Shaare Shalom Religious School
Parents’ Committee Monthly Meeting
May 1, 2011 10:20 am
BSKI White Room

The Lag B’Omer end of the year event

A hand out was distributed with a request for parent volunteers and a list of items still needed for the event.  There was a lengthy discussion on what would be happening, who would be staffing and the overall time table.  It was made clear that parents were expected to stay at the event with their children.

Committee questions/answers

1. Where will the event be in the event of rain? In the auditorium.
2. The handout lists sno cones, pop corn and cotton candy. Are these available? The SZUSY popcorn machine did not survive Purim this year and is no longer available. Unless a sponsor can be found, these will need to be scrapped.
3. Can the respective USY chapters staff the event? No.
4. How will food be provided or sold? The SZ Men’s club will be selling hot dogs, etc. directly to the food. The prices would be similar to the prices at the SZ Purim carnival, very reasonable. Soda about 50 cents a can, hot dogs about $2.00.

Several parents in attendance volunteered to staff as needed. May 22 is a paid day for the SSRS teachers and they will be working at the event.

We are still looking for a sponsor for an inflatable. The best price so far is around $800.

Old Business

Alan Portman will chair the book fair for the 2011-12 school year. The book fair will be in the first two weeks of school. The format will be a traditional book fair with titles available that can be purchased on the spot and additional books can be ordered for direct delivery.

Lori Raffelson will chair the Passover Candy Sales. Her goal is to start earlier and hopefully do better than we did this year. With a limited selling window, we did quite well (net) with the candy sales. It was suggested to try to involve the congregations next year.

Other food/fundraising ideas were suggested.

We need someone to coordinate room parents for next year.

New Business

Registration is open for the 2011-12 school year. Tuition will be higher. Tuition was set this year based on limited financial records being available. 2011-12 tuition is based on a more accurate picture of SSRS’s costs and income.

The SSRS Board will be awarding a volunteer of the year award at the end of the year.

The board is happy with Anita’s performance this year. It is hoped that the position can be expanded for next year.

The parents survey was discussed. About 1/3 of households filled out the survey. Maintaining the current class schedule (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday) is the overwhelming favorite. The complete results will be presented to the board.

Ideas for next school year

A concern was raised that “my child is bored” with religious school. It was suggested that there should be break/snack time for the younger children. Classes should be more experiencal and  interactive. Perhaps parents could sponsor snacks for next year.

Meeting adjourned at 11:40.

No schedule for the Parents' Committee Meetings for 2011-12 was available.