October 2026 General Meeting

Held in the FTS Theater from 7:04 to 8:01 PM.

Money

• September minutes and treasurer’s report — both approved. Balances: $12,100.81 in checking and $20,904.10 in savings. Money came in from the directory, membership dues, INVEST donations and the Book Fair, and went out for the gambling license, the Holiday Shop and the Book Fair.
• INVEST fund. Families donate at the level they choose (Givebacks takes a small cut, which is why the totals have odd cents). Unspent money carries over each year, so the fund now holds $2,341.55. It pays for things every student can benefit from, and members vote on how to use it at PTA meetings.

For classroom parents

• The Google Form got more responses than past approaches did.
• Send out a SignUp Genius for your Halloween party.
• If most parents have not replied, ask your teacher to resend the email asking for their details.

Committees

• Book Fair — our best ever: $3,295.53, taken in Scholastic Dollars (worth far more than cash) to buy books for the library. Holding it on Back to School Night brought in over $1,000 that night alone, so we will keep doing that. Next year: promote the “Share the Fair” fund, where families round up or donate leftover e-wallet money to cover kids who come up short; go cashless instead of handling pennies; and stock more 7th and 8th grade books.
• Fall Clothing Drive — raised $187.55. For spring we may switch organizations, even to one that does not pay us, and we would like student volunteers again, possibly through the Scouts.
• After-school clubs — Crochet Club has been announced.
• Roary’s Shop — dates to come.
• Teacher appreciation — a caramel apple bar on October 28 and a catered thank-you lunch in November. Food donations wanted; an email is coming.
• Holiday Shop — four days this year, schedule in progress. Needs a lot of volunteers for setup, labeling and pricing.
• Cultural arts — talking with authors; a game show and its budget are up for discussion next time.
• Snowflake Ball — January 29, its 20th year. A DJ and Girl Scout face painters are in the works. The wide age range is a challenge, so ideas so far are locking away balls and recess equipment, no balloons, chaperones and clearer expectations. More ideas welcome.
• Middle school dance — February 19. Union Township has no school dances, and a Union parent offered a joint extra event at Mountain Chalet. The idea was well received.
• Roary’s Color Run — April 30, rain date to be set. Committee members wanted. Ideas for last year’s proceeds: a gaga pit (to be voted on in November), shade for the kindergarten playground and something for the courtyard.

Coming up

• School directory — signup is open through the weekend of October 17–18.
• Spiritwear — goes home with students in late October or early November.
• Pumpkin decorating — for pre-K and K families, October 26 in the cafeteria.
• Halloween — the parade is October 30 at 1:40 PM for pre-K through 5th grade (middle school does not march), with class parties afterward. Trunk or Treat at the Elks is the same day.
• Parent-teacher conferences — November 3–4, details coming. School is closed for students November 3–6.
• Middle school fundraisers — 7th grade paint party on November 13, two sessions (younger and older), pay per canvas. 8th grade cheesecakes: payment due October 26, delivery November 16, plus a basketball game in February. 6th grade events are in the spring.
• Robotics — the Scotch Plains High School robotics club will visit for a demo, crafts and a talk on how kids can get involved.

The next meeting is Thursday, November 19 at 7:00 PM. The December meeting moves to Monday, December 14 because of the winter concerts.