I hope everyone had a relaxing and rejuvenating winter break.   Were you able to get back into the swing of things and attend Mr.Sobels's ever-popular Gym Nights?  Thank you Sheri DiGirolamo  and Connie Smyros for coordinating the snacks for this event.     

Did you know that Hunting Ridge PTA will raise over $23,000 this 2011-12 school year in order to fund all the wonderful services, programs and activities that PTA runs?  The majority of the money was raised at the Silent Auction and by direct donations.  However, Market Day, Box Tops for Education, your PTA membership dues, and our shop and share programs with Target and Dominicks also help us meet our income goal.  This year, the three single largest expenditures for all the students will be our Cultural Arts Assemblies, Grade-level Assemblies and the Multicultural Fair.  When I was a new parent I assumed the school paid for these programs, when in fact it is your PTA which organizes and funds them! See the articles later in this newsletter for more details on these terrific programs.    

Many PTA-sponsored activities are coming up this February.  Grab your roller blades and head over to the Orbit on February 2 when Hunting Ridge rents out the entire skate center for a private party!   Also, be sure to swing by the ice cream social on February 16 after you visit your child's classroom for Open House.  Is your child one of the 220 kids who registered for After School Specials next month?  They should be fun!  Thank you to all room parents who are busy planning classroom Valentine's Day parties.  Finally, the Read to Succeed program kicks off next month, so look for those reading logs to come home in the backpacks.  Whew - busy, busy! 

Thank you to the following PTA members who were elected to serve on our PTA nominating committee:  Nancy Brinckerhoff, Jen Feeley, Ann Marie Anzalone,  Linda Styczen,  Sue Stelk, Amy Smolak, Joy Bohrer, and alternates Sharon Perkins and Kristi Mrazek.  "The Nominating Committee is elected for the sole purpose of seeking qualified individuals to be the nominee for each office to be filled".   Nominations are being taken for all seven Executive Committee officer positions.  The offices of Treasurer, VP of Ways and Means, Recording Secretary and Corresponding Secretary are all eligible to be nominated for a second term.  The following officers are not eligible for a second term and new nominations are required:  President, VP of Programs, and VP of Legislation.  Any PTA member (and there are over 700 of you!) can nominate someone for these offices.  Please take the time to consider who would have the skills and desire to fill these positions and submit a nomination form, which you can find on our PTA website, www.hrpta-org.  The nominating committee submits a slate of candidates at our March PTA meeting, and elections are in April. 

Happy Winter!   

Diane