What should we do?

A message from President Barb Peterson: 

I often find myself thinking of the time I will have come January and February to accomplish tasks that get pushed aside as the year comes to an end. Yet I take one look at my calendar and discover that for that very reason, the schedule for these months fills up so quickly!

The same is true with PTA issues. Several things need to be addressed. Three items were discussed briefly at our January PTA meeting that I would like to communicate here for those of you who were unable to attend.

Executive Committee nominations

The time has come for two offices of the Executive Committee to be vacated. Under our bylaws, Executive Committee officers may hold office for up to two consecutive years. For next school year, we will need to elect a new president and treasurer.

We will form a nominating committee in February to search for individuals interested and qualified to serve in these roles. If you are interested in serving on either the nominating committee or in either position, please contact Barb Peterson (andy.peterson@sbcglobal.net) or Judy Nagel-Conley (jln0522@aol.com).

Fall Fundraiser

Second, we're at a bit of a crossroads with the Fall Fundraiser, which has been a very successful product sale for a number of years. The sale coordinators from this year are stepping down, so it seems like a good time to pause and think about what we'd like to do.

In recent memory, students have been asked to sell wrapping paper each September. In 2010, a new vendor gave us the opportunity to sell cookie dough, jewelry and other items in addition to wrapping paper. The sale topped projections, generating about $12,000 in revenue — about half of the PTA's projected income for the current school year.

The sale traditionally comes early in the school year, when parents are hit with a variety of school and activity fees and when students involved in scouts, sports and other activities are asked to sell products as well.

With that in mind, the PTA is discussing the possibility of a change to ease "sales fatigue" but would need to replace the sale with a fundraiser that would generate enough money to continue to support such a large portion of the PTA's operations.

The Executive Committee has suggested considering a fun run, which has been

PDAC meeting canceled

The Parent Diversity Advisory Council was scheduled to meet Tuesday and to hear from college math instructor Judi Newman on the topic of "Advancing Your Child in Math." Because of the blizzard warnings and in line with the district's decision to cancel after-school activities, the meeting and the presentation have been canceled. Ms. Newman has offered to speak to individual PTAs; let Saily Joshi know if you'd be interested in having Ms. Newman visit our school.

Calling all volunteers

If you're looking for a way to get involved at Brookdale, the PTA offers a variety of opportunities that match with your interests and your availability. Check out what's happening and see how you can make a difference:

Enrichment Classes 

Share your hobbies, interests or career with students by leading an After-School Enrichment Class. Classes run 3:45 to 4:30 p.m. either Wednesdays or Thursdays, April 6 through 28. Interested instructors should complete and return a proposal form by Friday, Feb. 4. Questions? Contact Danielle Baker, DaniLBaker@aol.com; Laura Falk, glmnfalk@wowway.com; or Sarah Williams, sarahdave@wowway.com.

Variety Show

Congratulations to everyone who auditioned and those who will perform in the Variety Show. The rehearsal will be after school until 6 p.m. March 16, with shows at 2 and 7 p.m. March 18. About six volunteers are needed to help with both the rehearsal and the evening show, and about four volunteers are needed to assist during the afternoon show. To volunteer, e-mail Cathy Collins at ckc1021@sbcglobal.net.

Artist in Residence

Native American artist Edgar Heap of Birds will visit Brookdale on Feb. 23 and 24 to work with each class. The PTA will provide volunteers to help the artist and the children as they work together. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Judy Nagel-Conley at jln0522@aol.com or (630) 428-9717.

Silent Auction Committee
The Silent Auction serves as a fundraiser in conjunction with the Spring Fling at the end of April. Volunteers can join the committee in visiting local businesses to solicit donations, or help with basket building in April. Also, we can use any empty baskets you may have. Call Laura Schlicher (Heger) at (630) 983-7189 or e-mail rgheger@aol.com to help or to donate baskets.

Calling all artists

No matter which team your child might root for or which sport they might cheer in, he or she probably knows what it means to be a fan.
Supporting your team regardless of wins and losses. Backing the players as they try their hardest even when - especially when - the odds seem stacked against them.
Special Olympics embraces the same philosophy as it offers athletic opportunities to students with special needs.
The Indian Prairie Special Needs PTA is sponsoring a T-Shirt Design Contest, inviting all district students to interpret the theme "Be a Fan ... " in an image or logo.
The winning design will be printed on T-shirts promoting the district's Special Olympics program. Shirts will be for sale, likely to be bought and worn by the athletes, coaches, families, students and staff members involved in Special Olympics and anyone else who is a fan of the program.
Artists should use this form to submit their artwork by Feb. 1. A winner will be announced Feb. 15 at the IPSN PTA meeting.

Action is on the agenda

Thursday's PTA meeting promises quite a bit of action.

The agenda features visits from the first-grade teachers at 2:15 p.m. and the fourth-grade teachers at 2:45 p.m. This is a great opportunity to hear what's happening in those grades and how teachers are using the daily intervention time to help students.

Under new business, the membership will discuss the future of the Art Awareness program, which introduces students to well-known artists and masterpieces. 

Several years ago, a committee organized volunteers to visit each classroom each month to talk about the artwork and help children experience the technique themselves through a related craft project.

Recently, though, the program has been coordinated by a lone volunteer parent -- a big job. This year, classroom coordinators have been helping fill the roster of speakers by recruiting and scheduling volunteers.

Now, it's time to decide how the program should be handled next year and beyond.

Also under new business, the membership will discuss the fall fundraiser and select a nominating committee that in the spring will recommend candidates to serve as president and treasurer. Board President Barb Peterson and Treasurer Ron Heger complete their two-year terms in May.

See you at the meeting!

A just reward for the students in 5F

The students in 5F picked Mr. Tabisz to duct tape to the wall.

You have to wonder whether Mr. Tabisz knew how the day would turn out when he woke up in the morning.

Was he thinking about duct tape as he got ready for school? Did he wonder whether the sticky strips would cling to fleece? Did he question, even for a moment, whether the tape would hold?

Or did he just cross his fingers and hope against hope that the students would choose Mr. LeCrone (or someone, anyone) instead?

Teachers and staff members helped
with the duct-taping.

On Thursday, Mr. Tabisz’s fate was in the hands of the students of Mrs. Fitzgerald’s fifth-grade class.

In the fall, the kids of 5F earned the right to pick a staff member to duct tape to the gym wall by having the greatest participation in the wrapping paper/cookie dough/jewelry and gifts sale. A whopping 68 percent of the students sold items in the fundraiser, which generated more than $11,500 for the PTA to put toward programs, assemblies, events and purchases that benefit our children.

Mr. LeCrone adds a strip of tape
across Mr. Tabisz's mouth.

The moment of choice arrived Thursday afternoon when the Brookdale students gathered to watch “Toy Story 3” as a reward for earning nearly 10,000 Paws already this school year. And when the time came, they picked Mr. Tabisz.

Mr. Tabisz hangs on the wall with spent
duct tape rolls scattered on the floor.

The physical education teacher perched on a chair against the wall as 5F students and many eager (too eager?) faculty and staff members took turns running long strips of duct tape across his midsection. And just for fun, Mr. LeCrone stuck a bit of tape over Mr. Tabisz’ mouth.

The chair was pulled away … and … the tape held. Mr. Tabisz stuck to the wall.

After hanging gamely – and calling for help only a few times – Mr. Tabisz and his tape were peeled off the wall by sale organizers Debbie Snyder and Amy Hausman and a representative from sale vendor  Great American Online.

And proving he’s a good sport, Mr. Tabisz ran past the students while still wearing the many, many strips of duct tape, much to the delight of the kids. 

Thanks again to all the parents and students who participated in the sale, to Debbie and Amy for organizing, to the staff for supporting the effort and, especially, to Mr. Tabisz.

Photos by Amy Hausman

With PTA’s help, you can fulfill your resolutions

Happy new year, Brookdale! We hope you’ve had a wonderful winter break and are feeling invigorated as we return to the rhythm of school days.

As a new year starts, many of us reflect on the past and consider the future. How have we spent our time? What have we accomplished? Where do we hope to be – as a person and as a family – by this time next year? 

Maybe you’ve resolved to live healthier, to spend more time with your children or even to dedicate yourself to a hobby. As it turns out, the PTA can help with these goals and more. Take a look:

Live healthier, part I

Say you’re hoping to get up off the couch and into the gym. Basketball Nights not only give you the chance to get moving, they help you teach your son or daughter that exercise can be fun family time. Basketball Nights are coming up. Girls’ night is Friday, Jan. 7; boys’ night is Friday, Jan. 21.

Live healthier, part II

If you aim to take fewer trips past drive-thru windows, try ordering from Market Day. Each month, the flier is full of good food including a bunch of time-savers that can help you put a balanced meal on the table even on a busy weeknight. Market Day offers new deals and incentives each month. Check Page 6 for January deals.

Get involved

If you’re not already a member, start by joining the PTA. You’ll be part of a volunteer organization that works to improve the school experience for all our children. Find a membership form here.

All year, the PTA offers opportunities to volunteer. Sometimes, you’ll be in your child’s classroom. Other times, you help at activities or family nights or work behind the scenes to help plan the fun.

Each month, we meet to discuss how we can support our students and our teachers. Please join us to share your views. The next meeting is at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, in the multipurpose room.

Make the most of family time

The PTA calendar is full of events that encourage you to take a break and spend time with your children. Look for the Winter Family Fun Night coming in March, followed by the Spring Fling in April.

Pursue a hobby

Whether you’re a Lego artist, an aspiring movie maker or a chess master, you have a store of knowledge about your hobby that would inspire a Brookdale student. You could hone your skills and pass on your interest to the next generation by leading a class in the PTA’s Enrichment Program. Classes run four afternoons in April, and organizers will be looking for volunteers in March.

Whatever you’ve decided will be important for you and for your family this year, we hope Brookdale PTA activities will be part of your plans.

Here’s to a healthy, happy 2011!