BROOKE ELEMENTARY

HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

 

THE NEXT MEETING IS MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2008

AT 7:00 PM IN THE SCHOOL LIBRARY

 

MONTHLY MEETING MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 11, 2008

Number of people attending:  11

 

1.   CALL TO ORDER:  Tracie Hackett called the meeting to order at 6:59 p.m.

 

3.   PRINCIPAL’S REPORT reported by Dr. Mackel:

§  Current enrollment at Brooke is 430.

§  Donuts for Dads was well attended on 1/14

§  RIF was on 1/31 and 2/1 and Report cards were distributed on 1/31

§  Kindergarten conferences were the first 2 weeks of February.

§  Kindergarten registration information – online starting on 2/15, a hard copy of the forms will be mailed out.  Postcards have already been sent to the families with students going to Kindergarten in the Fall.  There will be a paper enrollment for Kindergarten in March, an Open House in May for students and parents, an Orientation right before school starts in August and then screening will be after school starts because the students progress a lot over the time between March and August.

§  DIBELS is continuing for Kindergarten and First Grade next year and is expanding to include Second Grade.  The Second Grade program is slightly different than what the students are doing now.

§  Strategic Planning for the district has begun as a large group meeting.  The subgroups will be meeting; then the plan will go to the School Board and the public.

§  Brooke will host 2 high school students for the day on 2/19 from the exchange program with Limerick, Ireland.

 

§    Assemblies

o   Kindergarten  - Perkiomen Watershed on 1/17 and 1/18

o   Fourth Grade – Poison Prevention on 1/23

o   Third and Fourth grades had “Get Up and Go” on 2/8

o   Third Grade – Stuffy from DuPont Hospital will be here on 2/20

 

§  Field Trips:

o   Kindergarten went to the Post Office and will be going to the Vet Center on the 2/28.

 

§  Upcoming Events:

o   Muffins for Moms is upcoming on 3/14.  Not for students; workshop for moms.

o   Valentine’s Day parties are at 2:45 PM on 2/14.

o   President’s Weekend – No school on 2/15 and 2/18.

o   Spirit Day is 2/22

o   Art Goes to School is the week of March 3 through 7.  Volunteers help in Art during the week and show famous art.

 

 

3.   CO-PRESIDENT’S REPORT by Tracie Hackett and Liz Brull:

  • Committee for cards and gifts to the staff and faculty is called the Brooke Home and School Outreach Committee so that it doesn’t get confused with the Teachers’ Sunshine Committee.  Janet Mellon is the chair.  She has already spoken with Mrs. Novis about the 3 books to be donated to the library in honor of the 3 new babies this year – Mr. Ammon, Mrs. Bala and Mrs. Romanelli.
  • Treasure Hunt Night is Saturday, April 5 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM.  Volunteers will be needed for the event.
  • There will be no need for a Wawa Hoagie sale this spring.
  • Box Tops collection is on-going.  There is a contest for the students to win an ice cream party if the class brings in the most box tops.  Cut off is 2/14.  Tuesday morning (2/19) the box tops will be counted.  Mrs. Jeffers will be getting Dixie cups for the winners for the parties which may be on 2/29.
  • We still need a Beatification chair, but Kim McLaughlin is doing a great job with the ficus in the school lobby.
  • Pam Ciresi has purchased the popcorn machine and it has arrived.
  • Spring Spirit Wear – Marlo Oslon is the chair.  Information is as follows:
    • 3 T-shirts (Hot Pink, Light Gray, Athletic Gold). Available in sizes youth S through adult 2X. All will have the logo in Navy Blue. - Cost $8.00
    • Blue mesh athletic shorts. Embroidered logo as shown with thread colors hot pink, athletic gold or light gray available. Available in youth S through 2X. - Cost: $13.00
    • Hooded sweatshirts available in the same colors and sizes as the t-shirts (same design on chest) - Cost: $15.00
    • Baseball cap with embroidered logo as shown. - Cost: $9.00
    • Long sleeve t-shirt with smaller logo on chest. Available in athletic gray and gold with navy blue print. - Cost: $10.00
    • Other: - A 50% deposit is required at time of order and the balance is due at delivery.  We will provide the school with 1 sample of each item to display.  The Spirit Wear committee is responsible for making copies of the order form (we will design and provide an original).  The Spirit Wear committee is responsible for collecting all money from purchasers.  Upon delivery, we will bag all orders and deliver them to the school (boxed according to classroom).  We will replace, free of charge, any item that is defective (i.e.: stain, tear, problem with print). We will not replace any items because the purchaser ordered the wrong size.  There may be an additional charge for items sized over XL. This will be clearly marked on order form.
    • Created by Kevin Keifrider, BT8B Printing - Douglassville PA.
    • General comments – the Ram looks angry or mean.
    • What about Beach towels? – cost is high due to embroidery not screen printing.
  • Teacher Wish List Items:
    • Pretty good suggestions from the faculty and staff.  Possibly do it at the beginning of the year next year with a budget of $2000 to give grants to teachers and staff.
    • Muffins 4 Moms – Mrs. Pronchik – Books for Moms after they reserve one for $5.00.  Will give up to $250.
    • 1/2” Binders (GBC) to make books – Mrs. Smith.  Will give up to $50.
    • Curriculum games – Mr. Laurie – Third grade games.  Will give up to $100
    • Indoor Bowling – Mrs. Messer – will give up to $100.
    • Reading Olympics - Dr. Nepps –  will give up to $230 for T-shirts and $500 for books.  Place Reading Olympics as a line item in next year’s budget.
    • Research is continuing on a request for Mini die cuts – possible cutting pad issues, specific dies desired.
    • Additional tools requested for the habitat – Mrs. Thonus – there will be a shed and there is additional money set aside for the pond.  Also make this a line item in the budget with an increase in the amount because of the pond.
    • Research is continuing for wireless headset for Mrs. Halphen and Mrs. Dilks.
    • Portable sound system – we currently borrow one, so it will be tabled for the future.
    • Research is continuing for Privacy Shields - Mrs. Daly – would like 8 to 10 for tests.
    • Special Olympics – Mrs. Messer – matching t-shirts for students and adults – approximately $150.
    • Approval of these appropriations was motioned by Janice Johnson and seconded by Kim McLaughlin.
    • A letter will be written by K. Pizzuta for all those who entered a Wish List item.
  • Family Fitness Nights – Shirleen Smiley and Sue Jucker – Chairs.  Interest in having them quarterly – 4 times a year.  Have them themed (i.e. Hip Hop instructor before the Dance-a-thon).  Give a participation award.
  • Brooke calendar – when is Market day pick up on the calendar? Could be an error.  Mrs. Halphen researching.

 

4.   SECRETARY’S REPORT by Karen Pizzuta:  Approval of the January meeting minutes was motioned by Janice Johnson and seconded by Kim McLaughlin.

 

5.   TREASURER’S REPORT by Pam Ciresi:

  • Copies of the Treasurer’s Report were available during the meeting.  The account balances as of 2/11/08 are:

                        Commerce Checking             $13,064.34

                        Commerce Savings                $27,799.74

                        Total                                        $40,864.08

  • Our liability account stands at -$7,428.93.
  • A motion to accept and approve the budget was made by Colleen Lelli and seconded by Barb Halphen.
  • Kudos to Christine Mentzer and Barb Halphen for a successful Holiday Happenings – amount earned was above the budgeted amount.
  • Added a line item for Brooke Home and School Outreach Committee - $250.
  • Do all of the teachers know that they have $100 to spend?  Yes, they should but only 13 so far have submitted receipts.

 

6.   COMMITTEE REPORTS:

§  Market Day – Kim McLaughlin and Marlo Oslon

January sale was $1211.38, but there was a discrepancy that Kim is investigating.  Doing OK with volunteers, but asked for continuing help.  Paper orders due into school by 2/19 and online by 2/21.  Next sale pick up date is 2/27. No sale in March due to Spring Break.  Next pick up will be April 2.  Be sure to get anything needed for holidays now.

 

§  Teacher/Staff Appreciation – Joyclyn Faust

Sweet Escapes is the theme for Valentine’s Day – a dessert/lunch thing.  Bring in your food items.  Store bought are ok.

 

§  Yearbook – Janice Johnson

Orders are due by 2/29.  Pictures can be emailed to Janice through the end of March.

 

7.   TEACHER’S REPORT by Mr. Laurie

§  Appreciates all the volunteers who come in to help.  The teachers and staff are very excited about Thursday’s desserts.  Grateful for the opportunity with the Wish Lists.

 

8.   NEW BUSINESS:

§  The Brain Show – March 28 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.  It is a free game show type show.  Like Jeopardy.  Gets families involved as teams.  There will be assemblies on the day of the 3/28.

§  End-of-Year Celebration – not a luau but something special.  BBQ?  Something outside and inside.  Pizza picnics, jugglers, or movie outside.  Is there a vendor listed for a movie projection company in PTO Manager?  Possibly contact Sue Barker, the Head of Parks and Recreation for Upper Providence Township.  Colleen Lelli will ask at Cabrini College what they do for movies.  Possible dunk tank?  Mr. Laurie?

 

 

9.   ADJOURNMENT:  The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. on a motion by Janice Johnson and seconded by Pam Ciresi.