Today was an Open Cupboard Collection Day. Thank you, donors, and especially Bob and Jim, who delivered the goods to their destination.
We also welcomed and honored our newest Most Motivated Student of the Month Award recipient, 8th grader Giuseppina (Pina)Than. She was accompanied by her mother, Cecile, her Social Studies teacher, Dr. Tara Sladek-Maharg, and PJMS Principal (and fellow-Rotarian) Robert Neidig.
Dr. Neidig introduced Pina and presented the reasons for her selection by the Middle School faculty for this award. We learned that Pina is an excellent student, maintaining a GPA in the high 90's, despite the fact that she is taking 3 high school classes. Her Living Environment teacher considers Pina to be a hardworking, conscientious, bright, very confident girl, who is a leader in class discussions and displays a thirst for knowledge. Her Geometry teacher referred to Pina as "a breath of fresh air", who is sweet, witty, mathematically gifted, positive, caring about her classmates, and an energetic participant in class- in other words, a delight. Her Social Studies teacher noted that Pina is a joy to have as a student: focused, thorough, and the teacher's "go to" student for group leadership and refocusing her peers, possessing "an emotional intelligence that is beyond her years." Pina seems to embrace both her rigorous course load and her leadership role in the classroom with ease, providing an excellent role model for others around her.
Also at today's meeting: Port Jeff Sup't. of Schools Dr. Ken Bossert and Sean Leister presented a review of the '16-'17 School Year Proposed Budget. We learned that we are very fortunate in that our #1 ranked school district in the county was able, in creating this budget, to maintain all courses, programs, staffing, etc., and to even plan for a small staffing increase at the elementary school (including teachers of English for New Learners and Special Education), with additional funds available for professional development. The new budget reflects a proposed decrease in Capital Projects of $1 million, as well as a decrease in Debt Service, and a decrease in costs involved with Collective Bargaining Agreements. While there will be a 7 1/2% increase in health care costs, there will also be an almost 5% State Aid increase. Student enrollment is expected increase by around 2%. 75% of the budget is Employee Salary and Benefits. Despite a 2.35% decrease over last year's budget, the Tax Levy Cap will be .47% (with an approx.$20-$40 total increase per household). Ken and Sean ask residents to vote YES on this budget on May 17th.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/REMINDERS: There's $140 in the pot waiting to be won. YOU could be our next winner. Next opportunity: our April 19th luncheon at Cafe Spiga, when we will welcome as our guest speaker our newest member, Rob Dooley. RYLA Weekend is this coming weekend. Please contact Dennis to volunteer to help out any time Fri.-Sun.Habitat for Humanity invites you to its free breakfast on April 21st, beginning at 7:30 AM, at the Stonebridge Country Club in Hauppauge. Contact Archana if you wish to be a part of a Rotary table and for more info.The Gift of Life Fundraiser on 4/28 (from 6 to 10 PM) at Windows on the Lake in Lake Ronkonkoma will be an Oldies Dinner Dance (black tie preferred or business suit) with a live oldies show, which Debbie says is fabulous. Cost: $45 p/p. This event has already attracted enough club members to fill 2 tables! There's still time to contact Ed if you'd be interested in joining him, Archana, Deb, Bill, Sharon, Erika, Dennis, and their spouses on this evening. The District Leadership Appreciation Dinner on May 3rd will take place at Antuns By Minar in Hicksville. There'll be an open bar. The cost is $45 p/p; and dress is formal. We will have our next Stuff-A-Van event on May 7th from 10 AM to 1 PM at the Mt. Sinai King Kullen. Can you help out?Volunteers are still needed.Our Spring Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck Cleanup Day will take place on Sunday, May 15th. Chores will include painting,cleaning windows,sanding railings,clipping bushes, planting flowers,etc. Rocky Point and Middle Island Rotarians and the Interact clubs they sponsor have been invited to join us along with PJHS Interact. Dennis has created a preliminary list of participants and the chores and activities for which they'll be responsible. It's not too late to join in. Contact Dennis if you'd like to take part.Raffle Time is approaching- Get Ready!(Sharon is checking out venues for our September Past Presidents Dinner & Raffle Drawing.) Nancy invites you, on behalf of Mather Hospital,to participate in the June 6th Golf Outing. Also, she's asking for volunteers to help out on Sat.,May 7th at the Families Walk/Run for Hope event.See Nancy for info on both upcoming events and how you can help. Our incoming DG invites you to the Installation Dinner on June 23rd at 6:30PM at Royalton Mansion in Roslyn Heights. The cost will be $85 p/p.
***Please visitour club's Face Book Page.
If you missed today's meeting, kindly inform Yvette about make-ups in a timely fashion.
...WAYNE SHATTES, whose birthday was April 1st; KEVIN MURRAY, who celebrated his birthday today, on April 12th; DICK NOLAN, who has a birthday on April 25th; TOM DARRIGAN, whose birthday will be April 30th; YVETTE HOHLER, who celebrates her anniversary on April 15th; DENNIS BRENNAN, whose anniversary is on April 22nd; and DALE KUHN, who is celebrating his 34th year, while DENNIS is celebrating his 15th, in Rotary!
***The following is a list of donation "assignments" for members' once-a-month donations via the Club to the Open Cupboard:
Betts, Judi: Toilet Paper
Bossert, Ken: Shampoo/Conditioner
Brennan, Dennis: Canned Fruit
Brennan, Sharon: Spaghetti Sauce
Berner, Cynthia: Rice
Curry, Bill: Apple Juice
Dinunzio, Ed: Diapers
Engelhardt, Debbie: Juice Boxes
Gautam, Archana: Baby Wipes
Hanson, Susan: Baby Formula
Hohler, Yvette: Beans
Jaeger, Bill: Canned Vegetables
Janhsen, Karl: Milk (Dry or Boxed)
Jurasits, Erika: Cereal (Hot or Cold)
Kopcienski, Al Cereal (Hot or Cold)
Lund, Amy: Canned Chicken
Murray, Kevin: Tuna
Rhatigan, Jim: Diapers
Sabo, Pat: Beans
Sceiford, Michael: Grape Juice Boxes
Vigliante, Paul: Milk (Dry or Boxed)
***Check the list for your name and assigned item. (If you are not listed, you may donate any listed item. Corporate members are encouraged to donate individually. If you would like to be listed with a specific item, contact Debbie and specify your item of choice.)
***Bring contributions to the Heritage Diner on the 2nd Tuesday of the month or give to another Club member who will be attending.
*** If you would like to be reimbursed, bring receipt(s) to the meeting.
