Date: Wednesday, March 5th, 2025
Time: 7pm
Location: Oak View School
- President (Joelle Bernhard)
- A motion was brought the floor to vote in the minutes of the February meeting, was seconded, and the March meeting began.
- Board of Ed Rep (Kasey Dudley)
- The next Board of Education meeting is Tuesday, March 17, 2025. The Superintendent is expected to make the first of three budget presentations. The District will adopt a Generative AI Plan.
- 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.
- You can find all agendas posted to BoardDocs.
- At the February 25, 2024 meeting the Board heard from Angelo Locantore, Director of Student Achievement, Michelle Fanning, Supervisor of Math PreK5, and Lauren Mele, Supervisor of Math 6-12 and Business on a District Mathematics Update. See it here.
- Additionally, the Board approved a solar feasibility study and an e-sports grant submission to the NJ Dept. of Education for BMS extending the District's e-sports initiatives to grades 7 and 8.
- The Board and Administration's Budget Committee begins meeting this week. As noted earlier, the first budget presentation of the 2025-2026 School Year budget will occur at the next Board Meeting although it was originally expected February 25th. We welcome input during the budget process.
- All Budget presentations and materials can be found here.
- State Aid numbers for the 2025-2026 school year were released last week. Bloomfield would receive a 3% decrease, almost $1.6-million. This dollar amount is equivalent to the District's 2% tax levy cap, and without revision, will have an impact on the District at all levels. Former Mayor Michael Venezia and Assemblyman for the 34th District will sit on the Assembly's Ad Hoc Budget Committee.
- Read Across America Week has begun this week and fosters a love for reading across all levels. The District continues its One Book Initiative. This year's book is The Lemonade Wars by Jacqueline Davies. As in years past, we hope that families read and discuss the book with their children and follow all the great activities including those shared via social media.
- 2025-20026 school year registration for the Early Childhood center (ECC) at Forest Glen is underway. This is a paper application. Kindergarten registration will follow beginning March 17th and there will be a Kindergarten Registration Info Night on March 10th to assist with PowerSchool registration.
- In Athletic news, congratulations to Bloomfield wrestlers on a successful season including six of our wrestlers for their outstanding performances that warranted participation at the state finals in Atlantic City. Congratulations to all winter sports teams for their dedication and hard work throughout the winter season.
- The Black Student Union would like to thank everyone who had a helping hand in their first ever Cultural Cuisine Night. The event was a huge success and had more than 400 people in attendance. The night was filled with good food, good music, and a display of different cultures with the highlight being focused on Black History Month -- thanks to all who made this a success!
- 2025-2026 Academic calendar will be available by the 2nd BOE meeting in April (4/22).
- Principal (Linda Lo)
- Thank You:
- A heartfelt thank you to the HSA for organizing the Weather Assembly—the meteorologist was an amazing expert who truly connected with the kids. A very special thank you as well for the successful Read-A-Thon and Scholastic Book Fair.
- Black History Month:
- Oak View's Black History Month finale was highlighted by the Black History Month Exhibit at the library media center, featuring projects from Grades 4, 5, and 6. Representatives from these grades taught Grades K-2 about influential Black Americans.
- Safety Reminder:
- When visiting our school, please continue to scan your ID through T-Pass, which ensures that all visitors in the building are accounted for and registered within our system. Then, come straight to the main office to sign in and receive a guest pass.
- If you are volunteering and wish to take your children before dismissal, please inform the main office so they can contact the teacher, and then sign them out. For the safety of students, adults should not go into classrooms to retrieve their child.
- Caught with Character Program:
- Congratulations to all Tigers who were nominated by teachers and peers for demonstrating a “Kind” attitude throughout February! We’re excited to celebrate their achievements with a special bagel breakfast.
- Save the date: Elementary Robotics Pilot Program Competition, Sunday, April 6th at the High School.
- What’s Happening at Oak View:
- Family Fitness Night, Friday, 3/7
- Family Literacy/Math Night, Thursday, 3/13
- HSA Talent Show, Friday, 3/21
- One Book Night, Tuesday, 3/25
- Family Basketball Night, Friday, 3/28
- Looking Ahead:
- Second Trimester Report Cards, March 21st
- Teacher Representative (Laurie Ritacco)
- Thank you for the Hospitality Day and the wonderful assembly!
- End of the marking period is coming up. Look for report cards on 3/21.
- February was Black History Month and Presidents month. March is Women's History Month and springtime!
- Thanks to guest readers!
- Looking forward to the Tricky tray!
- Vice President (Emily Hallenbeck)
- Chairs, please remember to submit your paperwork to the treasurers following your event.
- Treasurers (Jennifer Obiedzinski & Mona Kaur)
- Treasurers' report available.
- Recording Secretary (Lauren Benech)
- Meeting is being recorded, please speak loudly for the microphone.
- Please sign-in.
- Our next meeting is April 2nd, 7pm.
- Corresponding Secretary (Krystal Yip)
- Thank you to all Class Parents for the Valentine's Day parties!
- The last Class Parent event for the year will be Teacher Appreciation Day door posters. Stay tuned for details.
- Committee Updates:
- FUNRaising
- Thanks to Bella Napoli for our fundraiser!
- Family Supper 3/6-3/7
- Pulse House through 3/31
- Mr. Cupcakes coming soon (look for order form 3/17)
- Enrichment
- Weather assembly was a success!
- Native American speaker (TBD)
- Gardening (TBD)
- Basketball
- 6th Grade playoffs start this Friday.
- Last game of the season is 3/22.
- Family Basketball Night 3/28, stay tuned for details.
- Read-A-Thon
- Total of 364,396 minutes read! Amazing!
- Congrats to winners!
- Thanks to all our volunteers who gave their time counting minutes and make the buttons!
- Used Book Sale
- Please donate your used books!
- Teachers will be able to shop for free.
- Sale will be after school on the blacktop (weather permitting) on Tuesday 3/25 and Thursday 3/27.
- Volunteers needed and welcomed! We will need to sort, transport books to the blacktop and take payment at the sale. Please reach out if you have time to help out!
- Winter Social
- Thanks to our chairs, volunteers and participants for this wonderful event!
- Book Fair
- Thanks to all volunteers who helped throughout the week!
- We will report back with Scholastic's rewards form the Book Fair--stay tuned!
- Online School Store
- We are looking for someone to start learning to chair the Online School Store (the OVHSA website)
- Skill set would need to have some understanding of software and Excel. You don't need to be super "techy" but a little techy will help! Please reach out if you or someone you know is interested!
- Talent Show
- Dress rehearsals are on 3/17 and 3/18
- The show is on Friday 3/21. Tickets on sale now! Ticket sales open until 3/17.
- Chairs need any mp3 files for all acts ASAP.
- Major Fundraiser (Tricky Tray)
- Major Fundraiser is 4/3.
- Join the Facebook Group to sneak peek prizes!
- Volunteers and donations welcomed!
- Tickets available now!
- Nominations
- Dear Oak View Families,
- Hello! First, we would like to thank those who participated in the nominations process, as well as the nominees for being willing to give of their time and talents to the Oak View community. The nominated candidates for Executive Board Officers of the Oak View Home & School Association for the 2025-2027 term are as follows:
- President: Jennifer Obiedzinski,
- Vice President: Krystal Yip,
- Treasurers (2): Mona Kaur and Aileen Kakol,
- Recording Secretary: Kim Jaumot, and
- Corresponding Secretary: Courtney Crespo.
-
This ballot was approved at the HSA meeting on March 5, 2025. To learn about these candidates and the positions for which they were nominated, please read the summaries and excerpts from the HSA bylaws provided at the end of this email.
As there is only one candidate for each position, as per the HSA bylaws: “If there is only one candidate for any office, election may be by voice after a motion from the floor.” Therefore, elections will take place at the HSA meeting on Wednesday, April 2 at 7:00pm. We encourage HSA members to attend the meeting to participate in the election process. Elected officers will be announced at that meeting. Elected officers will again be announced at the regular June meeting of the HSA and begin to assume duties on July 1, 2025.
We thank you all for your time and participation in the election process. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions.
Sincerely,
Jen Ingle, 973-698-1555 & Mayra Vera, 201-286-3629
Nominating Committee Co-Chairs
Candidates’ Summaries & Excerpts from current OVHSA bylaws detailing descriptions of each office position:
President - The President shall preside over meetings of the organization and Executive Board, serve as the primary contact for the principal, represent the organization at meetings outside the organization, serve as ex officio member of all Committees except the Nominating Committee, and coordinate the work of all the Officers and Committees so that the purpose of the organization is served. In addition, the President is responsible for supplying the Recording Secretary with the meeting agenda at least one (1) week prior to a scheduled meeting and serves as an authorized additional signer, with the Treasurers, on all checks drawn from the HSA accounts and will maintain a signature card at the bank.
Jennifer Obiedzinski:
My name is Jennifer Obiedzinski and I have 3 children who attend Bloomfield schools.
My sons, Kevin and Nicholas are seniors at Bloomfield High School and my daughter Stella is in 4th grade here at Oak View. I currently serve as Co-Treasurer for the HSA. I believe that being involved in my children’s education and extracurricular activities is one of the most important factors in raising their self-esteem and enhancing their academic achievements. The most valuable thing in life is time and I am here to volunteer mine. In addition to serving as Co-Treasurer, I am a class parent, and I chair the Spirit Wear and Basketball Committees. I also coach the 4th grade girls’ basketball team. When not working or volunteering, you can find me cheering on my children at one of their sporting events.
I am running for the President of the HSA because I feel that I have a very good understanding of what the HSA is about and how it functions, the skills needed and the time to volunteer. The work of the HSA provides enrichment opportunities and extras for our children that would not be otherwise possible. I want to continue to be a part of that great work! Go Tigers!
Vice President - The Vice President shall assist the President and carry out the President’s duties in his or her absence or inability to serve. In addition, the Vice President shall be a member of, but not Chairperson of, the Finance Committee.
Krystal Yip:
Hello, I am Krystal Yip. I have served as the Corresponding Secretary of the HSA
board for the past 2 terms. I am honored to be nominated for the role of VP during my final years as an Oak View parent.
My son, Ian, is a 4th grader, and I also have a daughter in 7th grade at BMS.
Throughout my years at Oak View I have been involved in many HSA committees
including co-chairing the Someone Special Sale, Holiday Shop, and the 2024 6th
grade Yearbook. I have also served as a Class Parent numerous times. You can
normally find me cheering on my kids at the soccer field, baseball diamond,
basketball court or theater. Thank you for this opportunity.
Treasurers (2)- The Treasurers shall receive all funds of the organization, keeping an accurate record of receipts and expenditures along with any paid-out funds in accordance with the approval of the Executive Board and/or membership. The Treasurers will present a financial statement at every meeting and at other times of the year when requested by the Executive Board and make a full report at the end of the year. The Treasurers will serve as members, but not Chairpersons, of the Finance Committee and will cooperate with Committee audits, provide surplus numbers and budget outlook at the fiscal year end to membership, and report on whether suggested expenditures can be covered by HSA funds. The Treasures may serve as Chairpersons on other Committees, so long as said Committee’s sole purpose is not fundraising.
Mona Kaur:
I'd first like to thank everyone for nominating me for the treasurer position.
My name is Mona Kaur and I have 2 boys, a 3rd grader, Taj and 1st grader, Dylan.
Just a little bit of background. I'm originally from MD and attended the University of MD with a major in accounting. I worked in corporate tax for a large public accounting firm right after college and years after.
I've been a SAHM for the last 10 years and I've been able to dedicate more of my time to being a class parent for both of my sons. I believe my field of study would contribute to the skill sets needed for the treasury position and allow me the opportunity to give back to the Oak View community.
Aileen Kakol:
Hello, my name is Aileen Kakol.
I am a parent invested in Oak View's success! I am the mother of Carson Kakol, a first
grader and I am excited to offer my skills as a candidate for Treasurer.
The position of Treasurer will allow me to get more involved in the Oak View Community. It is my hope that my participation on the board will contribute to the school's success and improve the educational experience for all students.
My professional experience as an Accounts Payable Manager has equipped me with the following essential skills for effectively managing the Treasurer position:
- Financial Knowledge:
- Experience with budgeting, record-keeping, and basic accounting principles.
- Ability to track income and expenses accurately.
- Organizational Skills:
- Meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining accurate records.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines effectively.
- Integrity and Transparency:
- A strong sense of ethics and a commitment to handling financial matters with honesty and integrity.
- Willingness to provide clear and transparent financial reports to the HSA and its members.
- Responsibility and Reliability:
- Being dependable and able to follow through on all financial duties.
- Being able to keep financial information secure.
- Technological Proficiency:
- Comfort with using basic computer programs, spreadsheets, and online banking.
- The ability to learn new financial tracking programs.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Recording Secretary - The Recording Secretary shall keep all records of the organization (paper and digital), takes and records minutes of all regularly scheduled and special meetings, and prepares and distributes agenda and meeting notices within reasonable timeframes to membership via email correspondence. The Recording Secretary also keeps a copy of the minutes book, bylaws, rules, membership list, and any other necessary supplies, and brings them to meetings. In the absence of the President and Vice President, the Recording Secretary shall preside over meetings. In addition, the Recording Secretary is responsible for the proper filing and recording of all minutes and agendas. The Recording Secretary will co-chair the Online School Store committee and update the Oak View HSA website with the contact information for class parents and committee chairs, dates for HSA events, and other pertinent HSA related information. For recording purposes, like the Treasurers and Vice President, the Recording Secretary shall be a member of, but cannot chair, the Finance Committee.
Kim Jaumot:
Hi! I’m Kim Jaumot, a mom of two boys at Oak View, one in 1st grade and one in 4th. I’m also a registered dietitian who works with kids and families, so I know how important it is to build a strong, supportive community. I love being involved in our school, helping solve problems, and finding ways to improve the status quo. I’m running for this position because I want to help create a welcoming and inclusive Home and School Association where all families feel connected. I love working with others and am always ready to jump in and help—so I’d love the opportunity to make a difference for our school!
Corresponding Secretary - The Corresponding Secretary shall attend to all incoming and outgoing correspondence of the Association. In addition, the Corresponding Secretary shall be responsible for updating the email database and for distribution of all HSA sanctioned flyers and notices via email. The Corresponding Secretary is also responsible for making gift purchases throughout the year, utilizing earmarked funds. The Corresponding Secretary is also in charge of all Class Parent communication, including the distribution of class lists, tax-exempt forms and event and money collection information. In the absence of the Recording Secretary, the Corresponding Secretary shall assume the duties.
Courtney Crespo:
Thank you for nominating me to serve as the Corresponding Secretary for the 2025-2027 Oak View HSA Executive Board. I have three children attending Oak View Elementary: twins Claire and Camryn in fourth grade, and Charlotte in first grade. Over the past four years, I’ve been actively involved with the Oak View HSA, chairing and serving on several committees. I’m excited for the opportunity to continue supporting our school community and helping to bridge the gap between home and Oak View Elementary.
- After School Explorers
- Volunteers are needed to be parent in classrooms during classes. We need a parent per class. If you are interested and have time, please reach out!
- Discussion of communication and engagement of new volunteers.
- Giving Garden
- Thank you Mayra for co-chairing!
- The Green Team planted garlic which is now sprouting. The Green Team will help planning for planting.
- Maintenance of the garden is becoming a problem. Finance committee, please consider this when budgeting for next year.
- Two planters will be replaced with metal planters.
- Please supervise children in the garden! Please don't climb or jump on the planters!
- Dates for planting are TBC. Volunteers are needed!
- 6th Grade
- Graduation
- Graduation Party is 6/4.
- Krispy Kreme orders are due this week.
- Year Book
- Please upload your photos!
- Committee, please work on your pages!
- Miscellaneous
- Thank you to Bloomfield Soccer Club who will be donating equipment to the school for recess!
- The Township has asked us to help spread the work about their Bicycle Rodeo on 5/4! There will be classes as well as a community bike ride. See info here!
- New Business
- A motion was brought to the floor to purchase t-shirts for the Robotics Program Competition on 4/6 from surplus funds. The motion was seconded. All in favor = 13 votes. None opposed.
- A motion was brought to the floor to conclude the March meeting, was seconded. The March meeting concluded.
