Ann Blanche Smith School PTA Minutes

Ann Blanche Smith School PTA Minutes October 21, 2014

Minutes of the PTA of Ann Blanche Smith School held in the Library/Media Center of Ann Blanche Smith School on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.

Shane Svorec chaired the meeting and called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m.

Board Members present: Shane Svorec, Sharon Scalia, Emily Perlman, Ann Job, Lorann Markovski, , Christine Hirsch, and Christine Syslo.

Recording Secretary: Emily Perlman  Motion to pass the minutes from the meeting of Sept 30th meeting. MOTION PASSED.

Principal’s Report:  Thank you for the wonderful assembly today. Domino the Great did magic and offered advice on how to “Be a Buddy, not a Bully.” The program was enjoyed by all.  This week is Violence Awareness Week. We are having themed days throughout the week. Tomorrow is mismatch day. Thursday is jersey day. The week will cap off with School Spirit Day.  The search for a middle school principal is underway. Interviews will take place during the first week in Nov. with the idea that a permanent principal will be in place in December.  Mr. Albano will fill the role of Interim Superintendent until June.  Oct 13 was a professional development day. Melissa Quackenbush presented and teachers learned about the PAARC exam for grades 3 and 4. It is computer administered. This year will be a learning year for all.  NJASK will be administered in science for the 4th grader  Smith School received a donation from the estate of Marilyn Friedman, a former Smith School parent who created Winter Workshops. Smith received $2500 to use for art program. Ms. Harris will be ordering supplies and we will also use the funds for the 4th grade play.  Ms. Ford’s leave replacement will begin at the end of November.  Mrs. I responded to a request for feedback on Fundations, a reading program for K-3. The program is being implemented in Kindergarten through second grades, with the idea that it will move to third grade next year. A teacher may be able to present some information on Fundations at a PTA meeting so that parents can learn more about it. The district is working with Alyssa Signore, regional director of curriculum for Valley on transition to Fundations.  The 3rd and 4th grades are continuing to use the Reading Streets program.  Mrs. I and Mrs. Goodyear will be meeting to discuss Green Team projects.  Parent Conferences are coming up at the beginning of November. Notices should go home with students via backpack.  We are still reading The Mouse and the Motorcycle. The children are enjoying it; hopefully parents are too.

Teacher Representative: Rose Bauerle  Mrs. Bauerle was not present to give her report. Mrs. I presented on her behalf.  It has recently come to the school’s attention that Shop Rite, which was formerly considered safe for the classroom, cannot guarantee that products are not peanut/tree nut free. We can no longer bring Shop Rite products into the classroom in order to ensure the safety of all students.  Smith will be participating in a program from Toronto called Kindness Counts. We are the first school in U.S. to participate. The high school interns and the 2nd grade students will work on learning about kindness and participating in acts of kindness.  The teachers are appreciative of the reimbursement for school supplies program.

President’s Report: Shane Svorec  Since Heather Creeley could not be here, the President’s Report is combined with the Fundraising Report.  Tomorrow is Community Dining Out Night at Blue Moon. Blue Moon will donate a portion of the check to Smith School.  We are doing well with PTA membership. Eighty percent of teachers are current PTA members.  Boogie for Bucks was a great success; Mr. Goodell taught the kids many dance moves in preparation for this day.  The Book Fair was wonderful. Thank you to all the volunteers.  This week is School Violence Awareness Week. The children will work on murals on the sidewalk in support of School Violence Awareness Week.  Schwan’s catalog, a food delivery service, is still available for ordering. Smith will get 20 percent of total sales until Oct 28.  The Kids Stuff Coupon Book fundraiser is still ongoing. Some books have been returned, but many are outstanding. This sale ends Mon. Oct 27.  Trunk or Treat, a fundraiser and community building event, is this Friday, Oct 24. Come for food, games, pumpkin patch, and more.  Please submit Box Tops, an easy way to make money for our school. There will be a prize for the student with most box tops in a month and a party for the class with most box tops in a month  Information about a new fundraiser called Scrips will be sent out shortly. Purchase gift cards to popular stores and the school gets money back. Scrips is a great way to purchase holiday and teacher gifts all while supporting Smith School.  Smith School PTA big event—Comedy Night at Park Ridge Elks—will be February 6. We will need all hands on deck in order to have a successful fundraising event. Please start soliciting items for baskets by asking businesses that you frequent for donations.  Our Next PTA meeting will be Nov. 18th during the day. Details to come.

Treasurer’s Report: Sharon Scalia

 Opening balance: $50,898.92  Activity per spreadsheet:

October 21, 2014 Page 2  Closing balance: $51,728.72

Corresponding Secretary: Ann Job  Thank you note from Mrs. Rosenbaum’s class for the popcorn. They were box top winners.  The new e-mail list is updated; however two e-mails keep bouncing back. These families will be called to determine the correct e-mail address.  Many e-blasts have gone out.

VP Administration: Suzanne Dubois and Lorann Markovski  All is going well.  We can always use more library volunteers; please volunteer if you have the time to come in.

October 21, 2014 Page 3 VP Special Events: Dolores Forenza  The book fair was a great success. Thank you to Amy Kantowitz and Deniz Cedeno for chairing this event. The children had fun and were able to get great books.  Spirit Wear distribution will occur in mid November. Thank you to Andrea Wasserman and Leigh Ng for chairing.  Nov 14 is Smith Family Photo Night. Lucrezia Rack, chair, will send out information.

VP Fundraising: Heather Creeley  See President’s Report.

VP Programs: Christine Hirsch  Domino the Great presented Buddies not Bullies. Everyone seemed to enjoy this assembly.  The Smith School Record is in production. It should be sent home by the end of October.  Registration for Winter Workshops is Monday, December 1. Workshops begin Jan 10. We are currently in need of a chess teacher and a dance instructor. There are some new programs as well. There will be Jewelry making, Yoga, and a Frozen-themed play for younger children. There will also be two sections of chocolate making.

VP Standing Committees: Christine Syslo  Bagel Day is November 29th. There are 259 students currently signed up. The chairs are willing to take more forms until Monday, Nov 27th  Thank you to Jennifer Rilli for keeping parents up-to-date and informed.

New Business, Questions, and Concerns  There was a question about notes from the high schoolers to 4th graders about “respecting the tribe.” This is a new program involving high school students and elementary students learning about respect.  There was a question as to why there were police officers at Boogie for Bucks. Mrs. I reported that police officers have been coming through and walking the halls. She invited Officer German and Officer Kaplan to come to Boogie for Bucks.  There was a question about the Holiday Boutique being only one day instead of two. A concern was raised that students would not have enough time to shop if all classes were squeezed into one day of shopping. Shane Svorec will speak with Mrs. I about potentially doing an evening session or adding on a second day.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Emily Perlman

October 21, 2014 Page 4