Hillside PTA Meeting Minutes

June 10, 2021

(via Zoom)

 

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

 

Principal’s report: 

 

• We are already planning for next year with the hope and perspective that we will be completely full time in September and will be restoring our aesthetic program.
• Have been doing virtual tours for incoming rising 3rd graders; updating handbook and forwarding to 3rd grade. How can we beef up transition because we want to simmer anxiety. 

• Need to work with PTA to build calendar, probably beginning of July
• Hard to have public meetings when I don’t have all answers from central office yet
• 5th grade moving up has been hard to plan; stalking the weather, the plan is solid, ceremony is 11am; have district bus running to support families with transportation issues
• Will have DOT perform as part of Moving up ceremony – want our families to really feel they are having that moving up experience; will have 2 selections performed from students in addition 
• Q: Will 4th graders get a tour too? A: I’m not as worried about 4th graders because there are a lot of them in the building now. The tour offering helps relax parents more than students – students are generally ok and they figure it out. Note to make sure there is a plan to help all remote kids b/c they haven’t spent much time in building either. 

 

Completed election for incoming PTA: 

 

• Slate for 2021-2022 PTA presented: 
  • Co – presidents – Betty and Yvette
  • VP events – Sheila
  • VP of comms
  • VP of Treasurer
  • Secretary- Amber Reed

• Motion moved and seconded to approve slate

 

Treasurer Report: 

 

• Financial statement reviewed
• We had a lot of activity – Amazon Smile, had fundraising appeal, bookfair, sold spirit wear
• We found new ways for fundraising and these should run into next year (Talent Show advertising, Shout Outs. Trivia Night) 

 

Events Report: 

 

• 5th grade party – have water slide, DJ, food, and good weather
• MFEE Toasts have been happening outside
• Yearbook is almost done with lots of shout out to kids
• Peer Socialization Groups are still going well
• Book Swap on Saturday, 10am drop off and wrap up by 2pm; don’t have to give books to get books 
• Food Drive went well, lots of volunteers
• Will send eblast for volunteer positions for next year
• MFEE is interested in district wide toast to students after last day of school on June 24 

 

SATP Update: 

 

• Showed update slide and offered gratitude for all of the hard work this year: 
  • Hillside Cares – Jodi does the lion’s share of work; over 350 blessing bags / peace notes collected throughout the year
  • 250+ coats collected and donated 
  • Helping to feed out neighbors through contributions to Tony’s Kitchen
  • Social Justice – Black Lives Matter @ School of Action Week
  • Cultural Infusion – Kwanzaa Celebration; Lunar NY Celebration, AAPI Heritage Month, Student Voices Book Club, Juneteenth Lesson Plan Infusion 
  • Grateful to all the volunteers and the voices of experiences; the amount of work that our teachers and educators put in is amazing; committed lots of hours in planning 
  • Dee taking on SATP next year; there is an immediate need for September Spanish Heritage Month planning in August
• Need volunteers for – 
  • Hillside Cares
  • Health and Wellness
  • Curriculum-Related
• Already looking into new year, have new individuals getting involved; Social Justice team gave people a safe place to work together to make change; do have a few volunteer spaces for holiday meals, bikes to school day

 

District Level Update: 

 

• May 18 – BOE had its reorganization meetings; they swore in the 3 new members
• Pres and VP  – re-elected
• Gov Educators of Year were Honored 
• Presentation on long range facilities plan – it’s on their website under Board Reports; 5 year plan includes $57M over 5 years; only a start, does not include education uses; $38M is for HVAC upgrades; 6.4M is designated for HS, 4M is HVAC upgrades; 1M is interior; 1M is exterior; 250K electrical upgrades; has not been approved yet. Implemented over 5 years and we don’t yet see the year by year rollout; stay tuned for more
• Clear commitment by Dr. Ponds and BOE for 5 days/week, FT, in person in September.
• Discussion of adding EID as district wide holiday – date can vary over a month; needs to approved by Board
• MHS launching a PTA first time since decades; have nominating comm for MHS board members
• Alison Silverstein is appointed to the PTA council to board and to chair their communication committee; Communication was a big priority for the district.
• District will take action on allegation on June 21 on the whistleblower case
• EROG and PTAC issued statements – available on website
• Board spoke about engagement in labor management workshops to improve relationship between with board with employee unions; lot of discussion re: Watchung field renovation; project was delayed for review but is now underway
• PTAC elected – and have meeting on 6/11 to discuss priorities
• Many have seen MEA on social media – objecting to what they are saying Draconian staff cuts that are not necessitated; an issue that is being discussed and debated within the community
• Thank Yous and shout outs were given from all!   

 

Attendees: 

Jennifer Hand

Brian Fleischer

Amber Reed

Betty Shvetz

Diane Tehranian

JT’s iPhone

Christina Joseph Robinson

David and Linda

Dee Thompson

Erica Clark-Mitchell

Samanthaa Anglin

Sheila Boyd

Tinu Joseph

Varsha Hathi

Thomas Adamo 

Yvette Frazier