We Are Awesome (read at the June 2025 BT BOE meeting)
Hello Board members, fellow parents, teachers, and incredible volunteers!
I am absolutely thrilled to stand before you today and celebrate the phenomenal year the BTPTA has had! When I look at everything we’ve done, from the smallest gesture to our biggest events, one thing is clear: we are awesome!
We often talk about the big fundraisers, but let’s not forget the consistent, day-in and day-out support we provide. Our After-School Clubs enrich our students’ lives all year long, and the Conley Homeroom Parents are a fantastic resource to our teachers.
And let’s give a massive shout-out to our incredible staff! From the Welcome Back for the Staff Lunch that kicks off their year to the well-deserved Teacher Appreciation Week, where we shower them with daily treats, we ensure our educators feel valued and supported. And that continues throughout the year with Staff Appreciation — those monthly moments of gratitude truly make a difference.
Our Trunk or Treat is legendary! With over 200 students, local emergency services joining the fun, and prizes for the best trunks, it’s a true highlight of the fall. We don’t just throw a party; we build community!
And speaking of community, how about our Fun Run at Conley? This isn’t just a fundraiser; it’s a social-emotional learning program that gets kids excited about fitness and giving back. This past year, we raised over $16,000 in profit, and since the program started, we’ve brought in over $70,000! This program is the most successful fundraiser run by 1 volunteer in our history. That’s simply astounding and directly impacts our students’ experiences.
Our Book Fairs at both Hoppock and Conley, in the fall and spring, are more than just about books. They’re about fostering a love of reading! And we make sure our dedicated staff receive free gifts, discounts, and even free books!
We are there for our students every step of their journey. From the warm welcome with Kindergarten Balloons on their mailboxes to celebrating their first day of school with 5th Grade Class support, and 8th Grade Trip/Dance donations, we help create lasting memories. And let’s not forget the 8th Grade Graduation Reception, complete with decorations and yard signs for every graduate – a truly special send-off!
Our Hoppock Socials throughout the year provide fantastic opportunities for students to connect and have fun, both in and out of school. And when it comes to keeping them healthy and happy, our Field Day events at both Hoppock and Conley, complete with pizza and popsicles, are a much-loved tradition. We even provided Field Day t-shirts for the entire school and staff!
We don’t just stick to the script. We continually seek ways to enhance our students’ experiences. We provide vital Field Trip donations, contribute to Assemblies like the fantastic “Eyes of the Wild,” and supplement our SEL Assembly program. We also offer Scholarships to North and Hoppock students, investing in their future.
Our community outreach is second to none! We actively encourage our students to participate in community service, providing them with invaluable experiences. Our commitment to inclusivity shines through in everything we do.
None of this, not a single one of these incredible initiatives, would be possible without our volunteers.
So, let’s take a moment to truly appreciate what we’ve built. We are a force for good, a beacon of community spirit, and a group of individuals who consistently go above and beyond for our students and staff.
In conclusion, I would like to personally thank the BTPTA team. Thank you for your tireless dedication, your generous spirit, and for making our school community so incredibly awesome! What amazing things will we accomplish together next?
Warmly,
Vanessa O’Keefe
BTPTA President