Ridgewood Avenue Home and School Association

Unapproved March Meeting Minutes

March 20, 2008

Officers Present: Tania Liddy, President; Kathy Marhan, 1^st Vice President; Shari Dreier, 2^nd Vice President; Jennifer Schmitt, Secretary

Tania Liddy called the meeting to order at 8:45 AM.

Principals Report: Mr. Philips reported that the Rhino costume made its debut at the recent Read Across America celebration. Other recent events include the Book Fair, Soul Food Luncheon, and NJ Ask testing for grades 3&4. Upcoming events include: the 3^rd marking period ends on April 2, Nutrition Week starts March 24, the RAS/HS Teacher Basketball game is March 27^th, 6^th grade orientation is April 9^th and planning for Earth Day is underway. There will be one class looping next year – Ms Ippolito’s 4^th grade. An additional teacher has been requested for the 4^th grade nest year as well. Adrienne Thomas was recently named RAS teacher of the year. The proceeds from the recent Gala will be going towards technology for the classrooms. There will be one per grade that will include “Starboards”, fixed projection systems, and “clickers” that cost $2800 for each set. They will be installed over the summer. There was a discussion on the 3-4 gr. testing and how close it was to DST.

Global Expo: Anne Moisan reported that plans are underway for the May 2^nd, 7-9 PM event. Performers have been lined up and more info will go home shortly asking for volunteers.

Book Fair: Kathy Wiesenberger reported All Books worked very well. They were able to restock every day, and special orders were also placed. They made $650 more than last year and Family Night grossed $3500. There were many donations of books and $185 to Bridge of Books. We can purchase books throughout the year on their website and the school will make 20% of all sales.

MAC: The need to raise $10K to receive matching State funds. They sent out solicitation letter and will come back to RAS for a donation next fall. They have sponsored many well received programs in town including the recent drama program, ice skating and upcoming events include: a 6^th grade dance, gardening days at Forest, Linden and in the South end of town, an area hike, family canoe trip, Battle of the Bands, and a kids night at Turtle Back Zoo. They are providing an Underage Substance Abuse booklet on local resources/laws for all 6^th grade families. There are two workshops: Healthy Eating for parents and kids on April 10, and the viewing of the Puberty Movie for 5^th grade parents on April 17^th with a question period afterwards with a counselor from Montclair Counseling Center.

SCRIP – Julie Mason that the Alternative Funding Committee has found a chair for next fall’s Kitchen Tour: Dayna Nicles. SCRIP is sponsoring a contest: if you spend $100 you are entered into raffle for a gift card of your choice.

Holiday Store: Sue Beck reported that they have already started buying for next year and are looking for donations of bags and boxes. Shari Dreier made a motion to give $8400 towards seed money for next year’s stock, and Meghan Guilianeli seconded.

Enrichment: ________ reported that they are looking at approximately the same budget as last year and will have 2 programs oriented towards character education and nutrition, and 5 towards the arts. There will be one workshop on Writing for the 5^th grade. More details to follow.

Presidents Report: Tania Liddy reported we were due a check of $48,000 from the profits from the Glen Ridge Gala, and that there was $1800 still outstanding. She also reported that the BOE accountants would do all RAHSA taxes, which means we will be audited every year. We will have to be more diligent with our record keeping. She mentioned that at the upcoming RAS/HS basketball game the concession stand would be run and profited by the HSHSA. She asked Mr. Phillips about the roof repair schedule and he said they are at the mercy of the weather, but everything is ready to go. It should take about 3 days. Nutrition week was discussed and it was asked of RAHSA to purchase fruit for a healthy snack sale in the cafeteria. It was assumed it would be under $250 and therefore the President could approve this purchase without a vote. She also thanked the Book Fair team for a very successful Book Fair!