Family School Community Partnership

What is it?     This is a committee setup to foster better communication between the family, school, and community.      

Who is on it?  There are eight staff members from Gibbsboro School and two community representatives. 

When do we meet?  We meet on the second Tuesday of every month.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

1.  Career Day-January 31, 2001 (Snow date: Feb 7)

2.  Read Across America-September-June

3. Calling all Senior Citizens! Click here for more information

4. Dr. Seuss' Birthday Celebration: Read across in America (pictures from last year)

6. Pictures from Family Fun Night (pictures from last year.)

Minutes from the First Meeting, 9/19

The first meeting of the new school year for the Family+School+Community Partnership was held on September 19,2000, at 11:40 in Mrs. Murphy’s room.   Present at the meeting were Barbara Cowdright, Pat Kirincic, Sandra Alberti, Bonnie Jones, Lorraine Balut, Sharon Maher, Lois Leonberg, Marilyn Patterson, Carla McIlmail, Michele Stevens, and Diane DiRenzo.  Kathy Cloherty and Pam Guth were not present due to lunch duty as well as Angela Magenta who had a previous commitment.

 It was announced that several other staff members would be willing to help the committee with its work.  They are Jack Farley, Angie Berges, Pat Slager, and Debbie Murphy.

 The following issues were discussed:

1.      Computer Workshops were reviewed and it was agreed to postpone having one this year due to low attendance.  Over the course of this year, the committee will discuss ways to draw more people to this workshop such as scheduling at different times of the year where weather would not be a problem and a time when more seniors would be able to attend.  We will also look into utilizing Eastern’s facilities as they have more computers available.

2.      Notification of Family+School+Community Partnership meetings will go in “The Bridge” advertising the meetings that are held on the 2^nd Tuesday of each month from 11:40 until 12:38.

3.      Career Day was discussed as being a valuable program.  This is for Junior High students.  Sharon, Lorraine, Pat K., and Pat S. will help to set up the participants.  We have been fortunate to be able to reach right into the community for people willing to come to the school.  The date was set for Wednesday, January 31, 2001 (raindate for February 7^th).  The library is open during 5^th period for welcoming the speakers and serving refreshments.  We will try to have 4 rotations of 20 minutes each (during 6^th and 7^th periods) so to better utilize the time available to students and speakers.

4.      The Senior Reading Program will again be run this year.  This is for K-4.  Since we ran the program last year, and have one year under “our belts,” we are going to try to start earlier this year.  The seniors typically stay for one-half hour to one-hour time slots.  This is done once a week.  The teachers will be surveyed regarding when they’d like to have a senior come in to help.   Advertisements will be in “The Bridge” as well as by word of mouth.  (If clubs get started we will also advertise for seniors to help here as well because so many of them have talents we can tap into.)

5.      Class Career Trips were also discussed.  The H.S.A. already has allocated $1000 for this program.   The grade involved are K-5.  Last year the classes went to:

K- Shop Rite                 1^st – Eastern’s TV studio

2^nd Commerce Bank     3^rd – Camden County Sheriff’s Office

4^th – McGuire AFB      5^th – Courier Post

We will ask the staff if they want to keep the above or change.  Pam Guth gave us brochures on the Pequest Trout Hatchery and Resource Center.  We will look into this as a possibility of fitting in with the “career” program.

6.      Other issues:

A.       CPR workshop will be held

B.       PRIDE IN EDUCATION program possibilities utilizing Mrs. New Jersey, Nancy Schmidt, whose platform encourages parents to get involved in their child’s education.  Possibly having her attend an H.S.A. meeting as a speaker.

C.       Night program for parents and 8^th grade students where Eastern High School personnel can speak about the “how to’s”  before our students go.  Possibly discuss the procedures (not just course selection) on how to change courses, how to contact staff, etc.  Marilyn volunteered to talk with Mrs. Alberti regarding this – and connecting it with the night meeting with Mr. Shull when he goes over course selections.

D.       “Inside Voorhees” is a newsletter that offers “free advertisement.”  We might want to submit articles about our activities as well as advertise for volunteers for our programs.

E.        Night programs - Bonnie Jones suggested that we might look into Roger Taylor who makes a wonderful presentation on Gifted Programs.  Cost might be an issue.

F.        The next Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for October 17^th although this date may change.

G.       The Reading Across America/DEAR program will definitely be in affect again this year due to the tremendous responses from everyone.  Bonnie, Kathy, Lois, Carla, Angela, and Marilyn volunteered to be on the committee.  We will also approach Patti Pawling and Sandy Miller to see if they wish to continue to be on the committee.  Angela already has an idea for the nighttime festivities – “Survivor.”  It was agreed that we need to find more guest readers to handle the crowd.

H.       We might look into the possibility of a Reader challenge – staff involvement of some type :>)

I.           We tabled the discussion about having a Big Brother-Big Sister Program for Junior High students.

 The meeting was adjourned at 12:38 until October 10, 2000.

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