Hilltop Parent Council Minutes
November 16, 2021
Attendees
Good News
1) Successful Thanksgiving food drive: appreciate the level of participation and generosity of families.
2) New Swings: Children are enjoying the new swings on the playground.
3) Happy Halloween: Families and students had a lot of fun coming together to celebrate.
4) Parent-Teacher Conferences: Parents were happy to attend conferences in person, see all of the ongoing hard work, peak in the music room, library, gym etc., and appreciate the stimulating learning environment at Hilltop.
5) Book Fair: Students loved the book fair experience and the independence to choose their own books.
New Business
Food Service in the Cafeteria
The number of students being served in the cafeteria has increased and the school is working with cafeteria support staff to ensure the provision of meals that are hot and appealing.
o Food is kept in warmers until served: Students are encouraged to let an adult know if their meal is cold and they will be allowed to get something different.
o Milk: Expiration dates are routinely checked, however, students are encouraged to let an adult know if the milk doesn’t taste right and they will be allowed to get another.
· First through fourth grade students have the opportunity to purchase snacks (chips and cookies) mid-way through the daily lunch period.
· Presently, Kindergarten students can purchase cookies on Fridays
o Students can purchase snacks with their ID cards or with cash.
Reading Curriculum
K-2 Reading and Writing lessons are based on the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project.
3rd & 4th Grades are using a new program entitled EL Education
Next year, K-2nd grades will move to EL Education
Books at Hilltop are leveled and labeled based on the Teachers College model (AA through Z).
A concern was raised about students feeling discouraged about their reading level.
If a student is being teased about their reading level, they can:
o Talk to their teacher: Students should feel safe and comfortable. Teachers want to know so they can help, educate kids about making the right choices;
o Role Play with their parents: This will allow children to practice advocating for themselves; and
o Parents can reach out to teachers directly to rectify.
Other news
1) There will not be a Holiday Concert this year, but Hilltop is working to put together a Winter Concert in February in a safe and responsible manner for a parent audience.
2) Welcome new Parent Council member, Kelly Balsky.
Parent Council Purpose & 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.