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.