The community is invited to attend a Special Public Meeting on Wednesday, January 13, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. in the Library at Columbia High School, 17 Parker Avenue, Maplewood, NJ.  The Superintendent, Brian Osborne, will present the State of the District address.

We hope you enjoy a wonderful break with your family and friends. See you in 2010!

The 2010-2011 district calendar was approved at the BOE meeting this week.

Our 7th Annual Tricky Tray/Silent and Live Auction will be held on Saturday, March 13th at the Maplewood Woman’s Club. This is one of Clinton’s most popular and profitable fundraisers. Last year’s event brought in over $23,000 for the school!

But for the event to be successful we need lots of great prizes. Some of the prizes we have collected so far for this year’s event include an Amazon Kindle, a BCBG Max Azria handbag, Giorgio Armani and Escada fragrances, Swarovski crsystal earrings, Reidel wineglasses, a Waring maritini maker, and Martha Stewart wedding favor boxes. But we need lots more! So please take a moment to think about all the possible resources you may have for prizes. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

START WITH YOUR EMPLOYER
In recent years Clinton parents have donated items such as EMI Music CDs, a Tiffany bracelet, and Dora the Explorer clothes and accessories. Some companies offer their employees a sizable discount on merchandise. If this is the case, please let us know. In the past we have used a Clinton parent’s employee discount at Macy’s to purchase a slew of great prizes. Some make donations outright. We have a letter than can be used in this case. Let us know if you’d like a copy.

DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT OR SKILL?
Turn it into a prize! Some ideas: If you’re an accomplished tennis player, offer a one-hour private lesson. If you can bake, a decorated birthday cake would be a fabulous prize.

DO YOU LIKE TO ENTERTAIN
How about throwing a theme party? You pick the date, time, and theme, and we’ll auction off the invitations. Have you always wanted to host a Mystery Dinner? Mystery guests will make it all the more fun! Do you make a mean margarita? How about putting together a Cinco de Mayo party? The possibilities are endless for this prize—and oh so much fun!

THERE’S NO SHAME IN REGIFTING
Did your child receive two of the same Wii games for his birthday?
Instead of letting one collect dust, donate it to the Tricky Tray. Did someone give you a gift card you’ll never use? Someone can use it.

WHO DO YOU KNOW?
An autographed script or backstage tour is always a popular prize.
Last year Clinton parents starring in Broadway productions of Hair, Wicked, and The Little Mermaid offered backstage tours. A Sopranos script signed by all the featured actors brought in big bucks the year before.

WEEKEND GETAWAYS
Do you have a time-share or vacation home that you can spare for a weekend? Is there a hotel you stay at frequently that might offer a sizable discount? Please let us know!

The district’s Digital Backpack for January is posted.

If your child is interested in participating in the school show this year, remember to return his/her registration by tomorrow, 12/18!