Pleasantville Special Education PTA Hopes to Get ‘Jam’in, Surf’in & Learn’in’

The Pleasantville Union Free School District Special Education Parents Teacher Association (SEPTA) is currently looking to add drum sets to the district’s music program – and it needs your help to do so.

“We are looking to purchase at least four African drums for our Direct Instruction classrooms,” Collen Wagner, SEPTA Very Important Player (VIP) Program Founder, said.

Since the drum sets are needed for preparation for an early spring concert, Wagner said the program is looking to fill the void as soon as possible, as they would like “to begin practicing once the drums are secured.”

“The middle school currently has drums utilized by the entire middle school population, so additional drums are needed so that our special needs students can have access to these instruments on a daily basis in order to train for our VIP Band Night schedule for March 13,” Wagner said.

To help residents contribute, SEPTA recently launched an indiegogo fundraiser dubbed “Jam’in, Surf’in & Learn’in,” where donations of all amounts are accepted. Donations of more than $100 and $500 come with the reward of complimentary tickets to a Jacob Burns Film Center event.

The fundraiser has a goal of $5,000 by Jan. 1, 2014. Wagner is hopeful the goal will be met in time for students to prepare appropriately.

“The purchasing of drums would allow one-on-one musical training for our special needs students culminating in a wonderful night,” she said. “Our VIP Band Night is open to our special needs friends and families, where they can join join in for a very special interactive concert filled with music, fun and socializing in an environment where individual differences are celebrated.”

To learn more about how you can get involved and contribute, visit Pleasantville SEPTA’s Jam’in, Surf’in & Learn’in fundraiser page here.