As the weather turns and the trees empty their leaves, the Tabernacle PTA will fill residents’ social calendars.
The PTA will host Community Night on Friday, Nov. 14 beginning at 6 p.m. at Olson Middle School. The evening begins with a spaghetti dinner then offers a variety of activities for both children and parents, including a holiday shop, book fair, cake walk, countless vendors and even an appearance from Santa Claus. The community night event has grown in size compared to previous years. Any event the PTA holds can count on heavy support from the district’s teachers and administrators.
“We have an amazing relationship with our teachers, our principals and our superintendent,” PTA president Jenn Quartarone said. “They support our functions 150 percent. Many of our teachers are active community members so they are happy to be involved. I can go to any one of our teachers or our principals and know we’ll have their support.”
Just days before one of its biggest events of the year, Tabernacle Community Night, the association continues to plan fundraisers for the rest of the school year.
The PTA, in partnership with the Tabernacle Woman’s Association and the Tabernacle Historical Society, will present Tabernacle’s inaugural tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 5.
The event will be the first of its kind in the township and, yes, Mr. Claus will continue to make his way through Tabernacle as he is scheduled to make an appearance at the tree lighting as well.
Teacher involvement in the PTA’s January event will require more than just a time commitment. It will also require the ability to ball.
“We’re excited to bring in show basketball team, the Harlem Wizards, again this year. The Wizards will be playing a team made up of teachers from throughout the Seneca sending district, which should be a lot of fun,” Quartarone said.
The Harlem Wizards are a professional entertainment basketball team similar to the Harlem Globetrotters in that they bring a combination of basketball skill and fun for the audience.
The fundraising events allow the PTA to support several initiatives for students in both Olson Middle School and Tabernacle Elementary School.
“We’re able to have authors visit the schools and do readings. We purchased new curtains for the stages in both auditoriums. The carnival we throw at the end of year for TES are all possible because of the events sponsors,” Quartarone said.
In addition to support from the district’s employees, Quartarone said the PTA can always count on Tabernacle as a community to support its schools.
“Tabernacle is amazing as a community in how supportive they are and how proud they are of the education their kids receive,” Quartarone said.
The Harlem Wizards event will take place at Seneca High School on Jan. 26. Advance tickets will be available in early December. For more information, contact Quartarone at (609) 388–4166 or mrsJQ5@gmail.com.
