Page 12 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • April 17. 2013 High Mountain Road School begins garden project by Frank J. McMahon The Parent Teacher Association of the High Mountain Road School in Franklin Lakes has begun the construction of a commemorative garden that will honor 50 years of learning at the school. The PTA has also unveiled a fundraising effort for the HMR PTA Commemorative Garden Project. Demaris Lounsbury, vice president of the HMR PTA Executive Board, which is responsible for the garden initiative, and co-chair of the HMR Commemorative Garden Committee, said the project “will be a beautiful and inspirational garden our children, teachers, staff, parents, and loved ones will enjoy and cherish for years to come.” Lounsbury advised that, now that the construction of the garden has begun, she expects the project to be completed by mid-spring. She advised that a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony have been scheduled for June 6 at 9:30 a.m. with a rain date of June 7. The ceremony will include High Mountain Road School Principal Jaclyn Bajzath, Superintendent Frank Romano, and Mayor Frank Bivona along with board of education members, donors, parents, teachers, and students. Sarah Katopodis, president of the PTA and the other co-chair of the HMR Commemorative Garden Committee, advised that the Arpacilar family, owners of Marmiro Stones of Carlstadt, donated 1,300 square feet of travertine and the PTA donated $20,000 toward the construction while also accepting a bid from Thomas Flint Landscape Design & Development, LLC, a Ramsey firm that has agreed to donate to the project by deeply reducing labor costs. “We are truly thankful and appreciative for all we have received,” Katopodis emphasized. According to Katopodis, the HMR Commemorative Garden will represent an expansion of the playground, provide for engagement in socializing, creativity, and learning, and be a beautiful outdoor space for reflection and inspiration. “This project is the largest initiative that the HMR PTA has ever undertaken,” Katopodis said. “With the partnership and support of the school principal, the board of education, HMR PTA members, and the Franklin Lakes community at large, we are confident that this project will be a success. We are so excited to celebrate 50 years of learning at High Mountain Road School and to do something so special for our school and our children.” “Our garden will provide HMR with memorable, enjoyable, and personal learning experiences for all ages and it will also be thoughtfully handicapped accessible,” Katopodis continued. “While the HMR playground serves as the children’s structured recess and play area, we would love to enhance their recess and classroom/learning opportunities with beautiful benches, picnic tables, shade trees, and a beautiful planter.” The HMR PTA is looking to raise an additional $15,000 to realize its total vision for the project. “We are continuing our fundraising efforts,” Lounsbury said, “and would like to extend an invitation to the community at large to support this project via a direct donation through our website, www. hmrpta.org, or participation in our fundraising event, the HMR Pub and Trivia Night, scheduled for Friday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m. at The Indian Trail Club. “We are reaching out to you, our HMR community of families, extended families, friends, teachers, staff, businesses, corporations, and all who have attended, experienced, loved, and celebrated HMR (continued on page 15)