Share your views on the Variety Show

  In recent years, the Brookdale PTA has sponsored a Variety Show that encourages students to explore and showcase their talents in the performing arts. Students develop their acts, audition and rehearse, then perform for their peers, teachers and parents.
  Traditionally, students have performed one show for their classmates during the school day and a second show in the evening for parents and the Brookdale community. Often, the daytime show has included a performance by staff members as well as a selection of students, while all of the participants have performed in the evening show.
   We would like your opinions on a proposal for the Variety Show that would differ significantly from the recent tradition.
   Under the proposal submitted to the PTA Executive Board, students would perform only an evening show and the event could be in the auditorium at Metea Valley High School rather than the gym at Brookdale.
  The daytime show allows staff to be involved and for staff and students to see the show, but it requires additional planning and additional volunteers. Some may see performing the evening show on the high school stage as an opportunity for a higher-level performance experience while some students may be intimidated by the setting.
  Please consider these options and how changes may affect your family and share your opinions via this survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VarietyShow. 
  If you are interested in coordinating the Variety Show or becoming a co-chair, please see additional information on our Get Involved page or contact Vice President Susan Corrigan-DeLucio at susan@corrigan.com.

Please join the Brookdale Community Discussion

  On Thursday, Dec. 1, the Brookdale PTA will host a Brookdale Community Discussion. The event aims to begin the conversation among all parents - PTA members and non-members alike - about the education and experiences they hope their children receive through the school curriculum and PTA-sponsored activities, especially relating to the presentation and inclusion of our various cultures in lessons and activities.

  To open the discussion, representatives will discuss the roles of the PTA, school administrators and a school-centric Parent Diversity Advisory Council in supporting our children’s educational environment and experience as well as how culture is shared by each group. 

  Following the presentation and the opportunity to ask questions, parents in attendance will meet in small groups to discuss the question: “How can activities at school best reflect the students at Brookdale?” After a period of discussion, the groups will be mixed so ideas can be exchanged with different people. 

  Although this is a PTA event, District 204 PDAC Chairwoman Sandra Charles will facilitate the round-table discussion process, which is similar to the PDAC’s World Café format. The idea is that the conversations link and build upon each other as people move between groups, cross-pollinate ideas, and discover new insights into the questions or issues that are most important. After the small-group conversations, participants will reconvene as a whole to identify common themes highlighted in the small-group discussions.  

  We hope the evening will provide insight into what parents believe is appropriate and desirable in the learning environment at Brookdale and serve as a guide for future planning decisions. We don't expect the event will generate definitive answers, but rather will be the beginning of the process.

  The event begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, at school and should conclude around 9 p.m. An RSVP is requested, but not required to attend. Reservations for childcare must be made by Monday, Nov. 28.

  To RSVP or make childcare reservations, please use the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BrookdaleCommunityDiscussion.

Eating pie raises extra money for school, could win your class a prize

Who’s ready for a delicious contest in which everyone who enters gets pie?

By buying pies through a special Market Day promotion in November, we can earn extra money for PTA programs. Our goal is to sell 100 pies, which would generate $420 for Brookdale in addition to the proceeds from our regular grocery sale. With more than 400 families in our school, the goal is within reach.

Teachers will collect pie order forms through Wednesday, Nov. 9, (online ordering for grocery orders is available through Friday, Nov. 11). The class that sells the most pies will win a $50 gift card to spend as a classroom.

So be sure to order one (or two or three) for home, and ask your Thanksgiving hostess how many pies you can bring for dessert.

Pies will come in with the regular grocery sale on Tuesday, Nov. 15. Pickup is 9:45 to 10:15 a.m. in the Multipurpose Room. Please enter through Door 2 at the west end of the building rather than through the main entrance.

Remember, those who place two orders of $40 or more between October and December will receive a free insulated bag when they order in January.

The grocery program offers quick, healthy and convenient meals and snacks. Foods are delivered frozen and many can go from the freezer to the table in 30 minutes or less without even pausing to thaw.

Market Day gives 10 percent of the money you spend back to the PTA to fund programs for our kids and contributions to our classrooms.  

All items are guaranteed; just return the unused portion to the coordinator, who will arrange a refund. Market Day accepts LINK card payments.

Contact Coordinator Tricia Smith with questions at triciasmith825@att.net. She is happy to deliver pre-paid orders.

Advice for keeping your kids safe online

Do you have questions about your kids' video game systems, computer or cell phone?
Did you know at least 11 percent of kids younger than 7 have chatted with strangers on the Internet?
What does your kid know that you don't know?

The answers to all of these questions will be presented at the Internet Safety and Technology Workshops sponsored by the Indian Prairie Parents' Council.

Presenters from the Naperville Police Department will join Mark Krieter, Indian Prairie Unit District 204's director of instructional technology, will discuss how we can keep our children safe as they explore technology.

"Get On Board Before Your Kids Get Online" is from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Scullen Middle School, 2815 Mistflower Lane, Naperville. The event is free. 

For information, email ippcpta@gmail.com.

PDAC: Strengthening the Home and School Bond

The District 204 Parent Diversity Advisory Council (PDAC) invites the Indian Prairie Unit District 204 community to the meeting on Oct. 18, when the discussion will be about “Strengthening the Home and School Bond.”
 The PDAC welcomes the following speakers to the discussion: Dina Lohman, president of the Indian Prairie Parents’ Council; Jean Donovan, DuPage West region director for the Illinois PTA; Matthew Rodriguez, diversity chair for the Illinois PTA; Nore L. Hare, national service representative for the National PTA. 
Discussions and presentations will focus on the alignment of local, state and national PTA diversity initiatives, and the support PDAC can provide in realizing PTA objectives. Together, the PDAC and PTAs can partner to increase parental involvement in every school. Many helpful strategies will be shared for building the home-school bond with your PTA, as well as the PDAC.
All PDAC meetings are free and open to all District 204 parents, teachers, administrators and staff. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the Crouse Education Center, 780 Shoreline Drive, Aurora. Please contact Sandra Charles, PDAC chairwoman, at pdacinfo@gmail.com or Brookdale's PDAC representative Saily Joshi Moorthy at saily@aol.com with any questions.

Meanwhile: Mark your calendar for the second annual PDAC World Cafe and Equity Champion Recognition from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, at Waubonsie Valley High School, 2590 Ogden Ave., Aurora. During the session, District 204 parents, school staff, district administrators and community members engage in small group dialogue about academic achievement for all students.

Parents can help District 204 enhance STEM lessons

By Alka Tyle

Founder, STEM-204

Economies today are driven by scientific and technological innovations that historically have led the United States to prosperity and world leadership. Our children will not inherit this leadership and prosperity unless we equip them to out-innovate and out-compete other nations in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields.

Excellent STEM education allows students to learn communication, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and quantitative skills that are transferrable to any career. Every student benefits from STEM education. Math is the language of science, and the sooner a student gains proficiency in it, the better. The following statistics show the importance of STEM education:

· The top 10 highest paid bachelor’s degrees in 2010 were in engineering and technology;

· The mean wages for most STEM occupations are significantly above the U.S. average;

· Healthcare, technology, and technician jobs are in demand, well-paying, require STEM skills and a 2-year degree;

· Only 29 percent of the ACT-tested 2010 graduates are considered college-ready in science, and only 43 percent in math;

· Only 17 percent of undergraduate degrees are awarded in STEM fields, threatening U.S. global leadership in innovations driven by technology and science;

· There is a severe shortage of women and minorities working in STEM fields.

  I am a Gregory Middle School parent and former Indian Prairie Unit District 204 board member. I believe an excellent, well-rounded education consists of a strong core of English, math, science and social studies; of learning global awareness, life, career, and media skills; and of cultivating one’s interests and talents in the arts and athletics.

I founded the STEM-204 Group a year ago to increase awareness about STEM education in our district, to provide a forum for sharing resources and information, and to create a STEM community of parents, students and staff who value excellence in STEM education. I am involved in STEM initiatives in our district and at the state level.

I believe we urgently owe our students an excellent, comprehensive STEM education program, and that parent-led STEM support at each school (such as math night, science fairs, chess club and robotics competitions) can make a substantial and immediate impact on the quality of our children's education.

Taking steps for our Bobcats

Do you know exactly how many steps your little Bobcat took this weekend?

We hope so. It means your child enjoyed the inaugural Bobcat BLAST! on Friday, that he or she is still having a good time with the pedometer and — maybe without knowing it — is getting a little extra exercise every day.

After all, fun and exercise were two of the many goals the PTA had for the BLAST.

On Friday, students headed out by grade level onto the field near the gym where the Get Movin’ Crew had set up a running track marked with colorful flags. After lining up by class for photos with Movin’ Max, the children danced to get warmed up. A flag-bearing Crew member led the children on their first lap, then let the students go at their own pace.

For the better part of half an hour, students ran, jogged or walked. They moved at their own pace or teamed up with friends. They timed their steps to the beat of popular music playing over the speakers or they moved to their own rhythm. At times, they were joined by Principal LeCrone, their teachers and parents who had volunteered to help or who had stopped by to see the fun for themselves.

After a Crew member brought out the checkered flag, students ran one more lap before heading back inside with their class to record their steps on a memory page.

The BLAST, of course, was a PTA fundraiser. Students were encouraged to ask family and friends to pledge money for their participation in the fun run. By late Friday, the pledges totaled more than $10,400 and the number continues to rise. Families may pledge online at http://www.thegetmovincrew.com/sponsor.php through Friday, Sept. 30.

“I’m really pleased at what I see coming in — a huge range, a lot of cash donations, $2 from this person, $5 from that person,” event Chairwoman Barb Peterson said. “I love that because it just shows kids are getting out and people are encouraging them to be active and supporting their schools. I’m really glad to see the diversity of people jumping in and getting involved.”

Students were rewarded for collecting more than $8,000 in pledges with music at the start of the day and the ever-popular “round table lunch.” Rather than sitting at long, linear tables with their classes, students were able to sit at any of the round tables with any of their friends from their grade level.

The PTA paid the Get Movin’ Crew $3,144 to run the event for us and manage online pledging. After costs for water, cups, signs and other incidentals are deducted, the fun run already has generated $7,000 to support the educational opportunities the PTA provides.

Because the PTA strives to offer opportunities for every child at Brookdale, we wanted to find a way to raise money through an activity that would likewise include each student. Regardless of whether a child’s family pledged no money or hundreds of dollars, everyone ran with their friends, everyone received a pedometer, everyone took home a memory.

Free brownies!

The Executive Committee members invite you to enjoy a little snack and informal conversation this evening before the first PTA meeting of the year.
We're hoping the relaxed setting will allow us to meet new parents and those who are new to the PTA. Likewise, we want you to have the chance to get to know us and learn a little more about the Brookdale PTA and the ways the PTA enhances the educational experience for all our students.
The meet-and-greet begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, in the Multipurpose Room, where we'll chat over brownies.
The PTA's September business meeting will begins promptly at 7 p.m. Of course, we're hoping you'll stay to become part of the discussion (or at least to hear what's happening).
Here's a look at some of the agenda highlights:
Update on the Bobcat BLAST! fun run students will participate in on Friday.
News about the Reflections program and the Fall Family Fun Night coming up in October.
Adjustments to and final approval of the 2011-12 budget.
We hope to see you there!

See you at Curriculum Night

We hope you're planning to attend Curriculum Night, which runs from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15.

The evening is an important early step in building the relationship between the home and school. Principal Brian LeCrone and your children's classroom teachers will give you insight into what you and your child can expect this school year. 

From 6:30 to 6:45 p.m. in the gymnasium, Mr. LeCrone will discuss school policies and share information about school-wide initiatives. 

Afterward, parents are invited to visit their children's classrooms for sessions from 6:50 to 7:30 p.m. or 7:35 to 8:15 p.m. In each session, the classroom teachers will offer individual presentations to provide us with an overview of the classroom curriculum, general classroom procedures and expectations.

Attending Curriculum Night is one way for us to work together with the staff to support our children and become involved in our children's education. By working together, we can achieve our mission of ensuring every child has an opportunity to reach his or her individual potential.

You will be able to sign up for Parent/Teacher Conferences this night, so check your calendar and come prepared to sign up. Conferences are offered between 4:30 and 8 p.m. Nov. 9, and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4:30 to 8 p.m. Nov. 10. 

You also will be able to join our PTA at Curriculum Night ... just visit us at our membership table.  If you would like to help with classroom parties, chaperon class field trips, assist the kids in the classroom, share various works of art with the kids, or become a Helping Hand household, you can sign up for these and other volunteer opportunities that night.  

We will have Spirit Wear information available, and you can learn about the various ways we raise money to fund all the PTA-sponsored programs at Brookdale.

PTA volunteer sign-ups and Parent/Teacher Conference sign-ups start at 6 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room and on the Stage, respectively. 

Please remember that Curriculum Night is only for adults.

District 204 Parent Diversity Advisory Council

The District 204 Parent Diversity Advisory Council (PDAC) is offering a complimentary PDAC Liaison training session. 
This training is provided to help build knowledge and skills that will enable liaisons to have a full understanding of the  PDAC's mission, the role and responsibility of a liaison, the important connection to their school’s PTA and the entire District 204 community, and ideas and strategies on how to get started with diversity initiatives at their school that help positively impact the academic achievement of a diverse student population. 
The session is open to all District 204 parents interested in learning more about the PDAC and becoming involved. One need not be a liaison to join in.
The session is optional and not a prerequisite for becoming a liaison, and a liaison need attend only one training session. 
The training session is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 28, at the Crouse Education Center, 780 Shoreline Drive, Aurora.
If you are interested in serving as a PDAC Liaison for your school, or if you would like to attend this training session to learn more, please email Lynda Moresco, PDAC parent org. liaison, at bluiethedog@msn.com, by Sunday, Sept 25.
For more information on PDAC, visit http://ipsdweb.ipsd.org/Subpage.aspx/PDAC or email your Brookdale PDAC Liaison Saily Joshi Moorthy at saily@aol.com.
The PDAC already has scheduled meetings and discussion topics for the 2011-12 school year, with the first discussion on Strengthening the Home & School Bond from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, at the Crouse center. For a look at the full schedule, click here.

Busy Bobcat Store moves to Wednesdays

The Busy Bobcat Store will open on Wednesday this week for students in third, fourth and fifth grades, a move coordinators hope will allow more students to take part.

For several years the student-run store has operated on Fridays, but the sales have posed conflicts  with activities such as chorus and gym club that also meet on Friday mornings.

By moving the sales to Wednesdays, students participating in Friday morning activities no longer will need to choose between the activity and going to the store.

For the fifth-graders who help out at the store, the change allows them to also take part in other extracurricular activities. Additionally, because classes start later on Wednesdays, the student volunteers will be able to close the store and report to class on time rather than missing the first few minutes as they do on Fridays.

The change begins this week, with the sale for third-, fourth– and fifth-graders running from 8:30 to 9 a.m. Wednesday in the school gym, rather than in the library.

The Busy Bobcat Store carries an assortment of school supplies — both practical and fun — and lets students practice “money math.”

Younger students practice coin recognition, addition and budgeting as they shop. Meanwhile fifth-grade students who staff the store learn customer service skills and reinforce their money-handling abilities.

The fun pencils, erasers, sharpeners and more generally range from 25 cents to 75 cents. A Brookdale window cling runs 60 cents. Mini calculators and .5 oz jelly-wrapped Purell Hand sanitizers (clips to backpack or lunch bag) are among the most expensive items at $1.50.

A new item this year is a stainless steel water bottle with a Bobcat logo, priced at $3.50 or less. Click here for a complete look at the items and price list.

Children should enter through the main doors. Fifth-graders and parent volunteers will be there to lend a hand as well.

Questions? Contact Jeanette Curtis at (630) 579-6207 or jeanettecurtis@mac.com or Antonella Erbacher at (630) 946-6787 or tabasco002@aol.com.

Bobcat BLAST fun run offers healthy way to raise money

Who’s ready to have a blast?

The Brookdale PTA is launching a new event this fall that aims to get everyone moving and having fun.

The Bobcat BLAST fun run, on Friday, Sept. 23, will take students out of their daily routine for a time to run, walk, skip, hop or otherwise move around with their classmates.

The BLAST serves many purposes for the PTA. It encourages healthy behavior, joining events like Red Ribbon Week and Jump Rope for Heart. It encourages school spirit. And it’s a fundraiser we hope will make parents’ lives easier.

The event replaces the annual fall product sale that has been our major fundraiser in years past. Rather thank asking families to sell and deliver products, we are asking families to collect pledges for their students’ participation.

Movin' Max greets Brookdale students
at the launch of the Bobcat BLAST
pledge period. Max and the Get Movin'
Crew return on Friday, Sept. 23, for the
 fun run .

Students can encourage friends and relatives near and far to invest in their health and their education. Our event organizer, the Original Get Movin’ Crew, makes online pledging simple. Check out the Parents Page at www.thegetmovincrew.com.

But the great thing about this event is that every student participates on the day of the fun run. Each student can have a BLAST with their friends and, at the same time, be an active participant in an event that raises money for their school. Acquiring pledges is not mandatory to participate in the fun run. (But we urge every student/family to contribute something because we know every little bit counts!)

So, what is a fun run?

During school on Friday, Sept. 23, students will spend 40 minutes at the Bobcat BLAST! The time includes a fun warmup led by the Get Movin’ Crew, followed by time to run, jog or walk with friends and classmates. Afterward, students will have a few minutes to cool down before returning to class.

All students — regardless of whether they’ve collected pledges — will receive participation souvenirs. They will be given a pedometer to keep and encouragement to take 10,000 steps a day. They’ll also receive a number like a racer bib to wear during the run and that can be affixed to a memory sheet that asks children to record their favorite memory from the day and to make note of a new healthy habit they plan to adopt.

Students brought home a pledge packet on Thursday, Sept. 1, following the kick-off pep rally on Walk to School Day. Through pledges and donations, the BLAST will provide funding for PTA-sponsored assemblies, field trips, class parties, the Variety Show, special in-class programs, educational supplies and more.

Put on your walking shoes

Who's up for a morning stroll?
Thursday is Brookdale Walk to School Day, a day when we leave the car in the garage and join our friends and neighbors as we all get to school on foot.

Teams of Brookdale staff members will meet groups of students in three locations throughout the neighborhood and lead children and their families to school on what's known as a "walking school bus."
Groups of walkers will leave at 8:30 a.m. from the intersections of Hastings and Abbotsford, Brookdale and Bainbridge, and Brookdale and Manchester.
Mr. Tabisz, Mrs. Biegelmann and Mrs. Syty will lead a group from Hastings and Abbotsford, following Hastings to Bainbridge and taking Bainbridge around to Redfield to approach the school from the north.
Mrs. Beymer, Mrs. Federhofer and Mr. LeCrone will lead the group leaving from Brookdale and Bainbridge. They'll follow Bainbridge to the path leading into the park by school and will approach the school from the west.
The third group, led by Mrs. Stepper, Mrs. Allison and Mrs. Claytor, leaves from Brookdale and Manchester and heads to Fox Hill, then follows around to Redfield to approach the school from the south.
Students and their families may  meet the groups at the start of the route or to join the processing along the way.
The event, part of an international movement, traditionally has fallen later on the school calendar. We've moved up the date this year to foster a healthy habit early in the school year and to introduce the Bobcat BLAST fun run.
Once the groups arrive at school, we'll gather on the blacktop for an interactive - emphasis on active - assembly that aims to get children excited about the Bobcat BLAST.
The BLAST is our new fall fundraiser, replacing the product sale we've held annually in recent years. Our goal is to raise money via pledges in a fun event that involves all students and encourages healthy choices. Learn more about the BLAST here.

Bobcat BLAST fun run offers healthy way to raise money

Who’s ready to have a blast?

The Brookdale PTA is launching a new event this fall that aims to get everyone moving and having fun.

The Bobcat BLAST fun run, on Friday, Sept. 23, will take students out of their daily routine for a time to run, walk, skip, hop or otherwise move around with their classmates.

The BLAST serves many purposes for the PTA. It encourages healthy behavior, joining events like Red Ribbon Week and Jump Rope for Heart. It encourages school spirit. And it’s a fundraiser we hope will make parents’ lives easier.

The event replaces the annual fall product sale that has been our major fundraiser in years past. Rather thank asking families to sell and deliver products, we are asking families to collect pledges for their students’ participation.

   Students can encourage friends and relatives near and far to invest in their health and their education. Our event organizer, the Original Get Movin’ Crew, makes online pledging simple. Check out the Parents Page at www.thegetmovincrew.com.

But the great thing about this event is that every student participates on the day of the fun run. Each student can have a BLAST with their friends and, at the same time, be an active participant in an event that raises money for their school. Acquiring pledges is not mandatory to participate in the fun run. (But we urge every student/family to contribute something because we know every little bit counts!)

So, what is a fun run?

During school on Friday, Sept. 23, students will spend 40 minutes at the Bobcat BLAST! The time includes a fun warmup led by the Get Movin’ Crew, followed by time to run, jog or walk with friends and classmates. Afterward, students will have a few minutes to cool down before returning to class.

All students — regardless of whether they’ve collected pledges — will receive participation souvenirs. They will be given a pedometer to keep and encouragement to take 10,000 steps a day. They’ll also receive a number like a racer bib to wear during the run and that can be affixed to a memory sheet that asks children to record their favorite memory from the day and to make note of a new healthy habit they plan to adopt.

Students will bring home a pledge packet on Thursday, Sept. 1, following the kick-off pep rally on Walk to School Day. Through pledges and donations, the BLAST will provide funding for PTA-sponsored assemblies, field trips, class parties, the Variety Show, special in-class programs, educational supplies and more.

 Walk to School Day launches Bobcat BLAST

 Our annual Walk to School Day moves to Thursday, Sept. 1 to help launch the Bobcat BLAST.

Students and parents can join the “walking school buses” departing at 8:30 a.m. from several neighborhood locations.

Teachers and staff will meet children and parents at Hastings and Abbotsford and walk to Whitley and Bainbridge north of the school.

A second group leaves from Brookdale and Bainbridge and uses the pathway through the park to approach school from the west.

The third group leaves from Brookdale and Manchester and follows Foxhill around to Redfield. Families are welcome to join the walks along the way.

When we arrive at school, we’ll gather together on the blacktop for some fun exercises and a pep rally led by the Get Movin’ Crew.

The kick-off event will introduce students to Bobcat BLAST and, we hope, get them excited about being healthy and active.

PTA adopts budget for 2011-12 school year

In the next school year, the PTA plans to spend more money to help finance field trips and social activities for students.

The budget, approved by members in May, calls for the PTA to put $10 per student toward field trips for the 2011-12 school year.

The amount represents an increase over the previous year’s budget, in which the PTA put $6 per student toward defraying field trip costs. The PTA originally had budgeted $3 per student last year, but in October bumped up the contribution to help families after closing out the prior budget year with an unexpected surplus.

The field trip contribution is $5,400 of the $69,045 in expenses planned for the coming school year. Of that total, the spending plan outlines $42,450 in costs associated with running fundraisers. The remaining $26,595 is earmarked for student-oriented programs such as Art Awareness, Brainiacs and Reflections; for events such as family fun nights; and for operating and other costs.

Building on another change enacted in October, the budget sets aside $2 per student to help finance classroom parties in 2011-12. The PTA added the party contribution last fall to help parents, who are hit with a number of expenses early in the school year. The item accounts for $1,080. 

The intention is for the PTA money to pay for the parties without asking parents for an additional contribution. If the allocation is used up before all three parties have been paid for, the PTA could increase the allotment to a total of $3 per student.

All told, the budget projects revenue of $64,250 in the coming school year to fund the $69,045 in anticipated expenses, creating a one-year spending deficit of $4,975.

The PTA will make up the difference using its savings, which is expected to be about $16,500 after the final accounting of the 2010-11 budget year. Financial advisers have said our PTA should maintain reserves of about $10,000, and the PTA leadership recommends spending down the reserves to that amount.

The projected revenue of $64,250 represents an increase of 3.5 percent over last year’s budget of $62,065, but a decrease from the $67,428 anticipated based on actual revenues last year. The amount budgeted for 2011-12 reflects past experience with the fall fundraiser and a cautious approach to the new fall fun run that’s replacing the product sale. The budget projects $9,000 in revenue from the fun run, in line with product sales from prior years; this year’s product sale netted $11,885.

Other proposed changes include:

· Increasing the budget for the Art Awareness program to $300 from $100 to update supplies and pay for attendance at Art Institute of Chicago seminars .

· Reducing the donation to the LMC to $1,900. The current budget included $2,550 to buy three sets of SMART Responders. With that purchase complete, LMC Director Carrie Ory recommended returning to the previous budget level.

· Adding $500, for a total of $2,500, to pay for assemblies.  

For a look at the full budget, visit our PTA Budget page. Please contact President Judy Nagel-Conley or Treasurer Beth Siwicki with comments or questions.

Growing a gallery

Few things could be more encouraging for a young artist than having an original creation put on public display.

Art teacher Deb Gelso plans to start a permanent gallery of student artwork in the coming school year with support from the PTA.

Ms. Gelso’s vision is to turn the main hallway leading from the office toward the gym into a showplace for two-dimensional art students create in class during the year. She would select a piece to represent each grade level and, if students and parents agree, the art would be matted, framed and hung. Art may be displayed permanently, or rotated periodically, Ms. Gelso said.

The PTA membership agreed to support the gallery by buying paint to freshen up the hallway and to buy the first six frames, for a total cost of $400 from the current year’s budget. Ms. Gelso’s plan includes adding six frames each year, an expense members indicated they would support in future budgets.

Buy buying the frames, the PTA is supporting the visual arts in much the same way it supports students’ talents through programs such as Reflections, Brainiacs and the Variety Show.

School Supplies orders due Wednesday

Picture yourself in August.

You’re trying to make the most of the waning days of summer, but you also need to make sure everyone has clothes and shoes that fit, backpacks that are in good shape and gear for getting lunch to school.

Now ask yourself: Do you really want to spend time chasing from store to store in search of low-odor dry erase markers?

To help make those back-to-school days a little more sane, the PTA is once again offering parents the chance to buy their children’s school supplies in a pre-packaged kit.

The cost of the supplies is comparable to buying the items at a store, and your purchase benefits the PTA (and, therefore, your children).

Order forms will be distributed with your school registration packets and are available on the Forms, Fliers and Further Details page.

We will use the same supplier as last year, EPI. With this supplier, you can expect:

· Quality products from companies like Crayola, Elmer’s and Expo, but at a lower total price;

· Supplies provided in a sturdy memory box;

· A sheet of labels pre-printed with your child’s name to affix to individual supplies;

· $10 Office Depot coupon in every pack;

· Guaranteed replacement if you are dissatisfied with a product during the school year.

The kits will contain all the supplies itemized on the Brookdale School Supply Lists except school bags/backpacks, gym shoes, art smocks, computer headphones and assignment notebooks.

    Orders are due by Wednesday, May 18. Please send your order form in a separate envelope marked “School Supplies” and with a check made out to the Brookdale PTA.

If you notice your check has not cleared by July 1, please contact Coordinator Sarah Williams as this may indicate your order has not been placed.

Once again, we are scheduling two times when families can pick up their supplies at school:

· 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Aug. 17

· 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 20

If you are unable to pick up your kits on those dates, please make arrangements with a friend or neighbor to pick them up for you.

If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Williams at (630) 717-9979 or sarahdave@
wowway.com.

Proposed PTA Events for 2011-12

Dear Brookdale Families,

We want you to know we appreciate all the feedback we received this past year regarding the changes in PTA-sponsored events, including classroom parties. We listened to what you said and gave all suggestions serious consideration as we contemplated the schedule of events for the 2011-12 school year. We hope the proposed plan, below, addresses the various concerns raised and will allow all Brookdale families to enjoy the PTA-sponsored activities. We want to highlight a few key points in the PTA events schedule:

• The Fall Classroom Party is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 7, 2011. Having this party two weeks later than it was this year should allow the party committees to have adequate time to plan and prepare for the party. It also will provide a nice kick-off to the three-day Columbus Day weekend. Team-building activities still should be a major part of this party.
• We would like to add a Costume Parade to Fall Family Fun Night, scheduled on Friday, Oct. 28, 2011. We feel that adequate planning, a scaling down of the event, and the implementation of additional safety features to Fall Family Fun Night will allow this change to occur. This change will allow children to share their costumes with their friends and family by walking around the perimeter of the school (weather permitting). Families who choose not to participate in the Costume Parade may come after the Parade and still enjoy the festivities of the night. We are proposing that the event start and end earlier (i.e., 5:45 to 8 p.m.) with the hope there still will be some daylight for the parade and that families with small children will be more able to enjoy the night together.
• The Winter Party will be on the last day of classes before Winter Break, Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011.
• The Friendship Party will take place at the end of Friendship Week on Friday, Feb. 17, 2012. With Presidents Day on Feb. 20 and Parent/Teacher Conferences on Feb. 21, the party will be a nice way to start the extended weekend.
• Students choosing not to attend a classroom party due to religious beliefs or other personal reasons will be provided an alternate activity at school. This alternate activity will be developed with parental and student input to ensure a positive experience for all students.

Please take a moment to review the proposed schedule and let us know what you think via a one-question survey at www.surveymonkey.com/s/BrookdalePTA2011events by Friday, May 20.

Thank you,

Brian LeCrone
Brookdale Principal

Judy Nagel-Conley
PTA President

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May 2011

Greetings Brookdale Parents:

Mr. LeCrone and the PTA Executive Board met in accordance with board policy on May 9, 2011, to collaboratively plan and discuss the scope and nature of classroom parties and PTA sponsored school events for the 2011-12 school year. The proposed plan is provided for your consideration.

Friday, Oct. 7, 2011                                2:30-3:15 p.m.                  Fall Classroom Party

Friday, Oct. 28, 2011                              5:45-8:00 p.m.                  Fall Family Fun Night and
                                                                                                        Costume Parade

Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011                         2:30-3:15 p.m.                 Winter Classroom Party

Monday to Friday, Feb. 13 to 17, 2012                                            Friendship Week

Friday, February 17, 2012                       2:30-3:15 p.m.                 Friendship Party

Friday, April 20, 2012                             6:00-9:00 p.m.                  Spring Fling

Classroom party format includes a simple treat and a focus on socialization and fun activities/crafts as directed by the classroom coordinators and party committees.

Please review the above information and indicate whether you support the proposed plan by responding to a one-question survey available through Friday, May 20, at www.surveymonkey.com/s/BrookdalePTA2011events. Parents will have the option to comment via the survey.

Thank you for your feedback in this process.

Brian LeCrone
Principal

Judy Nagel-Conley
PTA President

PTA begins planning Fall Fun Run

In the fall, our children won’t ask Grandma and Grandpa (and other friends and relatives) to buy wrapping paper, jewelry or anything else to support the school.

Instead children can ask those who care about them to invest in their health, in their school spirit and in the opportunities the PTA provides them.

The PTA membership voted Thursday to replace the annual fall product sale with a fun run for the 2011-12 school year.

“The way I see it, it’s a healthy opportunity to have fun, it gets the kids involved with helping their school and, I think, it will develop school spirit,” PTA President Barb Peterson said. “Things happen with this that don’t happen with a product sale.”

The fun run, she said, allows every child to feel involved because every child takes part on the day of the event regardless of whether he or she collects pledges or how much money the child raises.

The Get Movin’ Crew, a Michigan-based firm, will handle much of the planning and organization for the event — from a kick-off pep rally in which the kids will meet Movin’ Max the mascot to running the fun run itself. 

On run day, the crew will lay out a track in the grass near the school, set the mood with fun music, lead each grade level through warm-up exercises and encourage the children to move around the track for 20 minutes. Kids are welcome to run, jog, walk, skip, hop, mosey — or just about anything else they can think of, provided it’s safe. When they’re done, they’ll take a cool-down lap and enjoy a Fla-Vor-Ice before heading back to class.

Each child — regardless of whether they collect pledges — will receive a pedometer to keep and encouragement to take 10,000 steps a day. They’ll also receive a number like a racer bib to wear during the run and that can be affixed to a memory sheet that asks children to record their favorite memory from the day and to make note of a new healthy habit they plan to adopt.

The PTA leadership began considering a change in the fall fundraiser several months ago when the parent volunteers who had run the product sale announced they were stepping down.

Given that the sale had generated nearly half of the PTA’s revenue — about $9,000 on average in recent years and $11,885 this year — the executive committee sought input from the membership and the parent community at large. A survey conducted in early April indicated parental support for a fun run and a strong opportunity to involve families that have not participated in the product sales. For a look at key results from the survey, click here.

Before the vote Thursday, the fun run received endorsements both from teachers in attendance and from Principal Brian LeCrone.

“We’re moving that direction as a school, as far as the health and wellness aspect,” he said. “I, personally, would love to see a fun run.”

The fun run was approved unanimously by the members present Thursday.

The PTA’s Executive Committee has proposed a budget anticipating $9,000 in net revenue from the fall fundraiser. They estimate we will reach that goal if 60 percent of Brookdale families collect pledges and raise an average of $60.

 Barb Peterson and Ron Heger have volunteered to coordinate the fun run.

Have you seen the agenda?

We hope you're not busy on Thursday, because the PTA sure is.
In the meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 21, we'll hear from a representative of a company that organizes fundraising fun runs for schools.
The presentation will precede a review of the results of the PTA's Fall Fundraiser Survey, in which more than 120 parents and staff members shared their views on the product sales we've had in the past and several options the PTA might consider instead.
Ultimately, the PTA will vote on whether to continue with a product sale or change to another fundraiser. The decision is critical because the PTA relies on the Fall Fundraiser to generates about half the annual income that allows us to offer family nights, assemblies, after-school enrichment classes and more for our students.
Also, members will be called on to elect new officers -- a president, vice president, secretary and treasurer -- to serve on the executive committee for the 2011-12 school year.
A nominating committee last month recommended the following slate:

• President: Judy Nagel-Conley
• Vice President: Susan Corrigan
• Treasurer: Beth Siwicki
• Secretary: Christie Willhite

PTA members are eligible to nominate themselves for election during the meeting on Thursday.
The PTA executive committee realizes the meeting is at the beginning of a four-day weekend that includes a holiday for some families. Officers are considering a variety of ways to allow parents who are unable to attend the meeting in person to follow the meeting and participate. Stay tuned to the blog, the Facebook page and listserv email for updates.
Here's the full agenda:

Make your opinion heard

Maybe you've heard ... the PTA is facing a pretty big decision about the Fall Fundraiser.
Traditionally, we've run a product sale - wrapping paper for several years and, through a new vendor this year, we also offered jewelry and cookie dough. The sale this year generated $11,885, roughly half of the PTA's projected revenue of $21,540.
But the volunteers who have organized the sale are stepping down, leading the PTA's Executive Committee to ask whether members like the sale or would prefer to make a change.
That is, of course, where you come in.
The PTA has created a short (short!) survey to gather your thoughts on the fundraisers we've had in the past and to learn what you think of a couple other options.
One idea is for the PTA to organize a fun run. Similar to the Jump Rope for Heart program, students would ask for pledges and all students would participate by running or walking during the school day.
A second idea is to ask parents to make an optional donation to the PTA in lieu of a sale or pledge program.
Ideally, we'd like the fundraiser - whatever form it takes - to continue to generate the revenue of past fall fundraisers. The income allows the PTA to offer programs for our students - things like After-School Enrichment classes, Brainiacs, assemblies, family nights and more - and to help our teachers support our children.
It's a lot to think about. If you'd like a little more detail, check out this past post from President Barb Peterson.
Then please take a few moments between now and Tuesday, April 12, to let us know what you think by taking the survey.

A magical evening

Almost anything could happen when the lights come up on the Brookdale variety show.
Surely there will be dancing, a little comedy, a lot of applause – and a few surprises.
But whatever happens, the “Bobcats of Brookdale Place” will be magical.
All told, some 90 Brookdale students will take the stage in the annual variety show, which draws its theme from the Disney Channel’s “The Wizards of Waverly Place.” The curtain goes up at 7 p.m. Friday, March 18, in Brookdale's Gym.
The evening will showcase the talents of third-, fourth- and fifth-graders in 37 acts. The lineup includes an array of dance and lip-synch routines as well as a number of brave instrumentalists who will perform on the piano and one who will play the violin.
A few students will test their chops with comedy skits, targeting the students in the audience with their humor. Several singers plan to perform solo and one will be accompanied on guitar.
Among the more unusual entries this year are a martial arts demonstration, soccer ball tricks set to musical accompaniment and a ballroom dance.
In addition to the onstage performers, 20 fourth- and fifth-graders are working to create the backdrop for the performance, and a troop of Brookdale Scouts will perform a flag ceremony to open the show.
Fifth-grader Nicholas Watkins will perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” following the flag ceremony.