All right, we're live. >> Good afternoon. I'd like to call the meeting to order the Grand Municipal Alliance, November 18, 2025. And let's stand for the pledge to the flag of the United States of America
and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Please read the statement. Statement of adequate notice pursuant to the law. Adate notice in accordance with
the open public meeting is provided on January 3rd. This meeting's date time and the agenda is mailed to the news media post to those requesting personal notice and filed with the municipal clerk. And now we'll move on to roll call. Miss Bener
is excused absent. Miss Turin here. >> Uh Chief Dera is excused absent. Dr. Mr. Dizzler >> here. >> Miss Kaplan >> here. >> Miss Lindenfeld >> here. >> Miss Shelman >> here.
>> Miss Weinstein's excused absent. Miss excused absent. Um and Mr. Hopless >> here. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. And the first item on the agenda is the minutes of October 21st, 2025.
Are there any changes or additions to the minutes? Okay. Does anybody want to make a motion to approve the minutes? >> Motion to approve the minutes. >> Okay. And would anyone like >> Dr. Dler? Thank you. All in favor say I. >> I. Thank you. And I would like to
welcome our newest member. We have Irene Copalas. Right. And we're very happy to have you join our committee. Thank you. And um would you like to share with us a little bit about yourself and what interested you in joining this municipal
alliance? [clears throat] >> Um good afternoon and um the red light has to be on. >> Good afternoon and um thank you for having me be a part of this great great
group. Um I'm my background is I was in the healthc care business uh for many years and recently retired a few years ago at a um a great career uh to really be a little bit more of a stay-at-home mom for my children. And I um also
really um like to encourage education u and anything for children. And so I um have been on a past um cranberry organization here in the town council with the recreation committee and um felt that it would be great just to give
back to the community and to help those um that we do help. Um and uh and that's about it. Thank you for welcoming me. >> Thank you. >> Okay, we'll move on to the student representative report. Come on up.
[laughter] It's nice to see you. >> Nice to see you. >> Is there anything that you would like to share with us on behalf of the student council? Um, just that everyone is really excited for the next Jamfest.
We're asking more people to show up. Um, Jamfest is one of the things that at school we have more people come to because there's a lot more activities to do. So, everyone just wanted me to say like they're happy that we're putting in a lot of work to make it more fun for everyone.
>> Okay. [laughter] Thank you. And we have the rolling video games secured for the JF is going to be this Friday, right? And there's also I wanted to make mention of this because I never mentioned it. There's a new popcorn
machine, a commercialized popcorn machine that was actually on buy nothing that um Jennifer Christensen was giving away and many many people put in for that popcorn machine. And when she saw
that the municipal alliance wanted it, she said that she really wanted it for the committee and for the students. So, a shout out and a thank you for Jennifer. And how is the popcorn sheet working out? It's terrific. We've used it with the kids on multiple occasions. It was seen at the eighth grade dance
last year. Um it's going to be used for our jam fest coming up. Um we've also been able to utilize it as a staff um treat. So we have popup Wednesdays um throughout the course of the school year. We ended the school year last year
as um popcorn Wednesdays and it brought a little bit of sunshine and the hall smelling really good um to take care of our staff too. So, it's really um been uh highly used and everybody it seems to make everybody happy. So, very excited
to use it on Friday. >> Oh, thank you for sharing [laughter] that. I'm so happy to hear. Okay, so let's see. Is there a theme for the jam fest this Friday? >> Yes. Carnival. Carnival.
>> Carnival. [laughter] Well, popcorn definitely goes along with carnival, so that sounds exciting. Now, there were there were some questions that you had the last time we were together and um about, you know, maybe making the
jam fest longer or adding another jam fest or maybe having a dump tank. Were you able to get your questions answered? Um, we brought the mug, but we're still because we're also trying to play our student council band at the moment. >> Okay.
>> So, we're trying to balance out. We haven't really talked about as much. Um, but I feel like we can talk about that probably more on Thursday. >> Okay. And I just wanted to let you know
that um as the chair for the municipal alliance, I would support if you wanted to do another jamfest and bring it to the committee so we can discuss it if that's something that works for the school. >> Okay. Thank you. Is there anything else
that you'd like to share? >> Um we were just wondering, we brought it up in our last meeting last Thursday. We were just wondering if maybe it would be possible for to be more options for snacks because people said like that
like the ice cream and the cotton candy is good but they were just thinking for the kids who probably not allowed to have as much sugar like other snacks like chips or something. >> Okay. Well, what I would suggest that
you do is make up a list that was discussed and perhaps you can give it to me at the end of the meeting if you remember everything that the student council suggested and I can pass that on to the parent who's in charge. Are there
any um stipulations about what not to have? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So, I think those kinds of things it's run through the PTO that part of it. So the municipal alliance does one part, PTO does the other. And B and I got to chat a little bit. I think some
of these things are really more school related. So I'm happy to have that discussion and kind of bring that to the PTO. Um but that's it would kind of go that route. Um I think the kinds of things here for municipal alliance um are do you want to give some examples of
the kinds of things that would probably work best for here that you would be able to because it would almost be like um Mrs. Char would then be like sending it right back to the school. So what what are some examples of things that you might want to bring and to bring to
to your attention here to this group? Okay. So, if there is any particular equipment that you would like to have to make the jam fests more interesting,
we could look into something like that. If you know there's a particular game like say the air hockey um that you really like and and you find that there are there's always a line for that you
know ideas about maybe uh equipment those those kinds of things that we can have like the the bigger type items uh the the food as Dr. Dizzler mentioned goes through the PTO. So, and in the
decorations that goes through the PTO, although we can help sponsor that if the PTO needs assistance with that. So, um is there anything else that you [laughter] think? >> Yeah.
>> Well, I mean that is it's through it's through the PTO. Um but uh no I think things like things like that and then [clears throat] this way knowing I think also just you you said it publicly too that support of the municipal alliance to the PTO and um Irene being on this
committee as as co-president of the PTO she's hearing this too which is helpful for that group. Um but I I would also say that it's this Friday so like the idea and the planning I just want to be really respectful to to those groups that I put in. So any of these ideas
might be great feedback. So, um, live this Friday's, take your feedback from the and then bring it our way so that if there's any adjustments or additions or changes for for February, that could happen. Um, so yeah, I but I think the bigger pieces like you're describing
would be um would be most most fitting for for the municipal alliance for those kinds of things. >> Okay. Does that help? Okay. [laughter] Is there anything else that you would like to for? Okay, thank you very much.
>> Thank you. >> Okay, the uh police department report, we don't have a police representative today. The liaison report, we don't have the liaison with us today. The budget to review expenditures since the last time
we were together. Um, there's a purchase order in the works for $47,5.15 to me to reimburse me for Halloween um, treats that were given out and red ribbon week gifts. And there's also a
purchase order out to the police department for the National Night Out food which we are contributing $86530. Currently in our budget, we have um a balance left over of $7,6460.
And one of the reasons why we have money left over, some money left over, is we did not have a parent workshop this past year. But later in the agenda, I'll be talking about some items um that I would like to order before the end of this
year and also uh to possibly encumber some money for some upcoming programs for early next year, early 2026. So that's the budget. Any questions about about that?
Okay. old business 2026 meeting dates. We talked about Oh, Lauren, thank you. [laughter] >> Okay, >> everyone should have a copy. >> Okay, everyone has a copy. So, we I checked with everyone um except for
Irene because you weren't here [laughter] um to see if the second Tuesday of every month would work because the chief has a standing meeting with the county superintendent on the third Tuesday and he really wants to be here. So, everyone
was in agreement that the second Tuesday is okay. So, everyone has those dates copied so you can put them on your calendar. Thank you. Okay. the 20 >> get approved at the TC meeting first and then they'll become official. [laughter] Thank you. Okay. Have to get approved at
the TC meeting first and then they'll become official. But there are no conflicts with any other committees. >> Okay, great. Okay. So, the 2026 budget, I gave everyone a copy of the proposed
um worksheet for the budget and I had given this out last month, but I I want to go over it. So um and I'll be kind of integrating some other aspects of the agenda into this
when we get to the items. So when I prepared this um it is exactly the same as last year's budget. I did not make any changes. So the first um it's broken down into
four categories. our budget, the student education and outreach, the mental health pandemic support, that's what we called it at the time, the parent outreach, and the community outreach. And there are examples in each
category of what is covered within that category. So for the the student education and outreach, it supports students through the jam fest, presentations, and the freshman orientation picnic. and we have allotted $4,825
and that's the same as last year. And then for the mental health pandemic support, that is $8,000 a year. Well, I have um unfortunate news to share about the teen mental health
um teen mental health program at Princeton High School. there. Um, Ria had been trying to get in touch with them for a while and finally in the fall before our last meeting, she was able to get in touch with us with
them and Ria is our representative from Penn Med um wellness program and they said that they could not accommodate the program for four sessions. There were four one period sessions. they um they
would be interested if the penme could do perhaps two sessions. Now, if they did two one period sessions, it really wouldn't be the official teen mental health first aid program because it has to have a certain number of hours. So
Ria and her supervisor Debbie and I and some representatives from Princeton High School had a Zoom meeting to talk about that possibility of doing a shortened version. And they were in agreement that
they would be willing to do the two periods and they would do it on a different day. So they could be extended periods. So that would be um equivalent to four classes and then Ria and Debbie had brainstormed the possibility of
doing an assembly which would be the other two um period time frame. So the time frame would be the same but they would be long three longer periods instead of six shorter periods. So they were in agreement to that and it really
fulfilled the timeline of the team mental health for state and everybody seemed to be you know happy and in agreement um with that you know phone conversation and those arrangements but then um a few days later we did get an email from Clinton High School the head
of the the fizzed health department and he said that they've decided and I'm just quoting from his email they've decided to deliver all mental health and first aid content inhouse as part of their health curriculum. Princeton High School uses
the latest Glenco Health McGraill digital textbook which includes includes a comprehensive suicide prevention and mental health unit. So they also said that their department truly benefited from the training from the team of
Princeton Pen Med and it gave their educators the confidence and preparedness to teach these important topics themselves. So, um, we're no longer going to be providing the teen mental health first aid for the sophomores at Princeton High
School, which, you know, is disappointing to me because, you know, I I really thought it was a very valuable program and, you know, I I think that the students did too. There was really good feedback from the students, but it was just logistically difficult for them
to do with their schedule. And so, uh, we do have a grant for $8,000. And I spoke to Iman who applied for the grant, and she said that that can be applied to other qualifying programs that we do through the
municipal alliance in 2026. And that might be, you know, speakers or whatever programs that they consider to be qualifying. So, um there there's another idea, but we'll get back to that uh when we get to
it on the agenda. So, we no longer need that $8,000 for the team mental health first aid. But actually, while we're on it, let's just go go ahead to talk about it. So um Ria had said that
some feedback that she received from the high school students about the program is that they wish that they had learned this material earlier perhaps in middle school. So, um, Princeton Pen Med, they
are prepared to do to offer a program to the middle school, seventh or eighth grade students at Cranberry and make the same type of program shorter but age appropriate for middle school students. And the aspects of the program would
include description of good mental health and mental health challenges and causes of these challenges. What is appropriate help for someone who has a mental health challenge? How to recognize signs of a mental health challenge? Learn to plan to help
someone. Learn a plan to help someone in need. And learn how to protect yourself when you assist someone in need. And so that's basically the outline of a program for middle school that would be very similar to what they did in high school. And as I said, it would be age
appropriate. And the cost for that program would be $10 per student. So I forward this information to Dr. Dizzler who wanted of course to talk to her team about this possibility. I know that it's being brought up now while the school
year is already underway and if we did put this in the budget, if you did want it, it would have to be done sometime in 2026 either this school year or the beginning of next school year. So, >> so I got to talk to my team which
consisted of counselors and [clears throat] um our uh administrator in charge of counselors and um they were appreciative that this was an interest for our students um and the feedback uh based on
what was descri given the description is exactly um what Joan just read. Additionally, it was talked about approximately 150 minutes. So in two or three sessions and [clears throat] um we felt that our periods are around 42 minutes. So we thought three three of
those would be so be a little under the 150 if that's okay with with you all. But that yes and we thought that we would like to just to be eighth grade so that we could [laughter] see it um and and let those students be a part of it and then make a
determination. start small and then move to both grades if if that was offered to us. But we thought most appropriate for eighth grade. And we're often um we've done a couple different types of offerings to our eighth grade students around um mental health in different
capacities. One time we did it around change and just that idea of of leaving Cranberry School, entering high school. George Scott, I don't know if you know the name, he he presented to them uh two years ago. So, I think the idea of of of
helping our eighth grade just um ready themselves for their future and outside of Cranberry School. Um we're definitely appreciative that you thought of us. We thought spring could work um and that um you know, as we got to the details, uh we could, you know, work with Ria or
whomever to to to set those dates. But if if you were okay with the idea of three sessions, but our periods are around 42 minutes, and that would just give a lot of flexibility. So, if it was going to be in health classes or if it was going to be um just pulling that whole grade, it it it makes it for just
easier planning. But, you know, we were willing to um you know, have that conversation, but at first blush, we thought that would probably work the best for schedule in the spring. >> Well, I know that um Ria and her team were very flexible, so I'm sure that
that would work for that. and you know really happy to hear that you know the school wants to bring that to the eighth graders >> so that's fantastic. How many eighth graders do you have? >> Uh this year we have um under 60 58 I believe. >> Yeah.
>> All right. So um just in case >> $580. >> Yeah. So just in case you get any new students, why don't we um put like maybe $600 in the budget >> for that. So then um there's a big
difference. Instead of requesting $8,000 for the U mental health pandemic support, we can put in $600 for for the middle school program. And I I just um the history of this
money, this used to be um it wasn't always called mental health pandemic support. We called it that after um like during the pandemic time. So we can provide mental health support to whoever needed it. It could be the community,
the students, the seniors, um any population. And prior to doing the teen mental health first aid, we had groups in middle school called um progroups and star groups. you know, small groups for
boys and small groups for girls to talk about important issues to them as they were, you know, navigating the eighth grade and getting prepared for high school. And it was students that were in need of this kind of assistance and recommended by the guidance department
and by the teachers. So, that's where, you know, um that's what we used to use that money for and then used it for the team mental health first aid. Um, you know, I I was just want kind of wanted
to throw it out there. You know, if we um give back all that money, I don't know if we'll ever get it back if we do think of something to do for the community as far as mental health
support. So, we don't we didn't really have enough notice to really talk too much about what we might be able to do. Does anybody have any thoughts? Um, if I if you don't mind, the other
information that you gave me about that other speaker, um, it is talking um about I'm just trying to give a an idea of who the speaker was. Um his name is Sam Hendrickson and he was a vice
principal in West Windsor Plainsboro. He was a superintendent in Marboro. He's a speaker who um I [clears throat] have heard firsthand and I had suggested that um he would be appropriate to speak with the middle
school students for career day. Um, and I thought that if we could encumber some encumber the expense for him now, then we would have enough money left in our budget under the student education and outreach to then still do a program for
the students during kindness week. Could could this be fall under monies encumbered by this grant? It talks about your story isn't what happens to you, it's how we make meaning of our lives. Could it fall under the mental health
piece and be through that? It could be. Um, that's one way we can do it. Um, it could we could account for it in next year's budget or we could use some of the money that we have left over for
this year. >> Yeah. >> Um, and I would say if it's okay to speak on this now, I don't mean to jump ahead. >> No, it's okay. It's all >> We thought this sounds amazing. Um, but we don't want it for career day. >> Okay. So, I think the gentleman has an
an awesome story and the the speakers that you've had for us before in the fall um it it it's more of inspirational and motivational and um our our person that designs career day is out on
maternity leave. She's going to be back soon. um she's the planner of it and just so respectfully she does an amazing job and um last year it was awesome because the the speaker was was um [clears throat] supported by the municipal alliance. It fell in line with
what her vision was fit perfectly and um before that she had a head coach of um a family member from the communities their grandfather a coach from the NFL and talked about his career. the year before that it was Dylan's wing wings of change
and about his career and it it it kind of led it was that kind of story right um so if if without being disrespectful we we are definitely interested but not for career day so if it's something that you could be for the fall we would be
fine with that and then that could just be put down the the road if there's any willingness to support a career speaker of um the school's choice. We would love that too. But we also know that without a a need for you today, it might be very
hard for you to put that in your budget. So, we appreciate all that that you are offering and that's the the I think the best that I can say for this. It sounds amazing, but maybe for the October >> and then we kind of get back on that schedule of doing the fall.
>> Okay. >> Well, that that sounds fine. I just want to um tell the committee a little bit about what um the his presentation would focus on. Um his purpose of the speech would be to inspire students through story, challenge, choices and
resilience. He um a few years ago he um suddenly became blind and he had a lot of challenges to overcome and his story of resilience and inspiration is just amazing. And he would integrate a
message about drugs and alcohol. Um and that would be like easy escape versus difficult but empowering choices. and his summary of his lessons would be um or his objectives, his um topics would be you cannot
control what happens to you, but you can always control what happens next. You become strong the moment you stop pretending that you don't need anyone and strength isn't found in being perfect. Strength is found in being real. So, um, I think it's a fantastic
message and, you know, I would love to see him present the cranberry school, whether it's through, you know, career day or through your good kindness [clears throat] week. Um, I think it would fit in well either way. And I know that you're waiting for your counselor to come back so she can start planning
career day and we don't want to put the cart before the horse and have somebody, you know, in place before she starts to kind of plan her theme for career day. So, if you do um and when your counselor comes back, your middle school
counselor, and you know, if she does find, you know, a speaker that we can help with, you know, we can certainly talk about that, you know, at our municipal alliance meeting. But, um I know that your career day usually is at the end of March. >> Mid-March.
>> Yeah. Mid-Marchch. Okay. >> Okay. they um will not um release let us spend any of their money until the the budget is rectified or whatever they do and that happens in like late March. Okay.
>> So, um but that's something I'm sure that we can figure out if you do have somebody that you want to um you know us to sponsor. >> Thank you. >> Okay. All right. Well, thank you. >> Yeah, we we covered a lot of things. >> Makes me homework. I did my homework.
[laughter] Thank you so much. I appreciate that. Dr. Dizzle, you always get back to me >> and I really appreciate it. >> I'm sorry that I put you off on this so much. Like I just was trying to get the answer. So >> I know and I know you always do and I know how busy you are and I really
appreciate it. So thank you. Okay. So um we will um let's see. Let's add the $1,500 for the speaker for um kindness week. That's how much he would cost.
>> Okay, so that sounds good. So, we'll ask for $2,100 instead of $8,000. Does that sound right? Okay. Uh, are there any other ideas for any other programs we could do? >> You're gonna add it to that to that
grant. >> So, would that be then? Um, how much did you say you're going to ask? >> Um, I'm going to ask for $600 for the middle school mental health program and $1,500 for um, Mr. Hendrickson.
>> And then that will loosen up that budget for the student education and outreach. if there is another speaker that we can help sponsor for career day. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> Okay. So, is there anything else anyone can think of that we can do for [laughter] the community for mental
health support? >> I know it's kind of hard. We didn't have a chance to think about it. I'm just kind of brainstorming in my head. Um, what do you think about the possibility of I would put those two
things and maybe we can just round it off at $4,000 to and and look for any kind of mental health support programs that might be that might benefit the community. I don't know if they'll give it to us. We
don't have something specific in mind but we can put it in there and explain that we are we are looking for something. >> Question this money is good from what time frame to what time frame for >> um 2026.
>> Do you think it could um you can kind of double it up and redo the spring and then we do the fall so that it's still all part of 2026 and we're covering students. So you can like kind of double that. Um, and maybe even just to just to
kind of I feel like whenever you're like you can't round up too much. I know I can't run up too much without really designating of what the money's for. So you could potentially designate more for that with the possibility of us maybe even doing seventh and eighth grade next
year, that kind of a thing. So um that might be then making that um you could even say that's around $1,800 instead of 600. Okay. >> Potentially. I mean, if if you're looking for ways to kind of stretch that. >> Okay. So, maybe, you know, we don't know
how many students you'll have. So, let's say 2,000. >> Uh, yeah, sure. >> 2,000 and then 3,500 because 1,500 for Mr. Hendrickson. So, that would bring us closer to what we had before.
>> Yeah, that's a great idea. Thank you. Welcome. Any other ideas? >> There's a man that I used to teach about um Kevin Hines and he does public speaking. Um he has an absolutely incredible story. He's I mean national
international so I mean the odds of us getting him here. Um I was just looking up he you know he tours everywhere. Um you know but just I don't know thinking of something new. His his story is unbelievable. >> Oh could you send me his contact information? It's mental health, resiliency, you
know, wellness, mental wellness, wellbeing, stuff like that. Um, >> that might be really great for the community. Maybe a little program at the library. >> Y >> dude, you you don't know how much he would charge, do you? >> I don't know. I was just I couldn't think of his name. I was just looking it up on my phone. Um, because I used to
show this video to my high school health class um every year and um so I have his name now, but I have to do a little more research into how to contact him, >> okay? >> And things like that. But it's his story is unbelievable. >> Okay. Well, you're not going to be too busy, right? [laughter]
>> Only kid. >> Joan, what about um does the municipal alliance outreach um and help the library? Is that part of the community piece? Because I'm just wondering, it makes me think of like some kinds of screenings or um just kind of outreach.
And so maybe not so much student related, but is it that the mission like does it have to be Could it be community related? So, I'm wondering is there in asking the library, are there things that they're wanting to do and that could be supported from a mental health perspective by the municipal lines that
they could do whether it be screening or educating or um some kind of resources and maybe even pen medicine helping but it be through the library. >> Right. >> I think that's a great idea too.
So would um would we want um put I could connect Brooke to you. Um you probably connected to Brooke that the library. I mean I would probably reach out to her and just you know offer the idea and is there
like as they're planning their programming that they might you know be interested in getting like sponsored by the municipal lines or partnering potentially. I'm not sure. Okay. >> I don't want to speak for them, but there might be. I know they do a lot of awesome programming.
>> Okay. Yes. Um I will definitely [clears throat] um talk to her about that. I really think a partnership with the library would be a great idea and then pulling in penet as well. Okay. So, do you think that we should um
add any money into this mental health support category for that? Well, do you think it's a grant? We just like try to accept it and like so does like I'm just not sure how it works here, but if if this is a grant and it's something that
we've already is they give you what you put out for or they're giving us 8,000 like we can spend it, [laughter] right? We'll find a way to spend it or do we have to tell them exactly what we're doing and ask for the money? Do you know
that which Well, we did have to tell them what we were doing in order to win the grant and we won the grant based on the mental health first aid program in high school. But since that is not going
to happen, Iman went back to them and tried to work with them. They were very flexible and they said that they would allow us to keep the grant for 2026 and cover any qualifying programs. So anything that they would
consider, you know, would be what they would want to, you know, cover. >> So this goes into the budget, but is it noted that it's grant funded? Is that how this works? Yeah, it would.
>> So, I'm wondering, you just made me think, what if pen medicine did similar to what they do at the high school, but do it as a community offering through the library >> and that students that wanted to be a part of it and you could have a whole
host of age group, they could maybe potentially do it there. Again, if the library wanted to kind of house that or sponsor that or put that into their programming. So, that would definitely align them to what they do. I think the connection to the pen medicine piece that that might be the lynch pin that
will help be able to utilize those monies, >> right? I'm just wondering is it's hard to put something on here if we haven't confirmed it. So like if we're just saying we hope to do then it's fine. But if it's going to then be expected, it's hard to probably put it on here today.
>> Right. >> Yeah. Okay. So I can explain that, you know, in my detailed description when I present this budget to them. Okay. >> So, we do have two specific things though that we can put in there. We can
put in there the middle school program and we can put in the speaker for Congress. Okay. Excellent. Okay. So, we'll move along to parent outreach and this covers professional programming for parents and community. And Erica, you're going to look into that speaker which is
wonderful. And by the way, congratulations. Erica is having a baby. Okay. We'll miss you when you're on maternity leave. >> Thank you. >> But best wishes to you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. So, community outreach, that's
10,000 and that's for national. That's for expenditures for programs. Um additional community events or any supplemental costs. So, um, this is what also we really do last
month, but we really couldn't finalize it because we didn't know what's going on mental health first. So, I'll put this together and I'll get it to them. Okay. Any questions on the proposed budget? Okay. So, let's continue with
the agenda. So the um fourth grade bookmark contest through the partnership for New Jersey that used to be a folder contest now it's a bookmark contest and um it ends on
December 12th and Erica and I have been in touch. I know that you spoke to the art teacher at primary school. >> Yes. Um it's rolled out. The kids are working on it. Um what's new this year is that you can submit uh their submissions right online. So there's nothing we have to like collect and then
send in. So Stacy's able as she gets them, she's just sending them right away. Um, which is nice. And then we are just, you know, promoting it and, you know, reminding the kids to be a part of it. >> Okay. That's wonderful. And the students are doing it on their own time. They're not doing it in our class. >> No. No. But she she introduced it in art
class. Um, and and yeah, they're they're to do it on their own, >> right? >> Yeah. And they've been doing it, so we'll see. You know, that's great. >> Yeah. She's had submissions already, so we'll see how many we can get. >> Oh, it would be so nice to see >> that would be >> be a winner for the contest. >> Be nice.
>> Okay, great. So, the jam fest, we talked about that. Team mental health, we talked about that. Red ribbon week um just occurred. Does anybody want to give feedback on how that went? I did communicate with the um elementary
counselor Leah and she said that the students were going to participate in an activity where they take a mindfulness break and have um coloring activity and um they were going to get the gifts that we provided bookmarks, pencils and
tattoos and um there was also a kid-friendly video about making healthy choices. So, how did everything go? to report. I saw I saw the the mail boxes stuffed with goodies. >> Okay.
>> All right. Well, great. I'm glad that um Red Ribbon Week was acknowledged. It's an important, you know, week to acknowledge as a reminder to, you know, the students the importance of substance abuse prevention. Okay. So, Halloween,
um, Anelie Jooshi was a member of our committee and she lives on Main Street, and she very kindly [clears throat] gave out the Halloween candy that we um, we
purchased for Halloween, a little message about what to do instead of taking drugs. And she said she had approximately 800 visitors on Halloween. [laughter] So, she gave out all of the candy and she also had her own candy. So, um I have
some pictures that I I just want to show everyone. Her son and his friends helped to give out the candy and she said it was really a lot of fun. >> 800 is crazy. >> 800. So, if you live on Main Street, you
have to take out a loan [laughter] to buy Halloween candy. Maybe because I left everything really dark. [laughter] >> We do teach the kids not to go to those houses. [laughter] >> And these are these are different.
Okay. So, we'll move ahead on the budget. That's the end of business. So, new business. So, >> upendures. >> One of the things that we have some
money left over, I was hoping that we can purchase some stress balls. They're very popular at community events and they're drug free related. Um there's a little orange and it says orange to be
drug free and it's the strawberry and it says it's sweet to be drug free and we had them at national when we had cranberry day when we were there. We gave them out. When we had a mental health event we gave them out. So,
they're very popular and um we were to get they're $21.99 per dozen. If we were to get five dozen just to have when we have a community event, um it would cost $109.95
and that that doesn't count the uh shipping costs. So, that's one item I would be interested in purchasing. And before we um talk about whether or not we want to approve that, there's one other expenditure that I would like to
talk about, Erica does the um American Heart Association fundraiser. And last year um we gave her little heart cutouts and the students during their writing classes wrote messages and we gave her
little clothes pins and she hung the hearts all around the middle school area and um it was really cute. So, I um communicated with Erica and she'd like to do that again [laughter] because we definitely would like to contribute to
your fundraiser um and your um the American Heart Association whole idea of the importance of it. So, we like to get that. So, that's that would be $42 for the hearts and the clothes pins. So, um,
I would like to make a motion to purchase the stress balls and the hearts and close pins for um, $200. Um, would anybody like to discuss that?
Would anybody like to second the motion? Irene, thank you. Your first your first motion. [laughter] Um, we'll have a roll call vote to spend $200 on stress balls and hearts and close bins. >> All right. Miss Benroof is excused. The
chief is excused. Dr. Dizzler, >> yes. >> Miss Kaplan, >> yes. >> Miss Lindenfeld, >> yes. >> Miss Shelman, >> yes. >> Miss Weinstein is excused. Miss Yay is also excused. Miss Dra Oh my god, I'm sorry. Dop Dracopolis.
Yes, >> I got it. I swear. >> Thank you. That's unanimous. >> And I also approve. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay. So, great. So, we talked about the purchase for upcoming programs. Is there anything that you would like to share with us about the
American Heart Association program? Um the ball's rolling. Um we are getting, you know, ready for roll out. Um everything is pretty much set up and in order. Um, we have the basketball game set again um for the police department
athletes. So, that's really exciting. That was a huge hit last year. Um, so we're excited to make it a tradition. >> Um, I have a trophy being made that we're going to pass back and forth between winners. Um, which should be living at Cranberry School. [laughter]
And, uh, yeah, we're we're going to be meeting soon to go over all the final logistics because of course I will be going out right as we begin this. Um, so I'm going to have everything set up and ready um before I go and it's, you know, everything's going as planned and we're
ready to rock and roll. >> Okay, that's exciting. >> Yeah, >> such a great [laughter] >> speaker for parents and students. We already talked about Mr. Henderson. and Jennifer was kind enough to watch a
video of a potential speaker. We're always interested in, you know, learning about different speakers like Erica shared and like I shared about Mr. Hendrickson and um I watched this um video of this speaker and also Jennifer
did it. Jennifer, would you like to give us some feedback about um this speaker if he would be a fit >> for Monroe? >> Okay. Um was good. Uh it's a little too long about that. Um
I think I over an hour a little bit over sympathetic. It's got a nice message. Um but no direct like it's not very there's no parallel really to you drinking and driving. There's not um
call a parent if before you get to a car. There's no real direct message. Um I don't know. I the music was
um some older music that I mean let me um try to um >> Okay. Well, I also watched it. >> Yep. >> And um he um he unfortunately it's a
very sad story. Yes. >> He is quadripollegic. He's disabled as a result of drunk driving and he really turned his life in a very good way. It is an inspirational story. um he really has
um you know learned how to be a survivor in a new world for him and he developed a program and it has a lot to do with um how he has survived his disability and
how he feels about what happened to him and you know although it was it was a good program um I don't know if it would be the right match for us right now. He did put a lot of focus on, you know, his
disability and I would have liked I agree with Jennifer that I would have liked to have seen more of a focus on a message about substance abuse prevention. So, I really appreciate you watching that. Thank you. And is there
anything else you want to share about it? >> No. >> Okay. So, thank you for watching that. And if anybody has any ideas for other speakers, I know um Ivonne had said that that would be considered a qualifying um
way to spend the grant. So whether it has to do with mental health or substance abuse prevention? Yes. >> Um just a quick question. Has has the organization ever done a vaping a speaker around vaping to children? >> Yeah. um you know we see that a lot all
over um whether you go to sporting events or whether um unfortunately schools um in in the country. So I don't know is there any thought to maybe uh we could research a speaker who maybe gives a strong message to students around
vaping because that's they do see that quite a bit. Well, I agree with you that really is an important topic. And we did have um we did have Robert um Hackinson uh two or three years ago to to talk to the students and to do a presentation
for the parents. It was called Cutting Through the Vape. He was very good. The students responded well to him and we could revisit that possibility of having him come back. So uh that's something we can talk about [clears throat] you know in the new year when we start to you know think about speakers for
parents and if we want any other programs for students and in the meantime if you you know find out any information about any speakers you probably get a lot of information through the PTO right and you know we're so grateful to have you as a member of the PTO also because it kind of brings
another perspective to the committee. So if you if anything comes by you about you know vaping um definitely let us know or any other you know helpful topics.
Okay so let's see um the learning series webinars through the partnership for drug free New Jersey. The next webinar is on December 4th and it's called re-examining the opioid crisis a year in
review and it's a live webinar but it's also recorded in case anybody is interested in the topic and wants to watch it and Lauren will put the website in the minutes. Okay. Thank you. Okay.
So, additional programming for 2025. Anything to discuss about that? No. Okay. Term expirations. Um, Andrea, um, you had said that you were going to be with us, um, at least for
another year. So, I have to talk to Ria. And Irene, you just started, but you kind of shift it into a term that expires um, at the end of this year, 2025. Would you like to continue with us? >> Oh, you mean like in a month?
>> So, [laughter] I sent I sent the two members um, emails just to confirm in writing. And now that you're official and sworn in, I'll send you an email to confirm in writing if you would like to be reconsidered. >> Sure. >> Okay. So, it's funny how that happens. You could be like a new member like in November and you expire, your term
expired in December. It's a threeyear term and you get to decide if you want to continue. Okay. And thank you for Andrew for continuing. Okay. So, um, one of the things that I wanted to talk about is
our December meeting. That is an optional meeting. And it it seems to me that we covered everything that was necessary to cover um for 2025.
Um, unless anybody feels that we need to cover anything um else that's important before the new year is up. Okay. So, um it's okay with me if we um
do not meet in December. And our next meeting is the second Tuesday in December. Oops. January. [laughter] See, I'm trying. >> Okay. January 13th. Thank you. So, that will be our next meeting. January 13th.
And we did have an application for another person from the community who wants to join our committee and he'll be um presented to the township committee. So um if he's approved then we'll have full committee um all seats will be um
occupied. So that's really exciting. Um okay so um let's see is there anything else that anyone would like to discuss? Okay. So, um I just want to make mention
that, you know, the the hotline for mental health crisis and drug pre prevention um questions or problems is 988. So, if anybody has any difficulties, that is a great hotline to
call. Uh public um comment, we have no one here from the public. Um, so would anybody like to make a motion to adjourn? >> I'll make a motion to adjourn. >> Okay. Would anybody like to second it?
[laughter] >> And all those in favor? >> I thank you so much everybody. Happy Thanksgiving. >> Happy Thanksgiving.