October 5, 2015 Agenda Call to Order: 7: 10pm

October 5, 2015 Agenda

Call to Order: 7:10pm

Flag Salute

PTO President Welcome: Heather LaCognata for Michele Manning. Welcome all to another school year. Thank you for all your support and we are looking forward to a great year.

Administration/Principal’s Report:

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  Mr. Giancaspro – High Mountain School:
  
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    Off to a great start this school year at High Mountain School. Staff was met with in late June and at our first faculty meeting to review Principal Philosophy, Classroom Management, Classroom Observation Expectations, Follow up on Grade Level Needs Assessment and HMS Building procedures.
    
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    Each grade level has been met with at an assembly to discuss the following: PRIDE, Self respect, respecting others, leadership, four years to prepare for High School, code of conduct, HIB, student privileges and social media/interruption of educational environment.
    
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    The first fire drill was completed within the first 10 days of school as well as an evacuation drill within the first 15 days of school.
    
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    Code Blue team has been created and has met. Three drills will be scheduled this year – fall, winter and spring.
    
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    HMS back to school night was successful. There was positive feedback received on the evening.
    
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    Respect Week – September 28^th to October 2^nd. Words Matter. The students will be wearing different colors to represent different kinds of respect. Additionally, there was a guest speaker that focused on the following: understanding the power of one’s words both within themselves and with their peers, how words in their lives can affect them both positively and negatively, how language can impact friendships and communities, protecting themselves and others from negative language and intentions, choosing and performing a practical service challenge to help to be more aware of the feelings of others in addition to their own feelings, identify themselves as positive people, leaders and buddies, not bullies.
    
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    Red Ribbon Week is October 19^th –October 23^rd. Dan Occhiogrosso will be presenting the following: Anti-bullying, substance abuse prevention, physical fitness, goal setting/achieving dreams, resisting peer pressure and self esteem enhancement
    
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    HMS Photo Day has been rescheduled to Wednesday October 7^th with a rain date of October 9^th. The new photographer is Image Photo Inc. and pictures will be taken outdoors.
    
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    The HMS webpage has been updated with events that include the Principal’s Newsletter and PAPERS, which contains great articles for middle school parents. This is new for HMS.
    
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  Mrs. Tait – Memorial School:
  
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    First, it has been a joy to begin to get to know the students in Memorial School as well as working with families. I am looking forward to a great school year.
    
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    Memorial School had a great opening day and great start to the school year. All students are doing a wonderful job each day and working hard in their classes.
    
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    School security Drills – complete and ongoing - All were completed successfully with the assistance of the North Haledon Police Department. Same with Fire Drills.
    
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    School Pictures scheduled for Wednesday, October 7^th. Thank you to all the parent volunteers.
    
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    Memorial’s 1^st School Spirit Day was Friday, September 25^th. To promote school and community spirit all students and staff are encouraged to wear school colors. A reminder to continue to review our School Spirit Day schedule throughout the school year.
    
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    Back to School Night on September 24^th was a great success. The Meet and Greet was also incredibly successful – thanks to all for participating.
    
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    Thank you to the very talented Mrs. Averso and Mrs. Lombardo – Memorial School’s showcase decorators – the students love to walk by to see the Halloween décor.
    
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    Memorial School will be observing the Week of Respect the week of October 5^th – October 9^th. To recognize the importance of character education, school districts are required to observe the week by providing age-appropriate instruction focusing on preventing HIB.  Students will be participating in activities and lessons throughout the week that will focus on the Week of Respect. 
    
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    New birthday celebration in Memorial School. Birthdays are such a special time in a child’s life, it is important that each child gets to have a moment to celebrate. As such, each month we will have a “Birthday Lunch Celebration” for all of the students who had a birthday that month. Students will have lunch with Mrs. Tait and the other students in their grade level who have a birthday that month. Students will bring or buy lunch according to their typical daily routines, and they will then join me in the Main Office for lunch to celebrate their birthdays. Looking forward to celebrating all September birthdays, this Thursday October 8^th.
    
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    Thank you to the PTO for the welcome back first day breakfast. Much enjoyed and much appreciated!
    
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    Thank you to all the parents for their support. Thank you to the PTO in advance for all you do.
    

Minutes of June 1, 2015 Meeting: Please review. Motion to approve – Heather Davidson, second – Gini Panzera

PTO Treasurer’s Report: Jessica Tomasi: Report was presented to group. Motion to approve – Cindy Cavagnaro, second – Janelle Feather

8^th Grade Treasurer’s Report: Loredana Jiminez: Nothing to report.

Correspondence Report: Giselle Micchio: There was a Thank You from the teachers and administration for the Welcome Back Breakfast.

NHEF Report: Janelle Feather: Thank you for the help with North Haledon Day. On November 12, 2015 the NHEF will be hosting a Vendor Night.

Guest Speakers: None

COMMITTEE REPORTS

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  PTO Audit: Jessica Tomasi: The PTO Executive Board completed the audit in June, 2015. All receipts were handed in and all items balanced.
  
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  North Haledon Day: PTO Board: Thank you so much to Mr. Walz, Ms. Stewart, Ms. Petrillo and Mr. Schneider for volunteering their time to participate in the NHPTO Dunk Tank. Also, thanks to the Fred Stensfield, Troy Longo and Tim Scuderi for participating as well.
  
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  Membership: Jessica Tomasi:
  
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  School Coordinators: HMS- Jackie Roscio Memorial – Giselle Micchio:
  
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    PTO Committee Chair and Class Captain/Parent Kick Off Meeting: To be held on Tuesday, October 6, 2015 @ 8:00 pm. HMS All-purpose room. Please note the change in time.
    
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  5^th Grade Ice Cream Social: Maria Marano: The event was successful. There is a banner being displayed in the hall.
  
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  Fall Fundraiser: Heather Davidson: So far the fundraiser is doing very well. Orders are due Friday, October 9^th.
  
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  Halloween Trunk or Treat: Nadyne Averso: Trunk or Treat will be held on Saturday, October 24^th from 2pm-4pm. We are still looking for cars to decorate their trunks. Please help out, the children enjoy this event.
  
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  8^th Grade Activities: Kim Checinski & Randi Venema: The 8^th Grade fundraising has begun. The Kids Stuff books are due back if you are not purchasing one. The 8^th Grade meetings will be held the second Monday of each month.
  
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  Sunshine: Gini Panzera: There was one note in September.
  
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  School Directory & Paperless PTO App: Tawnya Stojakovic: To date, 208 families have submitted their information for the PTO School Directory. The Paperless PTO app is available for purchase for $2.50. Another reminder will be going home shortly.
  
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  Book Fair: Jen Porcelli: To be held October 19^th with a monster theme. The evening of October 19^th will be the preview evening for children and families. Children will attend the Book Fair on October 20^th.
  
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  Tricky Tray: Heather Davidson & Allison Winkler: The Tricky Tray will be held this year at The Tides. There will be a kick-off meeting scheduled shortly. Wristbands will be available for pre-purchase or at the door for open bar.
  
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  Dining Out: Heather LaCognata for Dana LaForgia: On October 29^th the Dining Out event will be at California Pizza in Willowbrook Mall. You must print out the flyer and present it.
  
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  School Photos: Heather LaCognata: This year for the school photos we are using a new company. We realize there are different prices listed between the two schools. For High Mountain School, if you would like a class photo included, please note such on the envelope you submit with your money. There will be no additional cost for the class photo for High Mountain students. The choice to go with a new company was driven by the Board of Education. Much feedback was heard about the previous company and the Board responded to this feedback.
  
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  Spirit Wear: Heather LaCognata for Angela Bua: Order forms for Spirit Wear went out today and are due back on October 13^th.
  
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  Wine Tasting: Evelyn Mannino: Thank you for doing this new event. The date is October 22^nd from 7pm-10pm at the Brownstone. It is $55/ticket and monies are due by October 9^th.
  
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  Family Photos: Chris Crawford: On Friday, November 13^th from 5pm-8pm and Saturday, November 14^th 10am-2pm the company that is doing the school photos will be providing an opportunity for North Haledon families. The prices are very good. Flyers are anticipated to go out on October 23^rd.
  

NEW BUSINESS

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  2015-2016 PTO Budget: Jessica Tomasi: The 2015-2016 PTO budget was reviewed. Motion to accept – Jessica Matos, second Trisha Febbo
  

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  Shoparoo & Shopping on PTO website for a % back to PTO: Heather LaCognata: Reminder to use the Shoparoo app to photo your grocery store receipts as an easy way for the PTO to get money back
  
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  Kindergarten Parent Social: Jessica Matos: Thank you for having this new event. The social will be held at Pinot’s Palette in Ridgewood on November 11^th. This event will cost $40 per person with $10 of that cost coming back to the PTO. Monies for the event are due October 28^th.
  

VOTE

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  Proposal for a new club: Rachel Parent, High Mountain Teacher:
  
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    Kids who Kare: This club will involve three fundraisers. In November there will be a food drive, in February there will be a book drive and there will be another drive in the spring. It is being asked that there be parent involvement as well so that the children may be involved in bringing the donated items to where they are being donated. Cost for this club will be $450. Motion to accept –Heather Davidson, second – Janelle Feather.
    
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  Microphones:
  
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    Cost will be $2,799.80. Motion to approve – Cindy Cavagnaro, second – Jessica Matos
    

QUESTION & ANSWER PERIOD

There were questions regarding the play/musical alternating with a talent show at High Mountain School. In the past there has been a lip synch. With no further business, questions or discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 8:03pm

NEXT PTO MEETING: Monday, November 2^nd, at 7 pm @ HMS