What is the Parents for Mahar Students (PFMS) Group?
Our Parent’s Group is similar to a PTA or PTO and we hold monthly meetings which are usually held on the second Tuesday of each month from 6:00-7:00 P.M. in the teachers dining area, next to the cafe. Meeting dates and times are included on the monthly school calendar and can be found on our facebook page.
We believe it is important for parents to be actively involved in their child’s school at the middle and high school levels. Our objective is to provide support to benefit Mahar students and staff and to create opportunities where our community can work together for the enrichment of Mahar environment. We welcome all interested Mahar parents, staff, and community members who would like to become involved with our group.
Our Parents’ Group manages ongoing fundraisers further detailed later on this page. Our past projects include raising and donating funds to purchase a new set of Encyclopedia Britannica for the School Library, sponsoring the Connect-ED program for the first six months, and providing scarves for the Mahar cheerleading squad. We have provided shopping services for the Home Economics Department and have built and operate a portable school store. See below for more details.
Active Members:Betsy Bergantino, Cindy Vescovi, Kim Emond, Terri McGrath, Tina Duguay, Norma Belloli, Lynn Peridina, Jen Berry, Bethany Vescovi, Sue Wickham, Linda Bramhall, Nancy Bashista, Glenna Allen-Jones, Heidi Burke, Tyara Bonk, Jennifer Dejackome, Kelli Gervais, Nichole Lyesiuk, Bonnie Nawotny, Tammy Abbott and many other volunteers.
Events and Activities :
2010-2011: For the first time ever, we had a fashion show. Students modeled spirit wear from the School Store at the 7th Grade Parents Night. It was a huge success and a ton of fun. We are working on a membership drive to increase the number of ways we can help the school this year. Plans for this school year include working with the CAPS program selling their doggie treats, applying for a grant for a scrolling sign for the front of the school, and continuing the scholarship awards. As always, staff may request funds for various reasons by filling out a funds request form.
2009-2010: This was the first year scholarships were offered to Seniors at Mahar. Four students received a $200.00 scholarship. The students were: Nichole Thorp, Dane Jobst, Blayne Calcari and Brent McGrath. We continued to help fund the ice machine in the athletics department, operated another Scholastic Book Fair which benefited the School Library. Our School Store was present at many sports nights and events through out the year. Flowers were sold during lunches, in honor of certain holidays, for students to give out to loved ones and friends. We purchased left over class fundraiser items, continuing to sell them in the school store so that the classes were able to reach their projected fundraising goals.
2008-2009:The Parents for Mahar Students Group continued the successful operation of our portable School Store. We held our 2nd annual Scholastic Book Fair to benefit the School Library and participated in the annual Holiday Bazaar held by the class of 2010. We were a sponsor for the “Survive the Drive” driver safety presentation, we provided clothing for use in the school nurse’s office, and provided funds for additional programs not covered by the school budget.
2007-2008:The Parents for Mahar Students Group held its first Scholastic Book Fair to benefit the School Library. We participated in the Holiday Bazaar held by the class of 2010 and in a Barnes and Noble Gift Wrapping Fundraiser for the 2008 Mahar 8th Grade class field trip to Boston. We were pleased to be able to open the School Store at more school events including fall sports, basketball games, Spaghetti Suppers, school lunch periods, and more.
2006-2007:The Parents for Mahar Students Group had a busy 2006-2007 school year. We completed and mailed hundreds of Student Directories to participating families. Construction of the Portable School Store was completed just in time for the basketball season. This web page has been a valuable addition for our Parents’ Group, offering us a new venue for informing families about our programs and fundraisers.
SCHOOL STORE:Our group’s most visible function is running the Mahar Portable School Store during sporting events and other school events including Spaghetti Suppers and school lunch periods. The store carries school spirit items such as Mahar Senators t-shirts, shorts, hooded sweatshirts, sweatpants, hats, shoe bags, and more. We also sell sport team photos by local photographer Mike Phillips. The proceeds from the store sales will go to the Parents for Mahar Students Group to be used for the benefit of students and staff at Mahar. Please look for us at upcoming events.
MAHAR BASEBALL SCOREBOARD FUNDRAISER:The Parents for Mahar Students Group sold refreshments at Mahar home baseball games and boys track meets this past 2009 season, in addition to selling items from the portable school store. The Parents’ Group has made a third $200.00 donation to the Mahar Baseball Program’s scoreboard fundraiser.
MAHAR BLEACHER FUND DONATION:The Parents for Mahar Students Group made a $200.00 donation to the Mahar Bleacher fund in memory of Kyle Flood from the proceeds of selling flowers to students and staff on Valentine’s Day 2007.
CONNECT ED:The Parents for Mahar Students Group helped get Connect Ed communication online by sponsoring the program for the first six months. The Connect-Ed system enables Mahar to communicate with parents, students, and staff within a few moments. This program was meant to be a link to information for parents and students with Mahar and has proven to be most invaluable.
Fundraising Opportunites: There are various fundraising programs available for supporters of Mahar to participate in and assist in raising funds for Mahar and our students. Join other families in raising money for vital school programs. All funds raised directly benefit Mahar and its students and staff to provide enrichment to the school environment.
For a list of events and times we will be at, check our calender.