Nominate someone now for the NYSPTA Honorary Life Membership Award

Eligibility requirements for the nominees:

• A minimum of five years involvement in the Brighton Central School District
• Advocating for the children and youth of our community
• Consistently exceeding job expectations
• Outstanding personal qualities and character
• Nominees need not be members of the Brighton Central PTSA

Deadline for submissions is May 31, 2024.

Since 1935, the Brighton Central PTSA has recognized members of our community for “their contributions to the welfare of children and youth” by awarding them Honorary Life Membership in the New York State PTA.

Submitted nominations must include the following letters:

A nominating letter that must include:

• The author’s name, address, phone number and email address
• The name of the individual being nominated
• Specific information why the nominee should be awarded Honorary Life Membership

Supporting letters that each must include:

• The author’s name, address, phone number and email address
• Name of the individual being nominated
• An indication of how long and in what capacity the author knows the nominee
• Specific information why the nominee should be awarded Honorary Life Membership, and how the candidate meets the criteria listed above
• Personal stories are encouraged so the committee may fully understand the impact the nominee had on the lives of children and youth
• Additional letters are welcome

For teachers and support staff, letters are required from:

• A current administrator
• Current colleagues (1-2)
• Current and former parents (2-3)
• Current and former students (2-3)

For administrators, letters are required from:

• Current colleagues, i.e., other administrators, principals, assistant principals (1-2)
• Current and former teachers (2-3)
• Current and former parents (2-3)
• Current and former students (2-3)
• The BCSD Superintendent

For parents and community members, letters are required from:

• Current administrators (1-2)
• Current and former teaching staff (3-4)
• Current and former parents (2-3)

In honor of each award bestowed, we make a financial contribution to the NYSPTA's “Twin Projects.”

• Jenkins Memorial Scholarship for Teacher Education “to assist outstanding students in preparing for the teaching profession,”
• Teacher Fellowship For Graduate Study In Memory of Richard Gazzola “to encourage excellent teachers to stay in the classroom by providing an opportunity for them to improve their teaching skills, update their professional knowledge, and expand their professional perspectives.”

The Honorary Life Membership Award will be given at 6 p.m. June 25, 2024 at the Brighton High School Auditorium.

Deadline for submissions is May 31, 2024. Nominations received after the deadline will not be considered. Nomination packets will be reviewed by the Honorary Life Membership Committee, which includes a PTSA Building Chair from each school, a teacher/staff representative, and the immediate past president of the PTSA. Members of the committee are not eligible to nominate individuals, nor write letters of support for nominees.

There is no required number of awards bestowed each year. Some schools and organizations may not have a recipient every year. Please contact Leslie Seltzer, PTSA President with any questions or for a complete list of past winners: bcsdptsares@gmail.com