Ridgewood Avenue Home and School Association

 

Unapproved January Meeting Minutes

January17, 2008

 

Officers Present: Tania Liddy, President; Shari Dreier, 2nd Vice President; Laura Buchmann, Treasurer; Jennifer Schmitt, Secretary.

 

Tania Liddy called the meeting to order at 7:00PM.

 

Principals Report: Mr. Phillips thanked the RAHSA for successful Holiday Store and the Ice Skating Social. He mentioned recent events at the school including Parent/Teacher Conferences, “Dancers Around the World” Assembly, and a Lewis and Clark Assembly. Upcoming events include: the Glen Ridge Gala to benefit the RAHSA; an Internet Safety Presentation for Parents (being sponsored by MAC) on 2/4/08; and No Name Calling Week (1/22/08). There was some “weather related” damage to roof tiles on the playground side of the school that has limited the outdoor playground use. Until it can be fully repaired, which is subject to the weather, there is no outdoor playtime for the students for their safety.

 

Teachers Report: Ms Torella thanks the RAHSA for the delightful and thoughtful breakfast and lunches during National Education Week.

 

Board of Education Report: John Cable reported that the BOE/District Staff negotiations are going well. Both sides agreed to release the mediator and met on December 27th. They are close to an agreement. The BOE is looking at class size issues throughout the District and at the end schools where it has become an issue for the current 1st grade class. They have hired two aides for each grade to help ease the load on the teachers. Dr Fishbein is doing a class size study looking at population trends, etc… that should be completed soon. The new legislation in Trenton is worrisome to the BOE and the District.

 

SCRIP: Julie Mason reported that Holiday SCRIP sale brought in $44,000 (2100 cards were sold) for a profit of approx. $4000. The gift card sale was more successful than last year, and they will repeat in the spring for year-end gifts, etc…

 

President’s Report: Tania Liddy thanked the following: the Holiday Store Committee, the Social Committee for the Ice Skating Social and Meghan Gulianelli for all the photos that have been in the local papers. The Glen Ridge Gala to benefit the RAHSA is almost sold out. The Auction committee has done a great job and the Ad journal has made $11,000.  The money raised will go towards technology and/or a garden-learning center it is hoped. She announced that the proceeds from the 50/50 at the annual RAS/High School Staff Basketball Game in late March/April would go the HSHSA this year. The Discovery Registration has closed with its highest enrollment ever. Katie Hegerty nominated Kathy Marhan to fill the vacant 1st Vice President position, and Shari Dreier seconded. All were in favor.

 

MAC: Kathy Weissenberger reported that the next meeting is 2/1/08 and they will be announcing a Parent Speaker Series soon. 

 

Book Fair: Kathy Wiesenberger reported that the new vendor is ALL BOOKS. They were used successfully by Linden Ave in the fall. The fair is March 4,5,6 with Family Night on the 6th. They are using a Rhino theme and looking for an author to attend. They will conitue the Bridge of Books donation program. There was a discussion of the use for the proceeds (past amounts avg. $4000.). It will be further decided at the next HAS Meeting.

 

Discovery: Ellen Futon made a motion for RAHSA to purchase for $275.  a guitar amp to be donated to the school music program, which can be used by the Discovery teacher during his class. Meghan Guilianelli seconded and all were in favor.

 

Treasurer’s Report: Laura Buchman reported that the Holiday Store made $6400; Sheet and Treats made $4200; and the Ice Skating Social lost $75. The current balance is $24,000. but about $15,000. is needed for next years Enrichment programs, leaving available $9000. Shari Dreier made a motion to unencumber left over funds from the Holiday Store, National Education Week and Discovery.

 

Mr Donovan asked that RAHSA consider contributing $2000 to help the 6th grade class fund a field trip to New York City for the “Lincoln Conspiracy”. It was a class project through the new technology class that was voted best by the students themselves.

 

Tania Liddy adjourned the meeting at 8:20 PM.