Hilltop Parent Council
October 19, 2021
Attendees
Attendees: David Heller, Dina Malanga, Megan Apgar, Evan Feider, Britany Gladhill, Alecia Gulley, Nicky Boulton, Robin Kuo, Brianne Tuthill
Good News
2) Kids are enjoying the new playground.
3) Thanks to HSA for a great job with the family portrait fundraiser.
4) Compliments to Officer Behre for making young students feel special and welcome each morning at drop-off.
5) Harvest Hustle was well organized, well attended, and fun.
New Parent Council Officers
- Welcome! 2021-22 Co-chair - Nicky Boulton
- Welcome! 2021-22 Secretary - Megan Apgar
New Business
The process for replacing a Parent Council Member.
A vacancy announcement will be going out for a 2nd-grade representative to join the Parent Council.
· When a Parent Council representative resigns, the vacancy will be announced to the parent community. If the interest level is more than needed, a lottery system will be used to select the replacement. Replacements must meet the same criteria as new representatives. In the event a representative resigns, the replacement has two options
○ Finish the remainder of that school year and serve one more full year; in which case the replacement is then considered having served a full term and will then wait two years before being eligible to serve again; or
○ Finish the remainder of that school year and resubmit his/her name in the open selection process for a new two-year term without having to wait the two years
School Craft Photos
· The quality of portraits and customer service was an improvement from previous years/prior vendor.
· All students will receive their class composite photos after retakes are completed. The composite photos are individualized to feature an enlarged photo of your child and the headshots of each student in their class.
· Some parents struggled with the online platform and were unclear about the ordering process. Going forward, Mrs. Austin will send out reminder emails in advance to announce retakes or spring photos.
Notification of Positive COVID Cases
· Communication protocols have changed since the 2020-2021 school year in accordance with the New Jersey Department of Health The Road Forward guidance. Hilltop’s COVID practices are consistent with the process outlined in Dr. Morillo’s 9/20/2021 email:
o Hilltop nursing staff will directly contact the parents of any student deemed to be a close contact of a positive case in the school setting.
§ Most exposures in the school setting have occurred during lunchtime as students are unmasked.
o School-wide notification of a confirmed case of COVID19 will not occur unless there is an unusual increase in the number of persons who are ill (over normal levels).
Parents who have additional questions or concerns about COVID response may direct their questions to Dr. Morillo, the Superintendent of Schools.handwashing in the Cafeteria
· Teachers dispense hand sanitizer to each student after recess as they enter the building. This practice was instituted last year and has continued. Students who prefer to wash their hands are welcome to do so.
Halloween
· Hilltop is excited for the return of the Halloween Parade this year.
· There will be two parades to better facilitate distancing.
· As the date gets closer, a decision will be made regarding mask requirements.
· Parent volunteers who have completed the required training may be asked to assist with Halloween crafts, as needed by a requesting teacher.
Parent Teacher Conferences
· In person and online options are available to parents. Evening hours are available for those that cannot make afternoon timeslots.
· Conference are not offered in a hybrid format. If parents elect to be in-person, all participants are asked to be physically present.
Dates for the year - Tuesdays at 9:30
11/16, 12/14, 2/1, 3/1, 4/5, 5/9 (establish needed positions for next year and send out notifications), & 6/7 (combined meeting with this year’s PC and new members for next year)
Parent Council Purpose, Policy and Structure
The Parent Council serves on a volunteer basis as a liaison to the school community in Mendham Borough. Board policy Relations With Parents provides that there shall be a Parent Council for each school to meet regularly with the principal to discuss matters of interest. The primary objective of this Council is to foster dialogue and communication between parents and administration and to provide advice and counsel to administration relating to school-wide topics.
The Councils are not a substitute for individuals having direct contact with the appropriate school personnel. There is a board policy entitled Public Complaints and Inquiries. Although members of the Parent Council may be contacted for advice with respect to the most appropriate way (teacher, guidance, principal, superintendent, Board) for parents and other interested parties to seek resolution of complaints, grievances, and misunderstandings, members of the Parent Council should not be contacted for the purpose of intervening in disputes between administration or staff members and individual students or parents.