Sussex Avenue School H.S.A
Monthly Meeting of Membership
October 29, 2008

Attendance: Lorraine Caffrey Co-President, Susan Fuller Co-President, Janine Chilson Treasurer, Amanda Boyadjis Volunteer Coordinator, Cari Geffner Fundraising, Randi Unger Fundraising, Becky Graney Secretary, Mrs. Berrios Principal, Dr. Camp Director of Cuurriculumn, Cindy Mairs, Karen Smith, Laura Danielson, Tori Picciochi, Caroline Godfrey, Linda Manno, Barbara Kardaras, Allison Amafi, Maryann DiPalma, Katie Palla, Beatriz Buen, Jean Marie Mainente, Jill Champi, Liz Pisani, Alyssa Champi, Margaret Monahan, Mary Myers

Call to Order: Susan Fuller called the regular meeting of the Sussex Avenue H.S.A. to order at 9:45.

President’s report:
 Director of Technology for the school district is looking into how to handle mass e-mails. Honeywell may be used as on outside server.
 There will be no H.S.A. meeting in November but there will be a newsletter instead.
 Laura Danielson spoke of the fundraiser for Project Graduation, “Ladies Night Out” scheduled for November 14. If interested contact Laura.

Principal’s Report:
 Mrs. Berrios announced her resignation and discussed efforts to find a replacement. A Search Committee has been formed. This committee will recommend viable candidates to the superintendent and the superintendent in turn recommends a candidate to the Board of Education. The superintendent’s office has been contacted to set up a meeting with Dr. Ficarra to give the Sussex Avenue parents an opportunity to express concerns.

Treasurer’s Report:
 Janine reviewed the budget report and discussed the overall activity of the budget since last month.

Fundraising:
 Cari Geffner and Randi Unger reported the fall fundraiser brought in $11,000, 40% of which we keep as profit.
 Bingo night is scheduled for November 18 which will be held during the bookfair.
 Karen Smith spoke about the Bookfair and reviewed volunteer opportunities. This year Pioneer will be the company used.

Guest Speaker:
 Dr. Camp, Director of Curriculum was introduced. Discussed the Nagliari test. The district is required by law to provide a test to identify gifted and talented students as well as mandated to provide a gifted and talented program. The Nagliari is a non verbal test of cognitive skills. The Nagliari measures potential, “how much you can do” whereas the NJASK looks at “how much do you know”. Dr. Camp pointed out some positive aspects of the Nagliari. It is a quick test (30 minutes), close to 0 ethnic and gender bias, it is easy to administer and is well validated. The results are to help identify talented and gifted students but can also be used by the teachers to focus instruction for the individual child. Dr. Camp relayed that the Quest application process is different. The parent and teacher no longer responsible for requesting Quest for a student. Potential Quest students will be identified by multiple measures including the Nagliari and NJASK scores as well as scores on a teacher compiled behavioral check list. In addition to these criteria, the student’s behavioral characteristics, perseverance and frustration tolerance is taken into account. A suggestion was made that a letter explaining Quest would be helpful