Ridgewood Avenue Home and School Association

UnApproved Minutes March 6, 2014

Officers Present: Rennae Pelayo, President; Mary O’Farrell, 1st Vice President; Nicole Quinn, 2nd Vice President; Kathy Sweet, Treasurer; Amy Fazekas, Secretary

Rennae Pelayo called the meeting to order at 8:47 AM.

Principal’s Report –Mike Donovan reported:

· Spelling Bee took place

· Evening and Afternoon Conferences 3/6 – 3/7

· Half day of school due to conferences 3/7

· In Class Poetry Workshop for the 4th grades by Lamont Dixon

· Cycle 2 ends March 17

· InView testing will take place March 25 for 3rd and 4th grades; March 26 for 5th and 6th grades

· Landscape architect Kelly Forsythe is developing plans for a student friendly courtyard

· Three water bottle filling stations have been installed

· RAS now has a portable defibrillator

· A group is meeting to discuss ideas to benefit Mr White’s book “The Thickety”

· February birthday lunches took place

· TREP$ Market was a success

On the horizon

· Spring Break

· Discussion regarding parent volunteer drivers for local field trips; brainstorming other options for transportation

Board of Education Report – Rennae Pelayo reported:

· SPR -student performance report- There is a helpful PowerPoint that was presented at the Monday night board meeting. It is online. Keep in mind our focus is on college readiness and GR performed vey well. Similar to last year, there are some errors in the collected and later reported information which effects the cohort we are matched with, which includes regional high schools and varying sizes and types of elementary schools. Nevertheless, the data and breakdown is online in the PowerPoint and Ali Hilberth will be available for any questions next meeting.

· Teacher observations - are well underway. 152 were completed as of mid February, including short, long, and unannounced. The average score is 3.312 (3 being equal to effective instruction).

· The high school will be redoing the foyer with the thanks of the hshsa.

· Summer program for PK-2 to be offered due to new air-conditioned facilities at Linden and Forest. Possibly a 5 week program, but more information to come

· Upcoming board meeting to present budget. Finance committee reported that we are closer to closing the gap and will be ready to present to public. They have been examining trends in special ed for 2015 and also preparing for rising healthcare costs.

· The next BOE meeting is March 17 at 8pm

Treasurer’s Report – Kathy Sweet reported:

· TREP$ brought in a profit of $2000

· RAS purchased a defibrillator and gym banner

· Spring Discovery brought in an estimated profit of over $4000

· $34839.62 currently in bank; $26479.33 cash available for use

President’s Report – Rennae Pelayo reported:

· Book Fair March 3 - 7

· Mrs. Roberts is looking to form a Garden Committee

· A portion of the large donation that RAS received is going to reconstruct the courtyard stairs. Would like to do a family social fundraiser event in the courtyard (May 2 or 3) and is looking for a committee to oversee this event.

TREP$ - Kim Amici reported:

· Very successful event

· Great feedback on having the Marketplace in one gym

· Most kids sold out their product

SCRIP – Mary O’Farrell reported:

§ Did not have numbers at this time to report

§ Amazon profits for January $492; February $483

§ Gift cards are available through Amazon; when purchased through the portal RAS gets 6% back for Amazon gift cards and 4% back on all other gift cards available

Garden Committee – Mrs. Roberts reported:

§ Looking for a committee to get organized to help the upkeep of the gardens on the RAS property particularly during the summer months

§ Vegetables grown in these gardens are donated to ‘A Lot to Grow’

§ The Green Team harvests many different types of vegetables and herbs; Looking to harvest milk weeds to support the monarch butterflies

Dr. Seuss – Jennifer Pine reported:

§ A special surprise for the children will take place 3/7; cake will be served as the final activity to the Dr. Seuss event while the students are reading in the hallway

Thank you - Rennae Pelayo reported:

· Kim Amici for her work with TREP$

· Beth Low for her work on the Valentine’s Day Basket

Vote:

Amendment to Articles of Association

I. NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Ridgewood Avenue Home & School Association, hereinafter known as Ridgewood Avenue HAS. The corporation is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, religious or scientific purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Amendment to the By-Laws

Article II Section 2.(c)

Any officer who has served in a particular office for one full term shall be eligible for that office for another term so long as the office is presented as vacant to all members prior to the date of the annual meeting, notice of reelection is announced to all members at least seven (7) days prior to the date of the annual meeting and the officer is duly elected by the members at the annual meeting.

· Amy Luka motioned to approve these amendments; Mary O’Farrell seconded and all were in favor

· Jen Pine motioned to approve the February minutes; Nicole Quinn seconded and all were in favor

Upcoming Events – Rennae Pelayo:

· Book Fair March 3 - 6

· Early dismissal March 7th 12:30pm

· Scrip @Train Station – March 17th 5:30-7:30pm

· Incoming 7th Grade Parent Orientation April 3rd 7pm at GRHS

Rennae Pelayo adjourned the meeting at 9:56 AM.

Next Meeting – Friday, April 4, 8:45am, RAS Cafeteria