Wanaque School
PTA Meeting
November 7, 2011
Meeting called to order at 7:03pm.
CS: Welcome and thank you for coming tonight, MaryAnn is under the weather so I will be leading tonight's meeting!
I would like to take a moment to review and approve last month's minutes;
Motion to approve: Anne P.
2nd: Wendy D.
With no opposition, the PTA unanimously approves the minutes from October 2011.
We would now like to hear from some of our guests, first BOE President, Rob Adams.
Rob Adams: We have begun the Superintendent search. As you know Dr. Weisenfeld is retiring after this school year. We have organized a committee of 3 people to head the search; Dan Sinclair will chair that committee. If we can do this right it will be a great process that will yield us a great replacement. There will be a Community Outreach meeting on December 7th. This is a chance for you to let us know what qualities you are looking for in a Superintendent. The things you want and the things that are less desirable. November 11 we are holding a similar meeting with administration. We will also meet with the teachers. We want everyone's input.
Dan Sinclair: This is a really interesting experience. We are looking for a great replacement. Also, the Wanaque Education Foundation held its first Casino night. It was a learning experience and everyone had a great time. The Foundation looks to fund education through avenues that are not already addressed. This time we are looking to fund teacher grants. Casino night brought in about $4,000 so we are off to a great start.
Q: Has the BOE looked at any candidates yet?
A: Not yet, we have retained our Board attorney to review resumes. The Ad will be placed in January with the hopes of appointing someone by April so they have a month or so to acclimate. Also, just an FYI - Dr. Weisenfeld will not be present at any of the meetings to discuss the search.
Ms. Morales: Things are going well, not much to report. There is some testing for 8th graders for high school. It is a short month so things are pretty quiet.
Q: Can you explain the confusion over the parties for Halloween?
A: Traditionally classrooms are allowed 2 parties per year. A parent coming with a snack does not count as a party. Holiday celebrations, end of year parties - those are what we are talking about.
Q: Are parents allowed to solicit donations for the parties?
A: As long as we stay within guidelines in the handbook, it is fine.
Pomptonian: Donna and Rosa: Thank you for giving us a moment to present some new things your kids will find at lunch. First is the Farm Stand. This is a stand where the kids can choose 1-2 fresh fruits and vegetables with their lunch. Hopefully encouraging them to try something new. If the child can choose it they are more likely to eat it. We are hoping that we will be supported at home so that if your child comes home and says I tried something really yummy at the farm stand today, you will buy it and serve it at home as well. After this school year the state will no longer fund school lunches that do now t provide a fruit and/or vegetable with the meal.
If your child is asking for something to be represented at the Farm Stand, please let us know. The other change is that we are mandated to serve only 1% milk. The state is also trying to eliminate chocolate milk, however we are all fighting this as for some kids it is the only calcium they get.
Officer Reports:
President - MaryAnn: Excused
1st VP - Chris: The teachers have requested that the PTA purchase dishes and silverware for the lounge. They are going to get more details for us as far as quantity etc. We will vote next month.
Once again we are asking that Haskell and Wanaque split the cost for the upper grades' talent show. I need a motion to approve $250 for the Spring Talent show;
Motion: Diane V.
2nd: Anne P.
With no opposition, the PTA unanimously approves sharing the cost for the Sprint Talent show in the amount of $250.
Also, we are already up to $150 in Stop and Shop fundraising. We have a Pizza One night on November 15th where we will receive 10% of all receipts and that counts for take out and delivery as well.
2nd VP - Jason: Wanted to take a moment to thank the BOE for the wonderful library furniture. November is a tough month because there is a lot going on. During breaks try and give your teachers a hand by trying something educational with your kids. Go to a library or a museum and keep them learning
Treasurer - Wendy: Nothing to report.
Corresponding Secretary - Karen: We received a Thank You from Mrs. Basedow for the Elmo document camera donated by the class of 2011.
We also received a Thank You from Mrs. Jurgeson. Her class won the respect door contest and received a pizza party.
I am getting some emails kicked back to me. If you have not been receiving emails about PTA activities and meetings, please see me to confirm your address.
Recording Secretary - Yvette: Nothing to report.
Standing Committee Reports
As always, if you are interested in being on a committee, please just say the word, even if you want to develop a new committee, we welcome every new idea!
Drama K-1: nothing to report
Drama - 2nd - 4th: Nothing to report
Drama 5th - 8th - Sue H.: 17 kids so far enrolled in the workshop, we feel like more will join. They are having a lot of fun and we are all learning with them! Our director Denise is teaching through games and it is a great approach for this group.
Cultural Arts - Chris S.: Research and communication with the teachers is ongoing, should have more to report next month.
Holiday Shoppe - Anne P.: Merchandise has been ordered, just waiting for delivery.
Holiday Bazaar - Julie C. 12/3 is confirmed. 25 vendors are currently confirmed. We have room for about another 20-25 tables if anyone is interested.
Box Tops for Education - Wendy: We submitted about $280 worth of box tops, we should receive a check in December; it comes to the school so when it arrives if someone would let me know that would be great. Next shipment goes out March 1, so keep sending them in, and remember I need the teacher's name and homeroom on the bag.
Bingo - Anne P: The next date is December 16th. Please remember there are no drop offs, parents must stay with their children and the time is from 7-8:30 in the evening. Halloween Bingo was a great success, kids loved it!
Tricky Tray : There will be new signage for the Tricky Tray, will no longer share with Holiday Shop so hopefully we can cut down on the painting and re-painting.
Newsletter - Karen B: Absent
Reading Program - Kathy D.: Absent
Membership - Lisa A.: Still accepting members. Please remember to fill out your forms legibly and remember that if you are not a member, you cannot vote and this is a very important year for voting!
Field Day - Michele A.: Not in attendance
School Pictures - Diane V.: Picture delivery was a nightmare. Everything was mixed up particularly in the upper grades. 4th and 5th grades chose to have one big class picture and the kids are hardly identifiable as the group is so large. The Photographers were not the ones I chose and almost everyone is disappointed. We are looking in to re-takes.
School Apparel - Sue B: The order form is on the website, and Sue will have representation at the Holiday Shop
Giving Tree - Wendy W. This committee of 1 needs some help. Leaves are not even to the teachers yet and the holidays are upon us. If you are willing to help at all, please come see me. Thanks.
Cookie Dough - Wendy W.: Also a committee that could use some help. This is not difficult; just need an extra few sets of hands. Thanks
New Business
Jen S.: I am interested in chairing a new fundraiser called Market Day. (Flyer attached). Basically you choose foods from the flyer, place your order either on line or in paper and then once a month there is a delivery. If you order online you pay then, if you order on paper you pay when you pick up. You come to the school and your food is delivered. The quality is excellent and the prices are very affordable.
Haskell has been doing this for a while and making about $200 per month. Commission is scaled based on the total amount of your order. Less than $3500 you make 10%, $3500 - $5500 PTA gets 15% and $5500+ you max out at 20%. There are also Bonus days where particular items have a higher value.
I went to the last Haskell delivery to talk to the rep and got some more information. The drivers are union so all they can do is pull up and drop off, there are volunteers needed to move the food inside and to sort it into orders.
Honestly, I stayed for the whole process and it was not bad at all. The Sales rep is mandated to be there so she answers all questions and handles any problems with orders if they arise. There are no start up costs.
We could consider merging our delivery with Haskell, would just mean that we would have to get our orders there. Other times will have to be worked out if we choose not to combine our orders - there would be no profit-sharing.
Thanksgiving Baskets - Lisa K.: Flyers went out; baskets are being put together on the 21st. If you would like to come, it will be in the evening starting at 5pm. It is a lot of fun and it goes really quickly. Girl Scouts provide the blankets for the families and we put all the food in laundry baskets so we are totally green too! If you would like to help, just let me know.
Announcements:
Kids Stuff Books - Lori S.: Made about $1500!
Skate night is March 16th
Window Decals: Flyers went home, deadline coming up.
CS: If there is no other business, our next meeting will be December 5 at 7pm right here in the library.
Motion to adjourn until December 5, 2011
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Motion: Tracy G.
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2nd: Anne P.
With no opposition, the PTA has approved this meeting adjourn
until December 5, 2011
until December 5, 2011
# # #
Respectfully submitted November 14, 2011
