WILLIAM MASON NEWSLETTER

OCTOBER, 2010 UPCOMING EVENTS Friday, October 1 - School Picture Day Wednesday, October 6 - Home & School Mtg, 7:30 pm-Media Center Monday, October 11 - School Closed in observance of Columbus Day Tuesday, October 19 - Parent Visitation Day Grades K- 2 9:00 10:00a.m. Grades 3-5 10:00 – 11:00 am Thursday, October 14 - Williamsbg Electronic Field Trip, 10:00 am Grd 4-5 Friday, October 22 - Dad’s Volunteer Day BootCamp Challenge Friday, October 23 - MEF Fashion Show Fund Raiser, Hanover Manor Friday, October 29 - Halloween Parade, 1:20 p.m. Mon. – Wed., Nov. 1 -3 - Parent Conferences/Early Dismissal 12:50 pm Book Fair PRINCIPAL’S CORNER

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for making our opening this year run as smoothly as it did. Your patience, understanding, and flexibility with the busing schedules, forgotten lunches, and musical instruments, assisted us in getting the little bumps ironed out.

Back-To-Night was a well-attended event. On behalf of the entire faculty, I would like to thank each of you for your involvement. We hope that you found the evening informative, and that you came away with a better understanding of the “workings” of the school.

If you haven’t already joined Mason’s Home & School Organization, we encourage you to do so. Membership is $10 dollars per family. Your contributions assist us in securing cultural art programs and enrichment activities that benefit students and staff alike. Our goal this year is to reach 100% membership. Won’t you please help us to achieve this worthwhile benchmark? Just print your name, child’s name, and classroom teacher’s name on the outside of an envelope, and place the ten dollars inside. Mark the contents to the attention of Home & School Membership. It’s as simple as that!

October is a busy month. Please don’t forget that school will not be in session on October 11th, for Columbus Day. Our first Electronic Field Trip this year to Williamsburg for students in grades 4 & 5 will begin on Thursday, October 14th. We look forward to our daddy’s coming in and assisting us with many classroom and support activities on DVD Day scheduled for Friday, October 22nd. Parent conferences are scheduled this year on the evening of Monday, November 1, and on the afternoon and evening of November 2. Students will be dismissed at 12:50 pm on November 1, 2 and 3rd. A reminder that hot lunches from Simply Gourmet will not be available on those dates. Finally, ending the month is our annual Halloween Parade, scheduled for Friday, October 29th. We will stage the event in the parking lot, weather permitting, around 1:20 p.m. Parents are encouraged to come and take pictures. If we do experience inclement weather then we will stage this event indoors and unfortunately have to limit attendance in the Gym/Auditorium.

In preparation for the parade, when selecting or making a costume for your child, please remember that costumes are fragile and that they may not make it through the day. Therefore, think of a costume that will hold up, and if not, have an alternative one for your child to utilize that night if s/he will be going out trick or treating. Costumes are optional to wear for all students. Finally, no toy weapons are permitted, e.g. sword, axe, knife, etc. even if it is made of plastic/rubber.

Though district parent conferences are officially scheduled twice a year, please remember that conferences can be scheduled at any time when needed. Just contact your child’s teacher via email, note, or telephone message. Email addresses for all faculty consists of their first initial followed by their last name @montville.net.

A reminder, that if you are dropping your child off in the morning, that drop off time begins at 8:05 am when supervision is in place. Please do not let students off before that time, nor should you be pulling up at curb side in front of the school since that space is reserved for our incoming busses. Please remember to use the drop off area designated, and once again stay within the two lanes that are marked. This will keep the bus path clear enabling busses to enter and unload children smoothly. It is important to let your child off curb side and not the traffic side for their own safely, as well as your own. If you need to drop your son or daughter off before the starting time because of scheduling commitments, you will need to enroll them in the MEDLC program. Remember that when entering the school you need to enter on the right side entrance of the parking lot, not the left. This is a one way entrance and therefore we ask that you use the access road to depart the area.

On behalf of the students and faculty we wish to thank our Home and School Organization for their generous gift that enabled a much needed black top area to be reconstructed and repaved. The students for many years to come will benefit from this completed project, enjoying their recess time to the fullest extent. Everyone’s efforts and hard work have been valued and appreciated. Dr. Stephanie Adams Head Learner

A Message from Your Home and School Committees: Thanks to all of our parents who have participated in the Fall fundraisers to help offset the costs of Home and School programs and activities.

Stay informed! Visit the Home and School website (go to montville.net, click the drop down menu for William Mason, and select "HSA" to find us!) for information on upcoming events, fundraisers, and great things happening at school!

Are your kids ready for the Bootcamp Challenge? William Mason's first ever Bootcamp Challenge will take place in conjunction with Dad's Volunteer Day. It will be a great way to get the kids exercising, and helping to raise money for Home and School. More info to come! Minutes of Home & School Meeting, September 15, 2010 - 7:30 PM

Note: H&S minutes have not been approved and are subject to change. The final approved minutes will be posted on the H&S website.

Officers Present: Deneen Paterson, Sue Arena, Linda Berger, Laura Dec, Dyan Zinzi

Meeting called to order in the William Mason Library. A total of 24 people attended the meeting including officers.

President’s Report:

Deneen Paterson welcomed members present and read the mission statement. Prior minutes approved.

Calendar of events and fundraisers were reviewed and included wrapping paper, Kids Coupon Books, Gro-Rite gift cards. Marianne Perretta stated Back to School kits are not a real money maker.

Co-Presidents Report:

Sue Arena introduced Paw Prints Recognition Awards. A reward given to parents or teachers for recognition of hard work and/or doing something special for the school. First awards go to Barbara LoBasso for her work on the school website. The second award was give to Noelle Baresich and Marianne Perretta for their work distributing the back to school kits.

Discussions:

The new Treasurer Linda Berger discussed changes in budget from last year due to some incorrect line items. Stated that some committee budgets had to be reduced due to the fact we are starting out with a deficit.

Book club line item will budget will be $0.00 since we are receiving books instead of cash.

Added Bingo and Gro-Rite as fund raisers.

Line items expenses of Gifts to School and Field Trip budget adjusted to $0.00.

The amount of $10,000.00 was taken from savings to pay for black top. Will be completed the weekend of September 25th.

Linda Berger reviewing licensing for 50/50 raffle.

Holiday Boutique fundraiser increased 10%. Will revisit in October H&S increasing budget for Holiday Boutique and Cookie Dough/Pie line item.

Add Ravioli sale for 5th grade fundraiser because hot lunch revenue is down.

Teachers need to be made aware of the money put aside in the Teacher’s Discretionary Fund.

Committee heads should be aware we are considered exempt and Linda Berger can supply the tax exempt form for any purchases that are made with H&S check. Kate Bolen was concerned that the Cultural Arts budget was cut back to $6,000.00 and stated costs for these functions are on the rise. Linda Berger reviewed previous budget and clarified that over the year the budget did increase but now it is in line with what H&S can afford.

Discussion about the consideration of some fundraisers be eliminated and replaced with increased H&S dues. Dr. Adams asked for a survey of the parent population should be done.

Discussion on working with teachers on finding out what they need and applying for grants. Example “going green funding”. Grants also available for cultural arts.

Motion to pass budget. Motion approved, budget passed.

Principal’s Report:

Dr. Adams thanked H&S for black top with a special thanks to Sue Arena and Mr. Giudice.

Introduced new staff member Jane Donohue, School Nurse. Mrs. Donohue spoke about herself and background.

First assembly program by Mrs. Spagnardi on bullying and internet safety coming up for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders.

Discussed Back to School Night and emphasized that parents should also visit BSI / Art / Music teachers and Nurse.

Kids on the Block will perform on September 29th and thanked Kate Bolen for doing a wonderful job. The program uses large puppets to discuss things kids face like bullying. All parents welcome.

Welcome back Picnic October 1st. Good time to introduce our new black top.

***MEF- will be sponsoring a Fashion Show fundraiser October 23rd.

***Dr. Adams discussed that this year teachers will be working with specialist like Mrs. Millian, Mrs. Navarra, and Mrs. Schruba to assist in program delivery targeted for children who show special interests and passions, differentiating instruction to meet individual and collective needs. In addition, Mrs. Amodeo, who was a gifted and talented teacher in the district last year, and now is co-teaching with Ms. Brink will also bring her expertise and share ideas.

Mary Iervolino suggested special fundraisers to bring back clubs that have been cut. Dr. Adams explained that the President’s Council and Dr. Fried are addressing the issue among all schools so it remains balanced and fair.

Discussed that the teachers will be incorporating world language and computer skills into their class. Mrs. Vogel will be instruction on keyboarding.

Reported on Stability Balls in the 3rd, 4th and 5th with in class support. Pre and post testing show increase body tone, focusing, hand eye coordination and strength.

Sue Arena thanked Dr. Adams for letting the H&S Presidents come to the staff meeting.

Committee Reports:

Tears and Cheers - Come September 17th and meet the new parents.

Tissues - Sue Arena increased ordered from last year and decreased the cost to $0.30 a box. They are paid for and in the class room. Still considering ShopRite gift card but H&S needs to put up the money first.

On the Gro-Rite fundraiser we receive:

$ 2.00 for $10.00 card $ 5.00 for $25.00 card $10.00 for $50.00 card $20.00 for $100.00 card

Family Picnic October 1st. 5:30 PM. Old fashioned picnic games. Speaking with Dina Palmisano to see if her husband will set up as DJ. Order food ahead.

Diane Brady reported 3 class parents per class and will be selecting this week.

Dad’s Volunteer Day will include Boot Camp. Mr. I will give input on what is needed.

Hospitality Committee not here. Deneen Paterson updated. In light of budget cuts, they will be asking for donations of baked goods. One flyer will go out asking if anyone would like to sign up to supply baked good for one of the listed events. Then head of the event will then contact those interested prior to the event.

Kids Stuff Coupon Book out, did great last year. H&S raisers $12.50 per book, Easy to track,

School Pictures October 1st, retakes November 11th.

Cougar Sale - Samantha George reported forms will be in back pack on Friday and a table will be set up at Back to School Nigh, old Cougar Wear will be sold. First Spirit Day will be September 24th.

Sue Arena reported Becky Steckelman will be responsible for publicity and getting William Mason back in the public eye. Looking for anything she can get into the papers concerning projects, school, class and individual school achievements.

Deneen Paterson reported there will be a box on Mrs. Vogel desk for questions you want answered at the H&S meeting.

Open Discussion

Nancy Festini stated only 22 Master Order Forms came back so far. Forms that went out were confusing concerning who wanted to be included in the buzz book and who did not. Suggestion made to allow for parents to purchase more than one buzz book. Also suggested, it should be better explained how helpful the buzz book is and the donation allows you to join home and school.

Reminder that everyone needs to update PTO.

Reminder about ice cream coupons and that old ones can be used.

Reminder the playground is jump rope free.

Meeting adjourned at 8:50.

Happy Fall!