Wanaque School
PTA Meeting
Technology Room
February 8, 2016

Meeting called to order at 7:02pm.

Leane: Welcome everyone.  Glad everyone could come tonight.  Please take a moment to review the minutes and when you are ready; I need a motion to approve:
                Motion:    Ann P.
                2nd:        Chris S.
With no opposition the minutes are approved as submitted.

Unfortunately Ms. Cardiello, Mr. Frick and Mr. Sarullo could not be here tonight

Rob Barnhardt - BOE: Meeting is tomorrow night at Haskell. Representatives from the NJ School Board will be there for ethics training as well as discussion the responsibilities of the BOE

Teachers: Thank you for coming, nothing to report

Chris Strobel – Wanaque Education Foundation: this organization does not copy the PTA but rather supplements the work of the PTA. We help with supplies and extra equipment the schools need. Microscopes, iPads, books etc. We are in need of active members. Meetings are every other month on a Thursday. Manpower and ideas are the most important things right now. Please write down your email address if you would be interested in hearing more. Next meeting is March 3 at 7pm at Wanaque.

Special Guests: Cadet Troop 135: The girls reported on their silver award project, re-painting of the Safety Town mural. This included 40 hours of community service. The girls created a new layout, measured and designed the mural and then created a computer generated mock-up. The mural is painted in 5 colors. They provided the instruction handbook to the PTA as well as some tips for painting outside.

Officer Reports:

President: Leane There are still a number of committees without chair people. Please consider leading one of these committees. There is quite a variety of open seats. Some take more time than others and you can do it with a friend.

1st VP – Elise: Nothing to report.

2nd VP - Jen: Nothing to report

Treasurer - Sharon: Nothing to report

Corresponding Secretary - Tracy: Received a thank you card from the Ross family.

Recording Secretary - Yvette: Nothing to report

Standing Committee Reports

Drama – 4th – 8th: Lisa S. – The kids are doing a great job. The whole cast is rehearsing together; there are 41 kids in the program in grades 4-8. Performances are April 29 and 30

Cultural Arts – Open committee:  Still open, please volunteer if you would like to chair this committee. “No Bullies Allowed” assembly will be February 18th. Chris Johnson is the host and uses magic in his presentation. This will be for all grades.

Fundraising Committee:    Still need a chair for this committee. Gertrude Hawke orders are due 2/12 with a delivery date of 3/7 – this may change depending on outstanding orders.
We are not going to be able to host a Color Run this year, hopefully we get a new chairperson for this committee and we can think about it for next year.

Giving Grocer – Ann P.: This is the program in place of Market Day. Similar foods with lots of additions. Flyers and brochures are coming home soon, you can order online or with the form. This will be quarterly. The products will change seasonally. 40% of the money comes to the school. We must sell 200 pieces per quarter in order to get our percentage. Orders will come to the school just like Market Day. You will need to pay the PTA or online.

Field Day – Tracey: June 10th is the date, with a rain date of June 13th. T-Shirts will be available a shortly

Book Fair - Joanne: May 17th, the first day will be for 8th grade only. The 18th the fair will be open all day and then after school on the gym stage. On the last day of the fair there will be an author from town there to meet and greet.

Box Tops - Iman: March 1st is the next submission; please have everything in the office by 2/26. Once again, please be sure at least the teacher’s name is on the envelope. Our next check is due in April.

Q: Do we still do Labels for Education?
A: Absolutely, that is how we were able to get the balls for the children to use at recess.

Kids’ Stuff Books: Another committee that will be open for next year. Lori will be happy to train you

Bingo: Next Bingo will be February 19 from 7-8:30pm for grades pre-K through 5th

8th grade committee Chris, Lori, Michelle:  Everything is moving along well. The t-shirts orders are coming soon. The DVDs are ready as are the photographs for the slide show.

Reading Program:  Open committee. We have an author coming for the 4th-8th grade students, looking at March 3rd. This is a high school student from Boonton who has published a book called “Goblin’s Tale” and is similar to Harry Potter books. We are hoping the children get inspired by someone so young. Permission slips will be going home. Parents are welcome, this will be after school from 3:15 – 5pm. Mrs. Remington has the book and the students will read it before the visit.

School Pictures: Judy & Patty: May 17th will be spring pictures and sibling pictures, can use volunteers that day.

Membership: No Update

Dances: There will be a Valentine’s dance at Haskell for grades 6-8 on 2/12

Tricky Tray- Tracy and Leanne: On its way. April 2 is the date. Theme is “A Night at the Oscars”. Remember this is our biggest fundraiser and it is a huge undertaking. We will need a chairperson next year for sure. This is definitely a committee that needs a 2-person chair. Most things are already well on their way, we could use a few more runners for that night. If you have any new items you would like to donate to a basket, please don’t hesitate, as long as it is new we will take any donation. We have about $32K in prizes so far. The ticket request forms have gone home; the first 100 people to buy tickets will get a prize. Tracy will send an email with all the attachments in the next few days.

School Apparel: Gina–    closed for the winter, more dates in the spring

Dine to Donate: Could use a chair. We are hoping to get a Wendy’s night soon, if you have any ideas, let us know we could use a few more of these events.

Teacher Appreciation: Right now the dates are May 2-6, more info to come

Egg Hunt: This is back on; it will be March 19th at Back Beach. This is our 2nd joint effort with Haskell and so far it is going well. We are hoping for good weather.

Old Business:  Dr. Seuss day is coming up this month. The kick off will be February 11 for pre-k through 3rd grade. There will be an author visit, a green eggs and ham breakfast on 2/19. Thank you to all those who volunteered to work that day, the slots for Seuss day are full.

New Business:   We will have the annual Square Dance on March 10 at 7pm for grades pre-k through 5th. $10 per family and the tickets go fast so be sure and sign up early!
The Talent show will be February 25th at 7pm
We are doing another new fundraiser, a Sip and Paint at the new studio in Ringwood. There is limited seating so the first 50 people will get the chance. If it is successful we will do it again. It is BYOB, more information coming.

Motion to adjourn until March 7, 2016
        Motion: Ann P.
        2nd:    Ann T.
Meeting adjourned until March 7, 2016 - 7pm

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Respectfully submitted February 25, 2016