It's hard to believe that this school year is winding down!!!  Even though the school year is ending, the MHS PTA has already started planning our fall activities!!  Here is a year end recap, as well as information on our early fall programs.

First, at our last meeting of the current academic year, all of the current officers were re-voted back into the same offices for next year.  Our only Co-Chair, Carol Peterson, is in her last year with the PTA.  We are desperately looking for a second Co-Chair so that there is a year of overlap with Carol.  The MHS PTA does not have a President/Vice President governing structure.  We operate with Co-Chairs.   If you are interested in this position, or would like more information on it, please email the PTA at wbmhspta@wbschools.com.

We had an EXTREMELY successful year.  Our membership was the biggest it's been in years and we were able to provide teacher grants.  In addition, the Middle School Play, "Beauty and the Beast, Jr." had a record number in the cast that contributed to a record number of ticket sales.  The PTA again will give four graduating Seniors, scholarships at graduation to help them with their future academic endeavors.

This being said, we are very excited for some of the new things we are planning for next year.  First, we hope to yet increase our membership.  We'd love to have more of our teachers involved in the PTA so that we can support them in their classes and curriculum.  We will again have the fall Lyman Orchards Pie Fundraiser just in time for Thanksgiving, and we will also again sponsor Career Day on October 6th.  We are currently looking for individuals that may be interested in doing a Career Day presentation.  If you, or someone you know, would be interested in doing a presentation, please email Donna Beaulac at wbmhs-careerday@wbschools.com.  The Middle School play will also be undergoing some structure changes to align with the exciting new performing arts curriculum that is being discussed for the Middle School.  

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT - Do you have stuff to sell or get rid of?  Textiles that are just piling up?  Would you like to have a yard sale but don't have the time to organize one at your house?  We have a solution.   The MHS PTA is participating in the West Boylston Town Wide Yard Sale on Saturday September 10th.  For $5 (to cover the cost of expenses), you can reserve a parking spot in the MHS parking lot to sell your stuff.  Some of the High School classes have already reserved spots and they will use this as an opportunity for fundraising for their respective class.  While people are out at the various yard sales around town, they can come to the MHS parking lot and visit a concentration of people with items to sell.  IN ADDITION, we will have a van from Millbury Textile Recycling there.  Do you have textile items that aren't fit to sell?   Are you having a yard sale that day at your own home?  What will you do with those textiles that don't sell?  Bring them to us at the MHS parking lot - we get money for all those textiles (drapes, comforters, clothes, etc.) that don't sell.  This will be our first fundraiser of the year.  To sign up for a spot or for more information, please email the PTA at wbmhspta@wbschools.com.

On behalf of the West Boylston Middle High School PTA, we wish all of our families a happy, safe, and relaxing summer!  We also would like to take this time to wish all of our Graduating Seniors continued success in their future pursuits!

The Middle High School PTA would like to give a huge thank you to all of our supporters in the last few weeks.  First, we had a great spring fundraiser.   The Butter Braid Pastry and Sweet Crumbs Cookie Dough fundraiser was a great success.  A special thanks to all that ordered and continued to support the PTA with it's mission to help our teachers and students.

Secondly, another huge THANK YOU to those that attended the Middle School Play, "Beauty and the Beast, Jr." this past weekend.  All of those that attended were part of a record breaking crowd!  We had the largest amount of tickets ever sold for the Middle School play.  It was an amazing weekend for all those involved - both students and adults alike.  The cast were amazed, and so accommodating considering their ages, at the photo requests from all of the "princesses" in the audience after each performance.

The Scholarship Committee has read all of the PTA scholarship applications.  The committee was pleasantly surprised that out of 13 students eligible for our scholarships, there were 9 applicants.  Historically speaking, the number of applicants for the PTA Scholarships is relatively low.  Four applicants were picked anonymously - all identifying information on the applications were blacked out by a third party.  The Scholarship Committee cannot wait to see who the recipients are at Graduation.  Overall, the committee was impressed by the grades and activities by these Seniors.

Lastly, the PTA would like to remind everyone that our last meeting of the school year will be on May 3 in the MHS Media Center at 6:30 pm.  We will be electing next year's officers.  There is currently a vacancy on the board of Co-Chair.  The MHS PTA has a Co-Chair leadership structure, and this year, we have, unfortunately, had a vacancy in this position.  Our current chair, Carol Peterson, will be in her last year next year, so we are really hoping to fill this position so that there is a year of overlap before Carol leaves in 2017.  If you are interested in this, or any other position, please contact the PTA at wbmhspta@wbschools.com.

The Middle High School PTA wishes everyone a safe and happy April Vacation.

Happy St. Patrick's Day from the West Boylston Middle High School PTA!  

The Middle School Play is in it's final weeks of rehearsals.  Costumes and props are being worked on.  Advertising has begun and t-shirts have been ordered.  We are now in the process of trying to set up our Banner story that typically happens a week before the play.  "Be Our Guest" on April 8th or 9th for this very exciting production.

Monday, March 21 is the pick-up date for any items ordered in our Spring Fundraiser, Butter Braids Pastry and Sweet Crumbs Cookie Dough.  The school cannot hold these items as they are frozen, so please set your calendar reminders to pick up these items on Monday.

The scholarship reading committee now has scholarships applications in hand.  Scholarships will be read in two weeks.  The committee looks forward to reading about the amazing High School accomplishments of all the applicants.

Happy Spring from the West Boylston Middle/High School PTA.

Happy Spring from the West Boylston Middle High School PTA!

The PTA Spring Fundraiser has wrapped up the order taking phase.  Pick up will be 3:00 pm on 3/21.  Please mark your calendar if you placed an order.   Thank you to all that participated in this fundraiser!  We continue to use our money for the benefit of our fantastic faculty and students, and your help in our fundraisers helps to make this happen.

Rehearsals for "Beauty and the Beast, Jr." continue to role along.  The cast is now working from memory without the use of scripts, costumes are being made, and props are accumulating.  We are now officially one month to show time!!

The scholarship committee is currently waiting for the scholarship applications to be given to our PTA Screener from the Guidance Department.  All applications are screened by a member of the PTA to make sure applicants have met the scholarship requirements.  The Screener then assigns the applicant a number before blacking out all identifying information like name, etc..  Once this is done, the committee will gather to read the scholarships and determine what 4 lucky Seniors will receive them at graduation.  The choosing of all recipients is done anonymously.  The reading committee is chosen based on whether or not they have children that are graduating (these people are excluded) and whether or not they have close ties to the Senior Class.  This year's committee includes members whose oldest children are in Middle School as well as those with children in their younger years of High School.  We take every opportunity to make sure the scholarships are awarded based on grades, essay, and activities and not on biased favoritism.  

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns for the PTA, please contact us at wbmhspta@wbschools.com.  

Happy March from the West Boylston Middle High School PTA!  Last night was a busy night at the Middle/High School!   Up front and in the gym, it was the Lions taking on Nashoba for Boys Basketball.  In the auditorium it was the Middle School Play Rehearsal.  In the Library/Media Center a school training session was being held, and WAY BACK in the Teacher's Lounge the PTA was having it's bi-monthly meeting!  If you drove by the parking lot you were probably wondering what was going on!!

Much is happening with the MHS PTA.  First, the spring fundraiser, Butter Bread Pastry and Sweet Crumbs Cookie Dough, is now in full swing.  Order forms were sent home with students las week.  If you didn't receive one, see the attached order form below.

Second, the middle school play, "Beauty and the Beast, Jr." continues with rehearsals with only about a month left until show time!  It's really all starting to come together!!  Props are being ordered, costumes are being made, and advertising has begun!  Please "Be Our Guest" for this production on April 8 and 9 at 7:00 pm.  Tickets will be available at the door for $5/person.  

Third, the PTA is already looking to next year.  At last night's meeting, Career Day 2016 - 2017 was discussed.  The planning for next  October's Career Day is in the early stages.  Due to the graduation of the coordinator, Liz Baldi, and her daughter, Amanda, Donna Beaulac is now at the helm of this great event.  If you wish to participate in any way in Career Day 2016 next October, please contact the PTA at wbmhspta@wbschools.com.

Next, the PTA Scholarship committee will be meeting in the next few weeks to read scholarship applications that will be given out at graduation.  If you have a senior that is interested in one of these 4 scholarships, you must be a PTA member and have participated in at least one of our fundraisers.  The Butter Braid Pastry and Sweet Crumbs Cookie Dough fundraiser that is currently going on counts towards this fundraiser requirement.  In addition, the purchase of a Lions Logo Blanket or Entertainment Book App Code for $20 each counts towards the fundraiser requirement.  Please email any questions or orders for the blankets/app codes to wbmhspta@wbschools.com.

The PTA Board will have some positions to fill next school year.  Board elections will take place at our next meeting on May 3.  If you are interested in working with a great team to help support our great school, teachers and students, please email your interest to wbmhspta@wbschools.com.

Keep a look out for a spring textile drive.  As you begin cleaning out closets for spring, think of the PTA.  We will be holding another textile drive in conjunction with  Millbury Textile Recycling.  What kind of textiles are we looking for???  ANY!!!  Clothing, curtains, bedding, towels, shoes, etc.  All items are recycled and repurposed by Millbury Textile Recycling.  Date is still TBD, but keep watch of both our Blog and Facebook pages for information.

Lastly, the PTA would like to thank you all for a fabulous year so far!  We have had a record amount of memberships this year and, as a result, have been able to support our teachers with teacher grants for the very first time in a number of years.  

Thank you again from the West Boylston Middle/High School PTA!  Happy Spring!

The Butter Bread Pastry and Cookie Dough Fundraiser is now in full swing.  Here is the order form that was sent home last week with students.

The PTA hopes that everyone had a fantastic February Break!  Even though we had a bitterly cold start, the week saw incredibly warm weather for those that stayed in the area.

With back to school, comes our Spring Fundraiser - Butter Bread Pastry and Sweet Crumbs Cookie Dough.  Order forms went home in back packs on Wednesday, but it is also attached below.  All orders, including all money, are due into the PTA by 3/7/2016.  Please have your student drop them off to the Main Office so that they may be placed in the PTA mail box.  REMINDER TO ALL SENIORS - this is your last chance to participate in a PTA fundraiser - one of the requirements for our PTA Scholarships given at graduation.

The timing of the Spring Fundraiser is amazing!  The products can help you with your Easter or Mother's Day brunch!  What about  First Communion or Confirmation? Bridal or Baby Shower? Don't forget Graduation parties! The delivery of all products will be on 3/21/16 - the week before Easter! These items are PERFECT for all of your special spring occasions because the Butter Braids and Cookie Dough all come frozen. As a result, they will keep in the freezer until your May or June occasions. They come with your choice of the following fillings: cinnamon, blueberry cream cheese, strawberry cream cheese, raspberry, apple, or Boston Creme. There are also caramel rolls available (9 rolls per package). They too come frozen. All you have to do is let them thaw, rise and then bake!!! The Sweet Crumbs Cookie Dough comes in 2.7lb boxes that are portioned into 40 individual cookies. The flavors are: Chunky Chocolate Chip, M&M, Oatmeal Raisin, Peanut Butter Cup, and White Chocolate Macadamia Nut. The Butter Braid pastries and Caramel Rolls are $12.50 each and the Cookie Dough is $16/box.

In other PTA news, it is almost spring sports season!  Those early season games can be chilly!  Show your Lions Pride with a Logo fleece blanket!  The PTA still has a few of these left.  The cost is $20 per blanket.  

The Middle School Play is about half way to show day!  Rehearsals have now increased in length and the cast is working on memorizing lines, songs, and dances.  There is now a Facebook event for the show.  Please visit the West Boylston Middle/High School PTA Facebook page to share and RSVP  to this exciting production.

If you would like to order pastries or blankets contact the PTA at wbmhspta@wbschools.com.  You can also like us on Facebook at West Boylston Middle/High School PTA.

As we close out January, I think many of us are thankful that we did not get hit by last weekend's Winter Storm Jonas.  However, many are still remembering the amazing amount of snow we got last February!!  The PTA is no exception!!!  Instead, lets look forward to spring!!

Looking for a fast and easy way to make Easter Brunch?  What about Mother's Day?  First Communion or Confirmation?  Bridal or Baby Shower?  Don't forget Graduation parties!  Our spring fundraiser - Butter Braids and Sweet Crumbs Cookie Dough - is fast approaching, and it is the perfect way to help ease the stress of cooking for these special occasions.  The fundraiser will run February 22 to March 7.  The delivery of all products will be on 3/21/16 -  the week before Easter!  These items are PERFECT for all of your special spring occasions because the Butter Braids and Cookie Dough all come frozen.  As a result, they will keep in the freezer until your May or June occasions. They come with your choice of the following fillings:  cinnamon, blueberry  cream cheese, strawberry cream cheese, raspberry, apple, or Boston Creme.  There are also caramel rolls available (9 rolls per package).   They too come frozen.  All you have to do is bake!!!  The Sweet Crumbs Cookie Dough comes in 2.7lb boxes that are portioned into 40 individual cookies.  The flavors are:  Chunky Chocolate Chip, M&M, Oatmeal Raisin, Peanut Butter Cup, and White Chocolate Macadamia Nut.  The Butter Braid pastries and Caramel Rolls are $12 each and the Cookie Dough is $16/box.  Look for order forms to be coming home in backpacks after February vacation.  

Rehearsals for the Middle School Play, "Beauty and the Beast, Jr." continue to roll along.  The cast is doing an incredible job in learning a large number of complex dances and songs.  This is truly going to be an amazing show.  Mark your calendars for April 8 & 9!

Lastly, the Middle School Play team needs your help with a specific prop item!!  We are looking to borrow, buy, or accept donations of tin or metal coffee mugs.  We need approximately 60 of these mugs for a very complex, well choreographed, and hysterical dance scene.  If you have any that you would like to sell, donate, or let us borrow, please contact Tammy Bourque at ptjmbourque@yahoo.com.  Also, if you personally do not have these items, but know of where we could find them, please contact Tammy as well.

As always, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to contact the West Boylston Middle High School PTA at wbmhspta@wbschools.com.  You also can find our weekly blogs at http://www.wbschools.com/WBMHS/Department/10-PTA/Blog or like us on Facebook at West Boylston Middle/High School PTA.

It's been a couple weeks since our last Blog update, but many exciting things have happened with the WB Middle/High School PTA.

First, students in grade 6, 7, and 8 that are participating in the Middle School Play, "Beauty and the Beast, Jr." have begun their rehearsals.  The excitement building around this play from the cast and directors alike, is infectious!!!  Please mark your calendars and "Be Our Guest" at our performances on April 8 and 9.  Show times will be at 7:00pm.

Next, we had our bi-monthly meeting on January 5th.  We are seeing an increase in attendance of our general members, and we are excited that our influence is growing in our community!  Our special guest speaker was our Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Elizabeth Schaper.  Dr. Schaper joined our meeting as a round table discussion to start gathering interest and input for the next WB School District's 5-year Strategic Plan.  The district is currently in it's 4th year of the current plan, and will be writing the next plan during next school year.  Some of the ideas discussed at the meeting were to continue with Technology enhancement within our schools (after all, technology is changing almost daily), enhancement of all art programs in the district, and the district's desire to join a vocational school community membership.  Dr. Schaper would love to hear ideas from both parents from the district AS WELL AS community members on where they would like to see our schools heading within the next 5-6 years.  She would encourage anyone with ideas to contact her at elizabethschaper@wbschools.com.

Next we have started planning for our spring fundraiser - Butter Braids and Sweet Crumbs Cookie Dough.  The fundraiser will run at the end of February and delivery of all products will be on 3/21/16 -  the week before Easter!  These items are PERFECT for your Easter Brunch!  The Butter Braids come frozen with the following fillings:  cinnamon, blueberry  cream cheese, strawberry cream cheese, raspberry, apple, or Boston Creme.  There are also caramel rolls available (9 rolls per package).   They come frozen.  All you have to do is bake!!!  The Sweet Crumbs Cookie Dough is also frozen and comes in 2.7lb boxes that are portioned into 40 individual cookies.  The flavors are:  Chunky Chocolate Chip, M&M, Oatmeal Raisin, Peanut Butter Cup, and White Chocolate Macadamia Nut.  The Butter Braid pastries and Caramel Rolls are $12 each and the Cookie Dough is $16/box.

As always, feel free to contact us at wbmhspta@wbschools.com with any questions, comments, or concerns.