PTA to Sponsor Pancake Breakfast, Film Event

The Ridge Road Elementary School PTA has a lot going on, from a pancake breakfast at the school this Saturday to the showing of the highly acclaimed documentary film Race to Nowhere at the high school on April 28.

Last night’s PTA meeting began with the principal’s report, with Kathleen Peters-Durrigan discussing the CMT tests that begin today and will be held for the next eight school days. Students are tested in all subjects in accordance with state regulations.  

The principal expressed pride in a student writing project overseen by school librarian Lydia Westerberg that has resulted in student poetry being published in The Citizen and an Australian publication.

“It may happen on a regular basis, so if kids are interested they should enter,” Ms. Peters-Durrigan said. Ms. Westerberg mentors children and submits their writing to papers and journals for publication.

The principal also mentioned the basketball playoffs, an intramural tournament for town elementary schools that will be held Friday at 5 p.m.

“We’re hoping for a good turnout,” she said.

Ridge Road Reads, a program in which parents come to the school to read a story and students receive free books, will be held March 23. The initiative is sponsored by the PTA and replaces the now defunct Reading is Fundamental program.

There was much discussion of Race to Nowhere, with the PTA looking to sell tickets and coordinate the showing of the film, which may involve hiring the police and fire department to oversee the event. The PTA paid $500 to rent the film and $96 to rent the venue, but stands to make a profit based on ticket sales. Tickets are being sold online and PTA members will notify other schools and the community of the showing. 

About a dozen PTA members attended last night, with co-president Cheri Gibson leading the meeting. The next meeting is planned for April 12 when members will vote for a new board.