Hillside School PTA Meeting Minutes
January 24, 2012
I. Call to order and welcome- Kim Mazzella and Christina Weiner 7:31 p.m.
II. Minutes-Joanne Dzama; Motion to approve November minutes by Sandra Lillo, 2nd
by Amy Dinicola, all in favor
III. Membership-Sandra Lillo-Current total is 208 Families and 27 Faculty and Staff
IV. Treasurer's Report-Lauren Stolfi
-Budget report distributed
-Bank Balance on hand as of November 1, 2011 = $38,230.49
-Total income including account transfers = $4,688.50
-Total expenses including account transfers = $5,264.23
-Bank Balance on hand as of November 30, 2011 = $46,670.37
-Bank Balance on hand as of December 1, 2011=$50,762.35
-Total income including account transfers = -$84.17
-Total expenses including account transfers = $2,576.01
-Bank Balance on hand as of December 31, 2011 = $45,354.19
*January payments of approximately $7000 paid out to cover purchase of Smart boards
(right now we have smart boards purchased for 5th, 4th and 3rd grades). Smart boards
are in, just waiting to be installed. Board of Education sets installation date. Mrs.
Szeles to schedule teacher training session.
V. Correspondence-Debbie Wyatt
-No new correspondence
VI. President’s Report
-Volunteer of Month-Kim Mazzella-Kim presented a gift to the December
volunteer of the month-Heidi Michaels and January volunteer of the month-Kim
DePalma. A way for the PTA presidents to recognize and highlight your hard work and
commitment to Hillside School for the months of December and January.
CONGRATULATIONS.
VII. Old Business/Committee Reports
-Holiday Shoppe-Kim Mazzella-Holiday Shoppe was a huge success. We
used Jenny’s Penquin Patch and have signed up for next year as an early bird we
receive a 3% discount. They have agreed to include Hanukkah gifts and also more
lower end price quality gifts. They were really easy to work with. Kids really enjoyed
the experience. We estimated about $300 in profit, but netted $1200.
-Five Below-Sandra Lillo-Five Below was also a success. We increased our
profit by 310% from last year, netting $59.33. Suggestions to leave flyers at register for
people who forgot and also a better handle on whether the employees are actually
accepting the flyer. Will do it again next year, suggestions on exploring other stores
(i.e.: Cups and Red Mango)
-Faculty Events-Christine Buillion-Faculty/Staff luncheon was held on Friday
12/9. Positive response from teachers about food choices. Offered really quality food
and came in under budget! Thank you to Christine, Cami and Karen for organizing!
-ASE-Kim Mazzella-3 chairs stepping down. We have no one volunteer at this
point to be chairs of this committee and we are very sad to report that Spring ASE will
not take place. This is a huge moneymaker for the school and a great service for our
students. It is a real shame that we are unable to offer. We were about $1500 over
budget for the Fall/Winter session; so not offering the spring is not that huge of a hit on
the budget (~$800).
-Apparel-Joanne Dzama-Holiday season (Winter) apparel sale was a success.
We netted approximately $100. To date we have earned $883.50 in Apparel (Fall and
Winter combined). We plan to do a spring sale with some new Spring/Summer items
included. We will promote the new sale in the WWB, if you have any suggestions for
items to offer we suggest you email Alison Joachim. Ideas include pinnies, short, tshirts.
-Casino Night-Christina Weiner/Lisa Diorio-Casino night was a HUGE
success. We had a total of 113 that attended. Final profit has not been determined but
a rough estimate of approximately $4000 net at this point. Biggest difference most
people have seen is that it was a very positive community atmosphere, especially with
the male participants. Lisa presented a slide show-BIG THANK YOU to Robin Krasney
for taking photos that evening. Both Lisa and Christina did a great job, especially with
soliciting sponsorship for the event. $1000 made in sponsors which offset the cost of
the Casino company. Sponsors were very happy and have committed to our event
already for next year. All participants had positive feedback on dealers, prizes, food,
and venue. Survey sent out and 80% return rate within 48 hours. Online Registration
was not successful. Possible move to a different time of year/different night? Overall
very positive feedback from venue, casino company as well as attendees.
-PPEC-Dee Dee Pulver-Dee Dee encouraged families to attend the Seminar on
2/1 with the District’s behaviorist who is speaking about classroom behavior and ways
to manage children with behavior issues. Event will be at 7PM in Livingston High
School’s Media Center. Open to anyone in the community, you do not need to be a
member of PPED. This is a very positive organization for our community, please
support.
-Lunch Update-Kim Mazzella-Ice Cream sales on Wednesday’s are going
great! Very positive feedback from children and parents. Milk prices have increased to
.75. Important to spread word to parents, as kids are still coming in with not enough
money. We cannot afford to be giving away Milk at the previous cost of .50 due to the
rising cost of Milk. Missing Lunch Binder has been revamped. It is a much easier
tracking system now; please take the time to fill it out. We are no longer giving away
snacks for kids who do not have a lunch. We are collecting more money back with this
new system.
VIII. New Business:
-Spring Fundraiser-Christina Weiner-Decorating committee meeting prior to
tonight’s meeting went well, they got a lot accomplished and it was a great
brainstorming session. More baskets are still needed-especially from Hillside families.
Families who donate will be able to win a gift certificate to local Spa. We are going with
Candyland theme. Invitations to go out 2/13.
-Yearbook-Jenn Larsen-Process currently going well and smooth. The
committee has had several meetings and is working really hard. They will be closing
out submissions for candids as they have received quite a few. They have another
committee meeting next week and will be delegating other jobs such as 5th grade
survey, cover contest and tributes. March 5th they have scheduled the class picture and
club pictures at school. They will inform 5th grade teachers.
-Teacher Given Parent Workshop-Christina Weiner-Mrs. Volk will be doing a
workshop on Thursday 2/9 at 7:30PM in the Media Center. This will be a 1-hour
workshop for 3-5th grade Math tips. Currently there are approximately 20 RSVP’s to
attend the evening; please let your friend’s know-we would like about 25 people.
-Box Tops-Ann Mollineux- We are 2 weeks into the winter contest. Box Tops
are due by 2/17/12. Please get your box tops in! We don’t have that many at this point,
however, the class statistics will be posted in the WWB, tend to get more in after this is
posted. Our goal is to have 10,000 box tops to get $1000 for the school-if we reach the
goal the students will get a free night of homework. Class that wins will get bagel
breakfast with Mrs. Szeles. Label bag with amount and teacher name please.
-Nutrition Committee-Joanne Dzama-Looking to host fruit distribution at lunch
during week of 3/19 with vote on favorite fruit to take place as students are leaving
cafeteria. Looking to partner with Family Night committee to do a Wellness Family
Fitness Challenge at end of March. Will report back on date for that. Currently
brainstorming ideas and reaching out to school personnel for help.
-Multicultural Night-Lauren Stolfi-Night moved to 4/25 due to town Jazz
concert conflict. Will post in WWB for volunteers for country tables and also performers.
Typically 1 hour of tables and 30 minutes of performers. If not enough performers,
looking for alternate ideas to fill time, if not, table visiting will be slightly longer. Looking
to partner with Clothing Drive committee (Amy Dinicola) for donations that evening.
-1/2 day activity-Kim DePalma-Activity will take place on Thursday, 4/12. Jack
Ryan, HoopWizard will perform for 1 hour. Flyers will go out. First come-First serve as
space is limited in gym. PTA has graciously donated ice cream for those attending.
Parents can purchase pizza and water as well. Pick-up at 2PM. Need volunteers to
help supervise event and dismiss students.
-Nominating Committee-Filona Leechow- Still need nominations for CoPresident and Treasurer for next year. Options are open and it is early. Please talk
amongst friends for nominees.
IX. Additional Comments/Questions:
-Budget task force meeting-Wednesday to discuss new Governor Christie
proposal of moving Board and Budget elections in towns to November. He is proposing
that if we do not exceed 2% cap on budget there requires no vote, but if we go over the
2% cap a vote would be required. This change to the election procedure would save
the district approximately $30,000 in administrative costs to run elections. We need
more input from the community. Further info can be found on the Board of Education
website. One concern would be the carry over of budget and positions from the 1 st April
until November. Towns would have to adjust accordingly until on track.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Jan. 31-Deadline for Yearbook Picture Submissions
Feb. 9-Math Workshop for Parents
Feb. 10-Red Day-Wear RED to school
Feb. 17-Deadline for Box Top Submissions
Feb. 27-PTA meeting
Adjournment- 9:04 p.m. by Kim Mazzella