BROOKE ELEMENTARY

HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

 

 

THE NEXT MEETING IS MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2007

AT 7:00 PM IN THE SCHOOL LIBRARY

 

 

MONTHLY MEETING MINUTES FOR SEPTEMBER 10, 2007

Number of people attending:  27

 

1.   CALL TO ORDER:  Suzanne Mosebrook called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.

 

2.   PRINCIPAL’S REPORT by Dr. Mackel:

 

§  Current enrollment at Brooke is 430.  This is the smallest enrollment in Brooke’s 17 year history.  It is 135 students less than the end of the 2006-2007 school year.  The current enrollment is exactly where Brooke should be and marks a new phase for us.

§  We had a successful transition to Limerick and Evans Elementary Schools.

§  Thanks to Barbara Halphen, Barbara Dilks, George Powell and his crew for all the hard work they did during the summer to get ready for the new school year.

§  Brooke has two new teachers this year:  Mrs. Julie Stadulis, 1st grade; and JR Clark, Speech Therapist.

§  Over the summer, new fire alarm and smoke detector systems were installed.  Had fire drill for staff; planning student fire drill in a few weeks.  The new system is in all classrooms, hallways, bathrooms, classroom bathrooms, and in the cafeteria.  This is in anticipation of the new sprinkler system, for which the Engineering Report is being developed for presentation to the S-F School Board.  Anticipated installation is summer of 2008.

§  Thanks to the Teacher Appreciation Committee for the Welcome Back Breakfast last week.

§  Back-to-School Night on September 6 was a success.

§  We are starting a new assessment for kindergarten and first grade called DIBELS.  These are short indicators that last about 1 minute and are a good way to tell if a child is on track for letter identification and phonics.  These assessments involve Dr. Nepps and the child’s teacher and will occur 3 times during the year.

§  The Habitat area is completed and was dedicated in May 2007.  We are preparing for phase 2, which is the installation of a pond.  The proposal has been written and will be presented to the S-F School Board for approval.

§  Skyward is a new computer program that replaces Lettergrade.  It is a comprehensive program for attendance, grades, purchasing, transportation, and personnel.  A letter was sent home with each student on September 10.  If there are any questions about using this new program, please contact Barbara Dilks.

 

§  Field Trips:

o   Miss Zummo’s class will start their community-based field trips on September 21.

o   On October 5, Third grade will visit Daniel Boone Homestead.

 

§  Upcoming Events:

o   There is no school on September 13.

o   October 2 is Author Day.  The author this year is Bruce Van Patter.  He will also present an evening performance on October 2, to be held at Brooke in conjunction with Royersford Elementary.

o   Class pictures are scheduled for Wednesday, October 3.

o   Fall Fun Fair is Friday, October 5.

o   Walking Club is set to start in mid-October.  Will include grades 3 and 4.

 

3.   PRESIDENT’S REPORT by Suzanne Mosebrook:

 

  • Thanks to everyone for attending.
  • Thanks also to the Board for helping with the transition.  Suzanne is looking forward to a great year.
  • There are a lot of opportunities for volunteers this year at Brooke.

 

4.   SECRETARY’S REPORT by Liz Brull:  Approval of the May minutes was motioned by Kim McLaughlin and seconded by Gina Ciocco-Schmitt.

 

5.   TREASURER’S REPORT by Pam Ciresi:

 

  • Copies of the Treasurer’s Report were available during the meeting.  The account balances as of 9/10/07 are:

                        Commerce Checking             $ 4,949.17

                        Commerce Savings                $27,764.73

                        Total                                        $32,713.90

  • Our liability account stands at -$6,528.93.
  • The 2007/08 budget is based on 450 students.
  • Budget includes $650 under Miscellaneous for Brooke folders given to each student as a gift from Home & School.  They will be distributed with Wednesday Folders on 9/12.  Additional folders will be available for purchase during School Store hours.
  • As of 9/10, 204 families have joined the Brooke Home & School Association.
  • A motion to accept and approve the budget was made by Tonia Leonard and seconded by Janice Johnson.

 

6.   VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT by Tracie Hackett:

 

§  Belated thanks to all who attended the Brooke Luau at the end of the school year.

§  Tracie will be sending instructions to all committee chairs on how to use PTO Manager.  If you have any questions, please contact her.

§  There has been discussion about possibly replacing or augmenting the kindergarten playground equipment.  Right now decision is on hold, but if we move forward, will need to raise funds.  District is now charging 20% of purchase price for maintenance fee to replace worn-out equipment bought by Home & School Associations.

§  The Home & School popcorn machine is currently in need of repair.  Would like a volunteer to work on investigating whether or not it is worth having this repair work done.  A new popcorn machine is $500.

§  Thanks to Hospitality Committee and Linda Grossman for the great job on refreshments for the first two school events:  Kindergarten Orientation and Back-to-School Night.

 

 

7.   COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

§  Basket Bingo – April Smokowicz and Ruth Horwatt

This is a Longaberger Basket Bingo scheduled for October 19.  Ruth Horwatt reported that they still need items to fill the baskets.  Anything you can donate is greatly appreciated.  Donations can be brought to Brooke or picked up by April Smokowicz or Ruth.  They also need volunteers to work the event.

 

§  Beautification – Brandy Highley

Suzanne Mosebrook raised the possibility of this committee running the wreath and poinsettia sales for Holiday Happenings.  This needs further investigation.

 

§  Book Fair – Dana Rosenblum and Tracie Hackett

Our first book fair is scheduled for November 12 – 16.  This is a very big sale for us.  Also, requested that Family Night Book Bingo replace Pizza Night.  Christine Mentzer volunteered to run Book Bingo.  Need to determine date for Book Bingo.

 

§  Box Tops and eScrip – Gina Ciocco-Schmitt

First deadline for Box Tops is 10/31/07, so please send in your box tops.  We can also raise funds through shopping online at Box Tops Marketplace.  They donate 5-12% of the purchase to Brooke.

 

Genuardi’s has a Back-to-School promotion right now through eScrip which has raised $300 for Brooke.  Also through eScrip, funds are raised through recycling toner cartridges.  Send old cartridges into the office.

 

§  Dance-a-Thon/Movin’ N’ Groovin Night – Tracie Hackett and Pam Ciresi

This is the big fall fundraiser taking place on November 2 from 6:00 to 8:00.  We’re using DJ Jeremy Pavlow again (the Luau DJ).  There will be raffles throughout the evening for those children present.  We also hope to have a few intermissions during which teachers will perform.  Families will receive sponsor packets in the next few weeks.  Mrs. Kodish has volunteered to teach dances to the kids during physical education class.  Siblings are welcome to this event. At least 5 elementary schools in the district are having Dance-a-Thons this year.  Our fundraising goal is $6,000. 

 

§  Family Fit Nights – Shirleen Smiley

Shirleen may schedule a Family Fit Night for February.  If you have any ideas, please contact her.

 

§  First Grade Publishing Center – Megan Schaeffer

Liz Brull reported that if you volunteered for this committee, you won’t be asked to help until January or February.  The books must be written by the children before this committee starts its work.

 

§  Holiday Happenings –

This craft show is scheduled for Saturday, December 1.  There are several chairs for this committee, including:  Barbara Halphen – crafters; Kim McLaughlin – cookie sales; Raelene Jeffers – food; Linda Grossman – breakfast.  We still need an overall coordinator for this fundraiser.  Please contact one of the board members if interested.  This committee chair position needs to be filled quickly so that this event is a success.

 

§  Hospitality – Linda Grossman

We have had three successful events so far.  Need a lot of volunteers to provide refreshments for National Education Week – November 12-16.

 

§  KidsArt – Sue Jucker

Suzanne Mosebrook reported that Sue is looking into doing something different this year; notepads, stamps or address labels are all possibilities.  These options are currently being investigated.

 

§  KidStuff Books – Liz Brull

Books were distributed on September 5.  The sale ends on Friday, September 21.  We make $12.50 on every book that is sold.  This is a big fundraiser for Brooke.

 

§  Market Day – Kim McLaughlin, Marlo Oslon & Jenn DeRosa

This month’s sale pick-up is Wednesday, September 19, from 7:00-8:00.  Still need volunteers for phone calls, cashiers, double checkers and to unload the truck from 6:00 -7:00 on September 19.

 

§  Public Relations – Janice Johnson

Janice is heading up this new committee to submit pictures and articles to the local papers about Brooke events.  Pictures of public events (Dance-a-Thon and Family Fun Nights, etc.) may be submitted directly to Janice via CD or e-mail.  Classroom pictures must be cleared through the office before being sent to Janice.

 

§  Restaurants – Pam Ciresi

Pam is looking into several local restaurants for Spirit Nights.  The first one will probably be at Chik-Fil-A.  Other possibilities are; Texas Roadhouse, Applebee’s, KFC/Taco Bell and Outback.  10-20% of the restaurant bill is donated back to Brooke.

 

§  School Store – Tracy Glovier

Suzanne reported that Tracy is planning on starting the School Store in October.  Each Friday of the month during lunch period, the store will be open to a different grade; the first week, first grade; second week, second grade, etc.  This will minimize the amount of time volunteers will need to commit and allow parents to volunteer during their child’s “week”.

 

§  Spirit Wear – Suzanne Mosebrook

Suzanne will be trying different vendors this year.  She is planning to have samples available for Fall Fun Fair on October 5.  Products will be available to purchase for the holidays.  If you have any suggestions, please contact Suzanne.

 

§  Teacher/Staff Appreciation – Joyclyn Faust & Robin Seifert

This committee hosted a Welcome Back breakfast on September 6.  Would like to do a Halloween Lunch and will need volunteers to help with this.

 

§  The Great Treasure Hunt  – Mrs. Rickard & Jennifer Ludgate

This is a Family Event scheduled for Saturday, 3/29.  The committee will need a lot of volunteers for this big family day.

 

 

§  Wednesday Folders – Tonia Leonard & Cindy Begg

These folders are filled on Tuesday mornings in the cafeteria.  If you would like to help but have small children, they are welcome to come along.  This takes about an hour and, depending on the number of volunteers, you may only need to help once a month.

 

§  Yearbook – Janice Johnson

Janice will look into adding more color pages and how this would affect cost.  She may also expand the fourth grade section.  If interested in submitting photos, please let Janice know.

 

8.   TEACHER’S REPORT by Barbara Halphen:

 

§  Fall Fun Fair is Friday, October 5.  Mr. Laurie is looking for helpers with set-up, clean-up and ticket sales.