January HSA Meeting Minutes

HSA Meeting 

January 20th 2023, 9am

Attendees: 12 in person, 16 online

Updates from Dr. Oates

One School, One Book – January 17th we launched the book – ‘Zara’s Rules for Record-Breaking Fun’ by Hena Khan with a fun assembly by Learnin’ The Ropes. The group teaches jump rope skills while also encouraging students to try things that might seem hard and see the benefits of pushing through fears.  Coach Nick from Learnin’ the Ropes taught PE classes with Mr. Oh the week of the assembly and class competitions will follow. Please send pictures of your family reading the book to Laura Calandra at lcalandra@ridgewood.k12.nj.us for the closing assembly on February 3rd.

Food Drive – This month we are collecting soup or canned pasta.  Ms. Stankiewicz will create ‘can-struction’ of the items.  On the 31st of January the HSA will also supply all the teachers with a soup lunch.  

HVAC -Installation will take place over the April break to cause the least disruption to PE classes.

Kindergarten Registration – Registration is now open, please let any families of potential kindergarteners know. Twenty three new students are currently enrolled.

Extended days – Began Tuesday, January 17th.  These are for grade 1-5 and invitations would have been sent home.  Tuesdays are ELA and Wednesdays are Math.  Grades 3-5 will also work on test prep.     

Teacher Rep – Update from Ms. Petrick – Ms. Petrick, the school’s Resource Center Teacher, attended the meeting to discuss the current 5th grade curriculum. 

Reading and Writing: Developing themes as an author  

Math: Fractions 

Social Studies: Indigenous people followed by European Explorers   

Past Events

• Winter Concerts– Friday, December 16th. 
• Report Cards Posted – Friday December 20th.
• Holiday Sing-a-long – Friday, December 23rd. 
• Winter Closure – December 23rd-January 1st
• Team Somerville Assembly – January 2nd
• Art Docent Day – Wednesday, January 11th.
• Martin Luther King Day – Monday, January 16th – Schools Closed.
• Learnin’ The Ropes Assembly – Tuesday, January 17th.
• HSA Meeting – Friday, January 20th
• Bingo Night – Friday, January 20th.  Over 38 families attended! Thanks to chairs Diane O’Brien and Elizabeth Kaplanis and all the volunteers.

Upcoming Events 

• DEI Meeting – The Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity Committee will meet Wednesday, January 23rd at 10am in room 208 or on zoom.  This group will work collaboratively with other schools. Thanks to chair Celine Spino
• Wizards Game – January 25th and 26th – Sponsored by The Federated HSA.
• Fifth Grade Concert – January 27th at 9:30
• Friends of Music Concert – January 27th, 7pm at George Washington Middle School.  Tickets can be purchased at www.ridgewoodfriendsofmusic.org/events.html 
• Author Visit – Kelly Yang – February 8th.  Virtual visit for 4th and 5th grades
• Planetarium Visit – February 8th & 9th – An inflatable planetarium will be set up in the  gym for all the students to experience.
• HSA Meeting – Thursday February 16th, 9am in room 208 or zoom.
• Lip Sync – Friday February 10th, 7pm
• February School Break – Schools Closed February 20th & 21st
• Science Fair – March 3rd
• Earth Day – April 14th – Class volunteers may be needed so please keep an eye on the ENews.
• Eid School Closure – Friday, April 21st
• Auction – Friday, April 21st
• International Day & Night – April 25th

HSA Updates:

Birthday Book Gifting  – So far we have raised over $1900 for Mrs. Kaplan to purchase new books for the Library.  Donations are accepted monthly so if you’d like to participate please visit the HSA website.

Wizards Game – The Wizards Games are the largest fundraiser for the Federated HSA.  Funds are distributed to all Ridgewood schools to support an annual initiative.  This year’s initiative is Mental Health.  If you have ideas for what the Federated HSA should prioritize please share them with Beth Pfeil and any future HSA Presidents so they can bring them to meetings.

Lip Sync: There are currently 16 groups registered and anyone can participate.  The show will be on February 10th and groups must attend one of the dress rehearsals on Monday, February 6th or Wednesday, February 8th, 4-5pm.  All groups must register by February 2nd.  Thanks to chairs Lara Geraghty and Chrissy McCormack.

Girls on the Run – This program is for girls in grades 3-5 and combines running practices with a focus on confidence building and life skills. This year’s Coaches will be Beth Pfeil, Dershna Patel and Rachel Gentile.   Practices will be Mondays and Fridays 3-4:30 at Somerville. The session ends with a 5K run in Sparta on May 13th.

Science Fair – The fair will take place on March 3rd. Students will visit the displays in the gym and students can present to their class.  Thank you to chairs Vanesss Yang and Sohee Bidol-Lee. Displays can be informational or experimental.

Somerville Children’s Theater – SCT – Rehearsals for the show ‘Newsies’ have kicked off for 4th and 5th grades.  Practices will take place Jan to March and there will be 4 performances, open to everyone, for the 2 casts to perform.  Thank you to Ms. Vitale, Liz Mazzurco, Joelyn Redmond, Christina Recciutti and Tanya Glassman. 

Somerville Auction Fundraiser – Recently the Board of Education voted to add Eid to the school calendar which falls on the date of the auction, April 21st.  After consultations with members of the Muslim faith it was decided to keep the auction date and honor the holiday with favors from Taskin Bakery and information for the guests.  The event will take place at Biaggios.  The chairs are still looking for auction items.  If you have ideas or items to donate please get in touch with Christine Lear at christine_lear@hotmail.com.  The auction will also include student created artwork from each class – to volunteer to help please get in touch with Jackie Carter.

International Day & Night – April 25th. Students and their families are encouraged to share their countries at this fun full day event.  Each year there is a theme – last year was Flora & Fauna – and families or groups can create a display.  During the day displays will be in the gym and students will visit with “passports” and learn about various countries.  This year the night portion (food & performances) will be at Benjamin Franklin Middle School.

Book Drive – The Green Team will be collecting book donations.  They will be looking for hardcover and easy reader books in good condition as well as copies of previous One School, One Book titles.

Thank you to all who attended today’s meeting in person and those who joined us on our Zoom call. Thank you Dr. Oates and Ms. Petrick for meeting with us today!

Please keep an eye on the Tuesday E-News to stay up to date on all the latest information and announcements. 

Next HSA Meeting will be February 16th at 9am.  Room 208.