Acton-Boxborough Regional Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO) Resources Page

Acton-Boxborough SPEDPAC has developed a website specifically for the benefit of families with children with special needs of all ages. You will find valuable information about:

Who's Who in Special Education in Acton and Boxborough

Special Education Law, both federal and state

Links to a variety of local resources

Calendar of important upcoming events

How to get more involved with the PAC

Visit the site today at http://www.abspedpac.org, add your email to the list, and join the SPEDPAC community of Acton and Boxborough families with children with special needs. You will get regular emails with current information about future meetings and workshops and other important information. Join now! For more information, please contact Francesca Ricciardi (978-266-9708) or Stephen Lowe (978-263-9725).

On August 31st, the Acton-Boxborough Student Activities Fund (ABSAF) will kick off its 2005-2006 fundraising campaign. The mail appeal is addressed to all residents of Acton and Boxborough and seeks to raise funds to support extracurricular programs at the regional schools. Members of the ABSAF board believe that extracurricular activities help to develop well-rounded children with healthy self-esteem. The range of activities at our junior high and high school is impressive as is the fact that over 85% of our students participate in these activities. Whether students are interested in music, sports, academic teams, theater, speech and debate, or community service, there are many wonderful programs that provide constructive and creative outlets for them.

Supporting a broad range of extracurricular activities is a challenge for us all, particularly when school finances are under pressure forcing come communities to completely eliminate extracurricular programs. Although taxes, gate receipts, and activity fees help to fund these programs, revenue from these sources is not enough to cover the total cost. ABSAF was founded in 1981 to help bridge the gap. Since that time, the organization has been making a significant difference in the number and quality of extracurricular activities at the Acton-Boxborough regional schools.

This past year contributions from nearly 1,300 Acton and Boxborough residents provided $102,750 to support a broad range of extracurricular activities. Some examples of how ABSAF funds have been used in recent years include: donations to Proscenium Circus (the high school theatre group), purchase of band uniforms and instruments, new stage curtains and sound system for the junior high, supplies and equipment for all athletic teams, study guides and league dues for academic teams, athletic uniforms, and transportation to events for all the groups mentioned above.

Donations in any amount are appreciated, and for a donation of $150 or more, you and your immediate family will receive an ABSAF pass admitting you to most home extracurricular events sponsored by the regional schools as well as two tickets to the school plays/musicals at the junior high and the high school for the 2005-2006 school year. ABSAF passes are now on sale at football and soccer games at Leary Field or by mail at P.O. Box 662, Acton, Massachusetts 01720. In addition to supporting extracurricular activities, the pass is a bargain for many families. If you have questions about ABSAF, please contact Jack Boyles at (978) 405-2528 or absafinfo@yahoo.com. Please help to keep the extracurricular activities at the regional schools strong and vibrant. Thank you.

This new organization is looking for Steering Committee members to help process the responses to our recent mailing to ABRHS alumni. For more info, see http://ab.mec.edu/abrhs/alumni.html.

Acton PIP (Parent Involvement Project) is a group of parents, educators, and community partners working together to offer math, science, and technology enrichment activities for students and their families. Want to find out about upcoming PIP activities? Visit the Acton PIP Web site and join the Acton PIP E-Loop!