PTA newsletters
Gold apple award - membership
Congratulations!
The New York State PTA membership team is excited to announce that Gowana PTA has successfully achieved the 2021-2022 Good Apple Membership Growth Award GOLD LEVEL from New York State PTA
_Gowana Glean - January 2024 (6).pdfthe january 2024 glean just dropped
Our last edition of the 2023-2024 school year just dropped and it's ready to download!
Please enjoy and reach out if you would like to help contribute to its pages next school year - Gowana PTA Communications
the june glean just dropped
Our last edition of the school year just dropped and it's ready to download
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the pages throughout the year and we hope you enjoy the last jam-packed edition.
Full of pictures from Teacher Appreciation Week to Movie Night, our BookFair to the NJHS Carnival Update.
Please enjoy and reach out if you would like to help contribute to its pages next school year - Gowana PTA Communications
movie night - update
Free Outdoor Movie Night on Friday, June 3rd was a huge success thank you to the over 145 Gowana friends that came out to enjoy the summer evening with us!
The overall consensus was "when are we doing it again?"
Thanks go out specifically to the team who helped bring it together quickly, Thank you to our committee of dedicated members: Mr. Hopkins, Lisa Casey-David, Andrea Gallo, Carly Audette, Shelia Clarke-Hanson, Cheryl Landa, Allison Madole, Melissa Cory and Diane Nolan. Student helpers: Lexy David, Noah & Joshua Goodson, Max & Jack Nolan.
Thank you also to Jennifer Collazo and Shelia Clarke-Hanson for arranging the Gowana site wide Movie license so we can do this again very soon!
More pictures in the next edition of the Glean
movie night - june 3rd
Free Outdoor Movie Night on Friday, June 3rd from 7:30pm - 10pm for Gowana Students and their families.
The event will take place in the outdoor courtyard weather permitting (rain will send us into the auditorium). The students voted for their movie during flex, the chose: “The Sandlot”
We will have concessions to purchase at a very reasonable rate and you are asked to fill out the emailed Google form to reserve your tickets until all possible spots are filled.
Bring a blanket, lawn chairs, snacks, and bug spray and come and enjoy this evening as a family under the stars.
the bookfair is a wrap!!
The Bookfair has been in town all week, Tuesday through Friday (May 17th - 20th 2022) . We have had such a blast and all the children have been kind, gracious, thoughtful to others, and chosen some really excellent books.
"Guess the Number of Pages" had 3 winners: Congratulations to:
Sara Manore
Kacee Horan
Daniel Madden (unfortunately not in today but prizes heading his way.)
Thank you again to our wonderful bookfair chair - Lisa David and all our Book fair volunteers: Panorea Miszko, Kim Wilson, Stacey Pflomm, Adelaida Rivera, Meryl Staats, Diana Asner, Hannah Fava, Krista McCoy, Petra Holden, Maria Manoli, Takeyce Walter, Jamie Ricciuti, and Melissa Corry.
Thank you Transportation
During our book fair days we have been encouraging our students to say thank you to our wonderful and hardworking transportation department for Shen Transportation Appreciation Week (May 16 - 20th). Today our book fair chair - Lisa David delivered over 200 notes of thanks and treats to them.
Teacher appreciation luncheon
Thank you to all our hard-working teachers and our wonderful staff at Gowana!
Thank you to our Hospitality Chair for the Teacher Appreciation Cinco De Mayo Luncheon - Meryl Staats and her team of duendes; Kristen Graber, Melissa Corry, Maureen Dongelewic, Lauren Digianni, Lisa David, Liz Anderson, Jessie Reamer, Krista McCoy, Jungsuk Kim, Michelle Bonczkowski, Maria Brand, Kim Wilson, Erinn St Croix, Adelaida Rivera, Diane Reilly, Michelle Bamberger
More pictures in the next edition of the Glean - June 2022
njhs carnival for Ukraine
National Junior Honor Society thanks you for donating prizes for the NJHS Carnival. Your donations allowed the event to run smoothly and be a big success, and we sincerely appreciate it. At the carnival, we played games like Mini Golf, Balloon Popping, and Frisbee Toss and earnt tickets from them.
We used admission fees to help Ukrainians, and students could earn extra tickets by donating to the Shen Backpack Program. In the end, we raised $1,352 for the Ukrainian Humanitarian Aid and received almost a hundred Bountiful Backpack donations from the Carnival!
Everyone who attended had a great time. Thank you!
Sincerely, NJHS Members –written by Nitya Bajaj (8th grade NJHS Student)
PTA were incredibly happy to support our 8th Grade NJHS students in their project.
Thank you to Sparetime, Dolce & Biscotti, Skyzone, Stewarts Shops & Nothing Bunt Cakes who donated the BIG Ticket Prizes for the Prize Room
A BIG Thank You to the Local Businesses that helped make it happen!
April glean - out now
The April Edition of The Glean is OUT NOW. All the latest pictures, events, and information from the school and your PTA.
All the details, links, and dates for upcoming activities as well as spotlights on none academic staff you need to know and lots of opportunities to get involved and support your middle school students in making the best of these important years.
Do you have an idea share it with us and join PTA
continued Humanitarian Aid for UKRAINe
We are still supporting Donations of Humanitarian Aid TO UKRAINE
If you missed the recent Drop-Off Drive you can still donate directly through Our Ukrainian Friends at the Ukrainian Studies school, Watervliet.
Our NJHS is hosting a Carnival on April 13th 2022 raising money for Ukraine
Minimum donation $5 for Sunflower pins via Vemno - @Cathy-Weber-29
Founder’s Day Celebration & Honorary Life Award
On March 14, 2022 The Shenendehowa PTA Council presented their annual Founder’s Day Celebration and Honorary Life Awards program virtually. This year Gowana MS PTA was proud to announce that former parent and PTA member, Cindy Skliutas received the honor of Distinguished Service. This award is given to PTA officers or members who have served faithfully, but it is reserved chiefly for those who have devoted exemplary service to the maintenance and growth of the PTA.
Cindy Skliutas has the biggest heart of any person. The mom of three girls, now all former Shenendehowa students, she looks upon the students of Gowana Middle School like they were her own. With kindness and generosity, she has been a member, active volunteer, and even officer of each school’s PTA her children attended, since her oldest started school. But she never left Gowana. After chairing many activity nights, volunteering for luncheons and picture days, serving several terms as an officer, and continuing to co-chair the beloved Holiday Shop, Cindy can be found these days in the flex classrooms, lunchroom and hallways as a Gowana monitor or driving one of our elementary school buses.
Cindy’s dedication to Gowana Middle School and PTA is a testament to her advocacy for all children. The Gowana Middle School PTA graciously recognizes Cindy Skliutas for her ongoing commitment and service to its students and community with the award of Distinguished Service. Congratulations Cindy!
The School Spring pictures are a rap and thank you to everyone that came along. These pictures are not compulsory to purchase but provide alternative shots for parents.
N.B. if you prefer to have image proofs before making a choice please choose to purchase your proofs will come home soon. Proof sets will be home after these dates with links to buy online separately.
Blaze Pizza night - Success
Thank you to everyone who came out to support PTA and enjoy Pizza we raised $170 to support our school, staff and programs!
Thank you to Lisa Casey-David for arranging your the best!
NJSH - Souper BOwl
Thank you, everyone. We collected 199 food items for the Jonesville Food Pantry. 104 thought the Bengals would win and 95 thought the Rams would win. We weren't right, but we helped a good cause! Thanks for your support!
Mr. Athes -NJHS Lead Teacher Gowana
February glean - out now
The Gowana Glean is our Bi-Monthly Newsletter jam-packed with pictures from all the events, information about upcoming meetings, activities, notices, links and ways to get involved with your school and community. Download your copy today to see if your children are in there...
Our new feature Thank you - Spotlights some of our none academic staff and how their valued work makes Gowana loved by our students. This edition focuses on our food services & extended monitoring team
Making Connections enhances who we are and saying Thank You makes what is excellent in others belong to us all!
DUCK DONUTS - DONE! Quack Cards Are on their way
Our DUCK DONUTS fundraiser is over, thank you to everyone who bought online and returned paper slips.
All orders are being processed and we hope to have the "Quack Cards" to students before the break.
Any inquiries please email our Fundraising Chair
COVID - Important Mitigation Updates (1/18/22)
The health professionals at Shenendehowa continue to prioritize caring for the everyday medical needs of students and staff, as well as ensuring that those who have tested positive for COVID-19 or who have symptoms of COVID-19 are not at school until it is appropriate for them to return. As you most likely are aware, health and safety guidance from the state and local health departments related to COVID-19 continues to evolve.
As always, our schools remain committed to keeping our students in school, while providing a safe learning environment for all. They also remain committed to providing staff and families with clear, updated information on the latest guidance as it relates to COVID-19 testing, quarantine and isolation. A simple flowchart has been developed to help you understand the protocols related to COVID and is available on the District Website - COVID CORNER.
Law Enforcment Appreciation Day - rescheduled
Due to the weather conditions today, Jan. 10th, the ceremony for Law Enforcement at Gowana has been postponed.
In the meantime, our appreciation for Law Enforcement and our Entrance Monitors, and their families remain unhampered.
Thank you Officer's Grigas & Muller
who tirelessly protect our schools and direct the flow of traffic through our busy campus daily.
In addition, we will be recognizing the staff inside our school building, protecting our students, and safeguarding our entranceways.
Thank you, Mr. Brown, Mr. Higgins & Mrs. Colon.
(National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day is Jan. 9th 2022)
COVID QUARANTINE ProtocOl - Jan 7th update
Many are confused as to what to do if your child is quarantined. Please follow the steps below from Mrs. Gawrys:
Notify Mr. Bailey (School Nurse) that your child is quarantined through the Department of Health (Saratoga County COVID Guidelines and self-submission forms)
Once Mr. Bailey receives the notification of the quarantine from the Department of Health, he will notify the Main Office and your children will be approved for temporary virtual instruction and their teachers will be notified.
In the meantime, while they are absent, please follow the procedures that teachers have set up for students when they are absent from school and well enough to work (ex. check Google Classroom, teacher website, etc.).
Staff Holiday luncheon - Dec 16th
🤩 THANK YOU to Meryl Staats our Hospitality Chair and her team of elves.
The Gowana Staff Holiday Luncheon on December 16th was SO Joyful!
Thank you if you donated food, love or time. Our wonderful staff were treated to a festive banquet and relaxed between grading and classes.
The PTA team did desk deliveries for those too busy to visit the faculty room and left surprises for others to find once we left.
Some of our staff enjoying the party
Mrs Erno & Mrs Horstmyer stopped by to say hi!
December Glean - out now
The Gowana Glean is our Bi-Monthly Newsletter jam-packed with pictures from all the events, information about upcoming meetings, activities, notices, links and ways to get involved with your school and community. Download your copy today to see if your children are in there...Maybe they visited the Bookfair, dressed up for Halloween or enjoyed our recent Holiday Shop?
Our new feature Thank you - Spotlights some of our none academic staff and how their valued work makes Gowana loved by our students. This edition focuses on our front of house monitors and resource officers
Making Connections enhances who we are and saying Thank You makes what is excellent in others belong to us all!
Holiday Shop - Thanks!
A great big heartfelt thank you to all those who helped make the return of our Gowana Holiday Shop an absolute success! Our students had the most incredible selection of gifts to choose from, and an jolly-good shopping experience was had by all.
Co-Chairs Jenn Collazo and Cindy Skliutas have already begun to plan for next year so keep our shop in mind when doing your spring cleaning! Thanks again!!!!! 😊
Scholastic book fair - update
The Gowana Scholastic Book Fair was a HUGE success!!
The kids were excited, polite and so appreciative to be a part of an in-school event.
Loose change bought $300 worth of books for the library that week with thanks to Mrs. Horstmeyer and Lynn in our library for encouraging the kids to make considered purchases.
We sold over $4500 in books and the portion we earn from Scholastic will be used for additional student programming and events.
We would like to thank: Lisa Casey-David for all her hard work making our in-person bookfair a reality! Mrs. Gawrys, the office staff, and of course our doormen at the school entrance. We were also lucky to have some valued PTA volunteers...Thank you to: Diana Asner, Hannah Fava. Jennifer Collazzo, Diane Nolan, Krista Mccoy, Julie Zeissler, Meryl Staats, Maria Manoli, Kim Wilson. Melissa Corry and Petra Holden. Thank you, everyone!
The gowana pta costume walk/contest - update
Thank you to everyone who helped make this a new tradition for our Students and thank you to Mrs. Collazo and Mrs. Gawrys for making it possible!
The winners were:
Flex 1: Logan Hopeck & Sarah Monroe
Flex 2: Elaine Zhang & Leanna Sochia
Flex 4: Trevor Rodriguez & Emelya Pardo
Flex 5: Gianna Winter & Miguel and Alejandro Balkin
It was such a Treat!
Gowana Mindfulness Club - PTA/school colLaboration
The Mindfulness club will provide a safe and non-competitive environment for our students to move their bodies, develop strength and flexibility, and to develop self-awareness and coping skills through guided visualizations, mindfulness exercises, and breathing techniques. The club will also encourage self-discovery through the practice of slowing down and paying attention to both the internal and the external world.
WHEN: Wednesdays: (October 27, November 3, November 10)
TIME: 3:45 pm - 4:45pm (must provide own transportation home)
Allow for clothing that will allow easy movement and bring a yoga mat or towel if you are able. Find out more during announcements or here...
thank you for wearing pink (22nd oct) - update
Thank you to everyone NJHS raised $1,353.90 for REAL KIDS WEAR PINK and the American Cancer Society!
Gowana's National Junior Honor Society invited our students to show support for the fight against breast cancer, asking students to WEAR PINK Friday, October 22nd. In addition, they asked for students to make a $1+ donation to help fight the disease.
Collections were made by our NJHS children between October 20th and Friday, October 22nd. All donations go to, "Real Kids Wear Pink," an organization started here in the Capital Region by students who were in middle school at the time.
If you have any questions, about this or NJHS please contact NJHS Advisors Steve Anthes or Robyn-Ellen Messare. Thank you for your support!
The Glean is here - our new bi-monthly newsletter
Download our October edition NOW.
We try and keep our website and Facebook feed up to date with all the latest goings-on at Gowana PTA but we also wanted a condensed version of important information, key fundraisers, thank yous, and activities delivered straight to your email.
The Gowana Glean will be published Bi-Monthly to offset our Bi-Monthly PTA meetings and will be sent out via school email.
We hope you find it useful and if there is anything you can add please consider joining us at one of our next meetings, emailing us with your ideas, or reaching out here.
Thank you - Communications Chair Gowana PTA
OCtober 2021 - in person book fair!!
Our IN-PERSON BOOK FAIR is happening on October 25th-29th.
The book fair will run all day, every day starting at 8am until the school day ends. We are so excited to bring back the Scholastic Book Fair to Gowana LIVE and IN PERSON.
The book fair will be held inside the Library Media Room.
We will be accepting cash, check and charge cards but please consider using the ewallet.
Please contact Lisa Casey-David for further information or sign up to volunteer here!!
The gowana pta costume walk/contest
Students will be allowed to wear Halloween costumes on Friday, October 29.
Your PTA will also be awarding prizes for the Cutest & Most Original Costumes during your Flex Time!
Costumes, however, cannot violate the Shenendehowa Code of Conduct, specifically the dress code. Students must continue to wear a mask as they do each day. Students must use good judgment - no weapons or fake weapons, no undergarments showing, no aerosol sprays (i.e. hair color, silly string, etc.), no applying makeup/face paint/hair color during the school day. If makeup is worn to school, students must be identifiable. Hats are okay if they are part of the costume but no full face masks or helmets. Teachers/staff have the right to ask students to adjust costumes if impacting the educational experience of a child(ren).
We know you will find it a Treat! Have Fun! Further details will be shared through daily announcements and via School email.
The Great Gowana Pumpkin Contest - update Oct. 20
The Great Gowana Pumpkin Contest ended earlier than planned (the weather was not kind to the display) BUT it was a SMASHING success!!!
With over 300 entered - the two lucky winners were:
Student - Keira Loftus
and
Teacher Mrs. Reema Ali!
CONGOURDULATIONS!!!
The Great Gowana Pumpkin traveled here all the way from California and weighed in at a whopping 144.8 lbs!
A heartfelt thank you to Principal Gawrys and Staff for all their time and dedication to make this PTA contest possible and warmest thanks to Mr. Pitts for creating this wonderful contest and the fall display!
Odyssey of the mind - tribuilding team
Learn creative problem solving and divergent thinking by working as a team to solve an open-ended problem.
As part of the Odyssey of the Mind program, students also learn creativity, innovation, problem-solving, critical thinking, global awareness, interpersonal and collaborative communication skills, self-direction, and adaptability.
Join the Odyssey of the Mind Club! It currently meets on Wednesday after school in Mr. Sliwinski's classroom. Mr. Sliwinski is the advisor and students interested in the program should reach out to Mr. Sliwinski (sliwjose@shenschools.org) for further information.
ice cream social - pta membership drive
Thank you to everyone who has signed up already and to join Jessie Reamer our PTA Membership Chair who spent September encouraging families to sign up early and join PTA for a chance to win an Ice Cream Social for one of our advisory rooms.
Congratulations to Mrs. Turnock’s Advisory who wins Stewart's Ice Cream
Please feel free to contact Jessie for further information about PTA membership and don't forget we still need your support to help us do what we do for our school and the community.
BAck to School Breakfast - thank you
Our Back to School Breakfast was exceptionally well received today (Sept 23rd).
Thank you so much to everyone who donated food to feed our hungry, hard-working staff.
The wonderful NJHS children who did a marvelous job setting up and the parents who volunteered their time to serve our staff.
Lastly thank you to our new hospitality chair Meryl Staats. Thank you
shen apparel store - update Oct 19.
UPDATE - Did you order Apareal from our recent Val's Spiritwear shop? If so it's pick-up time..
Gowana Parking Lot - Wed 20. 3 - 4:45pm & Thurs 21. 4:30 - 6 pm
Thank you the store is now closed. All orders will be processed at one time as a group at the closing of the store, and take about 3 weeks for completion.
Multiple ways to recieve your orders and all proceeds will go towards Gowana Middle School!
Options between the Gowana Logo & Shen Logo on lots of items. Please contact Lisa David for more information about your order.
Shen PTA Council - preschool committee update 2021
Shen PTA Council (https://sites.google.com/view/shenptacouncil/) Looking for a preschool/nursery school for your young child(ren). Their preschool Committee is dedicated to supporting the education, health, safety, and cultural enrichment of children 0-5 years of age and their families with the intention of preparing the preschoolers to enter the Shenendehowa Central School District.
Check out their Facebook page for the full listing