The Charles H. Bullock Elementary School
Guide to the Parent Teacher Association
2020-2021
COMMITTEES
Eco-Action Committee
This group works in conjunction with school staff to support and enhance eco-friendly and sustainable initiatives throughout CHB. Past projects have included the purchase of reusable plates and cups for each classroom and school events; the recycling of markers, foil wrappers, and fruit pouches; and the purchase of green products. Future projects include issuing a CHB Green Policy and replacing the plastic utensils in the cafeteria with stainless steel. This committee also works closely with the Co-Chairs of the Eco-Fair event in the spring.
Equity Committee (NEW)
We need to keep the momentum going and prioritize our work on equity, anti-racism, and inclusion at CHB. We are looking for committee members, co-chairs, and liaisons to the PTA Council’s Committee on Equity, Anti-Racism, and the Opportunity Gap. This committee will also be tasked with thinking about intersections between equity and various other PTA committees (including but not limited to the Remote Learning Committee).
Fathers’ Group
In addition to hosting the fun and delicious annual Pancake Breakfast, the awesome members of our Fathers’ Group are our go-to team to help with other activities throughout the year, including building bee and bird houses at the Eco-Fair and BBQing at the End of Year Picnic. The Fathers’ Group also hosts regular social events for its committee members.
Garden Committee
The Garden Committee assists our Math and Science Curriculum Support teachers with the integration of our garden into the classroom curriculum. The members help plan the planting of the garden in the spring, assist teachers with lessons when appropriate, and oversee the maintenance of the garden throughout the year. The committee also stays abreast of grant opportunities that will expand our garden and help grow our future horticulturalists.
Health and Wellness Committee
The Montclair Public Schools Health and Wellness Partnership is a consortium of parents, educators, and community organizations. Its mission is to promote the physical, emotional, and social well-being of students, staff and families of the Montclair Public Schools through increased access to quality services, education and information. As a member of the Health and Wellness Committee, you will work closely with staff to create healthy initiatives at CHB.
Remote Learning Committee (NEW)
Not surprisingly, we need to address remote learning, and all that goes with it at this critical time. We are looking for committee members, co-chairs, and teachers who are committed to the ongoing discussion, advocacy, and action around remote learning and support. We know that this is a topic important to all. This committee will communicate regularly with the larger school community, so everyone will have information on what is being discussed. Please join this committee only if you have time to devote to active discussion and action.
Playground Committee
This committee advocates for the needs and improvements for our outdoor school playground to the school district. Thanks to the continuous efforts of our playground committee and our Principal we recently got a new shade structure, soccer goals and a slide!
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Eco-Fair (May)
A great way to celebrate spring! We bring together educational and fun experiences for CHB families that support our Environmental Science magnet theme. In past years, families have had the opportunity to build bird houses; to meet rescued wild animals; and to create art from natural materials, among other fun activities. Each grade also works with our science teacher to create an exhibit for the Eco Fair. We have informative vendor stalls providing information on making our home gardens “greener” and the benefits of composting and solar energy. In addition to the Blending Smoothie bike (a big hit!), we have free healthy snacks for all (organic snow cones anyone?).
Family Dance Party (February)
Our first Family Dance Party was a huge success and we can’t wait to do it again! There will be food, an amazing DJ spinning the songs of your choice (and keeping our kids entertained with games) and even a quiet room for families who need one! This year we’re encouraging everyone to dress up in their sharpest clothes for this “family date night”. (Of course, all are welcome to attend no matter their attire!)
For the Love of Skating (March)
Come and skate with your family and friends! Typically held at the Clary Anderson Arena, this event is always a popular way for our families to spend a Sunday afternoon!
Holiday Caroling! (December)
Join us as we sip hot chocolate and sing along to holiday songs led by our very own music teacher Mr. Posadas!
Holiday Cookie Banquet for Teachers and Staff (December)
During the busy holiday season, CHB families bake cookies for our teachers and staff members to take home to their own families to enjoy during the holiday break. This banquet is a great way to show the CHB staff how much we cherish their hard work throughout the year.
Kindergarten Socials (August and throughout the year)
These socials are designed to help CHB kindergarten families connect and come together as a
grade. This year, the Kindergarten Team is planning a weekend playdate at a local park as well as a potluck cocktail/dinner party for parents and caregivers.
Martin Luther King, Jr. DAY ON of Service (January)
This special program honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and involves the CHB community in a day of education, service, and reflection. Every year, CHB families convene to prepare meals for delivery to local homebound seniors. Kids participate in meaningful art projects and a scavenger hunt that teaches them about the Civil Rights Movement. We have started a Volunteer Hours Pledge Drive where families pledge community service hours in honor of Dr. King. The DAY ON is an event that is unique in our town, and we welcome assistance from all to honor Dr. King’s message of equality, hope, and community.
Pancake Breakfast (October)
Hosted by our Fathers’ Group, the Pancake Breakfast is fun and delicious! The dads make the coffee, pancakes, and bacon, and everyone gathers in our sunny cafeteria for a feast. Come early as the food goes quickly! We will run our Annual Book Fair at this event — more fun for everyone!
Parent’s Night Out (October)
Come meet new parents and see old friends at our annual Parent’s Night Out, with light refreshments and food available!
Talent Show (March)
An entertaining night, the Talent Show is open to students in all grades. Everyone who attends a rehearsal gets to perform. Needless to say, CHB kids are amazingly talented, and it’s a great thrill to see our singers, dancers, poets, actors, comics, martial artists, and magicians strut their stuff!
Teacher Appreciation Week (May)
We love our teachers at CHB. Throughout this week, we stock the staff lounge with fun treats. On Friday we host a special luncheon for the staff featuring home-made dishes from our families.
Welcome and Farewell Events (September and June)
The PTA celebrates the beginning and end of the school year in a variety of ways. First, we provide a Back to School Lunch for teachers a few days before school officially begins. On the first day of school, we host a Welcome Back Coffee for parents and caregivers. On a Friday evening in September, you can find our community at the Family Picnic – great fun for kids and adults alike! In June, we meet again at the CHB playground for an evening of BBQ, friends, and fun!
COMMUNITY SUPPORT PROGRAMS
Bullock Buddies
This is a program that welcomes incoming 1st – 5th grade parents and students during their transition into the school. New families are paired with veteran CHB families, who can answer questions or provide support to help settle into the new CHB school community.
Holiday Giving
We are very proud to offer this program that provides Thanksgiving meals and holiday gifts to families within the CHB community. This committee organizes donations of food, gift cards, new toys and clothing from CHB families that are then distributed confidentially to CHB families in need by School Counselor Lauren Gutierrez (lgutierrez@montclair.k12.nj.us).
School Tours
A district-wide program, the PTA organizes and runs school tours for families who are considering choosing CHB. CHB parents provide tours to groups of incoming parents and caregivers. Our 5th grade Principal’s Advisory Council (PAC) students join the tours as Ambassadors – giving a student perspective on the CHB experience. Volunteers also help with hospitality jobs such as welcoming parents or providing refreshments.
Spanish Language Support
The members of this team provide Spanish translation services on request and actively engage the Spanish speaking families in our CHB community. Please contact Marie Curi (chezmariec@yahoo.com). For more information. Si tiene alguna pregunta que requiera traducción en español, puede escribir a Marie Curi (chezmariec@yahoo.com)
Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)
Each year, two parents act as CHB liaisons to Montclair’s SEPAC. Liaisons help parents at CHB connect with administrators, staff, and the PTA as well as report back to SEPAC about school initiatives, needs and successes. When requested by a family, a liaison can accompany caregivers to 504 or IEP (Individualized Education Plan) meetings. Please contact Kathy Maloy, CHB SEPAC Liaison (kathy.maloy@gmail.com) or SEPAC (montclairsepac@gmail.com) for more information.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Artist in Residence (AiR)
The AiR program strives to bring outside artists into the school for a special program with each grade annually- be it theater, art, poetry, or dance. We love to inspire our kids with fresh takes on creativity. Typically each grade has its own program which supports the grade’s curriculum. Examples of the AiR program are the kindergarten play which includes drumming and movement; ceramic butterfly baths for our garden to support our Monarch Way Station status; and a published book of poetry for our budding 2nd grade poets. In 2014 we did a school-wide AiR project in which each grade created its own painted mural, illustrating the words to CHB’s school song (displayed in stairwells throughout the school).
After School Enrichment (ASE)
When: Two sessions – Fall: October – December; and Spring: February – April
The goal of the ASE program is to provide our families with a quality, low-cost after school enrichment class alternative. All students are encouraged to enroll; tuition assistance is available upon request. Classes are taught by our teachers as well as by instructors who teach in many of the other ASE programs in the district. To entice our eager learners, classes are fun and interactive — we’ve offered everything from tennis to music video production to chess to animal science. We also provide aide support if a student needs it for participation.
School Assemblies
The PTA assists our teachers with finding exciting school assemblies for each grade throughout the year. Some examples have included a visit from an expert in Lenape Indian history and culture; a dramatic performance on Thomas Edison; a Music Technology demonstration; a workshop on exploring body language and drama with masks, and more!
Visiting Authors
In conjunction with CHB’s strong focus on reading and writing, the Visiting Author program gives our children an opportunity to meet and interact with a variety of authors and illustrators throughout the year. Visiting Authors come to the school to read and discuss their books with the children to help them gain a deeper understanding of their inspiration, creative process, subject matter and more. The Visiting Author team works with teachers and school administration to find authors who have written about subjects meaningful to each grade’s curriculum, as well as relevant social and developmental topics.
FUNDRAISERS
Box Tops
CHB collects Box Tops for Education throughout the year. There is now an app that scans newer receipts to collect earnings for our school. Please sign up at www.boxtops4education.com and select Bullock as your school. Keep an eye out for the small “Box Tops for Education” labels on packaging for food and household items. When you see items with newer labels, you must scan and enter your receipts into the app. Continue to cut out older labels with expiration dates and place them in the collection box in the front office. Every box top is worth 10 cents or more for CHB…. and that adds up! Our school can earn up to $1,000 every year!
Fifth Grade Moving Up
Fifth grade families run a series of fundraisers throughout the year in order to send our fifth graders off to middle school in style. Working with the students, parents help sell a variety of items, including homemade pesto, amaryllis bulbs, and Thanksgiving pies. The funds pay for the Philadelphia trip that students enjoy in June (the culmination of their Constitution study); a pool party; end-of-year gifts; and a keepsake yearbook or DVD.
Fourth Grade Camping Trip
The fourth grade overnight trip to Fairview Lake YMCA Camp, in Newton, NJ is unlike any sleepover our students have experienced before. It is a wonderful culmination of, and often a highlight of, the CHB experience. The students engage in team-building activities, sleep in cabins, and eat plentiful meals in the dining hall. They venture off for a hike on part of the Appalachian Trail that finishes at one of the highest points in the state. Small group activities include boating, archery, and a hands-on exploration of the site’s aquatic plants and animals. And what camping trip would be complete without an evening of singing and s’mores around the campfire. Fourth grade families run a series of fundraisers throughout the school year in order to pay for this amazing experience for the entire grade.
Fundraising Committee
The Fundraising committee comes up with various ways to fundraise at PTA events. Recently, the fundraising committee organized a yard sale at our Annual Eco Fair, which had a great turnout and was a huge success. They have also organized envelope fundraisers and are continually sourcing new ways to engage our community.
Grant Writing Committee
This crucial committee seeks out and writes grants for the funding of school materials and PTA programs. Deadlines are throughout the year. The committee meets with the PTA Co-Chairs in the fall to determine needs and interest in specific grants. If you are a grant writer or want to surf the web for grant opportunities in your free time, we need you!
Green Ball Committee
The Green Ball is CHB’s biggest annual fundraiser. Proceeds from this one night fund many of the amazing activities that are listed in this brochure as well as CHB’s professional development program with Teacher’s College. Funds have covered iPads for our classrooms and playground equipment in the past. Green Ball is a big party held at a local venue giving everyone a chance to get together for an adults-only evening complete with food, drinks, dancing, and fun! The evening features silent and live auctions of amazing baskets and experiences for kids and adults. The Green Ball is a wonderful way to get together with all your CHB friends while supporting a great cause, OUR KIDS AND OUR SCHOOL!
Holiday Fundraiser
This fundraiser partners with local businesses and provides an opportunity for CHB families to socialize and purchase holiday gifts, all while supporting our PTA!
Spirit Wear
What better way to show your love for CHB than to wear the CHB spirit wear! The PTA sells a variety of CHB spirit wear ranging from T-shirts to hoodies, water bottles and umbrellas to car magnets. The spirit wear is set up at various events throughout the school year and is available on the PTA website: https://montclairpta.org/chb/chb-spirit-wear/. We always need volunteers to help sell and distribute merchandise and core committee members to manage inventory, communicate with vendors and market new products.
Watchung Booksellers Book Fair
Our favorite local bookstore will be bringing a wide array of books for our kids and parents to choose from! This weeklong fair will be held in the CHB Library, and all proceeds will support fundraising for the Fourth Grade Camping Trip. Fourth grade parent volunteers are needed to organize and run this event.
Yubbler
Yubbler is a supplies program which offers brand name products, customized ordering, and teacher-approved supply lists. Most importantly, CHB gets half the profits from Yubbler sales! Volunteers are needed to confer with teachers, choose supplies, and market program at the start of the school year.
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