Phillips Avenue Elementary School is one of four K-4 elementary schools in the district. It is located at 141 Phillips Avenue in Flanders.

Phillips has had an active parent organization, fondly known as PAPA. A whole new slate of PAPA officers were elected at the first PAPA meeting. The new officers are: Co-Presidents: Lisa Moore/ Carmecha Langhorne; Vice President: Kevin Fleming; Treasurer: Marcy Carter; and Secretary: Maria Mancuso.

One of PAPA's first activities, "The Boo Hoo Breakfast," is a time for parents of kindergartners and/or children enrolled in the school's new Universal Pre-K classes to meet together over coffee and to talk with each other and the principal after reassuring themselves that their child is okay.

"Your child's safety is my first priority," he tells the parents. "I promise you I will do everything I possibly can to keep your children safe and happy while they're in school. We encourage you to participate in the life of the school by joining PAPA and by participating in the learning experiences of your child. PAPA has done some major things for our school," he tells the group as they enjoy coffee and pastries. "One of them was to replace our old tire playground with beautiful new playground equipment. PAPA also purchased the new sign at the front of the building, restored and renovated the Memorial Gardens, provided touch tanks for the entire first grade, sponsored Halloween and spring dances with a DJ, paid for the annual 4th grade field trip to Manhattan and helped with the refreshments at field day last year. Watch for upcoming events and programs and join with us as we make this year the best year yet for your child."

Mr. Payton also promises the parents at the breakfast that he will once again have a reading challenge for his students in March. Two years ago he had his head shaved in front of the students as part of a reading challenge, which the students met and surpassed, and last spring he dressed in a chicken costume and did the chicken dance on stage in response to their reading efforts.

“I have also instituted a program entitled “A Snack and a Story” to reward good citizenship and effort in the classroom,” Mr. Payton states. “Each Friday, those students chosen by their teachers will join me for a snack and a story as a reward for their efforts.”

The District's principals and new superintendent, Diane B. Scricca, invite all the parents in the District to attend the second meeting of their school's parent organization, which Ms. Scricca will be attending, and then to make sure they meet the teachers at their school's "Meet the Teachers Night."

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