Friends of Nutley Singers
FRIENDS OF NUTLEY SINGERS
MINUTES
(10/1/13)
Welcome to our first FONS meeting.
Introduction of Executive Board:
Sharon Conte, President
Rosemary Costa, Vice President
Lucy DaSilva, Treasurer
Sandra Nowakowski, Recording Secretary
Nadine Meola, Corresponding Secretary
Sherrie Tolve, Nutley High School Rep
Jennifer Quinn, Walker Middle School Rep
Nicole Monte, Choir Director
JAMES RILEY'S REPORT (Department Coordinator)
Mr. Riley introduces himself. He comes to Nutley from Pequannock (10 years) and from Fort Lee (5 years). Role in Nutley like Mr. Cundari and also taking a portion of Mr. Ackerman's position. He will be doing both music and the performing arts. He will be at our beck and call
. His priority is to advance our program and plans to continue to grow our program in the district. His email address is as well as to contact any teacher. He has instituted twitter. He asks if anyone has any questions and there weren't any.
FREDERICK SCALERA'SREPORT (Board of Education Rep)
He is involved with Music Boosters and FONS. He explains that Mr. Riley is really a band guy and built up the band in Pequannock. He explains how Mr. Riley set up the twitter account and how he is doing great things for the music program and to let the word out to everyone in the district about our music program.
Nicole Monte's new role as commander in chief and her assistant, Austin Vallies. They are a team teaching our students. Linsay Setzer has been hired as the string's teacher. The Board is working to grow.
The Marching Band came in first place this past weekend. It was announced on twitter. He is looking forward to a great year and wishes FONS good luck.
SHARON CONTE'S REPORT (President)
She mentions about the handouts that were given. There are new fundraisers and also working with fundraisers from the past. There aren't any Minutes from last year. The Committee has been working hard over the summer and the Bylaws have been amended. The Amendment can be found on the back page of the handout. They can also be found under Nicole Monte (forms). When Bylaws are amended they will need to be voted upon at our next FONS meeting.
Membership is $10.00 per family. FONS does not want to try anything crazy this year since we used all the money from last year for the trips.
Everyone should sign up for FONS announce. There is a link directly to sign up under Nicole Monte’s page on school website.
FONS has an email account . Questions have been sent already. Everyone can submit an email with any questions or comments.
All payments to FONS should be paid with a separate check. A returned check charge is $25.00 (no exceptions). Also all accounts must be paid in full or a child cannot go on a trip. There are a lot of opportunities to fundraise and we are looking for new fundraisers.
FONS does a lot with fundraising. The money is used to offset the cost for trips, give scholarships to graduating seniors, purchase music to name a few.
IHOP fundraiser made $80.00 mainly because it was the same night as the High School's Open House. FONS usually gets 10% to 20% back. Some restaurants include alcohol.
The can shake went okay.
FONS is not sure how well the apparel sale did yet. FONS might bring it back in the spring with spring merchandise.
Sunshine fundraiser is on its way. If it has an "i" its towards the student's individual account (35% to 40%). The order is due back Oct. 18th.
Music Boosters does a fruit sale and FONS has been invited to partake. Marie Dieterle, President of Music Boosters is handling the sale. It will kick off next week. Individual sales is $9.00 to $12.00 a box. Orders are due by November 15th. Fruit to come in the second week of December. We can name our day but parents and students will be needed to unload the truck. Mrs. Dieterle will distribute packets to FONS. Another great way to raise money.
FONS will have a concession stand at a two day dance competition for Starbound at Nutley High School. Someone is needed to chair this event. A lot of volunteers will be needed. It is the weekend after teachers' convention. FONS made around $700.00 last year but it was for only one day.
Sherrie Tolve mentions that it is going to be huge this year. She has a good relationship with the high school and FONS can use the kitchen. Tom volunteered to chair the event. He ran a concession stand already. Tom will create a committee and FONS will be looking for donations. Students cannot volunteer, only parents. Tom will handle it with sign-up sheets. The competition is from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. November 9th and 10th. If you put your name down to volunteer, Tom will work it out.
Another way to fundraiser is the 50/50. They will be available in November. One book sold puts $20.00 into the student's account.
Gertrude Hawke Chocolate, $48.00 a box and $19.20 into student's account. Chocolate is now available. Checks are made out to FONS.
For the Mayor's Tree Lighting we need a lot of help. FONS has a bake sale with Music Boosters. FONS will be selling hot dogs and popcorn. The money raised is used for the students Christmas luncheon.
Ms. Monte's describes the Magical Feast which will be held on January 10th and 11th. FONS decides to have one major fundraiser. This fundraiser was done years ago. Its educational and features the Magicals and Chamber Singers. Medieval Times with singing and dancing and jokes being told. Gets audience involved. There is a feast and served like Medieval Times. FONS will talk more about as it gets closer to the date at our November meeting. FONS can pick any one major fundraiser each year. Comedy Night made $9,000.00 last year with the raffle. There were only 200 people in attendance last year since it was held the week that school was closed.
Sharon mentions the Easter Candy Sale goes into student's individual account and that there is a new fundraiser. Kearny Collision offered for any collision repair in the amount of $999.00, they will kick back $100.00 to FONS. They give free estimates. Cards and flyers are on the table.
Pizzeria Uno Tour, Rte. 3, Clifton, October 17th, (Thursday) 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. or later. Take out or eat in. Alcohol is included. Print out coupon and bring it with you. The only way for the restaurant to keep track.
Added TGIF Restaurant Tour, November 20th (Wednesday) 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., no alcohol included.
Lucy could not do the Treasurer's Report since has been working on FONS' taxes. Any questions ask Nadine Meola. Nadine asks if anyone has any questions and no one does.
Everyone not to forget flyers and signup sheets. Looking for Chairs. It's a new year and new people. New FONS means parent run. Receipts will be given to help keep accounts better.
A new 7th grade parent asks how do we pay for items. Send payments with your child to the teacher.
Also ututti is back and running. Some accounts have not been adjusted. Sharon needs to go through each account since they might not be correct. Ms. Monte mentions that the ututti system was a way to keep addresses, emails and phone numbers of parents and to keep track of students' accounts. Ms. Monte held off sending instructions on how to sign up but FONS can get it going again. Sharon will update the ututti's accounts. Ms. Monte can uncheck a student from ensembles if they are no longer in the program. Ms. Monte will get the instructions to everyone by Friday, October 4th. Ututti enables you to see what you bought. If you are already signed up, you do not need to sign up again. You will still be there.
NICOLE MONTE'S REPORT (Choir Director)
Schedule of Performances:
November 11th: Veteran's Day Celebration, Chamber Singers (during school)
December 1st: Mayor's Tree Lighting. Not sure which ensembles will be included yet. Not sure how many slots we will have.
December 3rd: Middle School Holiday Concert
December 12th: High School Choir and Band Holiday performances.
December 12th: Choralettes at Rotary Club (students need to wear their concert attire to school).
December 18th: Benefit Concert at St. Mary's. Middle School Choir, Mens Choir, all High School Choir Ensembles. Suggested donation $5.00 per person.
Trips:
Middle School to Great Adventureon May 16th. 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. $75.00/$50.00 deposit. If a child was in the Concert Choir last year than the $50.00 is still in their account. You just need to advise Ms. Monte that they are attending the trip.
Montreal, Canada (pending Board approval). Academic committee wanted more information. Their meeting will be held on October 15th. April 3rd to April 7th. Students will leave afterschool on the 3rd and return Monday night. Approximate cost $1,175.00. Cost depends on how many students and parents attend. If FONS gets 250 in attendance, the trip could be cheaper. If FONS registers by November 1st, a $50.00 reduction in price. Once approval is given by the Board, we will have a meeting with the rep from the tour, Sabrina. All payments are given directly to the tour company. FONS sends a list of the fundraising amount of the student to the company and they deduct the money. $200.00 non-refundable deposit will be taken.
Mr. Scalera asks when hotel will be told to us. The tour company cannot tell us until she knows our number in attendance.
Performances will be held at Notre Dame Cathedral and instrumental students will perform at Olympic Park. All ensembles will perform at the Rhythms Music Festival and they will receive a master class and are scored by distinguished Canadian musicians.
A detailed itinerary will be given out at another meeting with Sabrina. Students that are in both choir and band will have no conflicts with the itinerary. Every student will go to everything (performances and sightseeing). The less downtime the better. Tour company was told to keep the kids out late and occupied. There is one particular day when there are performances all day. ACIS should accept credit cards.
Lisa Danchak-Martin is another Board of Education Rep who will be involved in approving the trip.
Tri-M Music Honor Society for students in the 11th and 12th grades that display exemplary character with an A average in their music courses and a B average in their academic courses. They need to show good character, volunteering (helping out at can shakes). This is pending Board approval.
Students can audition for the North Jersey Region, All-State and Jr. Region Choirs. Top scoring students make it. It's a wonderful experience. Fill out the online form and hand it in to the student's teacher. The form will be up by this week. There is a fee of either $10.00 or $15.00. Checks payable to FONS. One check is written out by FONS. Auditions are January 4th at the Paramus High School for high school students and February 3rd for the middle school students.
If a student does All-State they are automatically accepted in Honors Society but the students still needs academic requirement. The Honors Society will be applied for in the spring. There will be links.
Meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m.
Next Meeting: November 13, 2013
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