ATA hosts Back-to-School Bash

The Amityville Teachers Association (ATA) made back to school a little less costly for Amityville parents and students. On Thursday, Aug. 30, the Amityville Teachers Association hosted a "Back to School" Bash at the United North Amityville Youth Organization Center on Cedar St. in Amityville. The event was one of the union's community initiatives. "We know how costly (sending children) back to school can be for parents," said ATA President Carolyn Dodd. We want to ensure that our students are prepared with proper supplies to begin the year. We decided to help out,"

The Teachers Association contacted the director of the UNAYO Center, Sonji Crawford-Clark and asked if they would host the event. The director was very excited.

"This is a wonderful thing for our parents and our students. We are very grateful for the teacher's generosity," said Crawford-Clark.

Flyers were distributed at the center and also in the Amityville library to publicize the event, and a community notice was put in the local paper. The teachers purchased a variety of supplies including notebooks, looseleaf paper, erasers, pencils, pens and folders. They received a generous donation of backpacks from Costco and set up in the center's gymnasium. Teachers manned the tables and distributed the supplies to the children who were excited to see the many familiar faces. The Amityville Parents Association, under the direction of President Joanne Hernandez, supplied refreshments and was on hand to answer questions and sign up new members.

Over the course of the afternoon, a steady stream of nearly 300 parents, students, and grandparents filed through the lines picking up supplies. The children were excited about the new backpacks and supplies. When the doors closed at 6:30 p.m. some supplies remained and were left at the center for parents who may have missed the event.

"I am grateful to Costco and the parents association for their donations and to our team: teachers Nakia Williams, Peggy Gonser, Sharon Mendelsohn, Linda Deasy, Laurie Scott, George Alexander and Sue Amato for organizing the event, and to the many members who took time from their summer and attended. We hope to make this an annual activity," said Dodd.

Carolyn Dodd, left is shown with Sonji Crawford- Clark of UNAYO, center and member of the Amityville Parent Teachers Association.

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