RIDGE PTA
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES
Meeting
called to order at 7.45 PM by Julie Engel, PTA President
The
minutes from the November 4, 2002 PTA meeting were accepted.
Correspondence: JeanMarie Broomfield – Thank yous were sent from the BOE President,
Mr. A. Tarantino, and BOE member Mrs. Silvestri, for our contribution to the
National PTA Founder's Day for BOE recognition. Mrs. Ostrowski sent a thank you for the pizza party her class won
from the Fall Fundraiser. Cheryl Fiore sent
a thank you to the PTA for the baby gifts.
Treasurer’s
Report: Michelle Calcagni - Opening balance of
$44,520.04.; Debits of <$$29,380.61>; Credits of $13,042.83 with an
ending balance of $28,192.26.
Administrative
Report: Dr. Gerstenlauer – Welcomed and wished
everyone a happy new year. Spoke about
first grade parent participation program workshop to be held each month. All are welcome to attend and support what
the students are learning. Each month
the topic will change and with 100% participation at the end, each child will
receive a special diploma. The first
workshop will be held on 1/30/03 from 7 to 8 PM. Flyers will be going home with information. There will be new report cards distributed
for grades 2, 3, & 4. Ms. Gerber
and the administrators will review the new report card format and answer any
question at the
February
3 PTA meeting. The fourth grade ELA
tests will be on February 4, 5, and 6th. Michelle Herbst, Noel Calise and Kathleen Garbe, speech teachers,
were introduced and spoke briefly about their role as speech teachers and their
involvement in the Instructional Support team.
Michelle Lalo presented a description of centers and guided reading in
the classroom and about her support role in the classroom working
collaboratively with teachers as well as her small group intervention.
Mrs. Lisa Mato - Spoke about the Science
Fair - information will be going home soon.
Response slips are due on January 24, "Summary of Project" due
on January 31. Projects will be set up
on April 11, Parent Open House will be on April 15 and on May 10 first place
winners will be judged at Brookhaven National Laboratory.
President’s
Report: Julie Engel – Presented Dr. Gerstenlauer
with a plaque for participation in the Lion's Club Eyeglass drive. The plaque was presented by BOE member, Mr.
Miller, to the Ridge PTA at the December PTA Council meeting. A ski & ride passport is available to
parents of 4th graders for a free lift ticket at local ski
resorts. The Ridge Civic Association
has formed a partnership with the Town of Brookhaven to acquire land located
east of Raynor Road, which will become Ridge Community Park. To help with development residents can buy a
brick, which will be used to create a walkway within the park. The possibility of the PTA collecting money
to purchase brick from "The Parents, Students, Staff and Administration of
Ridge School" was discussed. East Coast Black Belt Academy will be
offering a Parent/Child "RAP" workshop at no cost to the PTA. The program dates are as follows: March 18,
2003 from 7 to 8 PM in the IC Gym for students in grades 2, 3, and 4 and their
parents. March 25, 2003 from 7 to 8 PM
in the PC Gym for students in grades K and 1 and their parents. The following are the winners of this year's
Reflections - Literature - Morgan Barnett, Erin Kelly, Sara Rivadeneyra, Amanda
Miccoli, and honorable mention Janell Hill.
Photography - David Horowitz.
Music - Sarah Allen and Tyler Whitman.
Visual Arts - Michelle Engel, Ryan Sergio, Juleigh Schmidt, and honorable
mentions, Ankur Sakaria and Ghani Naseer.
The Reflections Award Ceremony will be held on 3/3/03 at 7:00 PM. Suffolk District PTA and New York State PTA
mailings were reviewed. A letter
written by Mr. William Miller, BOE member to Patricia Eddington was summarized
which requested that Meagan's Law mailings become the responsibility of the
local police departments alleviating the school district of the financial
burden. Suggested concerned individuals
send letters to Senator LaValle. The
nominating committee was voted on and consisted of Sharon Weil and Gloria
Barnett as the general members, and Donna Gilmore, Margaret Kelly, Terre Arena
as the Executive Board members with Michelle Calcagni at the alternate.
Board of Ed
Report - Jeanne Knudsen - Attended the 12/12 BOE meeting. Spoke about the HS state assessment
results. New reading program.
SEPTA
Report
- Jeanne Knudsen - Next meeting will be on 1/29 at the Middle School. Speaker will be Diane Chen who will speak on
dyslexia.
Council
Report
- Julie Engel - Genine Schwinge,
Council President, thanked everyone for his or her hard work and dedication to
the PTA. Dr. Swenson felt the district had a successful first early
"snow" dismissal. The
district has hired a new transportation director. The 2003/2004 district budget is being developed. There has been positive feedback about the
progress the students are making.
Highlighted Kevin Story, a LHS student, who was chosen as All Eastern in
Music. The district safety committee
reported on Gang Awareness programs.
Guest speakers at previous safety committee meetings have been Jill
Porter and Debra Edwards. The council
nominating committee will be formed at the January council meeting. The PTA Council talent show committee will
have its first meeting on 1/27. Anyone
interested in volunteering to help out with the talent show can attend the
meeting at 6:30 PM on 1/27.
Committee Reports:
Cookie Dough
Fundraiser
– Michelle Calcagni – Very
successful. Profited approximately
$3,000+.
Holiday Fair – Julie Engel– Very successful.
PARP - Sue Kennedy - The kickoff will be on 1/31/03 at the Middle School. Paperwork and flyers will be going home
soon.
Book Fair - Donna Gilmore - February dates still need to be confirmed.
Newsletter -
The deadline for the next issue is 1/13/03.
Membership - Terre Arena - We have 376
members to date.
Meeting
adjourned at 9:00 PM
Minutes
taken by Judy Greco, PTA Recording Secretary.PM
Minutes
typed by Julie Engel, PTA President