Hilltop Parent Council Minutes
March 1, 2022
Attendees
Good News
Changes to drop-off procedures on indoor days have alleviated some of the morning carline congestion. Reminder: Cars arriving after 8:30 will drop off their child on the front sidewalk along the driveway. If the flag is out, drop off is in the front.
NEW BUSINESS
New cafeteria protocols once masks are optional
As the mask mandate expires on March 7th:
Plexiglass dividers will no longer be placed on tables in the cafeteria but will be available if students wish to use them.
Seating pattern will continue at half capacity: 1 student per bench, and no more than 8 students per table.
Conversations with students regarding choices and masks
- Using Hilltop’s character education book, The Big Umbrella, discussions with students are planned for March 3rd and March 4th of this week to emphasize the importance of respecting differences, kindness, and inclusion.
- If parents want their child to wear a mask, they should reach out to the teacher so he/she is able to remind and encourage the student about parent preference. Teachers will not police masking.
Time for Spring” Concerts
- Date: March 18, 2022
- Times are staggered to allow enough time to avoid congestion in the parking lot:
- Kindergarten: 9:00 – 9:30
- 1st and 2nd Grade: 9:45 – 10:15
- 3rd and 4th Grade: 10:45 – 11:15
- Masks are optional for students and members of the audience.
- Hilltop remains mindful of crowd size and is allowing 2 spectators per child.
- Each grade level will perform songs, some choreographed.
Spring Conferences
Parent Council Purpose 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.