Pascack Valley PFO Meeting Minutes: 10/4/2017
Next meeting dates: 12/6/17, 2/7/18, 4/11/18, 6/6/18

Student Representative: Billy Lyons
Busy first month of school…. Collecting supplies for Puerto Rico, monetary donations for Hurricane Harvey relief via Red Cross, voter registration for seniors, Day of Gold Prostate Cancer Awareness, Suicide Prevention Week – activities/information at Wellness Center and via counselors, Valley Cup Week – surprising upset with sophomores winning soccer tournament. Student Council seeking more community activities at all levels. Suggestion to reach out to Navigators, which is in need of coaches.

Social Studies Teacher Mr. Sarajian
Discussed several school activities outside of the classroom: Deca Trip to California with Mr. Rose where students Eva Rosini and Wang, both PV seniors, finished in the top ten in the Travel and Tourism category out of 200 teams. Native American Trip over the summer where students learned about life on a reservation while providing supplies. Teacher Corp with 31+ participants doing teacher internships. Mr. Orloc is investigating the addition of AP Economics to the curriculum based on college feedback. And, PVHS teachers will participate in a fall event of the NJ Council of Scocial studies with a focus on America’s Response to Genocides. The NJCSS is the only statewide association in New Jersey devoted solely to social studies education.

Principal Mr. DeMaio
Remembering Al Murphy who recently passed away and who was very active in the PVHS and Hillsdale community – served as Mayor, on BOE, ambulance corp, and numerous other posts and volunteer work. BOE elections 11/7 with 2 open spots in Hillsdale and one in Woodcliff Lake. Thanked PFO for benches and help with Back To School Night despite low attendance due to conflicting Back To School Night in River Vale. PVHS & PHHS on top 20 of NJ Department of Education’s List of Future Ready Schools – creating model schools for rest of state to replicate processes that foster necessary skills.Lots of charity in beginning of school – Houston, Florida, Puerto Rico, Mexico City. Also, new student relocated from St. Maarten to PVHS due to storm aftermath. Fall drama, Crush, 11/16 – 11/18. 8 National Merit Commended Students. Two-year grant from Partnerships for Change to bring awareness via assemblies about domestic violence, social advocacy and social injustice. SATs 10/7, PSATs 10/14, Homecoming 10/21. In process of updating music wing with new practice wings, storage closets for instruments and modernizing rooms, technology, equipment. Music membership numbers are up, which is great. New policy being created to address vaping issues on/off campus. Question about PVHS ranking dropped in NJ Monthly. This magazine and other websites change criteria and methodology from year to year for their state school rankings. Focus varies from how many AP students, PARCC scores, student-teacher ratio, new technology, etc. Another question about Milestones (special education program at Hills). This program is open to students aged 18-21 and typically their guidance counselor will discuss program with student/parents during IEP meetings.

PFO Treasurer Colette Killian
Concerned about low membership. Need a blast to go out. Scholarship fund received $2200 from TD Bank Affinity program. Paid grants, new benches, website fees, insurance and raffle license.

Corresponding Secretary Christina Jennings
Received numerous thank you notes and cards over summer from scholarship winners, student council members and grant recipients.

Fashion Show Update Pat Pané
Need more donations. $10 is fine. Trying to secure grand prizes. 100 girls and 30 boys have signed up to participate in show.

Prepared by Nichol DeGruccio, Recording Secretary 10.20.17