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JTEF Meeting, June 9, 2025 7:30 pm
Jefferson Library
Jordana
Alice - Can’t Attend - Will Call In
Christy
Nicole - Can’t Attend - Lacrosse Banquet
Tracy - Can’t Attend - Lacrosse Banquet
Lilian
Deanna
Angie
Arlene - Can’t Attend
Meg
Courtney
Jenn
Lisa - Can’t Attend - Will Call In
Tami - Can’t Attend - Lacrosse Banquet
Antonella
Structure for Next Year
Co-Presidents - Meg & Jenn
VP - Middle School - Angie
Secretary - Tracy
Treasurer - Deanna
Social Media & Middle School Liaison - Courtney
Fundraising - Christy
7th Grade Middle School Liaison - Lisa
VP - High School - Christy & Tracy
Arlene - Member at Large
Antonella - Member at Large
Alice - Member at Large
Tami - Member at Large
Lisa - Member at Large
Jordana - Member at Large
Nicole & Lilian - Exiting
Agenda
Budget
Spring Grants: Below are the Grants that we awarded. The money used to fund these grants came from the generous contribution from the Junior Women's Club for the Wrobo Run. In total, we awarded $8,665.00. Thank you to our Grants Committee: Alice, Tracy, Tami and Deanna
Kim Bassolino - JTMS - Pocket Lab Stem Classroom Bundle - $3695.01
Jess Hoertel - JTMS - Preserving the Collection - $900.13
Ashley Sarmiento - JTMS - Homework Club Snacks - we gave her a $100 Amazon gift card
Kim Serzan - JTHS - iPad, Apple Pen and Case - $738.98
Stephanie Vislosky - JTHS - Turning Pages Library Enhancement Project - $1500.00
Lori Kircher - JTHS - 4 Smashball Sets for PE Classes. These were direct purchased for $681.00 and were delivered to the school.
Ms. Kula - JTHS - scholarships for three students to attend a Leadership Conference. Each student is slated to receive $350 towards their conference fees for a total amount of $1050.
Scholarships: We awarded $4,000 in scholarships to 12 deserving seniors (highest award $500 and lowest award $200). Thank you Antonella and Courtney for going through all those applications and choosing our 12 fortunate winners.
We still have expenses coming in for the Jamboree. And we are keeping $2000 aside for the PTA promise we made to help during the transition period.
Recent Happenings:
Middle School Testing - Apples: We provided hundreds of apples to Ms. Widgren during state testing. We had a few volunteers to help with cutting and distribution each morning. It is a daunting task.
JTEF again facilitated the After Prom Breakfast on June 4th. Catered again by Jimmy Jeez with music by DJ Earl. It was a successful evening. We took notes on how to handle things next year as far as supplies needed, things we can tweak, places maybe we can add, etc.
Through a Facebook request, we raised $660 in monetary donations towards the breakfast. Some of the volunteers in attendance gave us a few ideas for how to better raise funds for the breakfast next year. They have to be discussed and cleared through the school and senior class advisor, but some options were bundling a donation amount in with the purchase of the prom ticket or the purchase of the cap & gown. Perhaps a communication early in the year about the event to the Senior parents so they are aware that they can donate.
In any event, I realized my communication via Facebook plea only was not sufficient to reach the parents so we need to do better in the future.
We had a successful Lawn Sign Sale for the 8th and 12 grade students. Pick ups went smoother this year. Next year, I will tweak that process even further to make it even easier. I feel like each year I learn something so I can keep adding to it. Thank you Lilian for helping with distribution at the school.
June BOGO Book Fair: Recap (Antonella)
From Antonella: The BOGO sale was successful. We don’t make any money on the sale but it is successful for Ms. Hoertel and the students.
Coming Up to Close out the Year:
June 11th - 8th Grade Dance
June 18th - 6th Grade Year-End Pizza Party
June 19th - 7th Grade Year-End Pizza Party
June 20th - 8th Grade Year-End Pizza Party
July 12th - Food Truck Festival
Sign Up Genius to follow soon seeking volunteers for the day of the event.
We need assistance the day of the event and with set up and clean up. We hope that most of you are able to give a little bit of your time.
Board Meeting - July 21st - 7 pm - for transition over to new board
Discussions:
We discussed the apples for Ms. Widgren and how we would like to try to find another way to satisfy what she wants for testing days. The apples is a huge endeavor but we always try to help.
Antonella touched on the need for communication and continuing our “family” feel. We work as a team and want to remain respectful and cooperative as that team.
Jordana provided Meg and Jenny a list of the events that JTEF typically handles each year with an emphasis on the Middle School events.
We had a brief discussion with Angie about the agenda books given out to the younger grades. Do we want to try for something different at orientations this year? With the incoming 4th and 5th grades, we should pick something great for their transition. We need to confirm the dates of orientation in August with Ms. Widgren so we can be prepared to attend.
JTEF meeting 8/25/25 at 6pm via zoom
Attendance: Deanna, Angie, Erica, Antonella, Tracy, Lisa, Courtney
Lauren will make bags so they can be done for first day of school
Wed morning is back to school breakfast for middle school 9/3
delivered by 7:30am, set up at 7am
did Widgren communicate to staff about breakfast
no big box outside for drop offs anymore?
Betsy Ross diner will cater for this event
High school update
HS need a parent rep for Climate Safety committee
John Paul Gonzalez (chaplin of NY Giants)
Grants TBD
BTSN 10/2
Welcome back breakfast 10/3 approx 100 faculty members
Homecoming is 10/20 week dance is 10/25
Prom 6/10, JTEF will host after prom breakfast
Christy discussed rock paper scissors for spring and possible fall event like a chess match
Middle school update
pencil pouches with new name for 4th-6th grade
back to school night 9/25
Widgren will decided by tiering them as to which grade goes first
class Halloween parties for 10/31 4th and 5th
6th grade 10/17 or 10/24, not a dance, calling it a fall festival
grandparents day, no date yet, will be all grades
fall book fair
Falcon Fun Run-some time in the spring
membership form
family vs faculty
customizing the form, adding or giving options when joining
creating platform for multipurpose
Next meeting TBD
JTEF meeting held in High School cafeteria at 7pm for general admission
10.20.25
Attendance: Erica Duda, Angie Soloman, Christy Didyk, Deanna Balz, Tracy Fitzsimmons, Antonella DaSilva, Mr Lonie, Ms Widgren, Kristin Ruggiero, Jen Dallicardillo, Nickie Manning, Sharon Forrester, Alyce Maynard, Tifany DiGiareo, Kristin Novembrino, Nicole Lindstrom, Courtney Meisinger, Tonia Falcone, Lisa Davis, Melody O'Hagan, Christina Camacho
Ms Widgren/ Angie Updates for JTIS:
· Thank you to all the parents for all their support and for providing positive feedback in our survey
· Adjusting and adapting to new students/teachers/curriculum
· Red ribbon week - each child will write on a ribbon and it will be linked along the fence
· themed day each week-posted on social medias but will be emailed out to district
· kids sign drug free campaign-donation of ice cream for all students
· Book fair is this week with family night on Wed coinciding with STEM night - 6pm
· Halloween Party for 4&5th on Oct 31
· Costume rules have been emailed parties, parade, class parents ( 14 volunteers for the year) have been set parking at snowball for parade ( 4&5th) starting at noon
· STEM night ( K-8th grade)
· 6th grade fall festival – Thank you to the committee: Sharon, Melissa, Michelle, & Sandra - feedback was great!
· 10/29-10/30 NJSLA-School state Testing
· Grandparents day possibly moved to spring
New platform; future fund, for communication and signing up-please be patient – more from us on social media
Joining JTEF to help volunteer
JTEF was given money from PTA’s to help get the 4th and 5th grade up and going will include a ‘spring fling’ giveback for them we gave 4&5th students pencil pouches
General Updates:
JTEA gave JTEF money that is dedicated to after prom breakfast
Grants are just about in completion
Scholarship committees are being formed
Holiday cash calendar is in the works will start in December
Bingo night in April-TBD
Wizards team coming 2/6
5k / color run – April
7th and 8th Grade Dances TBA
More to come on field day and more fundraisers
Mr Lonie/Christy Updates JTHS:
Thank you for support in his new role as principal - Mr Lonie
Thank you for welcome back breakfast
New slogan-ALL IN
Falcon spirit club
HS students will walk k-5 students for Halloween - Oct 25th
College fair in September, over 70 colleges
planning on another in march
NJSLA testing/NJGPA adaptive testing
Homecoming week - game on Friday Oct 24
Red Ribbon week
Guest visitor speakers coming to talk
veteran program-guest speakers come to talk to speakers
Holocaust survivor 11/3 speaking
Senior class tricky tray 12/3 Saturday
Spring fling TBD
Rocks paper scissor competition
Prom 6/10
After prom breakfast
JTEF General Meeting 12/15/25 7pm at JTHS cafeteria
JTEF Welcome
JTIS Principal Report (Mrs Widgren not present)
JTHS Principal report-Mr Lonie
changing format this year with certain celebrations/holiday events
holiday assembly-campus wide celebration
home basketball game-jingle ball jam during school for all students to attend
spring bling-home girls lax game-food trucks
band Mr Flynn-thank you for all your fall events
old english feasts-traditional
falcon spirit club (new)
initiatives are building relationships with lower grades
club went to briggs school to interact with younger students
Ms Slovasky
Veterans program at school
educator of the year
creating a space in back of media center to be a wellness area
Honor Roll
over 300 students making honor roll this past marking period
more incentives for this to students to continue this success
1/7/26-8th grade parent night
January 20-24 mid terms
great kindness challenge
last week of jan-create positive letter for prek-8th grades
mental health awareness month-partner with Paul Castimore
Mathew Luce(guest speaker)-lost family member in 9/11 (subs abuse/mental health)
Mr Lonie-Brief maternity leave in January returning February 2026
VP JTIS Updates
Halloween parade-mostly successful, few learning curves for next year
holiday party coming up this Friday
fundraisers-in the works
Harlem wizards just went live 2/6/26
pep rally 1/16/26
7th grade dances in March
8th grade dances in June
Working on a falcon run 4th-8th grades
Cash calendar-pushed back to January, February sale
VP JTHS Updates
Senior Tricky Tray 1/10/26
donate prizes, baskets now accepting
announcement flyer sent out with names/numbers of committee contacts
Cash Bingo 4/10/26
held at high school-more into tbd
Budget Report
$1847.00-towards grants
6 grants given fall of 2025
$2327.00
Scholastic bookfair
$31,448.00 current balance
Q & A Session
grants hard copy vs chalkboard blast
spring grants
Meeting adjourned - Next Meeting February 17, 2026
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