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OVHSA Meeting Minutes - April 10th, 2024

Date: Wednesday, April 10th, 2024       

Time: 7pm          

Location: Oak View School Library       

  • President (Joelle Bernhard) 
    • A motion was brought to the floor to vote in the March 2024 Meeting Minutes.  The motion was passed.  The March Meeting Minutes were voted in, and the April meeting began.    
  • Board of Ed Rep (Kasey Dudley)
    • District News
      • Congratulations to Principal Shamshadeen Mayers. He received a resolution from the Essex County Commissioners for being named the 2023-2024 Essex County Teacher of the Year!
    • CONGRATULATIONS
      • To all of our ESP and Teachers of the year for each building as well as our DISTRICT TEACHER OF THE YEAR…Mrs. Danielle Kelly (Carteret School)
    • DISTRICT
      • Bloomfield Schools celebrated SEL Day on March 8. Students participated in various activities, lessons and activities throughout the day.
      • At the March 19th meeting the Board heard Superintendent Gonçalves' 2nd Budget presentation. You can see the presentation here.
      • Congratulations to Mrs. Keller, Director of Student Achievement. Mrs. Keller was honored at the National Association of Federal Education Program Administrators Conference for her work with federal monies.
      • All Bloomfield schools participated in the Sandy Hook Promise initiative, Say Something Week the week of March 4.
      • The district held a very successful Kindergarten Registration Informational session that was attended by over 100 people.
        • We look forward to meeting and welcoming all of our newest Bengals this Fall.
      • Bloomfield Schools celebrated Pi Day on 3/14.
      • Bloomfield Schools celebrate Women's History Month through various lessons, activities and celebrations.
      • Fine Arts students participated in the Townwide Music Festival at BHS.
      • Spring Concerts are happening soon, please check the website for dates for your school date and time.
      • Bloomfield is proud to have the state teacher of the year, Joe Nappi visiting Bloomfield. Thank you to our resident county teacher of the year, Mr. Shamshadeen Mayers for hosting!
      • Bloomfield Schools kicked off Autism Acceptance Month this week.
      • The Board also accepted the retirement of Watsessing teacher Heather Sall. Good luck in retirement.
    • High School
      • We want to congratulate all of our Seniors as they continue to be accepted into many different colleges and universities.
      • Also congratulate those students who have enrolled in trade school and our armed forces.
      • We are proud of all of you as you begin your next journey.
      • Last Thursday was National School Librarian Day. A big thank-you to our Librarian Media Specialists who are at the center of our school communities!
      • The District was once again recognized among the Best Communities for Music Education. See:
    • Middle School
      • Bloomfield Middle School celebrated Pi Day (3/14) . Check BMS social media for lots of fun pictures and videos captured that day.
        • Including our administration taking pies to the face!
      • BMS held 5th & 6th grade Orientation that was attended by future BMS students and parents.
    • Elementary News
    • Important Dates
      • Tuesday, April 16, 2024 Take a Walk with BPD beginning at the CSV on Glenwood. See:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C5S5H38Kovc/
      • Please check the website link for all the upcoming events across the district
        • The next Board of Education meeting is tomorrow Tuesday, April 9, 2024.
          • The public portion of the meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. and will be live-streamed on WBMA-tv's website (http://www.wbmatv.com/). It also airs on channels 35 on Comcast and 30 on Verizon.
      • 4/23/24 BOE Meeting
      • 5/7/24 BOE Meeting
      • 5/21/24 BOE Meeting
      • A reminder that the Annual BEF Gala will take place on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 6PM at Nanina's in the Park. Honorees include Lenore M. Imhof, Esq., a retired BHS teacher and Class of 1984 alumnae, 2024 Educator of the Year, Athletic Director Steve Jenkins, and announcement of the 2023-2024 Bloomfield Teacher of the Year. See:
  • Principal (Linda Lo)
    • Welcome back from Spring Break! 
    • Oak View Highlights: 
      • Oak View Tigers are celebrating Autism Acceptance Month by engaging in lessons, activities, and special events, including Spirit Week, Assembly with Timothy Rohrer- author, self-advocate, and autistic community leader, Sensory Experience event 
      • The Oak View Tiger Community had a wonderful evening celebrating District One Book Night. Thank you for joining us for this literacy-inspiring event. 
      • Oak View Elementary will receive new trees as part of the Trees for NJ School Grant that the Bloomfield District received. 
        • Trees will be planted in our playground and on our blacktop, creating a nook and much-needed shade by the kickball field. Thanks to Mrs. McLaughlin and Mrs. Patulot for leading this effort as part of the Sustainability Team. 
      • Weekly Safety Team Meetings: Monthly drills will continue supporting our Tiger community's safety and well-being. Our new bike rack is up and running! 
      • Monthly Cafecito Chats with Families: 
        • A big thank you to the families that continue to join for a cafecito chat in person and virtually! 
      • Student Leadership: Two new student-led initiatives that are starting up as pilots:  
        • Oak View Times- newspaper for students and by students- new pilot! 
        • Crafty Critters- arts and crafts for students led by students during recess- new pilot!
        • K-Kids- leading Oak View’s volunteer group for the Townwide cleanup 
        • Student Council and HSA paired up this week to beautify and update the Giving Garden- special thanks to Mrs. D’Avanzo and HSA for making this happen! 
    • Teacher’s Notes - Mrs. Ritacco: 
      • What’s Happening at Oak View? (see below)  
    • Upcoming Events at Oak View & in District: 
      • Talent Show, 4/12 
      • Oak View’s Family Night for grades 3-6, 4/16 
      • Steam Fair, 4/18 
      • Spring Concert, 4/23 
      • District Battle of the Books, 4/24 
      • Bring Your Child to Work Day, 4/24 
      • NJSLA testing begins, 4/29   
  • Teacher Representative (Laurie Ritacco) 
    • Thank you very much for the soups! 
    • Classrooms are celebrating Spring 
    • Upper grades preparing for testing 
    • Talent show: teachers do not need wristbands  
  • Vice President (Emily Hallenbeck)
  • Treasurers (Jennifer Obiedzinski & Mona Kaur)   
    • Treasurers' report and books are available - please ask if you would like to see them!
  • Recording Secretary (Lauren Benech-not present; talking points delivered by Joelle Bernhard) 
    • The meeting being recorded.
    • The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 1st.  The 2024-2025 budget will be presented. 
    • The June meeting will be rescheduled. The 2024-2025 budget will be voted on.
  • Corresponding Secretary (Krystal Yip)   
    • Teacher appreciation week is May 6th-10th.
    • Class parents - please start thinking about teacher door decoration - poster size please!
  • Committee Updates:   
    • After School Explorers (Kim)
      • Starts Wednesday 17th
      • Construction on Garrabrandt might disrupt pickup; please stay tuned. 
    • FUNRaising (Cammie)
      • The Brookdale: April 24th   
    • Basketball (Joelle)
      • Thank you to all volunteers, coaches, parents and participants for a great season!
    • Health & Wellness  
      • Kindness Carnival was held on March 27th: thanks to all volunteers for their time and efforts! 
      • The Worry Monster box is in the office if your student is looking for it!
    • Playground
      • Principal Lo has been having conversations with BOE to put things in motion for installation of new tables, bench, and play equipment.    
    • Enrichment (Krystal)
      • Autism Assembly was this week, that was the last HSA assembly for the year!  Thank you!
      • Possible Robotics Club Assembly in June.      
    • Spirit Wear    
    • Talent Show (Cammie & Maya)
      • The Talent Show is this Friday! Please wear your wristbands!
      • Dress rehearsal today went well for lower grades, upper grades will dress rehearse tomorrow. 
      • Enter through teachers' parking lot.
      • Check your email for performer check-in location.
    • STREAM 
      • 1st Annual Science Fair 4/18
      • Lots of projects, tickets available!
    • Major Fundraiser 
      • Kicking off gift card raffle "Spring Cha-Ching"
      • Tickets and instructions will go home week of 4/17
      • Prizes to top student sellers and top selling classes
      • Drawing will be held via Google Meet on Friday, 5/31 9pm
    • Scholarship (Jenn Obiedzinski)
      • The OVHSA gives (2) $500 scholarships to graduating BHS seniors who are OV alumni. 
      • Applications are coming in and winners will be announced at Scholarship awards dinner.
    • Someone Special Sale (Lisa Miller)
      • Wednesday, May 8th is planting day (additional volunteers are needed and welcome!!)
      • Friday, May 10th is sale (additional volunteers are needed and welcome!!)
      • Prices will range from $1-$20 , nothing more than $20.
    • Garden Committee (Emily & Maya)
      • Garden Committee will take leftover flowers and vegetables from Someone Special Sale.
      • Some repairs are required on the garden.
    • Spring Social (Cammie & Maya)
      • Committee will be meeting to determine the movie.  
      • Event is May 17th (Rain date May 30th) 
    • 6th Grade    
      • Graduation  
        • Graduation Party is June 5th @ Powerhouse Studios 
        • Graduation Ceremony is Friday, June 14th 
        • Fundraising to help offset costs for students and families: 
          • Ice cream sales: every Friday until June to help offset costs 
          • Car Wash: Saturday. May 4th from 10am-2pm (Rain dates are Saturday, May 11th and Saturday, May 18th)  
  • New Business
    • (Kasey) BOE has approved 4-day Memorial Day weekend (Friday, May 24th). 
    • (Emily) Town wide Cleanup: Emily Sproch and Katie Gershman have been organizing an OV group. Please see our Facebook Page for registration.  Group will meet at OV for donuts at noon.
  • A motion was brought to the floor to close the April meeting, was seconded, and the April meeting was closed. 
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