Welcome to Tesago Elementary School PTA

Together Everyone Shares A Great Opportunity

Upcoming Dates


1/27 - Half day

1/30 - BEST Assembly

2/9 - Safety Symposium on Mental                Health, 6:00-7:30 pm



2022-2023 PTA Dates
All meetings are on Thursdays starting at 7pm in the Tesago Library.

2022                 
09/22
10/20
11/17                            
No December meeting
2023
01/19
02/16
03/16
04/20
05/18 
06/8

B.E.S.T. Assembly

2022-2023


September 30

October 27 (date change)

November 23

December 22

January 30

February 28

March 30

June 2


The grade level colors are:

Kindergarten - blue
Grade 1 - purple
Grade 2 - green
Grade 3 - yellow
Grade 4 - orange
Grade 5 - red 

MOVE Program - teal

 

Tesago Links

Shen Calendars

Facebook Page

Like Us on Facebook

Tesago is #1

Tesago Elementary School was the No. 1 ranked public elementary school in the Capital Region, according to the Albany Business Review's ranking in the 2015 Schools Report. The rankings were compiled using data for math and English test scores for grades three, four and five, and science test scores in grade four from the 2013-14 school year.


Congratulations to our students, parents, faculty and staff!


Welcome to Tesago's PTA home page!


This Week

  • DISCOVERY  - Discovery sign ups took place this past Tuesday and Wednesday. We are pleased to announce that every student who registered was placed in a class of their choice! Class confirmations were sent out on Friday.  If you did not receive one, please contact [email protected] asap. We have the following spots left if anyone is looking for a second class:

    •  6 Scratch/Code- Note, Scratch will not be the platform, it will be Code.org

    •  4 Lego

    •  4 STEM 

    • 3 Pickleball.  

If interested, please email [email protected] with your request and we will accommodate those on a first come, first serve basis.  NOTE: Please review the class to make sure that your child is in the appropriate grade before signing up. 

  • Thank you to all of the parents who volunteered to help with their child’s program! Based on the class, the number of needed chaperones will vary.  We will be sending out separate emails for chaperones in the next few days so we appreciate your patience as we work through the scheduling. 

  • Payment for all classes will be due this Wednesday, February 1st from 6:00pm-7:30pm in the Tesago lobby.  Program coordinators will be available during this time to accept your cash or check payments and will also accept additional registrations for any classes with space still available. Snow date will be Thursday, February 2nd.  

  • Honorary Life Thanks to those who sent in nominations for the Honorary Life Award. We will update you with our nominees soon! 



Upcoming Programs

SPRING CARNIVAL

We are starting to gear up for the Spring Carnival. Thank you to those that have signed up to help! We are still in need of two more committee volunteers as well as a chair for the Silent Auction (shadow for this year). If you are interested, please sign up using the link below.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090549ADAF2CAAFA7-tesago2

  • SILENT AUCTION - DONATIONS NEEDED

Own your own business or know someone that does? We are currently looking for silent auction items to auction off during the Spring Carnival. The Spring Carnival is our biggest fundraiser of the year. If you or someone you know would like to donate, please reach out to Stephanie Booth at [email protected]. We are also looking for someone to shadow this program this year to take it over next year. Let us know if you are interested!


Yearbook Update

Yearbook orders are due Friday, February 17! To order online (recommended), visit https://sites.google.com/view/tesagoyearbook, or use the printed order form sent home with your child. Questions? Contact [email protected].

Attention 5 th Grade Parents! We have 2 special opportunities to celebrate your child in their LAST Tesago yearbook:

1) Email a favorite baby photo of your 5 th grader to [email protected] by Friday, February 10, for inclusion in the yearbook. Cost: Free.

2) Purchase a shout-out message of congratulations/encouragement for your child as they move on to 6 th grade. You can submit your message and payment on our PTA MemberHub store at https://tesagopta.memberhub.com/store/items/818179, or email [email protected] for other payment options. Cost: $5


Volunteer Opportunities

There are a number of open positions that we are looking to fill before next year. In addition, all PTA Board positions will be open as our term will expire. Please reach out if you have questions or are interested!

View open positions: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090549ADAF2CAAFA7-tesago2



Community Events

Explore fun events in our community! Please feel free to email event ideas to [email protected]. 

February 1-28, Skating at the Empire State Plaza, Albany

https://empirestateplaza.ny.gov/ice-rink

February 3 - Ballston Spa Chocolate Fest

https://www.ballston.org/category/first-fridays/

February 4 - Open Art Studio at Art in Mind, Glenville

https://artinmindstudio.com/register/

February 4 - Snowshoe Stroll at Thacher State Park, Voorheesville

https://parks.ny.gov/events/event-results.aspx?pk=128

February 5 - Snow Moon Full Moon Hike, Wilton Wildlife Preserve

https://www.wiltonpreserve.org/education/calendar/listview/tgdle85872l0aui3cp4xd1xpyi2bj0-wkhx4-47cne

February 1 - 28 - Great programming at the Clifton Park Library!  (see program attached)




- Melissa Kollar and Stephanie Booth, Co-Presidents

Together Everyone Shares A Great Opportunity
                                                    

Meet the Board!

Hi my name is Kari Ramnaresh.  I am the treasurer for the PTA.  For the past few years, I have held the position of secretary and decided to try something different this year.  I have 3 kids in Tesago.  Haven is in fifth grade with Mr. Fetsko, Naveen is in third grade with Mr. Smith and Neha in second grade with Ms. Drindak.  I work as an Assistant Controller for a local public company.  If I am not working, helping out with First Lego League or another event for Tesago, you can find me on a soccer field or at an equestrian event. 
My name is Maria Norelli! I have three Tesago kids: Michael (6th grade), Vinny (4th  grade) and Caterina (2nd grade). I am currently a stay at home mom but previously worked as a freelance design research recruiter, helping design firms and consultancies find people to give feedback on new products or services. When not folding laundry or picking up toys, you’ll most likely find me reading, baking, or on the couch snacking and binging Netflix with my husband Mike. 
Hi- I’m Heather Hopke. I’m mom to Lillian and Stella here at Tesago. I’m a speech-language pathologist who has been home with our girls since they were born. Our girls keep us busy year-round with swimming and soccer-I also love to swim. In my free time I love to walk our pups and read a good book. I look forward to seeing everyone at the BBQ!
My name is Brandi Carson and I am VP of Academics. I live in Clifton Park with my husband and two kids. Logan is in 4th grade (Mrs. Hickok) and Cody is in 6th grade. I work at Shen Methodist Preschool as a teacher assistant.  I feel like I spend most of my time in the car driving my kids where they need to be, but when I have free time, I love to sit with a cup of coffee and a good book! I am really looking forward to this school year as we are able to incorporate more of our PTA activities!

Hi, my name is Stephanie Booth and I am a Co-President on the Tesago PTA this year. This will be my 7th year at Tesago. My son, William, is in 8th grade at Acadia and my daughter, Emma, is in 4th grade with Mr. Yattaw. We are a hockey family - William plays for Clifton Park Dynamo and Emma plays for the Clifton Park Eagles. In addition, Emma just joined the Capital United soccer team. Needless to say, sports keep us busy year-round! When I do have downtime, I enjoy catching up with friends or reading a good book (and occasionally binging a show on Netflix!). I am also a huge Disney fan! I am looking forward to a great year at Tesago and hoping to see you at the Back to School BBQ later this month!

Hi everyone! My name is Melissa Kollar.  My husband Steve and I have two boys, Spencer in 4th grade at Tesago and Chase in 7th grade at Acadia.  In May, I graduated from The College of Saint Rose with a degree in Social Work.  Woohoo!  I have always wanted to work with and support children so I am thankful that my internship at the START Children's Center turned into a position that allows me to feel like I can make a difference while giving me the flexibility that I need to continue to support my boys and their endeavors.  In my free time, I love to read - especially historical fiction, sew and occasionally bake. I am looking forward to meeting/seeing you all and working together to create amazing memories here at Tesago!

Become a Member of the Tesago PTA

We invite each and every Tesago family and teacher to join the PTA for the 2022-2023 school year. Membership is open to parents, grandparents, neighbors, friends and members of our community.  

We hope you will consider renewing your membership or join the Tesago PTA for the first time this Fall.  You don't have to attend meetings or even volunteer.  Your membership dues alone help us provide programs and funding to all of our students.   It's only $8 to join.  Everyone is welcome to join and each member will be listed in the Tesago's PTA directory which is a wonderful resource to have on hand when you need to contact a fellow Tesago PTA parent.


The benefits of membership include:

  • A complimentary directory of the names, phone numbers and addresses of other PTA members at Tesago
  • Occasional PTA member perks and discounts at our sponsored school events
  • Inclusion on the Tesago PTA group e-mail list which provides parents with frequent updates on the PTA activities and other school programs
  • Voting rights on many important PTA issues which affect our children’s educational experience


Membership is being done online this year.  There will not be a form sent out.  To become a member, please visit  https://tesagopta.memberhub.com/store/. 


Facts you should know about our PTA:

  1. The PTA Arts in Education committee plans over 25 programs each year from traveling museums, theater performances, author visits and multicultural/character building assemblies.
  2. The PTA sponsors the school’s PARP (Pick A Reading Partner) program.  
  3. The money raised during our various PTA fundraising events goes directly back to our students in the form of educational programs, classroom supplies, social activities and much more.
  4. Student scholarships, birthday recognition, and teacher retirement gifts are all part of our PTA initiatives.
  5. The Discovery after school enrichment program is funded and organized by the PTA.
  6. The PTA organizes the School Banking Program to help our students learn about money and the value of saving.
  7. There are also many social activities throughout the year that are funded and run by the PTA.  These events help build a cohesive, positive school environment for our students, faculty and parents.  Examples of such programs include:
  • Reflections
  • Shen Inventors
  • Odyssey of the Mind
  • Back to School BBQ
  • Family Fun Night
  • Popcorn Days
  • Movie Night
  • Much, much, more



Amazon Smile

You can use the Amazon App to donate to the Tesago PTA. You no longer have to go into the Amazon SMILE app!
Simply follow these instructions to turn on AmazonSmile and start generating donations.
Open the Amazon Shopping app on your device
Go into the main menu of the Amazon Shopping app and                                                          tap into 'Settings'
                                                     Tap 'AmazonSmile' and follow the on-screen instructions to                                                        complete the process

Box Tops for Education

Tesago is again participating in the Box Tops for Education program and there is a new and improved program this year!  This year our goal is to raise $1,000 for the wonderful programs for our children. 

Box Tops is going digital with the new mobile app! The Box Tops app will scan your store receipt and automatically find products and instantly adds Box Tops to our school's earnings online. No clipping required! Download the app on the App Store or get it on Google Play!

FAQ

1- Can I still submit the traditional Box Tops that are clipped to our school?

Traditional Box Tops clips are being phased out of production, but they may continue to be found on many products throughout the store. Unfortunately due to COVID-19, Box Tops may not physically be brought into the school. 

2-What does the new digital Box Tops label look like on participating products?

Eventually the Box Tops program will become digital only. Participating brands are starting to change their packaging from a traditional Box Tops clip to the new Box Top label. If you see this label below, use the new Box Tops app to scan your receipt. Box Tops are still worth 10 cents each for our school. The app will find participating products purchased at any store and instantly add cash to our school's earnings online.