Home and School Association Meeting Minutes - St. Bridget Catholic School

An opening prayer including special prayers for all those in the military and all the people in Haiti.

Pennies from Heaven ticket sales were discussed. As of Monday, 465 tickets have been turned in. More tickets still need to be sold. A special thanks to all of those who have sold and are continuing to sell tickets.

The Mardi Gras Dinner is where the Pennies from Heaven tickets will be drawn on Saturday February 6th. This an adult only event held in the school gymnasium. There will be poker, black jack, Texas hold em and a Money Wheel. Cocktails start at 6pm. There will be a cash bar where volunteers are still needed to do the bar tending. Dinner is being catered by Diane MacDonald starting at 7pm. Tickets are $12 a piece or 2 for $20 which can be purchased in the rectory or sold at the door. Finger food Deserts/Baked goods are also needed.

Daddy Daughter Dance is scheduled for February 13th. Cost is a flat fee of $25 for Dad with any number of Daughter(s). There will be a DJ, dinner, dancing, Fox photography, raffle, and desserts.

April 18th is the date for Touch the Future Style Show. The Style Show raffle items are being put together and tickets will be available soon. Each class has been asked to put together a basket to be raffled. The themes for the baskets have been chosen and will be sent home with the students. The SBS Teachers are going to donate gift cards again for the "Blooming Tree" raffle which brought in around $1500. Anyone interested in donating a basket or items to be put in baskets is greatly appreciated. The committee has 26 baskets completed already. Last year they raffled off 70 baskets. Adds for the program book are now being sold. Please purchase your $10 school family and/or alumni entry soon. There are only 288 seats available for the show. The teachers will be modeling Fashion bug clothes. Tickets will be $25 /person - 8 people at a table so make your reservation soon.

Help is still needed with Sunday night Bingo. Helpers are needed on the bingo teams. We also discussed taking turns with each class donating snacks for the bingo concession.

Joe Arias is the new Assistant AD. There will be a basketball game Thursday night were adults pay $2 and SBS kids get in free. January 23rd at 10am there will be a free throw contest for kids ages 10-14 in the School Gym sponsored and hosted by the Knights of Columbus. Boys volley ball will be starting soon.

Do not call the school office or the rectory to find out if school is closed. You should always look on the emergency school closing web site. http://www.emergencyclosingcenter.com/complete.html

Mr. Pearson spoke about what will be happening for Catholic Schools Week which starts January 31st. All school families are asked to attend the 9:30 Mass at Saint Bridget. There will be a convocation that week and many other activities.

February 1st is St. Bridget Day ... Mass for the school, school families and parishoners will be held at 9:30am. Refreshments will be served for all attending mass immediately following.

The READaTHON is now in progress from January 11 - February 19th. Please read with your children. This is a great program and all are asked to participate.

Singapore Math problem solving and Saint Jude Math-A-Thon are coming up. Saint Bridget families have raised over $10,800 the past few years for Saint Jude Hospital.

The American Red Cross is sponsoring the "Pint Size Heroes" blood drive at Saint Bridget on Monday January 25th from 12:30 to 6:30 pm in the school gym.

Jump Rope for the Heart will be taking place again this year March 1st - 5th.

Monday February 8th there will be a meeting at 6:45pm in the church basement for all SBS Parents with the financial board to discuss next school years contracts.

Revisions to the SBS Handbook are being made. Anyone with suggestions on changes or revisions needs to speak up soon.

Deacon Jamie Lewis spoke about the importance of getting children/families to church on Sundays.

Tuition assistance application forms are now available in the parish office. All families in the Gary Diocese may apply. Approximately $500,000 is distributed on the basis of need to assist Catholic parents in providing a Catholic school education for their children.

American Sign Language Classes are underway. They are being taught by Cheryl Little and held every Friday in the St. Bridget music room from 3:15 to 4:15. Cost is $10 per student. Parents may also participate for $10.00. All proceeds going to Saint Bridget.

Vegas night is scheduled for May 15th. Volunteers are still needed for several things including black jack dealers.

Another Late Night Catechism show is scheduled for Saturday May 22nd at the Art Theater. The title of the show is "Last Rights and Marriage Vows". It is a knock off of the "Newly Wed Game" and supposed to be very comical.

Special prayers are requested for Bill Krienke who is overseas. Kaimi spoke about supplies we can send including travel size hand sanitizers, shampoo, baby wipes, deodorant, soap and toothpaste. A box is going to be placed in the school lobby for those who can donate.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) will supply for free, to anyone who asks, specially packaged Priority Mail supplies for shipping "care kits" to members of the U. S. Military stationed overseas. Each kit includes the following: 4 Priority Mail Flat-Rate 'shoe box' - type shipping boxes' 6 Priority Mail Flat-Rate "garment box" - type shipping boxes; 10 Priority Mail labels; 1 roll of Priority Mail tape; 10 custom forms with envelope.

To obtain a free kit of supplies, simply call the USPS' packaging supplies order line at 1-800-610-8734, select option #1 (Express Mail, Priority mail or Global Express Guaranteed products), and ask a customer service agent for CAREKIT04 (or a "military kit"). You need only supply your name, address, and phone number, and they'll get a kit to you that should arrive in 7-10 days. (This offer includes only packing materials - senders who use these materials still have to pay the requisite postage themselves.) Tips on mailing boxes oversea: http://usps.com/supportingourtroops

MEETING MINUTES FOR ST. BRIDGET CATHOLIC SCHOOL HSA MEETING November 4, 2009

In an attempt to keep everyone informed as to what is happening at our HSA meetings, here are notes from the meeting held at 6:30pm on 11/4/09 in the school gym.

Items discussed at the meeting include:

Sales of Pennies from Heaven tickets - at least one ticket is due by the first of each month.

Family Sock Hop Scheduled for January 16th. We discussed 1950's dress up or bring in can good to get in free, pot luck food, etc. Anyone interested in offering ideas or helping please contact Bonnie Olson or Sue Behnke.

We are still going to do a Daddy/Daughter Date night in February.

We discussed helping setup after school Friday 11/6/09 for the craft bazaar being put together by Tyra Serrano.

Late night Catechism coming soon. Each family is required to sell 2 tickets ($25 per ticket). The show takes place November 21st at 2:00 p.m. at the Art Theater.

SBS Alumni Committee is making good progress having a professional company find alumni.

Terrie Jackowski can always use help with Bingo which takes place in the school gym every Sunday evening. You can join a team or just help as a substitue. It is an easy and fun way to help out and meet your service hour requirments.

Gold Canyon Candles and Pizza fund raising was postponed (will not be this month).

A & B Honor roll students are going to be invited to a pancake breakfast with Mr. Pearson.

Mr. Pearson is getting involved with Kiwanis BUG (Bring Up Grades) program.

Breakfast with Santa is scheduled for Saturday Morning from 10 - 12 on December 5th. Please contact Bonnie Olson if you are able to bring in a baked good and Hawaiian Punch. There will be a craft and coloring contest, sitting on Santa's lap and while supplies last, we have stuffed animals that each child will get after their visit with Santa. Pictures with Santa will also be available.

Karate classes were a great success all proceeds went directly to Saint Bridget's around $600.

The Preschool playground has been repaired. We are now looking for volunteers to help clean up the playground equipment. We need someone to donate new or gently used swings and help with cleanup of existing equipment. Please contact Sue Behnke if you can help.

Advent Family night is Nov 23rd - should be a nice dinner and time with family and friends. Contact Mrs. Shaw for more details.

Please contact Don Parlock regarding sports - he is currently looking for a female coach to help out with the girls team.

Please ask friends and relatives that work at PB to donate their "Fabric of America" $500 donation to Saint Bridget School.

MEETING MINUTES FOR ST. BRIDGET CATHOLIC SCHOOL HSA MEETING May 27th, 2009:

Parish Festival Thursday through Sunday, July 16, 17, 18 & 19 - SBS
Cookbook available for purchase
Back to School Night – Friday, August 21st
First Day of School – Monday, August 24th (Half Day)
Golf Outing – Saturday, September 5th
Sock Hop Saturday, January 16, 2010

Fundraising
Not Final Yet … presentation will be made at "Back To School" Night

MEETING OPENING: Mike Uhles opened the meeting with a brief welcome and informed everyone that Mr. Pearson asked the new HSA board to hold meeting. Mr. Uhles acknowledge and apologized for the lack of communication that a reminder did not go out. We will proceed nonetheless.

REPORT from Bonnie Olson -
St. Bridget Golf Outing is set for September 5th. It’s being organized by Mark Olson, Deron Replin, Dan Radinsky

Cookbook – there are currently 400 recipes. They will be sold for $15 during the Parish Festival along with Beef Jerky during the St. Bridget Parish Festival on July 16, 17, 18 & 19. It will feature the school family photo that was taken, and we’re looking forward to a positive response, and good sales.

Booth at Jamboree Festival June 13th – St. Bridget will have a booth during this street festival from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. to promote our school (and parish?). Some discussion was had regarding what print material to have available. It was decided that the two-sided, color direct mail postcard would be the best communication piece. Diane Arias will make that available to Bonnie by June 11th.

REPORT from Amy Heuring -
SCRIPS – Looking to add more business participation with SCRIPS. There are forms available at the rectory. We will approach businesses to make purchases using our SCRIPS. If you know of any companies that can make a large purchases. Call Amy for more details.

A tentative schedule of fundraising events has been put together and will be presented during Back to School night on Friday, August 21st

REPORT from Terrie Jackowski –
Bingo – Still currently operating under Knights of Columbus at St. Bridget and their license has not officially been transferred to our facility. We continue to have it each Sunday, and it’s going well. There is a good mixture. We average 47 to 57 people attending netting about $300. K of C’s license is up on the 31st. We do have to dip into what we earn to fill payouts, etc. But all in all it’s steady and we’re working on building it. Still looking for a 4-6 man breakdown team to work to be available at 8:45 p.m. each Sunday. With the right number of people it is a 15 to 20 minute job.

REPORT from Diane Arias -
Marketing and Enrollment Status – Second direct mail campaign postcard will be in the mail within the next week. We have a solid Kindergarten class for the fall, still working on filling out the full day 4 yr old and 3-yr old programs. The 2nd direct mail piece focuses on the Kindergarten and Pre-K programs and invites those interested to our website or to come in for a tour.

ADDITIONAL Topics of Discussion:
4th of July Parade – Suggestion was made that bags are printed up and distributed down parade route prior to parade. Printer and costs need to be sourced. Also, there was discussion on selling grilled goods prior to, thru and after the Parade.

Grant Writing – Efforts need to be continued to be made for Grant Writing. We acknowledged that Mrs. Barker has spent quite a bit of time and effort toward this. Other suggestions came from Sue Behnke as well as Nancy Moore. It was shared and discussed that there is money available through Home Depot. Nancy Moore – Inquired about grant writing and offered to find out more on what her or her husband can do.

Job Postings – Nancy Moore made a suggestion to have run list of odd jobs that need to be done in and our parish or schools. Jobs such as painting, clean-up and tending to the outdoors are all things she mentioned could be taken care of with parents and other volunteers with a few hours of time, material that is on hand and effort. Some asked about cement pots that have been used in the past, and Mr. Bonta is still in the process of trying to find them. Amy Heuring mentioned that a job posting list is in the works that can be put up soon on our school site.

Haunted House – Currently, the Haunted House is set to run in October 2009 and is part of our calendar of Fundraising Events. There was some discussion and some questioning on whether the Haunted House should run for another year. Suggestions were made on creating two shifts of workers to be inside "haunting" the house to get through line quicker before children tire. Also a change in how people enter/exit was mentioned as well. There was a general feeling that even if it might not have drawn the profit we expected/wanted, it does draw a large crowd to participate at a function at our school. Also, a parent volunteer, Anthony Carroll is still waiting on getting equipment returned that he lended to the school. Mike Uhles volunteered to follow up to track down that item for Mr. Carroll.

Newsletter – There was discussion on having a bi-weekly newsletter that includes a calendar of upcoming events, teacher bio and it will involve the junior high somehow to put it together.

Playground –A question was raised about the status of the playground being repaired. We are awaiting repairs to the pre-school play area and hope to have it opened back up real soon

Meeting Minutes for St. Bridget Catholic School HSA Meeting January 13, 2010

MEETING MINUTES FOR ST. BRIDGET CATHOLIC SCHOOL HSA MEETING November 4, 2009

MEETING MINUTES FOR ST. BRIDGET CATHOLIC SCHOOL HSA MEETING May 27th, 2009: