Community-Driven Resource Mobilization

Provides two one-time $1,500 scholarships annually to college-bound seniors: one for academic achievement and civic/community engagement, and one for demonstrated passion in the fine arts through coursework or extracurriculars.

Awards grants to school staff for innovative and creative learning opportunities, including experiential learning and curriculum enhancement, totaling over $330,000 in funding across more than 155 grants in the first eleven years of operation.

Hosts an annual mulch sale to raise funds that support educational grants and innovative learning experiences within the Westhill Central School District.

Funds and organizes hands-on student experiences such as chick hatching in classrooms, field trips to natural and historical centers, live theatre performances, author visits, music workshops with professional artists, scholastic chess tournaments, HOSA Leadership Conference attendance, and project-based learning with specialized materials and equipment.

Runs raffle campaigns as a method of fundraising, including a live-streamed raffle drawing on May 22, 2025, and a scholarship raffle offering full-session attendance at Discover Camp valued between $3,400 and $4,500.

Provides grant funding to support teacher-requested educational programs, technology, classroom materials, and capital items that extend beyond standard school budgets. Since 1997, has awarded over $725,000 in grants, with recent disbursements totaling at least $23,840 in 2024 alone for initiatives such as graphing calculators, CPR trainers, art supplies, and digital displays across multiple schools.

Organizes youth-focused running events including a UPK4 Dash, a half-mile run for grades K–2, and a one-mile run for grades 3–5, alongside family participation in the annual Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk, which includes competitive categories and awards for top finishers.

Plans and hosts recurring community fundraising events including an annual golf outing, dinner dances, raffles, and family-oriented runs/walks such as the Turkey Trot and youth running dashes. These events engage local participants and sponsors to raise funds for educational initiatives in the Mount Pleasant Central School District.

Distributes monthly grade-wide and specialty newsletters to inform families about classroom activities and ways to support learning at home.

Conducts regular teacher meetings to review and assess curriculum across grade levels to support instructional coherence and quality.

Offers academic courses in mathematics, English language arts, social studies, and science using specialized curricula including Bridges in Mathematics, EL Education, Amplify Science, and Passport for Social Studies.

Develops educational policies, ensures resources are available to support them, and conducts ongoing evaluations of PS8's educational programs and their impact on student achievement.

Enhanced school facilities during the pandemic to benefit approximately 950 lower and middle school students and provided support to teachers and teaching assistants benefiting approximately 700 lower school students.

Facilitates enrollment for children in grades K to 5 who reside in the PS8 zone and conducts strict address verification, including investigations, to ensure enrollment integrity.

Hosts general meetings of Community Education Council (CEC) 13 as part of its community engagement and governance activities.

Holds hybrid monthly meetings during the school year, typically on the second Tuesday, for collaboration on school-wide decisions and community engagement.

Organizes community-building events such as Diversity Potluck, Winter Warm Up, Readathon, Spring Gala, and Paddlewheeler, as well as welcome events for new students.

Operates three on-site after-school programs for students, including hosting virtual informational and Q&A sessions about these programs.