMESTEADING class at NHS needs your donations!
A new Homesteading class at NHS, taught by Bob Melnik, is looking for some supplies. Please see this message from Mr. Mellnik and if you can contribute supplies, drop them in the main office noting they are for Mr. Mellnik’s Homesteading Class:
Hello Everyone,
As many of you know I am starting a Homesteading class this semester and as with any project based class there are lots of costs in getting it up and running. I did receive a nice NEF grant to get the ball rolling but I am hoping to defer as much of the expense as possible with some donations, that way the NEF money can go towards some other much needed big ticket items. The things needed are pretty common items that you may have laying around, and you may even welcome getting rid of some “junk”. Here is a list of some of the stuff we need:
Sewing stuff:
- Sewing machines
- Irons and Ironing Boards
- Fabric
- Sewing notions like pins, needles, seam rippers etc
- Good scissors
- Large Pots for Fabric Dying
- Sewing Patterns of interesting projects
Food Stuff:
- Mason Jars, various sizes
- Large pots for canning
- Medium stock pots for making preserves
- Measuring cups
- Large Mini fridge or very small regular fridge.
- Food Dehydrators
Thank you for your support!
Ivy Math:
IvyMath is providing all Northhampton High families with a free online math tutoring session and an in-depth parent conference to discuss your child’s strengths and weaknesses and how they compare to grade level.
IvyMath will also create a custom learning plan that maps out the exact areas your child should be focusing on in math for the rest of the year. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, and understand what your child needs to feel confident and stay on track in math this year.
The IvyMath tutoring session, parent conference, and learning plan are free for all Northhampton High families. Popular times fill up, so please register quickly! Signup now at: IvyMath.com/Boost
UMass Turing Summer Program for High School Students
Program Overview: The UMass Turing Summer Program is a free three-week summer program for High School students interested in or would like to learn about Computer Science and its use to address challenges in healthcare, energy, and many others. The program requires a full-day commitment from students, and their ability to commute daily to the UMass Amherst campus is a must. Lunch is complimentary throughout the program.
Intended Participants: While the program is specifically designed for entering tenth and eleventh graders (entering sophomores and juniors) in high schools in Western Massachusetts, rising ninth graders and seniors are welcome to apply. A background in computer programming is not necessary to attend. A basic mathematics background is assumed for this program.
Program Format/Schedule: The program runs from July 8-26th, 2024, every weekday from 9:30 am to 4 pm, with one lab and two classroom sessions. These sessions expose students to sensing, data analysis, and visualization concepts. We design a hands-on program where students will learn by application, and the program will feature the use of signal processing and machine learning using Python and an intro to health sensing using apps for Android phones.
How to Apply: Online registration is now open. Please visit https://lass.cs.umass.edu/turing or email us at turing.umass@gmail.com
Funky-Tones
We are excited to announce that Funky-Tones is back! On Thursday May 2nd, the audience will be delighted by the talents of the Northamptones, NHS’s acapella group and Funktionlust, NHS’s improv troupe.
The family friendly show starts at 6:00 in the NHS high school auditorium. We are trying to upgrade the sound system in the auditorium so donations are encouraged.
Any questions, contact Susan Dillard at NHS or Heidi Haas at Heidi_Haas@comcast.net
EVENTS ways to help
The PTO sponsors several events and fundraising campaigns each year. Please contact us at nohopto@gmail.com if you would like to be involved or if you are interested in helping organize a program in support of NHS.
FALL
NHS Open House: Take a short shift at our table, meet fellow caregivers and NHS staff, manage the School Council ballot collection.
Florence Savings Bank Customers’ Choice Community Grant: Help distribute ballots during lunch and at school events to ensure strong support for NHS in this annual grant program.
WINTER
Teacher Appreciation Luncheon: Help with set up and/or clean up, or contribute a dish to this event.
NHS Open House: Take a short shift at our table, meet fellow caregivers and NHS staff.
Eat for Education: Help contact Northampton restaurant owners to confirm participation in our early-April city-wide fundraising event.
SPRING
Teacher Appreciation Breakfast (May): Help with set up and/or clean up, or contribute a dish to this event.
Honor Thy Teacher: Help promote this year-end fundraising campaign, and assist with preparation of letters to teachers for the last day of school.
YEAR-ROUND
Parent Communications: Help with updates to the PTO website, Facebook page, and listserv.
Hamp Highlights: Help compile, edit, and format submissions to the PTO online newsletter.
Monthly Coffee Hours: Each month we put a call out for treats to be delivered to the Counseling area from 8:15am-9:15am to build morale and connections between the PTO and Teachers and Staff at NHS. See below for remaining Coffee Hour dates for the 2023-2024 school year. Drop off some yummy treats, stay if you can! This is a great way to show appreciation and get to know your student’s teachers.
COFFEE HOURS 8:15am-9:15am
Fri, April 26
Fri, May 24
Fri, June 14
Shop our SPIRIT WEAR! As of 2024, we now have a spirit wear shop that is full of gear–everything from sweatpants, hats, tees, blankets and more–all to show your school spirit! Every sale is made to order and ships directly to your home, no need to pre-order or for long-waits. 10% of every sale goes directly to the PTO and helps support our school and teachers!
What has the PTO done lately?
Thanks to a successful year of fundraising and the generosity of our families and the community in 2023-2024, the NHS PTO was able purchase equipment and instructional technology for the school and provide grants to our teachers.
Recent donations have supported:
- Art supplies
- Best Buddies trips to Nutcracker, Best Buddies Prom and organizational dues
- Bike trip supplies
- Books, videos
- Bus passes for students
- Driving lessons for students
- Drumming camp
- Field trips
- Gift cards for gas, groceries, etc.
- Holiday gifts and winter items for families
- Honorariums for guest speakers
- Library needs
- Mural project artists and supplies
- Musical instruments
- Remote learning supplies (headphones, WiFi hotspots, etc.)
- Robotics supplies and support for future programming
- Scientific calculators
- Senior events (food/supplies for senior breakfast, prom)
- Sensory and cooking items for GOALS and PACE programs
- Staff appreciation (gift cards, baked goods, Caravan Kitchen panini food truck, Herrell’s truck, pizza lunches, boxed lunches, potlucks, breakfasts, coffee hours, flowers for staff appreciation days)
- Student Union supply closet items
- Support for EL Hub
- Water bottles
- School spirit magnets
- YaYa’s Closet items (snacks, toiletries, etc.)