Welcome- it looks like we have a great evening ahead. We want to thank Mrs. O’Brien, Dr. Linda King and the Fine Arts Teachers for coordinating this event this evening. We’d like to begin by introducing BOE rep Anne Riegel (calendar, snow days, candidates for BOE, budget meetings). Thank you Anne.

• We are asking for nominations for the PTSO executive Board next year- we are looking for 2nd Vice Pres. and both secretary positions. If you are interested, please e-mail us through the website, or contact June Gaglioti at 232-1340.
• We want to thank those of you (80% participation) who paid the PTSO dues and also supported our magazine fundraiser. Because of your generosity we have been able to bring some wonderful cultural arts programs to Edison thanks to Lisa Gelmetti and Cheryl Machlowiiz,Cultural Arts chairs. This year we will continue to: pay for the student IDs, defray some of the cost of the 8th grade GEPA activity week, provide “end of marking period” ice pops for the kids, provide ice cream or French fry certificates to the attitude award recipients and support a mini grant program, where teachers are given the opportunity to apply for money (up to $750) for a special project or activity that we will fund through this grant process. We’d like to thank Judy Hoffman for volunteering to be our Treasurer; copies of the Treasurer report are available up front.
• Looking ahead- Our school musical this year is “Bye Bye Birdie” and is scheduled for Mar 25- 26-27. Tickets will be on sale on Mar.16 after school in the auditorium- they are $8 advance and $10 at the door. The deadline is tomorrow for purchasing “Bye Bye Birdie” program “ads”. There are forms available up front here and on the website. We will also be selling 1 line cast messages at lunch again tomorrow -they are $2 a line.
• Since March is Youth in Arts Month, we will once again be seeing Westfield children’s artwork displayed downtown. Special thanks to Tracy Moskowitz and Sue Ponce, who are in the process of working with the Art teachers to deliver and display our student’s art at the following businesses downtown: Chico’s, Great Harvest Bread Co., I to eye, Nirvana, Smith and Hawkin, The Town Bank of Westfield, and Weichert Realtors.
• Roundtables with Mrs. O’Brien are set for- Mar 9(6thgrade parents), Mar.16(7t grade parents) and Mar.23(8th grade parents).
• March 31 is the next town wide joint PTSO meeting held at WHS to review the budget and meet the School Board Candidates prior to the Apr.20th election.
• Also want to mention that the 8th grade year end party will be held at Edison, in the gym on May 21st. If you are interested in joining the committee please contact Francie Gibbons at 233-2557. Also of interest for 8th grade parents, the WHS High school PTSO has also already sent over their interest finder sheets which will be posted on our website shortly. I would like to encourage you to consult the website frequently- www.westfieldnj.com/eis and thank our webmaster, Sharon Degel for maintaining this site for us.~ Have a wonderful evening, I’d like to turn the program over now to Dr. Shapiro.