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Ridgeway PTA Meeting Minutes

 

General Meeting of Ridgeway PTA

March 7, 2023

7:00 pm at Ridgeway School

 

Attendees (17)

  • Rebecca Burnstein
  • Rachel Johnson
  • Kelli Teglas
  • Kristina McLaughlin
  • Barbara McCann
  • Liz Trepp 
  • Elizabeth Hayes
  • Lauren Kraver
  • Melissa Dorchak
  • Dr. Crawford
  • and various members of the Ridgeway Community

 

Rachel Johnson gave the presidents' report:

  • There are currently two open Executive Board positions, PTA Council Rep and Bilingual liaison. If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to Rachel or Amy.

  • Upcoming events

    • Ridgeway is marching in the St. Patrick's Day parade.  Meet at 11:30am and we will march as a school. Meet at CVS near White Plains Bake Shop

  • Rock your socks on March 21 to honor National World Down Syndrome Day. Wear mismatched socks

  • The autism acceptance playdate will be April 15th. We are  looking for volunteers to help out with this event.

  • The  silent auction and global dinner will be on May 5th. Kelli will reach out soon to the people who have already signed up to volunteer to help but reach out if you are interested. 

  • May 1 through May 5 is teacher appreciation week.  Hospitality is working on ways to make the teachers feel special.

  • One book, one school will be starting soon and was funded through the Friends of White Plains. 

  • Lauren Kraver announced the Friends of White Plains Public Schools fundraiser which will be held after the parade with a lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings 

  • The monitor for the lobby has arrived and will be installed soon.

 

Kelli Teglas gave the fundraising update

  • The gaga pit has been ordered! Kelli met with district staff necessary to install this.  It will be put on the old gazebo site.  They are aiming for April 14th as an opening day.

  • Read a thon update. We are currently focusing on the reading portion. Yesterday was “bring your favorite book”, today “pajama day”, and tomorrow is “buddy day".  Thursday is “author day.” Grades 3-5 will be reading Ride to Remember with the author; grades K-2 will be presented to by the author of Bad Kitty.  Friday is a wrap up party in which PTA members will give out ice pops and dress up as characters.  Currently we have totalled $11,600 from this fundraiser.   The plan for the money will be an outdoor reading area that can be expanded upon in the future.  

 

There is a special needs parents social gathering this Thursday at Hudson grill 5:30 pm.

 

Liz Trepp announced the spring chess sign up link will be in this week’s blast.  Spring chess starts March 22nd.  

 

Surprise guest George Latimer 

  • Presented Amy Handlesman a Certificate of Recognition for being PTA president.  

 

Dr. Crawford presented about upcoming 3-5 NYS tests.

  • Encourage students to get the best experience they can

  • Parents can go to NYSED.gov, assessments which has all information

  • Ridgeway Test Dates: 

    • ELA April 19-20,2023

    • Math May 2-3, 2023

    • There will be make up dates for make up tests if students are absent

  • The test is untimed. Students have as much time as they need. If they need to continue after lunch, they will pause for lunch and then continue after lunch. They will stop at the end of the school day and not continue on the next day.  

  • The test will be computer based (iPad) only.  Students can have paper and pencil for scratch.  Students will use a keypad to type in responses.  A stylus can be used to show their work in math.  

  • Students with IEPs and 504s receive their testing accommodations and modifications.

  • The math portion has a digital ruler and protractor.  

  • Dr Crawford encouraged parents to have their children get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast and come to school on time.  She encouraged parents to encourage their children to do their best. 

 

Presentation followed with a question answer period.