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DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. The Dobbs Ferry Parent Teacher Student Association is more than just a volunteer group, its a way for parents and volunteers to connect with the school district.
We really see ourselves as the bridge between home and school, said Dobbs Ferry PTSA president Lisa Ferrara. We provide the structure to allow parents to collaborate with teachers and administration to better the education for all students in the district.
The organization is peaking this year with membership up about 100 people from last year.
Were over 500 now and theyre still trickling in, Ferrara said. We had just over 400 I believe last year so its really great weve got a lot more teachers as members this year which is wonderful.
Being a part of the national and statewide PTA, the Dobbs Ferry organization has a very concrete infrastructure with each position having specific roles.
We have a vice president at each of the schools, Ferrara said. Under each of those VPs we have folks who handle the enrichment programs into the classrooms, we have individuals who work on health and safety programming. We have people who provide parent education too.
Ferarra, who has three sons are in sixth grade, third grade and kindergarten, became the PTSA president after stints as vice president for the Springhurst Elementary School and serving on the board of directors for the Hastings Co-Op Nursery School.
I kind of got into the PTSA I guess naturally out of that because I wanted to be involved with what was happening with the schools, Ferrara said. My prior work experience was in large event management and conference programming for trade associations so I have a lot of experience in fundraising and project management so its kind of a good fit for me.
With fundraisers coming up such as Pumpkin Fair and School Night Out, Ferrara said the PTSA wants to help bring the school district together.
Were aiming to create a sense of community within the school district and in the village at large, she said.
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