Gratitude from the president

In the latest edition of BrookTales, PTA President Barb Peterson reflects on the volunteer spirit evident at our school even as other PTAs in our district struggle to recruit helping hands.

Without our volunteers, there is no Fall Family Fun Night, no classroom parties, no enrichment classes, no Reflections or Braniacs - no PTA. Thank you for everything you do for the PTA and for our children.

Here are Barb's thoughts on the topic:

Believe it or not, one of my favorite aspects of serving as president of Brookdale's PTA is the opportunity I have on a regular basis to go to meetings.

Certainly there are times when I would much rather be doing something other than go to yet another meeting. But more often than not, I come away from those meetings with a much greater understanding of the workings of our school district.  It helps me understand the difficulty in moving such a large machine, but also helps me understand the basis for so many things that happen. And I love listening to our superintendent, Dr. Kathy Birkett, speak. She always makes me laugh. 

In November, I attended one such meeting, and spent a few minutes in a round table discussion with PTA presidents from other elementary schools in the district. We were discussing the issues our schools are facing with respect to volunteers and participation. I listened to quite a few ask for ideas on how to get more people involved and how to increase participation in fundraising. 

As I listened to some of the ideas, I realized what a great school community of which I am a part! Brookdale is already successfully doing so many of the ideas that were brought up. 

In the years of my involvement with the PTA, I do not remember having to discontinue the valuable activities provided to the kids by the PTA due to lack of volunteers. And though we sometimes have made budget decisions in anticipation of lower fundraising participation, we have always come out ahead at the end. 

  Wow. 

How blessed we are, in this season of thankfulness, for a GREAT group of parents supporting the education of our children. 

I recognize that this role as president does not always come easy at some schools. So I wish to say a hearty collective “THANK YOU” to all of you who are so dedicated to organizing and administering many activities as well as stepping in when there are needs that come up. 

Brookdale is a great school. We have a very
committed administration and staff as well as a solid family base for our students. 

I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas or Happy Holiday and a Happy New Year!  May you have some wonderful time together with your
family!

Who wants pie?

Mmm … pie. It’s a classic ending to a holiday dinner and a special treat any day.

But pie not only treats your family, it feeds the PTA’s ability to sponsor activities, assemblies and education purchases for our children and our school.

This month, the PTA earns 15 percent profit from each delicious pie we buy through Market Day. If we sell more than 100 pies, we will earn a 30 percent profit. Imagine how much money the school could earn if each Brookdale family ordered even just one pie this month.

You'll find a list of pie options and prices below.

You can order and pay for pies online at marketday.com, until 11 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12. Pie pickup will be the same date and time as regular Market Day pickup: 9:45 to 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, in the Multi-Purpose Room.   

Never tried Market Day? There is a 100 percent guarantee on all items; just return the unused portion to coordinator Tricia Smith, who will get you a refund. Market Day accepts the LINK card as payment.

Thank you to everyone who ordered in October and helped us raise $170.80 for Brookdale. 

Tracey Perna won the raffle for the Staff Market Day Basket and Susan Corrigan won the raffle of the Mini Cinnamon Sugar donuts. 

Contact Tricia with questions at triciagreg98@wowway.com or (630) 416-3255. She is happy to deliver pre-paid orders to your home. 

• Chocolate Pecan Caramel Supreme $13
• French Apple Cream Cheese Layer $13
• Lemon Supreme $13
• Turtle Cheesecake $12
• French Silk $13
• Pumpkin $11
• Pecan $11
• Fruit Medley Deep Dish $11 
• Apple Deep Dish $11
• Apple/Cranberry Deep Dish $11
• Black Forest Cheesecakes $12
• Caramel Apple Tarts $12
• New York Style Cheesecakes $12
• Chocolate Turtle Saucy Cakes $12

Please drive carefully

At Brookdale, our children are taught every day that they should "be respectful, be responsible and be safe."
It's good advice, some that we as adults should follow as well - especially when we're waiting behind the wheel to drop off and pick up our children. Those are crazy, hectic times and sometimes our desire to get in, get out and move on just takes over.
But it's those moments when we need to remain calm and courteous. The safety of our children depends on it.
Today, Brookdale administrators and the PTA set out guidelines for traffic around school. Heeding these reminders will ensure drop-offs and pick-ups are both efficient and safe.
The letter from Principal LeCrone, Student Services Coordinator Candy Michelli and PTA President Barb Peterson follows:

Dear Brookdale Families,

The purpose of this letter is to review traffic and safety procedures at Brookdale.  Please keep in mind that the procedures have been put in place to create a safe environment, while maintaining the best possible flow of traffic.  These procedures have been established with the support of the Brookdale PTA and the Naperville Police Department.                

Drop Off/Pick Up Procedures on Redfield Road:

· Please pull forward as far as possible.

· Do not get out of your car; school staff will assist your child if necessary.

· You may park and get out of your car if you are parked outside of the “End School Zone” signs posted on both sides of the street.

· Please have your child exit/enter your car on the curb side. 

· Carefully merge to the left after your child has exited/entered the car.  Be aware of other vehicles to your left as you proceed.

· Be aware of the crosswalk area and obey the instructions of the crossing guard.

· Do not park in or block the driveways of the residents.

· Please use the circle drive to make a change of direction.  Three-point turnarounds impair the vision of the crossing guards and negatively impact the flow of traffic.

Drop Off/Pick Up Procedures on Bainbridge Drive:

· You may park in any area that is not marked as a “No Parking” zone.

· Please monitor your speed and use extreme caution when approaching the unsupervised crosswalk and obey the instructions of the crossing guard at the Bainbridge/Redfield crosswalk.

· Please have your child exit/enter your car on the curb side.

· Do not park in or block the driveways of the residents.

Parking Lot Procedures:

· The circle drive may be used at any time to turn around.

· The front lot is closed to parking from 8:45-9:15 AM and from 3:15-3:45 PM.

· The front drive is for buses only.

· You may park in any area of the front lot that is not marked by red paint.

· You may not park along the curve.  The buses have difficulty making the turn if vehicles are parked in that area.

Cell Phone Law:

· Please be aware of a new law that took effect on January 1, 2010, Senate Bill 72 titled “Vehicular Phone Use in School Zones”.  According to the new law, “A person, regardless of age, may not use a wireless telephone at any time while operating a motor vehicle on a roadway in a school speed zone.”

Thank you for your continued commitment in helping to keep our students safe!

Sincerely,

Brian H. LeCrone, Principal

Candy Michelli, Student Services Coordinator

Barb Peterson, PTA President

Welcome aboard

We'd like to introduce several volunteers who have stepped in to help with a variety of projects and events this year:

• Barb Marshall and Rueben Lerma are leading the planning for the fifth-grade social. 
• Anne Staskon and LaShandra Moore are heading up production of the fifth-grade DVD. 
• Bernadette Young represents Brookdale on the district’s Project Arrow PTA and helps with the Parent Diversity Advisory Council.
• Susan Corrigan-DeLucio will coordinate the Staff Appreciation project in the spring.

 Thank you all for your time - it means the world to our students and our school.