Glenfield Middle School PTA

Visual and Performing Arts Magnet

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PTA/SATp Meeting Minutes – December 2021

  • Number of Participants – 29
  • Approval of November 2021 PTA Meeting Notes

Welcome and Call to Order

 

Approval of Minutes

 

Principal’s Report

  • Trying to keep up with the rise in COVID-19 cases.
    • Please be patient with administration.
  • Staffing Update
    • No update on the art teacher position. Waiting for some things to be finalized before providing an update.
  • Assessment and Adjustment of Instruction, Evaluation and Placement
    • Start Strong Data
      • Not to use this data for placement or an individual piece of data for a student. Was supposed to be a benchmark.
      • Looking at Ren Learning, Acadience, etc.
      • If scores were low, do not worry.
      • All conversations about data. ELA/SS and Math/Science partnered together and looked at all tests and looked at two standards that need remediation.
      • Course pathways for 8th graders will be reviewed by Ms. Goforth in 2022.
    • Cold Weather COVID Protocol Updates
      • Can separate Houses in half – Half in Catchings Suite and half in cafeteria.
      • 40 degrees for eating; 32 degrees for playing outside.
      • Tents are set up and one side can be raised for ventilation.
      • Masking inside the building – how can we reinforce students to wear it properly in the hallways?
        • During last school year, students would be sent home for improper mask wearing.
        • Indoor air purifiers?
          • Ventilation system is working so Glenfield will not really need that many purifiers.
        • Recap of Safety/Security Protocols (e.g., Lockdown/Shelter in Place)
          • All NJ public schools must have 2 drills a month – either fire or shelter in place.
          • School Safety Team is responsible for executing the drills each month. They review the positives and areas for improvement.
          • Coordinating with fire and police departments on drills to come back and review processes.
          • Will call a shelter in place if they cannot find a student or need to contain a situation.
          • Safety procedures cannot be shared with parents or the public.
          • Any jokes or threat of weapons – there will be an overreaction from the administration.

 

Treasurer’s Report

  • Account status summary
  • Membership Drive
  • Annual Appeal
    • Security gates fundraiser – panic bar needed
    • Will receive final budget numbers to share with the Glenfield community
  • Spirit Wear Store

 

PTA Events/Activities

  • In-person on hold with spike in infection rates
  • Will reassess in connection with updated district guidelines next month
  • Parent Volunteer Rules
    • Ponds was coordinating with principals to have a district policy for parent volunteers.
  • Pierce will be strict with not allowing volunteers into the building while the cases are on the rise.
  • PTA Nominating Committee – 1 volunteer needed to complete the basic committee. Need 1 alternate.
    • Tatiana and Amira volunteered.
    • Time commitment is low for the committee.
  • PTA provided Glenfield spirit wear to each Glenfield teacher

 

SATp Update (Events/Initiatives/Updates)

  • SAVE THE DATES
    • Next Meeting – Tuesday, January 11 – SEL/Culture and Climate
    • 125th Anniversary Committee – Reunion Event is scheduled for June 5th in Glenfield Park
    • DEI Committee – Community Kick-Off Event January 16th (tentative)
      • Working on mission and goals to share with the community
      • Working on a survey for teachers and students.

 

BOE/PTAC Updates

  • Update on BOE Vacancy Process and Special Election
    • Al Davis passed away in early December and the seat is open (January 2022 – January 2023)
    • Now with Type 2 status, that position is filled by the BOE.
    • Anyone who is interested in can submit their resume by January 5 and decision made by January 19.
    • March 8 special election – special election for the new 2 seats to make the Board to 9 seat elected rather than 7 seats. (1 year and 8 months term)
      • Every year, three board seats will be up for election.
      • November 2022 election will have the seats open for Ms. Church, Jannah.
    • Board Reports – there were 2 presentations by liaisons by the NJ Board of Education
      • The difference between school types
    • Missing Days from too many COVID cases to move to the remote option.
      • Need at least a 4 hour day to count towards the 180 days required.
    • Phase 1 of ventilation improvements is completed.
      • Windows should still be cracked.
      • Working with MEA and facilities to remediate any too cold or hot classrooms.
    • Buildings/Facilities working on the issues at Hillside
  • NJSBA Presentations on Type 1 to Type 2 Transition; BOE Member Roles, Responsibilities and Ethics
  • Facilities/COVID Updates
  • Reflections Program, PTAC Committee work

 

New Business/Q&A

 

Next Meeting: Tuesday, January 18 at 7:00pm

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:44 pm

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PTA/SATp Meeting Minutes – November 2021

  • Number of Participants – 23
  • Approval of October 2021 PTA Meeting Notes

Welcome and Call to Order

 

Approval of Minutes

 

Principal’s Report

  • Staffing updates
  • Title I/After-School Program Updates
  • SATp Meeting was held on November 16, 2021.
    • Comprehensive School Status – in the bottom of 5% of NJ middle schools based on test scores.
    • 2018 – PARCC and common core opt outs.
    • 2019 – Look at the scores – what standards are weak; how can we improve and improve scores. Then COVID,
    • What can we prove on paper? We need to show signs of growth in improvement.
    • Scores are stagnant – not showing growth. Not mastering what the students need to know.
    • What are we doing to address the Comprehensive Status?
      • Changed master schedule and added more time to Math and ELA. Borrowed time from electives to make Math and ELA 80 minutes rather than 40 minutes and changed to A/B days.
      • Added Advisories for students.
      • Wrote SEL curriculum over summer.
        • Currently training staff on SEL.
        • A lot of staff went through trauma during the pandemic as well.
          • Happy Staff strategies – swag for staff, little things to show appreciation.
          • Will be working with a consultant from NJEA
            • Trauma Informed Instruction
          • Students and staff have been through a lot over the past year. We are coming up on the holidays and starting to see the impacts.
      • After School Programs
        • Will be forthcoming – finalizing details.
      • Glenfield is the community school. Please let us know if any family needs any additional support.
      • Racially sensitive situations – misusing words.
        • Bring the students in to discuss the sensitive issues and explain intended speech, words. People interpret words differently.
          • Ms. Sims and Ms. Carrington are involved.
        • Social skills need to be worked on – many socially awkward discussions or poor jokes.
        • Group chats (8-12 students) can get out of hand – please talk to your students about how to communicate on their devices or on social media and be positive and not confrontational.
          • Idea: Post positive communication/text message posters examples in the halls.

 

Treasurer’s Report

  • Budget was approved.
  • Membership Drive
  • Annual Appeal
    • Waiting on CO for estimates for the deck gates.
    • Engineers were at Glenfield to do a site visit and collect the requirements, sizes, etc.
  • Spirit Wear Store – Glenfield Garb store is open!
    • Can students request Garb if they have trouble paying for it?
      • Work with the guidance counselors.
    • Guidance office is focused on the whole year to provide support to families. No holiday specific activities currently.

 

PTA Events/Activities

  • Black & Orange Dance
    • Worked with Mr. Titus to plan the dance with the student council.
    • Went very well inside the gym since it was rainy that evening.
    • Limited to 100 students.
  • Follow up dance or movie night event
    • 6th, 7th, and 8th grade movie nights.
  • Parent Social connect
    • Looking at different locations for possible social parent night out.
    • Hoping for December event.

 

SATp Update (Events/Initiatives/Updates)

  • SATp meeting yesterday. First of 7 meetings. Meeting notes will be circulated.
  • 125th Anniversary Committee – Logo Contest Winner
    • Logo was designed by Clay Swanson, 7th Grader.
    • Reunion Event
  • DEI Committee – Tatiana
    • MFEE Equity grant – Jody, Gina Fortt and Tatiana are working on it.
      • Need more stakeholders from the student and parent bodies.
      • Need to find what to target the $10,000.
        • Considering a survey (looking for professional survey help) or community conversations + rubric/targeted questions.

 

BOE/PTAC Updates

  • Transition from Type 1 (Appointed Board) to Type 2 District (Elected Board)
    • Special Election will add 2 new board members.
    • Every November will have elections to elect 3 members for 3 years terms.
    • Board of School Estimates does not exist anymore. Any bond funding must have a referendum for work and will be voted on by the people.
      • $10-20 million needed in annual infrastructure investments.
  • BOE Meeting Structure
    • Public Comments on Agenda items and then option for non-agenda public comments.
      • Virtually via the WebEx over the last year with pandemic.
      • Now must be in person.
      • Board looking at hybrid option to provide equitable options for all.
  • Labor Management Collaborative
    • Through Rutgers University – broke through the barriers for the Board and MEA.
    • More optimistic to work collaboratively with each group.
  • Updates from Departments of Equity, Curriculum & Instruction and Technology
    • On district website under Board Reports.
  • SEPAC and Compensatory Education
  • PTAC Committee work
    • Reflections Program – Art contest sponsored by National PTA
    • Communications Committee working together
  • MFEE – $30,000 grant for touch devices for Acadience Learning assessments.

 

New Business/Q&A

 

Next Meeting: Wednesday, December 22 at 7:00pm

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:09 PM.

 

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PTA Meeting Minutes – October 2021

Glenfield Middle School

PTA MEETING – OCTOBER 2021 MEETING MINUTES

VIRTUAL MEETING 8:00 pm

 

 

  • Number of Participants – 28
  • Approval of September 2021 PTA Meeting Notes
  • Principal’s Report – Erika Pierce
    • Staffing
      • Art position is still open.
      • Working hard to fill the open Math teacher positions.
      • The Special Education positions are tough to fill. Looking for certain areas of expertise within special education.
    • Tent/tables/outdoor lunch updates, including plans for cold weather.
      • The tents are good. We do not have to take them down.
      • Deck – heating devices allowed or not?
        • Central Office has not provided any direction on the allowance on heating devices.
      • Pool Testing Update
        • The initial testing cycle was a learning experience for everyone at Glenfield.
        • Selected students were brought down by House in groups of 25 and it went very well.
        • Students did their nose swabs and put it in the container.
        • Testing days are Mondays, antigens on Wednesday.
        • Zero positives within the Glenfield pool testing groups.
      • After-School Activities Update
        • Started orchestra and jazz band last week.
        • Two late buses are available – one goes to one side of town and then the other goes to the other side.
        • GMS Extra – Academic support.
          • Looking at staffing and budget.
          • Reviewing eligible students based on compensatory education – those students who have an IEP or 504 are looked at first, then Tier 1 and 2 students are then next and RTI.
        • Glenfield is a comprehensive school.
          • We receive Title I funds and other funds, which can be allocated towards enrichment activities (art, cooking, sports – running club?).
          • District received a significant amount of funding for academic support and the school needed to move on this funding first.

 

 

Climate Surveys – Mr. Pelli

  • Student Five Positive Areas
  • Parent Areas – 120 responses (want to see more parent engagement)
    • Positive Areas:
      • My child feels safe at school.
      • Proud that my child attends this school.
    • Focus Areas:
      • Extracurricular activities.
      • Feel welcome at school.
      • I know what my child’s teacher expects from me.
      • My child’s school tried to get family members to take part in school activities.
      • I am actively involved with my child’s school.
    • What’s Next
      • Share survey results.
      • Align school goals/initiatives with focus areas
      • Keep the conversation going around the feedback.
      • Administration is always willing to hold a Town Hall Meeting to have a conversation on critical topics.

Treasurer’s Report – Amira Williams

  • Account status summary – Budget as of September 30, 2021
  • Annual Appeal Update
    • Approximately $1,000 came in during October.
    • Gates for the outdoor deck – still need estimate and feedback from architect and central office.
      • Could have center paneled gate.
    • Membership Update
      • Membership – 42 members + 27 members – 70% of membership target

 

PTA Events/Activities – Brian and Jessica

  • Glenfield Garb/Spirit Wear Update
    • Working to get a storefront up and will have some similar spirit wear as before. Have Holiday Store for 4 weeks.
    • Will have current inventory for sale at a discount.
    • Please send any ideas for Glenfield Garb to Holly.
  • Respect for All Week
    • PTA supported this effort and would like to thank Ms. Sims and Mr. Citro for their efforts.
  • Black and Orange Dance – first of a series?
    • Most likely will be postponed due to weather. Looking at Friday, November 12 as reschedule date.
      • Limit on participants (100) due to the space constraints on the deck.
      • Looking at other social events ideas – Sweatpants/Hoodies party, Movie Night, etc.
      • Prioritizing those students who missed the cut off for this event for the next event.
      • Can look at grade specific activities or events.
  • Parent social connect opportunities
    • Any ideas – please send them to us!
      • Walk-a-thon to raise money for the Human Needs Food Pantry.

 

SATp Updates – Kimya Nilsen

  • Logo Contest Winner to be Announced Next Week.
  • Our next School Action Team Meeting will be on November 16 at 6:30 pm via Zoom where we will discuss our benchmark assessment scores and our school’s Comprehensive Status. Meeting minutes will be sent to the Glenfield community if you are unable to attend the meeting
  • The Glenfield SATP will focus on the following topics for the 2021-2022 school year:
    • 1) Ensuring Academic Preparedness
    • 2) Support SEL activities for staff and students
    • 3) Trauma Informed and Culturally Responsive practices
    • 4) Community Connections

 

BOE/PTAC Updates

  • PTAC Committees
    • Launch meeting at the beginning of October.
    • Education/Special Ed Committee
    • Community Engagement
    • Health & Wellness Committee
    • Anyone who wants to participate – please email Brian.
  • Brief BOE Recap
    • Board of School Estimates will not be going to consider any funds for the facilities request until the district got all their regulatory items in check.
    • Election Day
      • Voting for either an elected board or an appointed board.
      • Board of School Estimates would be dissolved and the BOE would need to bond the funding.
      • Even if the School Estimates remains, we have most likely missed the window of opportunity to deal with ventilation issues in summer 2022.

 

New Business/Q&A

 

Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 17 at 7:00pm (check MHS PTA schedule)

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM.

 

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PTA Meeting – September 2021 Meeting Minutes

  • Brian Fleisher introduced the PTA Board.
  • Approval of May 2021 PTA Meeting Notes.
  • Principal’s Report – Erika Pierce
    • Staffing Update
      • Serious challenges with staffing.
      • Many teachers, especially Math teachers, are teaching 6 periods, instead of 5 periods. Want permanent quality teachers instead of long-term subs.
      • Art position – Ms. Flack is a certified art teacher. She is covering as a short-term sub with the hope for her to be hired as permanent staff.
    • Outdoor Lunch
      • Logistics are going very well.
      • Three tents – Mr. Brown has done an amazing job getting them up and down every day. Additional tents are on order.
      • PTA wants to fund gates at bottom of deck.
        • Submitted to Central Office (CO) the proposal on the gates.
        • CO is amendable for the PTA to donate the funds for the gates but the details need to be approved by Buildings & Grounds (B&G).
      • Quality of Food Service
        • Called Pomptonian with the quality issues. They stated they would look into the issues with uncooked food, moldy bread, etc.
        • No plastic wear available.
          • If students are bringing their own lunch, they must bring their own utensils. Pomptonian, the food service vendor, only has utensils for who are receiving hot lunches.
        • Please encourage your student(s) to memorize or write down their student ID number. Students need this number when purchasing food. Will help with moving the lunch line faster.
      • Advisory Periods
        • Work in progress. Trying to tailor it to the needs of the staff and students.
        • Not DEER anymore – it is now called Advisory and the activities are only once a week. It’s fluid process – working out how best to use this time.
        • Staff need a bit more time for training/PD on how to discuss with the students on the tough topics. Counselors will be working with teachers to do the PD.
      • Afterschool Activities + Late Buses
        • Full plan on the 0 period and 10 periods. 0 period is going well.
        • 10 period was for jazz band and orchestra.
          • Confusion on who was responsible to order the PPE for orchestra.
          • Cannot have any instrumental music inside without the PPE.
          • Outdoor playing – on deck – requires more time to get all of the equipment outside – stands, music, amps, etc.
        • Can the PTA assist in procuring the PPE needed for orchestra and jazz band?
        • Afterschool Clubs
          • Cannot start until November until the Title 1 funding comes in.
          • Need to post internal positions to staff the clubs.
        • Robotics + Science Olympics
          • Will move forward and take late bus since they do not need PPE.
        • GSA Meetings
          • Weekly on Fridays. Erika will confirm schedule and follow up with district on transportation.
        • PTA Budget – Amira Williams
          • Fiscal year started on July 1st
          • Budget – Income/Revenues
            • $528 in memberships
            • $585 in donations and annual appeals
            • $1,400 at the ice cream social in spirit wear sales
          • The PTA has funds since we have not spent a lot of money over the last year.
          • The PTA holds funds for related arts and Houses – working with them to determine the correct amount needed.
          • Annual Appeal – no target amount yet. Need to get clarification from CO on costs/estimates. Once we receive the details, then we will put it out to the community. Might be around $10-20,000.
        • SATp – Kimya Nilsen
          • 125th Anniversary Celebrations
            • 20+ volunteers
            • Logo contest in process. Students will compete to design a logo and art department will select the winner.
            • Gill is spearheading a lot of the activities – photos, statements from the Glenfield community will be collected around the holiday time.
            • Spring – several activities and a Glenfield reunion in the park.
          • Events/Activities Ideas – Parents/Student Events
            • Orange and Black dance – attendance is starting to wane.
            • Monthly or Bi-Monthly Socials with Houses?
              • Picnics?
              • Outdoor Halloween costume party on the deck?
            • District Updates/PTAC
              • Schedule – board of estimates meeting tonight.
              • PTAC Council is urging them to pass bond funding.
              • COVID mitigation protocols – a lot of discussion among BOE and administration, such as shield use, 3 feet of distance cannot be maintained, etc.
                • District’s plans for pool testing
                • PCR testing sites – at Hillside and Nishuane
                • Ventilation – mechanical and the open windows. More air purifiers was suggested by
                • Robert Kelly – facilities presentation on Hurricane Ida and how well the staff did on fixing the schools, etc.
              • Glenfield Clubs – want to offer the same number of clubs as Buzz and Renaissance
                • In district budget – Glenfield was not taking funds within the budget.
                • Because Glenfield is a Title 1 school, we can use the Title 1 funds to run clubs.
                • Some activities – such as the play, Model UN – are done during school.

 

Next Meeting: Wednesday, October 27th at 8:00pm

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM.

 

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The Glenfield Black and Orange Dance is back Social Distance Style!

The Glenfield Black and Orange Dance is back Social Distance Style! 
Join us Friday, October 29th 6:30-8pm on the Glenfield Deck.   LIVE DJ! Snacks! Costumes Optional.  Covid-safe masks required.  NO full face coverings allowed.
Tickets are FREE. 100 tickets will be distributed for this event, first come, first serve. One ticket per student.  Only Glenfield students may attend. (There will be other dances later in the year for those who can not attend this event.)
To get tickets students must fill out this form.  You need a mpsdnj.us account to access the form.  Tickets will be distributed through House leaders before the event. 
 
Help us make this event successful!  Parent volunteers are needed.  Sign up here!
Rain date TBD
Glenfield PTA

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Glenfield Town Hall

Thursday, Sept 2nd at 6:30pm.  More information and the link will come via email or visit the closed FB Group Glenfield Middle School Family Forum.

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Glenfield Ice Cream Social

On Monday, August 30th Glenfield PTA will host an ice cream social for 6th and 7th grade families.  Come meet Principal Erika Pierce, Vice Principal Vincent Pelli, House leaders and teachers and reacquaint with old friends!
Ice cream will be served.  Masks required.  The event will take place on the back deck at Glenfield Middle School from 5:30pm-6:30pm for 6th grade families and 6:45pm-7:45pm for 7th grade families.

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2021-22 Glenfield After School Program Survey

In an effort to create a robust after school program that addresses all of our student’s interests and needs, please take a moment to complete this brief survey.

*Please be reminded that all after school activities are scheduled from 2:10-4pm.
*A 4pm late bus will be made available to ALL students.
*Any students that are enrolled in a 10th period class may participate in the after school program from 2:50pm-4pm.

Fill out the After School Program Survey Now

Due date for the survey is Friday, August 20th.