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Ridgeway PTA Meeting Minutes

General Meeting of Ridgeway PTA

June 11, 2024

7PM at Ridgeway School

Attendees :

Kelli Teglas

Amy Handlesman

Cait Webster

Jessica Woodford

Taryn Friedman

Liz Trepp

Courtney Kostek

Elizabeth Hayes

Lauren Kraver

Rebecca Burnstein

Barbara McCann

Joanna Efstathiou-Dittmas

Evis Rucaj 

Melissa Dorchak 

Mrs. Growick

Dr. Crawford

and various members of the Ridgeway Community

 

Vote on Nominees for Executive Board 2024-2025

  • Taryn Friedman – Co-President

  • Loralee Stone – Corresponding Secretary

  • Lauren Reynolds & Lucia Renz – Co-VPs Fundraising

  • Kristen Bellinzoni – Co-VP Events

  • Tara McCarthy & Melissa Welsh – Co-VPs Programs

  • Amy Handelsman – VP Membership

  • Alexis Rieger – VP Class Parents

  • Melissa Gonzalez & Lauren Carasso – Special Needs Reps

  • Jillian King – Hospitality

  • Mitzie Pierre – Philanthropy

  • Evis Shehu-Rucaj & Jillian Kosminoff – Spiritwear Chairs

Positions are for a two year term. Any position not voted for tonight will be open at the end of next year. If you are interested in one of these positions, please let us know and you can learn from the current board member next year (Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Events, PTA Council Rep, Bilingual Liaison)

Upcoming events for June and the summer

  • Ice Cream Social – this Friday, June 14th – 6:30-8pm – please spread the word to incoming Ridgeway families that they are welcome to join

  • K playdates scheduled for 7/27 at 9:30am and 8/28 at 5:30pm

  • Ridgeway Day at Ice Cream Social to be scheduled for the week before school starts – date TBD

This Year’s PTA Accomplishments

  • 471 PTA Members!! Highest number in the district

  • Book Vending Machine – all students received one token to receive a book this year

  • New Tiger Mascot – “Ridge”

  • Cafeteria Murals

  • Field trip funding allowing each grade to have an in-house field trip (K-2 did Bubble Mania, 3 did Game Show, 4 did Mad Science, 5 did Backyard Sports) - next year we hope to send kids on more experiences

  • Scholastic News for the entire school

  • $100 teacher allowance to spend on classroom supplies

  • 4 assemblies – Wild World of Animals, So Fun Game Show, Digital Safety & Mindfulness (parent portion as well), Kindness Quest laser show

  • Staff Appreciation through the year

  • FREE Events – BTS picnic, Trunk or Treat, Turkey Trot, Glow Bingo, Talent Show, K playdates, Readathon, Spring Playdate, Global Dinner, Ice Cream Party

  • One School One Book – “The One and Only Ivan”

  • IN PROCESS  - Outdoor Classroom!! - This will have a concrete slab, desks, and a cover.

 

Budget Report

  • Money Raised

    • 4% Membership 

    • 42% Turkey Trot

    • 14% Readathon

    • 4% School Pictures

    • 9% Book Fair – used these funds to purchase Scholastic News for entire school

    • 5% Corporate Matching

    • 22% Other (Spiritwear, School Kitz, plant sale, Holiday Boutique etc.)

 

  • Money Spent

    • 15% School Assemblies & In-House Field Trips 

    • 16% Family Events 

    • 20% School Improvements & Needs (book vending machine, $100 teacher allowances, One School One Book program, cafeteria murals, etc.)

    • 5% Staff Appreciation

    • **Remainder on hold for outdoor classroom

 

  • Plan to survey the teachers on what they want next year so that they get feedback. 

  • Next year’s fifth grade committee will get the proceeds from their portion of the Turkey Trot as well as the Election Day Bake Sale, Car Wash, etc.

  • Looking for volunteers to help at the 5th grade graduation on June 25 at 8:45.  

  • Dr. Crawford came in to thank the parents for their commitment to their children throughout the year.  The goal is building a community of love and kindness. 

  • Thank you to Amy for all of your hard work in running the PTA the last two years!

  • Mrs. Growick thanked the PTA for more robust communication this year.  

  • A discussion about lines for events came up. Please remember that check ins are to keep our children safe. Please be patient and remember to bring your ID. Please come early for security check in.  There was a suggestion to bring in a second scanner.  

  • Polling site safety was discussed. There is additional safety and security measures are in place during these times.  

Thank you to our departing PTA members especially Michaela Baumann, Lauren Kraver, Katie Ammons, and Lisa Muscat.