Ann Blanche Smith School PTA Minutes s1

Ann Blanche Smith School PTA Minutes January 20, 2015

Minutes of the PTA of Ann Blanche Smith School held in the Library/Media Center of Ann Blanche Smith School on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 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 Nov. 18 meeting. MOTION PASSED.

Superintendent’s Report:  It is good to be back in Hillsdale. Mr. Albano will be here for six months.  The Board of Education has a consultant to begin first stage of superintendent search and we hope to have a new superintendent in place in July.  We are currently preparing for the PARCC tests  There are several new initiatives in Hillsdale and a new administration at the middle school. A “Meet the Principal Night” has been scheduled.  The goal is to maintain the high quality district that Hillsdale currently is.

Principal’s Report:  Happy New Year to all!  There was a wonderful presentation from Unilever to fourth graders, thanks to Sharon Scalia. The boys and girls were separated and there was a discussion about self-esteem.  Jump with Jill was a wonderful assembly that all enjoyed.  Melissa Quackenbush was with the teachers yesterday discussing Reading and Writing workshop.  Christina Joseph is working with teachers once per week.  Mrs. Signore is also present in classrooms.  We are currently ordering mentor texts for teachers in order to prepare this year, for next year. We are working collaboratively with Meadowbrook on this initiative.  Mrs. Lawrence out on sick leave; Tammy Esposito is her leave replacement; Mrs. Lawrence hopes to be back in February.  Mrs. Ford had baby girl.  PARCC exam is coming up; it replaces NJASK. The PARCC assesses children on their knowledge of common core material. The test is computer based and assesses critical thinking skills in Language Arts and Math. o Students will test one class at a time on the computer. o There is no test prep; it is skills based. o Since we are a Title I school and our funding is based on the population who takes the test, we need 95% of our students to take the test to maintain our funding. o Most districts in Bergen County are not experiencing resistance to it. o Students are working on keyboarding skills in order to prepare for PAARC test. o The test is diagnostic and will help inform instruction. o 3rd grade will be baseline; teachers will be able to see how each student progresses year after year. o The environment in the classroom is that the students are learning; we are not simply teaching to the test.  4th grade will take paper version of NJASK in science; science standards are changing as is science curriculum  STAR Renaissance (diagnostic) will begin for 1st grade.  KQ curriculum is being revised; we are moving more toward a push-in model for all students.

Teacher Representative: Rose Bauerle (not present)  Thank you from the teachers for the discount tickets to Comedy Night.  The teachers are ordering lunch tomorrow from Blue Moon.  Mrs. Bauerle will remind teachers to submit their receipts for reimbursement.  Please be aware that the flu is taking hold of NJ.

President’s Report: Shane Svorec  The Holiday Giving Tree was a huge success; the gift cards were easier to manage and transport and they also afforded families in need the flexibility to purchase what they need for themselves.  The 3rd and 4th grade concert is now Jan 23rd  Tomorrow is Community Dining Night at Blue Moon. Blue Moon will give 20 percent of the check to Smith School. Please dine out if at all possible.  Regarding donations and kind gestures, thank you to all who have participated in an event or helped out in any way. Of special note: Julia Noyes and Jayden Rosenthal, 4th graders at Smith, made a donation to Smith School PTA from their lemonade sale this summer. Jayden then donated money from a bake sale she recently held.  Smith Comedy Night is coming up. All hands on deck! We need help right now with selling 50-50 tickets. Please sell to family and friends.

Treasurer’s Report: Sharon Scalia

 Opening Balance: $61,940.32  Activity per spreadsheet  Closing Balance - $60,911.63

January 20, 2015 Page 2 Corresponding Secretary: Ann Job Several thank you notes were read, including:  Thank you for the grab bag gift from Mrs. Zurbuch.  Thank you for the bagel breakfast from Mrs. Rosenbaum.  Thank you for the bagel day lunch from Mrs. Bauerle.  Thank you for all the PTA does from Mrs. Jenne.  Thank you for the candle from Mrs. Esposito.  Thanks for the mystery grab bag gift from Mrs. Blair.  Thank for the grab bag gift from Mrs. Rosenbaum.  Thank you for the Box Top party from Mrs. Rosenbaum and her fourth grade class. VP Administration: Suzanne Dubois and Lorann Markovski  Please read the Friday newsletter for important information and key dates.

VP Special Events: Dolores Forenza  The Variety Show auditions were successful. We will have 25 acts. The show is on February 26 at 7:00; cost is $5.00/adult and $2.00/child  Family Photo Night was very successful. Thank you to all who participated.  The Holiday Boutique was a success as well. Thank you to all volunteers.

VP Fundraising: Heather Creeley  Community Dining Night at Blue Moon is tomorrow, January 21. Please dine out if you can.  Box Tops are due on January 30. The program is doing well. Mrs. Rosenbaum’s class has won for the 4th month in a row. Thanks to Heather Witkowski for chairing Box Tops.  Comedy Night is February 6. o There will be basket wrapping on 2/26 o We need help transporting prizes and selling tickets at the event. o Please sell 50/50 tickets. o We are still accepting reservations.

VP Programs: Christine Hirsch  Jump with Jill was great assembly. There was dancing, listening to music, and discussion about nutrition and staying healthy.  Winter Workshops are going well. There are four more weeks remaining.  Funtastics is also in full swing; we are still looking for volunteers. Class parents have been sending out e- mails to classes who are in need of volunteers.  The Six Flags reading program is underway. Students can earn a prize and a ticket to Great Adventure for reading 360 minutes.  The Green Team is looking for volunteers. The Superintendent just entered the Sustainable Schools Program so the Green Team is ready to get underway. One idea is to a put a recycling program back in place. VP Standing Committees: Christine Syslo

January 20, 2015 Page 3  Thank you to Jen Rilli to keeping in touch with class parents  The School Supplies Program is beginning for next year; we are looking for someone to co-chair that program  Volunteers for Teacher Appreciation Week activities are also needed.

New Business, Questions, and Concerns  There was a question for Mr. Albano about communities who are “opting out” of the PARCC exam. Mr. Albano replied that the PARCC is a state developed, state mandated test. The expectation is that every child will participate.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:34 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Emily Perlman

January 20, 2015 Page 4