Hillside PTA Meeting Minutes

May 13, 2021

(via Zoom)

 

• Brian welcomed everyone
• Approved Hillside PTA April 2021 meeting minutes

 

Principal Update: 

• We know that time in school matters – good energy in the building
• Moving to five days per week for all classified students on Monday
• Child Study Team returning to building Monday
• Wish we could bring back everyone five days, but we can’t accommodate it across all elementary schools within COVID mitigation guidelines
• Moving Up for all schools being planned for outdoors between Woodman and Watchung fields; Hillside tentatively Monday 6/21 @ 11:30am; number of seats for guests TBD; still figuring out what school will look like on that day
• Book Fair was moved inside due to weather, but it was exciting to have families in the building; a lot of donations were made to support our classroom libraries
• SATp doing great work around social justice – recognizing that inclusiveness must be intentional and everlasting, not just confined to a designated month
• Q re: Pool Testing? A: district started with Grade 2, so not yet at Hillside
• Q re: Is 5-day in person for classified students voluntary? A: We track attendance by cohort, live or virtual, so classified students are not an in-person cohort, but we can still record students as virtual/present

 

Nominating Committee: 

• Presented proposed slate:
  • Co-Presidents: Betty Shvetz and Yvette Frasier
  • VP Events: Sheila Boyd (hoping for another Co-VP Events)
  • VP Communications: Shaviece Osborne
  • Recording Secretary: Amber Reed
  • Co-Treasurers: Dana Rizzo and Jacqueline Ahern
• Lots of volunteer positions, including Committee/Event chairs, still available

 

Treasurer report:

• Presented treasurer report. Raised $2,636.28 from Annual Appeal; awaiting revenue numbers from Book Fair and Spirit Wear. On the year, we’re currently operating in the red by around $3,400, including the tent purchase, which could be reimbursed from the Fireball account.

 

Calendar Events:

• Peer Socialization Groups going strong
• Mindfulness event was lightly attended but very much enjoyed by the participants
• Marvel / Star Wars Trivia Night was a hit
• Planning a party to celebrate our 5th Graders, with DJ, food trucks, photographer, games
• Discussion re: selling ads in the Yearbook to raise money to support 5th grade expenses

 

SATp Update: 

• Dee Thompson and Stacie Hawes will co-Chair next year
• AAPI Month: being intentional about thoughtful AAPI messaging, with a historical component and lessons for teachers; planning an evening event for families; Lantern Festival next Friday evening
• 5th Grade food drive planned for June 5, 10am-2pm, which the 5th graders will run
• Need someone to take over Hillside Cares next year
• Social Justice Book Clubs – Grades 3 and 4 finished today; Grade 5 next week.

 

BOE Update

• Hybrid adjustments were discussed
• Audit of Special Education in the district was presented; available on district website
• Discussion of the Whistleblower Letter re: Buildings & Grounds Department
• Discussion of MHS Jewish Heritage Month gaffe in honoring Meir Kahane – need to be thoughtful and intentional and collaborative in our inclusion work
• Discussion of needlepoint ionization – still installed, but not turned on
• District Equity Team to launch soon
• School Year 2021-2022 Calendar Approved
• Re-organization Meeting will be on May 17.

 

Attendees: 

1. Samanthaa Anglin
2. Brian Fleischer
3. Colleen Dougherty
4. Betty Shvetz
5. Yvette Frasier
6. Shaviece Osborne
7. Sheila Boyd
8. Christian Robinson
9. Erica Mitchell
10. Jennifer DiLullo
11. Amber Reed
12. Linda Kow
13. Diane Tehranian
14. Allison Silverstein
15. Dee Thompson