PTA-Parents of Perfection

By Leanore Rosenzweig

They’re magnanimous, they’re wonderful, they’re the absolute best! Ask anyone in River Vale who has had kids go through Woodside or Roberge, and Holdrum. The PTA in their town ranks among the best in the state.

The history of the PTA has always included bingo nights, military bridge, and carnivals, and stuffing teachers’ mailboxes with flyers to go home with the students. That is only a minute part of this particular group. They do raise a lot of money from various activities they offer the people in their community. BUT…the money brings a wide variety of programs and assemblies for the students in all three schools. The money also helps support the arts in evening programs for the rest of the community.

Last year, a new idea was offered to the faculty. Money in the form of a grant has been made available to the teachers. They fill out the official forms, explain what the money is needed for, and voila! The students are taught swing dancing in gym by a professional dance team.

The special interdisciplinary class Images and Words will be giving the students the opportunity to use sophisticated art materials.

Holdrum Celebrates Broadway, an evening concert being performed at the end of January by professional stars from Broadway as well as students in Holdrum and Pascack Valley High School, is another sold-out major event.

In March, the Writers Symposium, which will have 23 professional writers, comics, lyricists, newspaper columnists, playwrights, poets, puppeteers, lawyers, novelists, jingle writers, a Native American storyteller and others who will share their skills with the entire student body…..Include in that day, a luncheon and a substantial monetary gift courtesy of that same PTA.

The forces behind the association the past two years have been co-presidents Linda Golin and Paula Rems who work tirelessly to add to the enrichment of the students. Their days are filled with meetings, phone calls, communications, and preparations all contributed selflessly to the three schools. Each school is afforded a variety of special privileges and attention from these great women. They climb ladders, design banners create flyers, fold, collate and staple. They get it done. There are certainly other active members in the organization, but no one would deny that the shining forces behind it all are Linda and Paula. We salute you and thank you and your wonderful group of parents for all that has been done for our River Vale students.