Ridgewood Avenue Home and School Association



Unapproved Minutes October 4, 2013

Officers Present: Rennae Pelayo, President; Mary O’Farrell, 1st Vice President; Nicole Quinn, 2nd Vice President; Kathy Sweet, Treasurer; Amy Fazekas, Secretary

Rennae Pelayo called the meeting to order at 9:30 AM.

Turf Presentation –GR Councilman Jeff Theodorou reported:

• Hurrell Field Synthetic Turf Proposal can be found on

• All questions regarding this matter should be directed to info@

• Election Day is November 5

• Mail in ballots are available from Borough Administrator’s Office or on town website

Teacher’s Report – Ms. Goodwin reported:

▪ Technology room is up and running

Board of Education Report – Dave Campbell reported:

▪ The Board of Education has met twice in September

▪ FAS principal Mrs. Fitzpatrick is still out sick

▪ Mr. Donovan has done a tremendous job of filling in at FAS

▪ Dr. Mucciolo says it’s not an optimal situation to start out the school year but working on a resolution

▪ FAS and LAS will remain open during the October election because the Board of Elections of Essex County has agreed to move the polls to the GR Women’s Club; there will be no voting taking place at the end schools

Discovery – Rennae Pelayo reported

▪ Mrs. Walsh has taken over the administrative role for the Discovery Program

▪ Last year the program brought in $15,000 for the Fall classes while this year we have brought in $26,000

▪ The school has done a terrific job of promoting this program

Treasurer’s Report – Rennae Pelayo reported:

▪ Significant activity since last meeting

▪ KIdStuff Coupon Book sales of $2500 (profit of $1250)

▪ School supplies profit of $4570

▪ Paid out birthday pizza funding of $2000

▪ $68,105 currently in bank; yet does not reflect Discovery Instructor payments

Ways & Means Committee – Jennifer Cifelli and Nicole Quinn reported:

▪ Kid Stuff Coupon Books – 100 books sold; 6 still available

▪ Sheets and Treats/Innisbrook sale ends 10/11

▪ Spirit Wear will be available soon and will be delivered before Thanksgiving

SCRIP – Mary O’Farrell reported:

▪ September total sales were $37,500; School earned $2000

▪ There is an Amazon portal that works with Amazon Prime as well where your purchase on Amazon benefits RAS; as a result $650 has been brought in through Amazon portal in September

GR Historical Society –Ali Lang reported:

• Scavenger Hunt will take place Saturday October 26 1:30-3pm

• Open to members and non-members

• No reservations needed

• Begin at the GR Train Station and ends at the Boiling Springs Savings Bank

• GR Historical Society has a new home – 2nd floor of Boiling Springs Savings Bank

GREF Fundraiser –Anne Moisan reported:

• Fundraising event October 19 at Glen Ridge Country Club

• Please support this organization which provides our schools with grants

Principal’s Report –Mike Donovan reported:

▪ Back to School Night was September 12

▪ School Photos were September 10-12

▪ John Halligan Presentation October 4

o powerful assembly about bullying, suicide, & childhood, funded by MAC

o Halligan first presented in GR 4 or 5 years ago

o

▪ Week of Respect 10/7-10/11

▪ Red Ribbon week is coming up

▪ 6th grade field trip October 29 Edgar Allen Poe in Bud Lake

▪ 5th grade field trip Fort Lee Historical Park in the next couple weeks

▪ Mr. Donovan is currently going back and forth between FAS and RAS in Mrs. Fitzpatrick’s absence

▪ Dr. Harris is taking on extra responsibilities at RAS

▪ Whitson’s is the food company again this year providing lunch under the supervision of a new manager Sharron; quality of food has improved

▪ Security Upgrades to system will go into effect in a week or two

▪ Talent Show – Home and School has supported the decision to change the date as a result of a GRAA conflict with Bill Bradley Basketball Fundraiser; new date TBA will be in November before Thanksgiving

▪ Basic Skills Instruction letters have gone out

▪ Gifted and Talented –

o new criteria was presented for approval

o letters will be sent home soon; Mr. Donovan will send an email informing that those letters have been sent

o Pull out opportunities, marking period enrichment projects and differentiate in the classroom will continue

▪ Library

o Over past couple of years less money went to purchasing books because of the purchase of Kindles

o There is an increase in students wanting to borrow Kindles

o The system used to take out books costs $2000 which last year fell into the principals account

o Mrs. Mooney has ordered $2000 worth of books this Fall and has requested the same for the Spring

▪ Technology

o RAS will be going wireless next week

o 6th graders are allowed to bring their laptops to school

o 5th grade teachers have requested allowing 5th grade students to bring laptops to school

o The new computer labs are almost complete and parents can get a short tour after the next HSA meeting

President’s Report – Rennae Pelayo reported:

▪ Thank you to Jennifer Cifelli and Nicole Quinn – KidStuff/Innisbrook

▪ Thank you to Jennifer Pine and Kristin O’Neil – Class Parent Volunteers

▪ Thank you to Lisa Kollberg and Ilia Wood – School Photos

▪ Thank you to Ingrid Kozlowski and Stephanie North – Library Volunteers

Votes:

• Jennifer Cifelli motioned to approve the September minutes. Nicole Quinn seconded and all were in favor

Upcoming Events – Rennae Pelayo:

• InnisBrook Fundraiser Ends – October 11

• GREF Fundraiser – October 19

• GRHSA Family Photos - October 12, 13, 19, 20

• GR Historical Society – Scavenger Hunt October 26, 1:30pm

• Family Game Night – DATE CHANGE Friday November 1, 7pm

• Election Day – School Closed – November 5

• NJEA Teacher’s Convention – School Closed – November 7 & 8

▪ Next HSA Meeting – Friday, November 15, 8:45 RAS CAFÉ

Rennae Pelayo adjourned the meeting at 10:40 AM.

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