Orenda Elementary School sends off Halloween Treats to the Troops!  Inspired by a Schuylerville student who organized this event for her school last year, the Orenda Elementary PTA and Orenda Student Council held its first "Trick or Treat for the Troops!"

"We wanted to bring Halloween to our soldiers, to let them know we were thinking about them, " said co-PTA President, Melissa O'Hara.  From candy donations, we were able to stuff over 350 "sandwich size" bags of candy to ship to our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.  "I would like to thank all the Orenda families who participated, as well as other members in the Clifton Park community who contacted us and wanted to be a part of this event."  In addition to shipping candy, the Orenda PTA also received 2 shoeboxes full of crayons that were donated by an Arongen family.  "Hopefully our soldiers know how much we support and care about them.  Our goal is to bring a smile to their face, and let them know they are always on our minds."   The Orenda PTA and Student Council thank everyone for their generosity in making this event a great success.  We'd also like to thank Operation Adopt a Soldier/Project Yellow Ribbon who graciously agreed to pick up and ship our treats for us.

Lorri Johnson's 5th grade students performed "Live from Philadelphia!", a skit about the signing of the US Constitution.  The skit illustrates how meetings were held in a "secret" location to discuss and finally ratify this great document.

Dylan Mayo, an OKTE student in Mrs. Solfko's third grade class, has been diagnosed with leukemia. The Mayo family mascot is a frog. Frog stands for "Fully Relying On God". Dylan had a goal of having 200 stuffed frogs in his 
room. Our class, his brother Jake's class, and the Okte staff 
contributed frogs and mailed them to Dylan while he was receiving 
treatment in New York City. He made his goal! The picture shows his 
brother Jake's kindergarten class. The teacher is Mrs. Barrett.

Area Businessman Roger Grout shows his support for Shen Schools by inviting schools to participate in McTeacher's Night with proceeds benefiting the their PTA'S.  On April 2, OKTE's principal, Ms. Price made Hot Fudge Sundaes for students.  This event was organized by PTA President, Pam Kelly and many teachers, including Miss Popek, Ms. Barkevich, Mrs. Moran and Mr.D'Ambro participated

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Okte Student Council sold hearts to benefit the Ronald McDonald House. 
This charity is dear to the hearts of the Okte Community as it has 
benefited Okte third grader Dylan Mayo. After selling over 
 200 hearts, $200+ was donated. 
Student Council is made up of fourth and fifth grade representatives 
from each class. The advisors are Miss Waters (art) and Miss Popek 
(fifth grade).

SHATEKON'S Iana Levine, a 4th grader in Mr. Ricci's class, recently donated her hair to Locks of Love.  While Iana was getting her hair cut, she met someone who had lost her hair during chemotherapy treatments.  She assured Iana that her contribution would make someone very happy.  Iana has also inspired her younger sister, Sierra, to donate her locks next month on her birthday.  This is a cause that is close to Iana's heart...not only  her best friend's mom but her grandmother are both battling cancer.

On February 12th,Orenda 's  PTA, with the help of our Box Tops program, presented The NED Show to all of its students!  The NED Show promotes academic achievement and character development by teaching three critical skills that will benefit kids for a lifetime: Never Give Up, Encourage Others and Do Your Best. 

Chad Adams kept kids mesmerized with his yo-yo tricks and sense of humor.  Mrs. Wedeman (Orenda Music Teacher) said, "It was nice for the kids to have strategies to use in their every day lives.

Okte student Megan Boutin (center) wanted to do something to help a hospitalized classmate's family.  She made  beaded bracelets and pins and sold it to her friends and neighbors.  She raised $136.00 which she donated to Dollars for Dylan earlier this week. Pictured on the left Madeline Miller right is Isabella Flaherty.