radford’ssecondgraderstook part in

the grades’s ThirdAnnual WaterThonin May.

The children tookpledges for donationsand then walked atMountainside Park,carrying gallon jugsof water.

The money raisedwill be given to TheProject Solution,which is a non-profitorganization which funds small-scale projects for peoplein distressed areas of the world. The money collected thisyear will be used to install a water tap at the Ibal-AchaSchool in Cameroon.

So far, we have raised $2,440.17 which surpasses ouroriginal goal of $2,300.

In conjunction with this fundraiser, the Bradford secondgraders have been learning about the science and socialstudies of water. They are learning to develop compassionfor people in the world who do not have easy access toclean water and understanding how the water cycle is im-pacted by the world’s growing population and con-sumerism.

Fun was had by all at the WaterThon while raisingmoney for a great cause. Ms. Chanin, Mrs. Durber, andMs. Russo cannot thank the second grade families enoughfor their generous support! A special thank you should goout to Sarah Forrest, who coordinated this event, and to allof the parents who lent a helping hand during the event.

In 2012, the WaterThon funds were used to fund awater tank and feeding program in Uganda and in 2013they were used to build benches for the Ibal-Acha Schoolin Cameroon. You can go online to www.theprojectsolu-tion.org in order to learn more about this organization andto see photos of the projects funded by Water Thons inprevious years.

The Bradford PTA Newsletter

The University Magnet: Everyone teaches, everyone learns. June, 2014

2nd Graders Walk for Water in Cameroon at WaterThon

B

For the third year, Bradford second graders walked to raise funds for a water project in Africa. —Photo by Sarah Forrest

page 2 Check out The Bradford PTA Newsletter in color online at www.bradfordpta.org.

Executive BoardPresident: Jennifer BrownVice-Presidents: Stephanie Sullivan/

Suzanne WeinbergMember at Large — Eric SearsTreasurer — Jeni GoldmanCorresponding Secretary — Kristin Wood WernerRecording Secretary — Mary Sue Youn Communications Chair — Liz Eustace-CraigEducation Chair — Jerry Liddy Family Events Chair — Lynette BrubakerFundraising Chair — Pamela GoldsteenMembership Chair — Mona ShahHealth & Wellness Chair — Sarah Forrest

(Branski)/Beth Guthrie (Parker)Special Education Liaison — Catherine

BelonogoffSAT Representative — Lori Borgen/

Dana NicholasLegislative Representative — Sarah Barrack

Communications Committee Directory — Kyra Kulin/Stephanie SullivanPublicity — Luisa EspositoSchool Tours — Amy Carr/Monica Minore

(Cataldi)Newsletter — Liz UvaWebsite — Lynn CarhartLiterary Magazine — Lisa Schweitzer

Education CommitteeAssemblies — Megan Van NoteAfter-School Enrichment Coordinators — Barrie

Dnistrian/Marci GoldsteinAfter-School Enrichment Administrator — OpenArt Room Volunteer Coordinator — Cynthia

FitzhughLibrary Volunteer Coordinator — Open5th Grade Liaison Committee — Cathi Flanagan/

Julie Margolis (Yustein)/ Hollie Reddington/Avril Stack/Liz Uva

Teacher Appreciation Week — SheilaHarrington Phariss

Family Events CommitteeKindergarten Ice Cream Social — Nora

Skinner/Christa Aromando/Rachel WeberKindergarten Playdates — Sheila Harrington

PharissBingo Night — Liz Miller/Christine LewisPancake Breakfast — Lynette BrubakerMLK Day of Service — Susan Hayes/

Eileen KavanaghFamily Skate Night — OpenBedtime & Books — Sarah Fronhofer Kim5th Grade Moving Up Reception — OpenBack to School Welcome Breakfast — Kathryn

and John BackmanNight of Stars Talent Show — OpenHoliday Giving — John Lubensky

Fundraising Committee Giftwrap — Erin CroarkinBookfair Coordinator — Montserrat KimFall Book Fair — David Harmon/Narita

YousufSpring Book Fair — Jessica Siegel (Skeen)/

Avril StackSpiritwear Sales — OpenBradfest (Fall Fundraising Event) — Liz UvaBox Tops/Montclair Times — Miller HughesGrants and Donations — OpenWatchung Book Fair — Pamela GoldsteenValentine’s Day Breakfast Sale — Stephanie

Sullivan/Amy CarrSchool Supplies Fundraiser — Christie Rule

Health and Wellness CommitteeRunning Club — Maggie Magaldi/Peggy

ManningWalk To School Days/Safe Routes to School —

Sarah Fronhofer KimHealthy Breakfast — Alison Bermack Healthy Snacks & Events — Sarah Forrest

(Branski)Recycling Efforts — Sarah Forrest (Branski)Garden/School Beautification Committee —Open

Membership CommitteeClass Parent Coordinator — Kristin Wood WernerTransfer Student Committee — Sheila Harrington

Phariss

PTA Slate 2014-2015This is the PTA slate for the coming school year. Some positions are still open. If youare interested in volunteering, please contact Kyra Kulin at Kyrabea@yahoo.com.

In the fall of 2013, the School Action Team created a subcommitteeof parents to work with teachers and administrators at Bradford toreview the school’s mission statement and assist with the SchoolImprovement Plan required by the district. Parents met on severaloccasions and realized that in addition to a mission statement, amanifesto was needed to help express Bradford’s mission.

We are pleased to announce that the Bradford School ActionTeam has revised its Mission Statement and Manifesto.

Mission Statement:Bradford is dedicated to cultivating confident, curious and kind-hearted citizens capable of asking thoughtful questions, navigat-ing complex challenges, and connecting with the world aroundthem. Through our rigorous university-backed academic and so-cial-emotional curriculum and our deeply invested faculty, we arecommitted to building a diverse and inclusive community of life-long learners.

Manifesto:We are Bradford. Here we think that kids should learn to be citizens of the

world, not just members of their local peer group. That a warmcommunity of parents, teachers, and administrators is integral tocultivating kids that thrive. That including kids in our classroomswho may not be like everybody else is not only the right thing todo, but also makes for a more open-minded, humane planet. Webelieve in exercising our bodies as well as our minds, and in eat-ing healthy foods to fuel our growth. That being inspired—not justrequired—to master the skills we teach is the key to higherachievement. That opening your classroom door to all good thingsdwelling near and far—to experience university resources firsthand, to see a play, to hear jazz, to see the sky through a gianttelescope, to chat with a pal halfway across the world—makes ussmarter, richer and ever more curious. We believe that teachingcooperation, acceptance, respect, responsibility, empathy andsharing alongside math and reading, science and technology, artand music, makes for engaged kids who become exceptional,grounded adults who will change the world for the better.

Special thanks to Lisa Hyman Sackman for drafting the state-ments and to all the parents who served on the SAT SIP/MissionSubcommittee: Lori Borgen, Jennifer Brown, LeeAnn Easterlin, Pamela Goldsteen, Beth Guthrie, Susan Hayes, Dana Nicholas,Penny Patnaude, Joann Pezzano, Sheila Phariss, Lisa SackmanEric Sears, Karen Wargo, Suzanne Weinberg and Mary Sue Youn.

SAT Creates Manifesto,Mission Statement

Check out The Bradford PTA Newsletter in color online at www.bradfordpta.org. page 3

Neither Rain, Nor Wind KeepsCrowds Away from a Great RTR

Raise the Roof on March 29 was wildly successful! We would like to thank everyonewho came out on that rainy night to support Bradford. While the weather washorrible, it was nice and cozy inside the beautiful Van Vleck House and Gardens.

Through your auction bids, raffle purchases, and participation in the Community Builders,we raised more than $30,000! That money helped create a fund for our teachers, with allof them getting an allotment to spend in their classrooms.

We had a fantastic team who worked so hard to help us throw such a fun party! Thanksto Susan Hayes, Kanan Kapila, John Bachmann, Toni Pagliuca, Erin Croarkin,Eileen Kavanagh, Christine Hsieh, Kristine Durr, Luisa Esposito, Harriet Salem,Jeni Goldman, Deb Pirkle and Suzanne Weinberg for their outstandingteamwork! Our teachers also contributed to the event’s success by donating theirtime and skills to items enjoyed by our children. Those student/teacher outings,lessons, and gatherings are the most popular part of the fundraiser, and ourteachers gave us wonderful donations. Finally, in addition to our Bradfordcommunity coming together, the Montclair community was so supportive as well.Most of the auction items were donated by local businesses, or current and pastBradford parents. We appreciatetheir contributions.

Again, we sincerely thank youfor coming out to celebrate ourfantastic school!

—Stephanie Sullivan andKyra Kulin, event co-chairs

Photos by Liz Uva

page 4 Check out The Bradford PTA Newsletter in color online at www.bradfordpta.org.

Community Builders Bring Out Families for Funds & Fun

Alarge part of the fun at this year’s Raise the Roof fundraiserwas signing up for the 16 Community Builders hosted by ourBradford families. Thank you so much to the following people

for throwing these wildly successful events!Say Cheese! — Harriet SalemSunday Sweets Sculpting — Sarah Otazo and Stephanie SullivanYen for Yoga — Liz CraigZen and Zin — Julie Margolis and Sharla Blanz (event scheduled

for June 11)Women, Wine and Watercolor — Jennifer Brown, Jennifer

Friedberg, Kristin Werner, and Suzanne WeinbergDads German Beer Tasting — Benek OsterBradford Dads Poker Night — Michael StreitFamily Fun Afternoon — Kathryn and John BachmannBeauty, Brows and Bubbly — Lynnette BrubakerSip and Spin — Kanan Kapila and Stephanie SullivanCreative Crocheting — Larissa Brookes and Elizabeth LaBlancBradford Bakes — Larissa Brookes and Elizabeth LaBlancThe Great Tailgate — Jennifer and Rich Brown (event scheduled for June 21)A Movie Night to Remember — Kyra and Les Kulin (event scheduled for June 13)Martini and Mehndi Mingling — Kanan Kapila and Toni Pagliuca (event scheduled for

September 19)A Perfect Pair Wine and Cheese — Julie Margolis and Ross Yustein (event date TBD)

—Stephanie Sullivan and Kyra Kulin, event co-chairs Photos by Liz Uva and Stephanie Sullivan

Brownies Go GreenA Brownie troop of Bradford second graders workedwith Dr. Sabina Ernst to ready the garden beds forspring planting. They weeded, turned the soil andlayed down straw. The girls were excited to help out,even in the rain. The troop is looking for newBradford recruits. For info, contact troop leaderLinda Kaplan at Lindarae07043@yahoo.com.

—Photos by Sarah Forrest

VolunteerSpotlight

The Bradford PTA is always looking for parents to volunteer their time and talents. Whether youhave days or minutes to give, there’s a PTA position for you. Throughout the year, The BradfordPTA Newsletter has asked volunteers to share their thoughts about volunteering. If you would liketo volunteer, please contact Jennifer Brown, PTA president.

Name: Liz UvaOccupation: Editor/writer, currently at homewith the kids.Children: Emma and Christian, 4th grade twins.Current and Past PTA Positions: I’veedited the Bradford PTA newsletter since my kidsstarted kindergarten. I served on the PTA exec boardas communications chair for the last two years. Istarted Bradfest; next year we will have our thirdone. I worked on PTA recruitment every year exceptthis one. I did the yearbook one year. I was a classparent, for both kids’ classes, from kindergarten tothird grade. I go to lots of events; often I’m there just tak-ing photos!When and How I Joined the PTA: When mykids came to Bradford I wanted to get involved with thePTA somehow. I’d been a rock ‘n’ roll critic and a financialeditor and I liked doing newsletters. They were lookingfor someone to take over the PTA newsletter so I volun-teered at the first PTA meeting of the year and they werehappy to have me. I didn’t really have a clue how any-thing worked at Bradford but everyone was nice and help-ful, and it was a great way to learn about the school. What I Get Out of It: In the beginning it was greatto be able to be in school and bump into my kids in thehall. I think they really liked seeing me there when theywere little. And it was fun to be able to reclaim part of my

brain again after being home with kids for a few years. Itwas nice to contribute something to the school, and peopleseemed to like it—especially when we ran photos of theirkids, which the newsletter didn’t really do before. It wasalso great to get a look at what really went on in school.Very eye-opening! I’m an older parent—school is so differ-ent from when I went. I think a lot of parents think theyknow what school is like, but you really have no idea whatgoes on in school—just exactly what teachers deal with—until you go into classes and see for yourself. It made mereally appreciate how hard it is to teach!Advice to others thinking about volun-teering: If you are a new parent at Bradford andthere’s something you want to do, don’t feel like youneed to wait. Get involved. Just do it. The PTA loves hav-

ing K and first grade parents help! I really startedfrom the very first PTA meeting. And everyone wasso welcoming. It’s like anything else, there are al-ways some people you will work with better thanothers. But if you do something and don’t click withpeople, just move on to something else. There arelots of great parents at Bradford. Also, don’t thinkevery position is filled forever. There’s lots ofturnover in the PTA. People burn out. Or their cir-cumstances change and they stop volunteering. And,one last thing—if you have an idea for somethingnew that could help Bradford, don’t be afraid to sug-

gest it. My husband plays guitar in bands and we went toa show at Tierney’s to raise money for Bullock School afew years back, and we thought, “Wow, we should dothat at Bradford.” So we came up with Bradfest and thePTA board was like, “OK, let’s give it a try.” We saw it asa really simple-to-do, very casual night for parents to gettogether, while listening to bands made up of Bradfordparents. Every year we’ve filled the bill with Bradford par-ents’ bands—we’ve not had to get any non-Bradfordbands. It’s a great event because it’s pretty easy, very ca-sual, and provides talented parents with a different wayto give back to the school—and we raise a nice chunk ofchange. And my husband is happy because he gets toplay loud punk rock music. So it’s a win-win!

—Photo by Harriet Salem

Check out The Bradford PTA Newsletter in color online at www.bradfordpta.org. Page 5

Mock Trial Team Goes to Court: On May 27, the Bradford 5th Grade MockTrial Team attended the Law Fair program at the New Jersey Law Center in NewBrunswick. This month, the team will be presenting three trials that they wrote during anassembly for Bradford 5th graders and families. —Photo by Sam Barclay

Your PTA Funds at Work The Bradford PTA spent almost $15,000 on the school/teach-

ers this year. About $11,000 was spent on on an Ipad cart, $1500on air conditioners and fans, $900 on electric pencil sharpenersand flash drives for the teachers, $400 on smart board bulbs/re-pairs, $300 to move the donated piano and the remaining $900 onindividual teacher requests such as book cases, toner, magazines,timers, batteries and the art project on the front lawn.

The Bradford PTA raised about $30,000 from Raise the Roofand is using it to install a projector in the library. We also createda universal teachers’ fund divided equally among them to fulfilltheir needs for the remaining months of calendar year 2014.

Time is running out to preorder next year’s school supplies. Allorders must be in by June 30. This is a great fundraiser for the

school: Bradfordmakes $5 perorder, and from myown experience, it’stough to find these

specific supplies any cheaper! Bradford teachers have compiledtheir desired list of school supplies, and after you order, thesupplies are shipped directly to the school at the start of theyear for students to share. To order, just go to www.1st-dayschoolsupplies.com and type in Bradford’s zip code:07043. If you have any questions, please email Christie Rule atCek21@yahoo.com. —Christie Rule

Spring Events Raise PTA FundsPTA fundraisers for the second half of the year have been bringing in lots ofmoney. Thanks for all of your support for these great events.

Kids love books! The enthusiasm for reading was infectious at this year’sSpring Book Fair. Many thanks to the three co-chairs, Jessica Siegal, AvrilStack, and Montse Kim, for their hard work. The event raised a fantastic$2500!

The rescheduled Valentine’s Day Lunch Sale, moved to May 22, was ahuge suc-cess!Thankyou toeveryonewhocooked

and baked delicious foods for our buffet. And sincere thanks to those whohelped run the event. The students and teachers ate very well and the lunchraised $1130!

And last but not least, thanks for dropping off your Box Tops. The collec-tion program, run by Lisa DeLuca, brought in $429 in box top funds to theschool, which will be paid out in December.

page 6 Check out The Bradford PTA Newsletter in color online at www.bradfordpta.org.

The Bradford PTA NewsletterContributors: Liz Uva, Sarah Forrest, Harriet Salem, Debra Pirkle Published by the Bradford PTA, www.bradfordpta.org. Copyright © 2014. Please contactLiz Uva at liz@uvafamily.com if you have any ideas or want to help out.

Important DatesJune 17: BradPAC meeting, 9 a.m. Music room. June 18: Fifth Grade Moving Up Ceremony, 9:30 a.m.June 20: PTA Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast. 9 a.m.June 20: Early dismissal, 1:40 p.m.June 23: Early dismissal, last day of school. 1:40 p.m.

Here’s a look atopen requestssome Bradfordteachers currently have listed on Donors Choose.org. Please go toDonorsChoose.org to make a donation to support these projects that help allour Bradford children!

•Ms. Freeh: Chromebooks are Cool! Still needs $294* Expires Sept. 30, 2014.

(*All $ amounts accurate at press time; check www.donorschoose.org for up-to-date amounts.)

Order Your School Supplies Now!

Runathon a Runaway Success!Bradfords’ kids laced up and

ran in the school Runathon

Friday May 30! Each class

ran for one full period. Funds

raised will be donated to the

Montclair YMCA’s Strong Kids

campaign. Many thanks to

organizers Tom Maloney,

Maggie Magaldi, Peggy

Manning and all the parent

volunteers who helped make

this event a success!

—Photo by Sarah Forrest

A hearty congratulations to this year winners of the Weston Award, includingBradford’s own Marcie Chanin, 2nd grade teacher extraordinaire (lower rightcorner). The winners were recognized at an award ceremony at the Board of Edon June 2. —Photo by Sarah Forrest