SSRS Parents’ Committee Meeting

March 6, 2011

The White Room, BSKI

The meeting was called to order at 10:15 by Ruth Battle. There were eight people in attendance, including Anita. Hazzan Dunklin sat in as her duties allowed. It was noted that the third graders were not in session and only one third grade parent was in attendance. It was also noted that no parent from any grade over third was in attendance. There was a brief discussion on why the upper grades were not represented.

Old Business

Uplan

The cancelled Uplan on February 27 was discussed. Anita once again apologized for not announcing the cancellation earlier. Improving the RSVP/Cancellation Plan/Decision process was discussed. The agreement with the teachers was that the event would be cancelled if there were less than 5 families attending. With just over 50 families at SSRS, this is reasonable. Since food is provided, there are costs to SSRS in addition to the additional duty to our staff involved.

The first Uplan was also discussed. There were about 15 students in attendance. Some enjoyed it, other people felt over whelmed by the Hebrew immersion format of the Uplan. Two committee members were at the first Uplan and did not plan on attending future Uplanim.

The E-news letter

Several people found the SSRS E-news hard to read. Many people read their email on their phones, not regular computer screens.  The options available to us through Constant Contact were discussed as well as some of the reporting features available through Constant Contact. There was some discussion about sending individual grade emails. Most committee members receive a great deal of email and would prefer only a few emails from SSRS, not more. Anita also pointed out that many SSRS events are for the entire SSRS community. This includes SSRS Shabbats. Even though only one grade is “participating” the entire school is invited and should attend.

It was resolved that the E-news would be reformatted for better readability on multiple devices and to have the ability to jump to grade specific information.

Room Parents

It would improve communications if each room had a room parent. Goal: Have a room parent for each room on the first day of school, 2011-12.

Chocolate Sales

SSRS has orders for $370.00 in chocolates. We will realize a net profit of about 30% ($110.) This does not count any orders that were made online. We will receive about 30% on any online orders as well. In addition, we received $70 in straight donations and a very generous pledge to match our profit from the chocolate sales. TODAH RABA!

End of the Year/Lag B’Omer celebration

We still need a chair for this event. This will be Sunday May 22, Lag B’Omer and the last day of classes. This will be a different event than the Shaare Zedek Lab B’Omer bonfire.

New Business

Family Social Activity

A monthly after Sunday class social event was discussed. Several people commented that their children are have few Jewish friends/classmates. The Parents’ Committee meeting days were suggested as a good date for this event/activity.

Shabbat Initiative

SSRS has submitted a grant proposal for a Shabbat Initiative for SY 2011-12. The plan is for there to be five family Shabbat events during the school year. This is a part of a continual experiential learning system. The Initiative will begin with one event a month with a goal of a Shabbat activity every other weekend.  Activities will be chosen that do not conflict with living Jewishly.

This prompted serious discussion. It was noted that some families plan for other activities on Saturdays reserving Sunday for Religious School. An every other week schedule would make it difficult or impossible to participate in these other activities. Weekly dance and sports teams were the two conflict areas noted. Anita reminded the committee that we are a Conservative Jewish organization and Shabbat is the most important holiday. When it was pointed out that we may lose students with this schedule, the reply was ‘It is what it is.’

Book Sale August/September 2011

Alan Portman will chair the event. There was another parent who offered to help. She will be contacted. Alan will review the vendors and report back to the comittee.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:40.
Next Meeting: April 3, 2011 at 10:15, after Havdallah, BSKI