I would like to thank the community for making last year such a success. On account of the financial support and volunteer efforts of the community, the H&SA was able to present each school with a check for $2500 to be used towards “wish list” items. The High School allocated the money towards a piano for the choral/strings room. Briarcliff will put the funds towards improvements in the library, which include new carpet, lighting, and new books. Wildwood will be purchasing a state-of-the-art digital camera and lens, as well as helping to fund a science workshop on butterflies. We are proud to have helped make a difference in the educational environment for our children!
LaVonne Feigeles, H&SA President

Happy April! I love the spring – the drab days of winter are gone, and signs of new life surround us. One of the surest signs of spring for me is the number of walkers, bikers, and runners that suddenly appear on the Boulevard! It’s as if some of our Lakers have been hibernating, and are now rejoining the neighborhood. So, welcome back to those who were a little out of touch with the outside world! There is much happening in the next months in our schools and community for you to enjoy. The H&SA will be hosting its last general meeting of this school year in May. Please watch for details in next month’s issue of The Bulletin. We hosted an informative and well attended meeting in February addressing the topic of tuition paying students. Thank you to the Board of Education members and administrators who gave their time that evening to be part of our panel and answer the many questions from the audience.

We are also busy planning the H&SA Annual Recognition Luncheon, scheduled for June 1 at the Mountain Lakes Club. Details can be found in The Bulletin. Please “save the date” and consider attending this very special event that honors retirees and those reaching milestone anniversaries in our district. Take a look at the names listed – I’m certain you’ll find individuals who have made an impact on you or your child. Try and save the date of June 1 to come honor them! Our Nominating Committee has published a slate of candidates for next year’s H&SA Board in The Bulletin. Thank you to Geri Lombardi and the committee for their tireless efforts in formulating this impressive list of can- didates. I would also like to extend my appreciation to the candidates for volunteering their time to help lead the efforts of the H&SA next year.

Take pleasure in the spring days!

As I write this letter, we have just finished a week of bone-chiling temperatures, and another week of the same is forecast for next week. I suppose that means that many of us are already looking forward to spring, which indeed arrives in the month of March. It also means that we are more than halfway through our school year, a sobering thought. There is much to be accomplished yet, and most families recognize that the spring rivals the fall in terms of level of activity.

The H&SA is committed to keeping you informed about the happenings and news in the schools and the community.  The primary vehicle we use to accomplish this is The Bulletin, and I encourage you to read it carefully.  I would like to ask you to pay special attention to Dr. Kazmark's message this month.  He is requesting tha tou complete a brief community communications survey.  Please take a moment to ehlp us determine the most effective way to keep you "in the know!"

Our Nominating Committee, headed by Geri Lombardi, has been working hard to prepare a slate of candidates for the H&SA board for the 2007 - 2008 school year.  We will publish that slate in the April issue of The Bulletin.  If you are interested in learning about any positoins that are still open, please contact Geri.

As I write my letter for the February Bulletin, I am wondering if winter will ever arrive. I happen to be one of those sometimes scorned individuals who actually enjoy the four seasons – and that includes snow on the ground! Perhaps by the time this issue hits your mailbox, we will have experienced a winter wonderland, and even a beloved snow day! If that cold, snowy weather does arrive, be assured that there are still plenty of activities for everyone to be involved in and enjoy. Be sure to read this month’s Bulletin – it’s full of valuable information about what’s happening around our town and in our schools.

One of those events is the first General H&SA meeting of 2007. It will be held on Thursday, February 15, at 7:30 p.m. in the High School Media Center. I would like to encourage all of you to consider attending what will be a very informative meeting. We are fortunate to have representatives from the Board of Education for a panel discussion on several topics of timely interest. One topic that you have a responsibility to be educated on is tuition paying students. Come and hear what is planned for your child’s school and grade and the impact on your child’s educational environment. School security – an issue we all need to aware of - will also be addressed. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions and get answers. You’ll find more information about the meeting in The Bulletin. Remember – let the H&SA help you to “Be In the Know”!

As I mentioned in last month’s Bulletin, we at the H&SA are already looking ahead to the 2007-2008 school year. We have established our Nominating Committee, which is charged with the responsibility of proposing candidates for the H&SA Board that will take over at the end of this school year. This year’s committee will be headed by Geri Lombardi, so if any of you would like to learn more about open 2007- 2008 H&SA Board positions please contact her at (973) 541-0260. You may also contact me at (973) 299-2790.

Enjoy the beauty of winter!