Good evening. My name is Tessie Thomas and I am the President of the Montclair Council of PTAs (PTAC) an elected body that represents and supports the whole community.
Congratulations on the $75,000 award for playground upgrades – great to hear that it alleviates some of the taxpayer burden by offsetting the costs associated with the capital spend.
Our first update today is about Reflections – we are working on the celebration slated for 6 PM on May 4 at the Women’s Club. Our fingers are crossed for our state level winners to potentially win at the national level. I would like to acknowledge all the support and contributions from the district and the MEA for Reflections. I keep getting calls from Central Office saying another box showed up. Thanks to the MEA we now have the display hardware we need and fund contributions for the celebration.
On another district wide initiative, as you are aware, Elementary School PTAs are collectively hosting the STEM Fair on April 30th. This Fair is being targeted for all elementary students. The event is slated for April 30 from 3 to 5 PM. Middle and high school students will be volunteering and earning community service awards.
NJPTA LeadCon is coming up this weekend. I am on a panel focused on advocacy where I will be covering the PTAC work on the bond referendum.
As always, we have some updates on the the amazing programs that the PTAs are conducting for the community.
CHBullock had a very successful in-person Green Ball fundraiser. They have STEM Fair, CHB Eco Fair, Teacher Appreciation Week, and the Scholastic Book Fair coming up.
Edgemont had a successful Talent Show where over 70 students performed. Afterschool enrichment and play practice are ongoing. STEAMPOP, their biggest fundraiser is coming up on April 29.
At Nishuane the PTA funded culturally responsive library books, STEAM recess programming as well as art and music for preK classes. They hosted a successful schoolwide playdate and continued after school enrichment programs. Mayfair is slated for May 13.
Northeast hosted Soccerthon an All-school, inclusive soccer tournament. They also conducted Liberty Science Center workshops, and talent show. Northeast’s BlueHawks Band performing at the May In Montclair Opening Ceremony at Watchung Plaza. Geography Bee, Dance, and Spring Concerts are coming up.
Buzz Aldrin has wrapped up their ASE programs for the year.
Glenfield – Congrats to Glenfield for being nominated for 7 Montclair State University Foxy Awards. This award recognizes excellence in Middle School Musicals. The Spring 2022 production of ’13 the Musical’ is what earned the nominations. The Black History Month event, Greenwood at Glenfield, was a huge success. Glenfield held a staff health and wellness day. Spring concert, Talent Show, and 8th grade graduation are coming up.
Montclair High School is supporting junior prom, and prepping for the Freshman/Sophomore Dance in May. Teacher appreciation week, a Fun Friday, and the annual Freshman/Sophomore Dance are coming up.
These are just a few highlights of the activities across the schools, the actual list is much longer. Hopefully this provides us all a sense of all that is going on in our community and how active and engaged the community is. Also, as always – a big thank you to all the volunteers who put is so much time making this happen – a lot of them behind the scenes. Thank you.