HSA Minutes – September 2024 Meeting Minutes

HSA Meeting 

September 20, 2024, 9:00

Attendees: 25 in person, 12 online

Meeting called to order at 9:03am

School Updates (Dr. Oates)

• Total number of students Somerville – 285 families, 393 students in 2024-2025 year
• School Theme is Stay Gold – Activities have included focus on developing best learning behaviors, developing best interpersonal skills, signing of Golden Rule pledge
• Monthly Somerville Squad meetings – monthly in the gym as a school community
• Parent Book club will be held Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Anxious Generation will be the book.
• Donation of the month in September – PBJ
• Club information out – Safety Patrol, Morning Show, TREP$, Art Club, Recess Club, Hand chime, Glee, among others. All are free or with nominal fee if offered by the school. Stipends are covered (50%) by HSA and (50%) the school.
• Curriculum Corner: Literacy Initiatives: A lot of staff development. First, Molly Ness – presented about read aloud and related benefits. Natalie Wexler – focus on building a core Launched new social studies curriculum – inquiry based approach. Next month, Dr. Oates will discuss more about phonics instruction.
• Back to school night and back to school picnic were great successes. Dr. Oates thanked all for the teacher breakfast.
• HSA funded assemblies – Bergen PAC is a new addition to our assemblies. Their focus will be on teamwork.
• Oct 1-2 LinkIt testing. This is used internally to monitor progress. Scores are not shared but can be requested at parent conferences. November topic will be test scores.
• October 10^th – Be true to you assembly as part of week of Respect.
• Oct 11^th – Daffodil planting day (tentative).
• Oct 14^th – No school.
• Oct – Kindergarten field trip. Considering co-trip with book buddies.

HSA Updates

• Kit Delivery – many parents supported.
• Kindergarten Welcome Playdates in August – well attended.
• Somerville 101 Committee – organized a New Family Playdate in August and New Parent Dinner (60 people in attendance!). Each person gets paired with a host family (like a mentor).
• Staff Appreciation Committee – Teacher Luncheon & 4th/5th gr. Teacher Breakfast. Did this on Sept 6^th.
• Spirit Wear – Very successful. Many items sold out on first date. Considering doing a holiday online store. Pop up today after school today with Frosty Friday.
• Back to School Picnic – 150 families register, ~ 500 people in attendance. Will make some changes to food delivery moving forward.
• Frosty Fridays – 2 more remaining (this Friday and next Friday).
• Picture Day – If you didn’t pre-register, you will have to email the photo company and work with you to get you photo. No make up date scheduled yet.
• Birthday Book Gifting Open – cheddar up link online if you’d like to order. Will be in E News periodically.
• HSA Membership Dues / Groupspot – 200 families paid out of 285.

HSA Looking ahead

• Mandatory Somerville Children’s Teacher Parent Meeting 9/26 (4th and 5th Grade Parents) – 7pm in the gym
• SEPAG Activities Fair 9/24 – reach out to Nicole if you’d like to connect with them and she will connect you.
• Family Photo Session 9/27 and 9/28 – These are sold out but you can join waitlist. Contact Nicole if interested in joining waitlist. Can be holiday themed or neutral.
• Wild Robot Movie 10/6 – private viewing, starts at 10am, includes popcorn and a drink. Ms. Kaplan will share with K-2 as this occurred before their year.
• Book Fair – Oct 16-17. You’ll get more info from class parents about when classes are going.
• DIY Pizza Kits – Oct 18^th. Franchesca’s in Glen Rock is our partner. Pick up pizza kit after school.
• Ladies Night Out – 10/24 (Note Date Change) – save the date. Finalizing activity. Details to come.
• Halloween Festival – Oct 26^th. Inaugural event. Early Sat am. Carnival games, photo op, pumpkin painting, donut trucks.
• Halloween Parade – Oct 31^st – More info to come. Most children come home for lunch. Will no longer exit through gym doors. Parents will likely be on inside of field around track.
• Boosterthon 2024 – Nov 22nd Fun Run. Save the date. More info to come at the end of October.

NEXT HSA MEETING:  Oct 25nd @ 9am Room 208

Meeting Adjourned at 9:48am