PTSO getting more involved with 'My Aiken High Week'

Parent and student volunteers: Aiken High parent and student volunteers participate in an interior cleanup session in January. A exterior campus session is scheduled for this morning.

Aiken High School's Parent-Teacher-Student Organization will sponsor a "My Aiken High Week" Feb. 27 to March 2 to raise funds for some of the school's needs and to raise awareness of those issues.

Parents have made a concerted effort to get more proactive in helping and promoting the school, said PTSO president Dr. Cindy Besson. The organization also changed its name from PTO to encourage more students to get involved.

"It's their community, and we need to help them understand they have to take care of it," Besson said. "We want to raise funds to do some things in terms of beautification and in the classroom."

As part of its activities, the PTSO has funded grants for teachers and staff members for up to $300, Besson said.

Just last week, German teacher Art Lader was funded equipment that will provide his own instruction online for students who need extra tutoring.

The organization also provided funds for automated blood pressure equipment.

Blood pressure checks are required of students, but the school nurse is only scheduled to visit the school twice a week. That duty falls on the school secretary, who will be more comfortable with the automated equipment, Besson said.

"We're just looking for things that would really help a teacher or staff member and provide a better teaching environment," she said. "Teachers spend a lot of money out of their pockets, and we want to be a resource."

The PTSO has an ongoing beautification program. Parents and students are scheduled to do a grounds cleanup this morning. One parent also made some wooden trash cans, and that has helped reduce litter around the school campus.

Senior writer Rob Novit is the education reporter and has been with the Aiken Standard since September 2001. He is a native of Walterboro and majored in journalism at the University of Georgia.

Events

The events kick off Monday, Feb. 27, with an Aiken High Trivia Night at the Wing Place on East Pine Log Avenue from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. A percentage of the proceeds will go to PTSO.

Two Zumba sessions - one at 6 p.m. and the other at 7:30 p.m. - will be held at the old gym on the AHS campus Tuesday, Feb. 28. Three certified Zumba instructors are volunteering their time. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students.

The big event is "A Taste of Italy Night," scheduled at the school on Wednesday, Feb. 29, at the school cafeteria from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The culinary arts students are preparing baked ziti for the occasion. Tickets are $8 per person, $30 for a large container to serve a family of four and $5 for a child's plate. People can eat in and listen to music by the Aiken High Jazz Band. A silent auction also will be held. Takeout will be available after school. A form is available at Aiken High for taking orders, or people can email aikenhighptso@gmail.com for the form. Tickets can be picked up at the event. Volunteers also will be selling tickets at Aiken High in the lobby next Wednesday and Friday from 8 to 9 a.m.

The Aiken High Serteens Club will host a talent show Thursday, March 1. While it's not a PTSO event, the organization is encouraging people to attend that event, too. The admission is $5.

No classes are scheduled Friday, March 2, but the PTSO is sponsoring a "Junk in My Trunk" yard sale at the Aiken High parking lot from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. People can rent space and sell items out of the trunks of their car.