Ridgewood Avenue Home and School Association



Ridgewood Avenue Home and School Association

Approved June Minutes June 11, 2010

Officers Present: Sharon Harms, President; Debbie Looney, 1st Vice President; Kathy Weissenberger, 2nd Vice President; Marge Kallies, Treasurer; Leah Zweig, Secretary

Sharon Harms called the meeting to order at 8:50 AM.

Glen Ridge Community Fund – Carolyn Mitchell reported the following:

- The GR Community Fund conducts two annual fundraising campaigns: a solicitation letter in the fall and the Fitzgerald’s 1928 Lager Run on June 27th. The GR Community Fund is requesting $100 from each school’s Home & School Association to help pay for water for the Lager Run. Sharon Harms requested a vote and the donation was approved (see Votes below).

Principal’s Report – Mike Donovan reported:

- The 3rd and 4th graders took the New Jersey ASK.

- Ridgewood Avenue’s Comedy Night was May 14th.

- All 2nd grade transition activities were successfully completed.

- The Spring Chorus Concert was May 26th.

- Field Day on May 28th was a success.

- The Spring Band Concert was June 9th.

- June 10th was the 6th grade field trip to Craigmeur Recreation Park.

- The school is purchasing five webcams from donations from Home & School and will raffle the cameras to the teachers for their classrooms.

- The school is also cleaning up the courtyard and planting flowers with funds from Home & School.

- Class lists will now be available only of Skyward Family Access System. Mr. Donovan will send an email explaining the new procedures.

- Pamela Baker is transferring from teaching at Ridgewood Avenue School to the high school.

- Upcoming events include:

- June 11th is Character Education Day. Several activities are stationed throughout the school for the students to visit.

- Ridgewood Avenue School won was an award for Character Education and will be recognized with a press release.

- Ridgewood Avenue’s Barnes & Noble Book Fair on June 17th. A percentage of purchases will benefit our school/organization.

- June 18th is Rhino Reader Reward Day. The winning class from each grade gets a movie and a picnic.

- June birthday lunches are on June 15th and June 16th. July birthday lunches are on June 21st and June 22nd.

- June 24th is 6th Grade Promotion.

- June 25th is Move-Up Day.

Teacher’s Report:

- No teachers were available to attend the meeting due to preparations for Character Education Day.

Board of Education – Sharon Harms reported on behalf of Betsy Ginsburg:

- The BOE recognized Alyssa DeSimone, a 4th grade teacher at Ridgewood Avenue School, as a recipient of the Governor’s Teacher of the Year Awards.

- The BOE celebrated the district’s New Jersey QSAC’s results. QSAC is the state monitoring of the district’s finances, facilities, and governance policies. The results were excellent in all categories, including Curriculum, Governance and Finance.

- The BOE met with representatives of the GREA (the teachers’ union) to negotiate a new contract. Discussions are continuing.

- The BOE approved the retirement of several district teachers.

- Superintendent Mucciolo and Ms. Ginsburg went to the annual meeting of the Garden Station Coalition of Schools. Commissioner Schundler and some members of the legislature discussed the 2.5% spending cap which will be on the November ballot.

- In the coming weeks, the BOE will establish goals for 2010-2011 school year and plan their annual retreat.

President’s Report – Sharon Harms reported:

- The Home & School Association had a successful year, exceeding all of its objectives. Two officers—1st Vice President Debbie Looney and Treasurer Marge Kallies—have completed their terms and are leaving. Several committee chairs are also leaving, including Tricia Barrett, Laura Arthur, and Margo Garrison, Book Fair; Shari Dreier, School Directory; Beth Ege and Trish Turiano, Social Committee; Ellen Fitton, Discovery; and Karen McGinn, School Supplies. Sharon thanked all of the outgoing officers and chairs for all the hard work and dedication.

- The Home & School Association party at Debbie Looney’s house was a great success. Sharon thanked Debbie for hosting.

Treasurer’s Report – Marge Kallies reported:

- Current available cash is $34,159.86. $23,753.79 is committed for upcoming events and the total available funds is $10,406.07.

Committee Reports:

- Alternative Funding: Kathy Weissenberger reported that the replacement of 6th grade lockers is a funding raising focus of the committee.

- Ways & Means: Tania Liddy reported that a Parent Field Day in the fall is planned as a fundraiser.

- The designated use of money raised by the Book Fair Committee was discussed. The proceeds from the Book Fair Committee fundraisers historically go to the library for purchasing new books and general maintenance. The library usually needs $5,000 to cover these annual expenses. Kathy Weissenberger suggested that $2,000 from the March Book Fair go to the library and the remaining money from the Book Fair fundraisers go to technology purchases. Alternate Funding will match money that each school designates to technology purchases. $13,650 is needed to purchase Smart Boards for six classrooms. Kathy Weissenberger requested a vote and the funding was approved (see Votes below). Sharon Harms said this should be a yearly discussion with Joyce Mooney’s input.

Nominations:

- Anne Moisan reported that all the open officer and committee chair positions have been filled. Maria deMeola is nominated as 1st Vice President and Sonya Twyman is nominated as Treasurer of the Home & School Executive Committee. Sharon Harms requested a vote on the on the nominations and the slate was approved (see Votes below).

Appreciation – Sharon Harms thanked the following:

- Debbie Looney for hosting the Home & School Association reception.

- Linda Malik for Box Tops

- Maria DeMeola for Field Day.

- Kathy Marhan and Kathy Savatelli for Class Parents.

- Jennifer Patton and Judy Bagdon for Library.

- The Enrichment Committee for the Totally Vocally assembly.

Votes:

- Debbie Looney made a motion to approve $100 funds for water for the Glen Ridge Community Fund’s annual Lager Run on June 27th; Sonya Twyman seconded and all were in favor.

- Kathy Weissenberger made a motion to approve $2,000 from the Book Fair fundraisers for the library with the remaining monies designated for technology purchases; Tania Liddy seconded and all were in favor.

- Tania Liddy made a motion to approve the Home & School nominations; Leah Zweig seconded and all were in favor.

Sharon Harms adjourned the meeting at 9:55 AM.

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