Central Avenue School PTO

Meeting Minutes

April 4, 2017

Meeting Called to Order: 8:51 am by Mindy Chase

Approval of the February 2017PTO meeting minutes, Kirsten Cohen, first,

Patti Borcherding,second

ATTENDEES

Thomas Liss, Principal

Mindy Chase, Co-President PTO

Kirsten Cohen, VP PTO

Kari Gennaro, VP PTO

Kim Farina, Secretary PTO

Sharon Streit

Laura Axler

Megan Pagliaro

Stephanie Dalessio

Pam Errichetti

Paula Notari

Jess Lubas-TransOptions

Emily Casey-TransOptions

Co-President Report, Mindy Chase:

Mindy Chase requested a vote on the following projects:

PTO will pay for buses for Chorus to Newark-Approved.
Two drinking fountains will be installed during Spring Break-Approved.
Installation of a pond in Reading Garden Courtyard by company Lily Ponds- Mindy made motion to approve, Megan Pagliaro, first, Kari Gennaro second. Vote approved.

Notes: There will be circulating water so mosquitos will not be a problem. The design has a filter system andis very low maintenance.There will be new plants and a tree for shade. Mr. Liss requested that 20 students be able to fit around the periphery of the pond. Funds raised from the Coin Drive will help pay for the pond.The type of fish will likely be Koi ($30-$60/fish). It is assumed birds consuming the fish in the pond will not be an issue because it’s an enclosed space. However, if it becomes an issue, netting can be installed over the courtyard. As for on-going maintenance, we will need to feed the fish, and do some occasional planting. The plants that are chosen will help feed the

fish. Over the summer, there will be some volunteers scheduled to tend to the pond. The fish will be put in the pond in September.It was suggested by an attendee to call other schools with ponds to see what issues they have had with their ponds.

Lily Ponds will speak at next meeting and vote on next year’s board. Need 2 VPs, Secretary and Treasurer.

GUEST SPEAKER: TransOptions

Emily Casey and Jess Lubas from TransOptionswere guest speakers at this meeting.The School Travel Plan process will begin this spring at CAS. April 20 at 3 pm is the date/time planned to do the first walkability assessment (to determine if all walking routes to CAS are safe). It will first require volunteers to attend a 1.5-hour training session. Afterwards, volunteers will do the walks and reconvene afterwards. Three routes usually are targeted for the first walkability assessment. During the meeting, TransOptions explained traffic calming solutions, and gave examples such as painted murals on problematic streets. The goal of the School Travel Plan is to determine accountability and document red flags in problematic/unsafe areas.

If anyone has concerns about aschool walking route, he/she should contact TransOptions representative, Jess Lubas at . There will also be a survey that is distributed to parents about problematic areas.

TransOptions is also holding the Bike Rodeo for Grades 3-5 on June 2 at CAS. They will be setting up stations and are looking for volunteers to help. They askedthe PTO to provide check-in tables, water and refreshments. Police will be there to register student bikes. Students will ride their bikes through obstacle courses and learn how to check their bike chains, learn general maintenance, and safety. At the event, bike helmets will be provided for 10-15 kids who may not be able to afford them.

Principal Report, Mr. Liss:

4/5/17-There will be third grade assembly about music. Thedifferent instruments will be reviewed and students will be able to pick their instruments. There is also a plan to have an informational music session for parents before back to school night.

The first CAS STEM Fair was a huge success. It will be scheduled the same week next year, but Mr. Liss will move the fourth-gradeWax Museum to after spring speak to give fourth grade parents a break.

PARCC starts 4/19/17.

4/27/17-is “Take your child to work day”

Currently 4-5% of the CAS population is in the Gifted and Talented program, but there is concern that these students are being pulled out for the classes and missing important classroom lessons. Mr. Liss feels it is in the best interest of these gifted students to not use the pull-out model. Mr. Liss stated that since there is a push-in model for struggling learners, there should be a push-in model for gifted learners.

Class Placement letters will be sent home afterthe spring break from Mr. Liss.

5/5/17-International Day.

Valarie Delli Paoli and KieraChiarinowill be out on leave next year.

Standing Committees Report:

Spring Book Fair, Paula Notari reported: The Spring Book Fair is April 24-25 and Paula still needs volunteers. She needs help Tuesday night and the Friday before the fair. Paula will hold a training session, Monday morning, April 24 8:30-9:00 am.She plans to offer breakfast for parents and teachers to preview books. Paula will also ask Dan Meharg, who is a Park Ranger, to come as part of the book fair promotion. For all purchases made online, the CAS proceeds are in Scholastic dollars, not cash.

Garden Committee, Megan Pagliaro reported: She has spent the past two months working on the garden with mulching and soil preparation. 22 classes have planted in the garden in the past 2 weeks. Megan has also recruited 16 new volunteers. During PARCC testing, third and fourth grades will be able to learn about chickens. The Naftal familyis bringing their chickens for the lesson. One CAS family plans to donate a walkway made of natural wood.

Me and My Gal Movie Night, Jen Bauman and Wendy DeCaro, Mindy Chase reported: The Movie Night was deemed a success and the raffle prizes were a hit. The most difficult part was picking the movie! Megan made the recommendation to have two movie nights, divided by grades, K-2, then 3-5 to accommodatethe entire school male population.

Square One Art, Wendy DeCaro,Mindy Chase reported: This year there were record setting profits.

International Day, 5/5/17, Laura Axler reported: Every student gets to visit 4 countries: 1 English, Asian, European and South American country, and every class will be exposed to all countries.So far, 19 countries are represented and 9 different languages will be spoken.

STEM Fair, 3/30/17, 3/31/17, Laura Axler reported:64 total projects.121 participants (out of 244 students, grades 3-5).47 students from Grade 3, 46 students from Grade 4, and 28 students from Grade 5.77 girls, 44 boys. 11 school experts.Total cost $385. Students were very happy with the medals.There were discussions about next year’s STEM fair. Should it include the whole school? Space is limited. Laura will have a follow-up meeting with Mr. Liss with ideas.

Teacher Appreciation Week, Mindy Chase reported: The theme is “Around the World.” Class coordinators will be decorated the homeroom teacher doors. Door decorating is to take place April 28th. Volunteers can get paper from the teacher lounge1-2 weeks ahead of time.Volunteers can create the door designs in advance and Mindy Chase will hang them up if necessary.

Family Fun Festival, Laura Crane,Pam Errichetti reported: The FFF will take place May 19 and this year it has a theme—Pirates and Mermaids. If anyone wants to help in the planning process, they should email Laura Crane.

Incredible Art, PattyBorcherding reported: The scheduling is completed and Patty has volunteers for most classes. Overall it is going well.

4th Grade Fundraiser, Laura Crane.Mindy Chase reported: There will be a spring plant sale that includes herbs. Plant pickup will take place May 10.

Upcoming Calendar Items, reported by: Mindy Chase

April: 1st-May 8th Shoe Drive Community Recycling

5th All-City Concert @ MJS

10-14th Spring Recess

21 2nd Grade Principal Chat

24-25th Single Session (Conferences) & Book Fair

28th School Store Open

28th Decorate Teacher Doors

May: 1-5th Teacher Appreciation Week

4th 2 Hour Delayed Opening

5th International Day

10th Plant Sale Pick Up

12th 5th Grade Musical

13th Rummage Sale

19th School Store Open

19th Family Fun Festival

20th Mega Musicpalooza @ MHS

21st Bike Swap

23rd PTO Meeting 8;45am-10:00am

24th Kindergarten Orientation

26th School Closed Staff Development

29th School Closed Memorial Day

June: 2nd Bike Rodeo for 3rd-5th Grades

Meeting adjourned 10:45 am.

Respectfully submitted by Kim Farina, PTO Secretary