Ann Blanche Smith School PTA Minutes

October 22, 2013

Minutes of the PTA of Ann Blanche Smith School held in the Library/Media Center of Ann Blanche Smith School on Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at 7:30p.m.

Shane Svorec chaired the meeting and called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

Board Members present: Shane Svorec, Sharon Scalia, Emily Perlman, Ann Job, Suzanne Dubois, Lorann Markovski, Christine Hirsch, Michele Ax, Kelly Foley, Christine Syslo, and Dolores Forenza.

Recording Secretary: Emily Perlman

Motion to pass the minutes from the meeting of Sept. 24thmeeting. MOTION PASSED.

Principal’s Report: Mrs. Iskendarian was not present at the meeting for the principal’s report.

Teacher Representative: Rose Bauerle

E-alerts are updated every Friday. These reports contain weekly news from Mrs. Bauerle regarding predominant illnesses in school. Thus far, the absence rate has been minimal.
Smith School is now participating in the Bergen County influenza survey. We send information into Bergen County and we get data back regarding flu rates and other communicable diseases.
The Week of Respect focused on bullying. The week-long series of activities were well-received. There was an assembly that focused on making healthy choices, which corresponds to topics already being discussed in school.
Red Ribbon week also occurred.
Trunk or Treat is being talked about among teachers; they are making donations.
Halloween parade – parents can come, and are encouraged to attend. Class parties are run by class moms and they will ask for help if needed. Parents should send in their donations for the party as early as possible.
Membership to the PTA among faculty is up over last year. There are still some membership payments trickling in. Mrs. Bauerle will remind faculty to send in their payment.

President’s Report: Shane Svorec

There was a recap of events thus far:
Turnout for Boogie for Bucks was fantastic.
Carla Luciano organized it and there were many parent volunteers. Thanks to all for a great fundraiser!
Upcoming fundraisers include:
Smith Family Photo Night
Cookie Dough
Trunk or Treat
Nov 20 there will be parent visitation at Smith from 9:30-11:00 and 1:30-2:30.
Police officers will be present.
Those who intend to come must sign up in advance.
Mr. Spirito is encouraging all to register for E-alerts from Hillsdale Schools. This e-mail service has all information relevant to all Hillsdale Schools.
The PTA Facebook page has been a useful tool for communicating with Smith families. We encourage everyone to “like” us on Facebook.
Regarding Web site registration, you must go back in and reselect information every year that your child is in school. There is information on Smith School Web site as to how to register
On the Smith School Web Site in Friday’s Folder, other notices and flyers are there for viewing. We are a “green” school and parents should check the Web site for any notices and forms that they may be interested in (i.e., recreational sports or Bagel Days).

Treasurer’s Report: Sharon Scalia

Opening Balance: 24,966.78

Activity per spreadsheet

10/20/13 Ending Checkbook Balance: 30,371.79

Corresponding Secretary: Ann Job

Three thank you notes were read aloud from Mrs. Jenne, Mrs. Balzano, and Mrs. Rosenbaum
14 eblasts have been sent out
Please make sure to update your e-mail address if you have not yet done so.

VP Administration: Suzanne Dubois and Lorann Markovski

Library Aides are needed for Wednesdays and Thursdays. Mrs. Zeller is filling in at spots where there is no help. There are specific class needs listed on the Smith School Web site under Library. Remember, to volunteer, you must be a PTA member.
The directory is at printer.
Anything that needs to be posted to the Web site should be sent to VP Admin chairs. Any flyer outside of Smith School needs to be approved by Mr. Spirito’s office.
The Bulletin Board is a space that should be used to communicate information about school events. An idea was posed that the space can be taken over by a different family each month. They can “own” it for the month.

VP Special Events: Dolores Forenza

Spirit Wear Sale was a success. The orders were placed and items should be coming in 2-3 weeks.
A question was raised as to why the Spirit Wear sale ended. Can we have a Spirit Wear store?
Items must be placed in bulk, which is why the orders were placed.
We would like to create an online Spirit Wear store; but time of delivery could not be guaranteed because the order would be placed once we reached a certain quantity.
There are still Smith School car magnets for sale. They will be available at Trunk or Treat.
The book fair was great success. We must now think about how we would like the award from Scholastic, as cash or in prizes.
Family Photo Night is November 1 from 5-7 pm. Families pay $10 for one 8 x 10 and then can order more.
The Holiday Boutique is Nov. 21 and 22. Envelopes will be sent home in backpacks.

VP Fundraising: Michele Ax and Kelly Foley

The Kids Stuff Coupon Book fundraiser was very successful. The book went home to all families who did not have a child at George White. The future of the sale is uncertain because George White also does the sale and they would like to have exclusive access to this fundraiser.
Boogie for Bucks was a fun day for everyone. There was a raffle for those who entered with one winner per grade. Everyone “boogied” and Mrs. Barnhardt did video of the event. Look for it on the Web site.
The Cookie Dough Sale is in progress. The deadline is October 28.
Trunk or Treat is coming up on October 25 from 6 to 8 pm in the Smith School parking lot. Thus far 70 spots have been filled out of 89. There will be music, food, and dessert.
To be fair for all participants: you must have a trunk to trunk or treat.
The parking lot will be lit for safety.
Outside bathrooms should be open.
Please keep clipping Box Tops.
Mrs. Ford’s class won the prize for most box tops for September
You can shop online for Box Tops.
Please send in all Box Tops by the 25th of October.
Entertainment Night is scheduled for April 23, 2014. A comedian was hired as entertainment. We need help with all aspects of Entertainment Night including solicitation for baskets, empty baskets, and wrapping of baskets.

VP Programs: Christine Hirsch

There was a report on the upcoming assemblies:
Sarah Weeks is coming in January.
The Brain Show in February. There was a question asked about whether or not it is possible to have the Brain Show as a fundraiser in evening here as Meadowbrook does?
Reading Rocks Pep Rally in April
One more program is possible. Hopefully a science program will get on the calendar for the spring.
Feedback from the Bullying Assembly was positive. The teachers felt message hit home. The assembly kept the kids entertained, engaged and enthusiastic.
Mr. S. felt the presenter hit on same points that they are discussing in school.
Winter Workshops will soon be underway. The workshops are a Saturday morning enrichment program that runs six weeks in Jan. and Feb. Topics include Cooking, Puppets, Dance, etc…
Info will come in the next few weeks about classes, times, grade levels, etc…
We are looking for a woodshop teacher.
The workshops are open to other schools in other towns and at St. John’s in Hillsdale. There will be a slightly higher tuition rate for those not at Hillsdale Schools (Smith, Meadowbrook, White)
Sign-up for Winter Workshops will be at end of November.
The first issue of the Smith School Record will be coming out soon. All entries have been typed and the issue is being designed. It will hopefully get to the children by Halloween.

VP Standing Committees: Christine Syslo

We are looking at adding one more Bagel Day for first week in November. We may possibly have donuts from Demarest Farms instead of the traditional bagel.
Regarding the school supplies, School Kidz by Staples is current provider, however we might switch to Innisbrook by Office Depot.
We are looking for a new chairfor the school supplies program as the current chair will no longer have a child at Smith. Contact Christine Syslo with any interest.

New Business and Questions

None asked.
No new business.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:50p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Emily Perlman

September 24, 2013

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