Now that the children of Shamong have all returned to school for what will surely be a terrific 2015–2016 year after a busy summer of renovations, the Indian Mills Home and School Association wants to officially welcome everyone back.
The organization is proud to announce the return of the “Welcome Back Picnic” for another year after last year’s initial attempt was a successful one.
The second annual Welcome Back Picnic will be held at Indian Mills Memorial School on Friday, Sept. 11 from 4–7 p.m.
“We had tremendous success last year with parents and children coming back. We welcomed back the community with an event in which everyone got to see each other for the first time all summer,” association President Scott Caloiaro said. “We got great feedback from everyone. People absolutely loved it, so we decided to do it again this year.”
The Indian Mills Home and School Association is a highly energetic, motivated,
team-oriented organization that encourages volunteerism using effective fundraising and meaningful events.
The overall goal of the group is to promote learning experiences, strengthen communication between home and school, and enhance the educational experience of every child in the Shamong Township School District.
Any parents and staff are eligible and encouraged to become HSA members. All members in good standing have voting rights for the “wish list” items on the agenda if in attendance at the HSA’s general public meetings.
The Welcome Back Picnic was voted on last year after the idea was brainstormed following a discussion with Indian Mills Elementary School Principal Nicole Moore and Indian Mills Memorial School Principal Timothy Carroll.
“The goal of the event is to bring the school community together and have a nice family evening where we can all gather as one,” Caloiaro said.
This year’s picnic will have a few additions from last year.
Along with the hot dogs, hamburgers, watermelon, water ice and dunk tank that are paid for through the general funding of the association, the children will also have some added company.
Last year, the HSA had two separate picnics at the different schools, but this year will be one collaborative gathering at the Memorial School in which everyone from the district will be invited to.
“This made it a lot easier for the executive board to plan,” Caloiaro said. “It was a lot of work last year, but it ended up being 100 percent worth it.”
The students will also likely have more guests, as an invitation has been extended to the Indian Mills Fire Company and EMS group.
Caloiaro thought it would be fitting to have the township fire and EMS squads in attendance since it will be held on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.
“We will also be charging $1 for three throws at the dunk tank to raise money for the fire and EMS groups, as well as having donation jars around the picnic for the fire and EMS donations,” Caloiaro said.
Another change to this year’s picnic will be the design of the t-shirt that is being sold.
After last year’s creative “got spirit” shirts that mimicked the popular “got milk” advertisement were a hit, the HSA developed a new logo for this year.
The shirts will come in green and pink and will read “I M BRAVE.”
“The I M stands for Indian Mills and the BRAVE has always been our mascot at the school and symbolizes us as a community as a whole,” Caloiaro said.
The proceeds from the green t-shirts will be donated to the Indian Mills fire and EMS group, and the proceeds from the pink t-shirts will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
This foundation is the only one that addresses breast cancer on multiple fronts such as research, community health, global outreach and public policy initiatives to make the biggest impact against this disease.
“We found it fitting because breast cancer victims and survivors and the fire and EMS personnel symbolize the ultimate form of bravery,” Caloiaro said.
These t-shirts will also be very festive for students to wear for their breast cancer awareness day the schools have each year in October.
If anyone is unable to attend the picnic, or they just want to support the worthy causes by purchasing a t-shirt, they can e-mail Caloiaro at scottcaloiaroimhsa@yahoo.com.
Those who are able to attend the picnic are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
“We’re excited about this year, bringing the community together and trying to push the fundraiser aspect more. We feel it will make it worthwhile for everyone in the community, as breast cancer touches so many people’s lives,” Caloiaro said.
To learn more about the HSA, or to reference the HSA membership form for membership options, visit www.ims.k12.nj.us/newsite/Parents/HomeandSchool.aspx.
