All because of you

By now your children have put their crayons, glue sticks, pencils, folders and myriad other supplies to use in their classrooms. Before they misplace their scissors or spill their water bottle on their home folder, we want to thank the families who bought their school supplies through the PTA
This year, families bought 214 supply kits, an increase over the 179 kits purchased last year. With $2 to $3 per kit going to the PTA, the sale generated several hundred dollars we can put toward technology, assemblies, family events and other programs that add to the Brookdale experience.
We worked with a new vendor this year that offered us volume discounts, enabling us to lower prices, and we received additional perks, such as the kits arriving in sturdy boxes rather than paper bags and pre-printed labels to make it easier to put children’s names on their supplies.
Please remember that your warranty applies throughout the school year to all of your supplies purchased through our program. If you have a problem with anything mid-year, please contact Jennifer Sanchez or Sarah Williams for a replacement.
The sale did experience a glitch this year in which orders from 19 families were not sent on to the vendor. We deeply apologize for any extra stress these families experienced when they learned on pick-up day that we did not have their order and we thank them for their patience as we resolved the issue.
To be sure these families were not left scrambling in the days before school started, Jennifer and Sarah filled the orders themselves, shopping at several stores and working with Barb Nicodemus and Tricia Smith to secure supplies, then delivering the orders to families.
“I can honestly say after shopping for these 19 orders that the price parents pay to purchase supplies through the PTA is comparable to the price you’d pay (along) with the hassle of shopping at three or more different stores, using coupons and ordering a few hard-to-find items online,” Jennifer said.
We are working to improve our order intake process to avoid such problems next year. If you order PTA school supplies in the spring, please check to see that your check to the PTA has been cashed by mid-June. If not, there may be a problem. Let Sarah know and she can work to resolve the issue over the summer.
A few more words of thanks:

• To Jennifer Sanchez, who has overseen the PTA School Supplies program for three years. She is turning over the reins to Sarah Williams. And to Sarah, for taking on the job.
• To Mr. LeCrone, who opened the school on a Saturday to allow us to offer a second pick-up time and better accommodate working parents.
• To the hard-working Bobcats who helped with the distribution: fourth-graders Elizabeth Williams and Tony Sanchez, third-grader Lydia Williams and second-grader Nick Sanchez. Thanks for your hard work!