Latest News
Message from the Parents Council President
Summer Opportunities Fair: So What Are You Doing this Summer?
Potpourri 2012 — Gaining Momentum for the 44th Big Event!
The Producers Take a Leading Role
Parents Council Board Seeks Nominations
Message from the Parents Council President
Thank you to the Parents Council volunteers who helped make the first half of this school year so successful. Now on to the second half!
To get the ball rolling, we have the Summer Opportunities Fair from 10 am to 3 pm, this Saturday (January 28) at Whitfield. This is a collaborative effort of the parents organizations of Burroughs, MICDS, and Whitfield. It provides the opportunity for parents of children ages 3 to 18 to meet with representatives from 160 camps, clubs, learning centers, outdoor educational programs, summer schools, athletic camps, tutorial services, travel programs, advanced education programs, dance schools, art camps and more. This year's fair will be at Whitfield. It's a great place to start in planning activities for your child's summer.
For a synopsis of what's in store for the rest of the second semester, refer to the Parents Council Highlights postcard (right) that you received before the school year began. Or click here for an online list of Parents Council events.
Added since the highlights postcard was printed is Back to School Night, returning this year by popular demand on Wednesday, February 8, and sponsored by the Parents Council. It’s a great opportunity to get in the classroom and witness the incredible passion and talent that Burroughs faculty members share with our students each and every day. Click here for registration information.
There’s still room for parent help with the Dance Marathon on Friday, February 3. Contact Kris Milner or Julie Kolberg for details.
Continue reading for news from Summer Opportunities Fair, Back to School Night, Potpourri, Auction and Family Network committees.
Summer Opportunities Fair: So What Are You Doing this Summer?
Or, more importantly, what are your kids doing this summer? The 36th Annual Summer Opportunities Fair will be from 10 am to 3 pm, Saturday, January 28, at Whitfield (175 South Mason Road, 63141).
The fair will feature representatives from 160 camps, clubs, learning centers, outdoor educational programs, summer schools, athletic camps, tutorial services, travel programs, advanced education programs, dance schools, art camps and more. Programs are available for children ranging in age from preschool through high school. This free event is for all St. Louis families and is a community service effort through the parent organizations of Burroughs, MICDS and Whitfield School. For more information, visit www.summeropportunitiesfair.org.
—Chair Helen Kouvelis
Back to School Night Returns
After a year's hiatus, our Parents Council is thrilled to be sponsoring Back to School Night, which will take place on Wednesday, February 8, 2012, from 7 to 9:30 pm (registration, 6:45 to 7:15 pm). Back to School Night is a fun and popular event which gives members of the JBS community an opportunity to come to campus and learn about faculty members' passions and hobbies in a casual and informal setting. Contact Nancy Cusanelli to find out what classes are still available. Looking forward to seeing you there!
—Co-chairs Barb Liberman and Cathy Carney
Potpourri 2012 — Gaining Momentum for the 44th Big Event!
We are well underway with planning for Potpourri 2012. Thank you to all the parents who have pitched in so far! We do still need a bit more help in a few areas (especially sporting goods, electronics, and lamps, luggage and pictures), so please contact one of us if you can help (Samantha Bledsoe, Cathy Brown or Constance Reis).
Time to sign up for Raffle Tickets & Bakery Donations
As the largest fundraiser sponsored by the Parents Council, Potpourri involves almost every family at Burroughs. Each year, via an e-mail link to an online form, Potpourri organizers ask families for their participation. We hope that you will take a few moments to place your Raffle order, pledge to donate baked goods, and sign up to volunteer at Potpourri.
Last year, 50 percent of JBS families responded to the online form. This year our goal is 75 percent response. The e-mail will arrive in your inbox in late February with a subject line that reads “JBS Raffle Order Form.” The sooner you reply, the better. As an added incentive, the first 100 families to purchase raffle tickets via the online form will be entered in a drawing to receive an additional 25 raffle tickets free of charge. Should you fail to take advantage of the online form, we will gladly track you down by telephone.
The Raffle: Get Gaga Over Popo (Potpourri)
We on the 2012 Raffle Committee are gaga over this year's Potpourri raffle. We are assembling great prizes that the kids will be gaga over, too. We are trying to drive raffle ticket sales by having really exciting, but not over-the-top prizes each day. Every day in assembly we will have a theme song with themed prizes. Please contact Michelle Trulaske or Meg Shinkle to donate or share your great ideas!
The Student Raffle drawings are held at morning assemblies during Potpourri week, from April 23 to April 27. Each day’s drawing generates excitement and stimulates student interest in Potpourri as names are drawn for prizes that include the latest electronic gadget, sports and concert tickets and merchant gift cards. Parents can buy raffle tickets for their JBS students through the e-mail order form ($3 per ticket or 10 tickets for $25). The cost of the tickets will be store-carded. Students may also buy Raffle tickets in the bookstore after spring break. Stay tuned for further details on a special prize for the class that purchases the most Raffle tickets.
The Bake Sale
The Bake Sale takes place on Wednesday and Thursday of Potpourri week, April 25 and 26. All delicious home-baked (if possible!) sale items are donated by JBS families and are greatly enjoyed by the entire JBS community. In the same online form that requests your Raffle order, you will also have the opportunity to let the bakery committee know what you would like to donate, and which day you plan to deliver your goodies. The Bake Sale committee will send a reminder postcard to each parent who volunteers to bring baked goods to the Bake Sale.
Your Time
The final section of the online Potpourri form asks for your time. We realize that many of you already have given countless (and priceless) hours to Potpourri 2012. Thank you! You may have already been contacted by various Potpourri co-chairs and promised to help with move in on Saturday, April 21 and set up the following week. For those of you who have yet so say, “YES” to helping with Potpourri, or have an extra free morning or afternoon during set-up week, please sign up on the volunteer portion of the online form. We hope that you volunteer wherever you can, and as often as you can. Potpourri offers a wonderful opportunity to meet parents from across all grades, and any amount of your time is greatly appreciated.
Meanwhile, the Potpourri sorters continue to bring order to the chaos in the sort room. Donations arrive daily so please consider joining Jennifer McDonnell (sort chair) along with many other parents on one or more of the following sort dates from 8:30 to 10:30 am in the sort room:
February 2, 11, 16, 28
March 3, 8, 13
April 3, 12, 17
May 10, 15, 22
Thank you in advance for your response to our Raffle/Bakery/Volunteer form!
—Co-chairs Samantha Bledsoe, Cathy Brown, and Constance Reis
JBS Auction: Bet on Burroughs
The Burroughs Auction is fast approaching! Our theme this year is "Bet On Burroughs." You can show your support by donating sports memorabilia, certificates to fabulous restaurants, tickets to games, gift cards, or any other item you may have to offer. If you have a wonderful piece of art or photography just waiting for a new home, we can add it to our art auction.
Can't think of anything? You can help us underwrite a trip to Las Vegas in any amount or donate a bottle of wine for our wine pull. Don't miss the February 24th deadline to contribute and have your name listed in the catalog. Play your cards right. Donate today. Contact either of us (Alex McNett or Aixa Martínez) with your suggestions.
—Co-chairs Aixa Martínez and Alex McNett
Family Network
Don't miss these opportunities to learn about issues of interest to parents and to connect with other members of the Burroughs community.
Book Clubs
All parents are encouraged to participate in these fun and informative discussions led by members of the Burroughs faculty on the Burroughs campus. These discussions are very low pressure, in fact having read the book is not a requirement.
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Oleanna by David Mamet |
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Cakewalk: A Memoir by Kate Moses |
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The Blessing of a B- by Dr. Wendy Mogel |
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Parent as Coach: Helping Your Teen Build a Life of Confidence, Courage and Compassion by Diana Haskins |
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The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid |
We hope you will plan to join us as often as you can. We will inform you of the details of upcoming Book Clubs and other Family Network gatherings as they solidify.
Family Network Committee Meeting
Please note the new date and time for the next meeting — noon, Wednesday, February 15 in the Haertter Hall conference room. All JBS parents are invited and encouraged to attend.
—Co-chairs Cathy Herman and Jeanne Maritz
The Producers Take a Leading Role
The Producers are staging several events in the upcoming months. First up is a reception before the musical "Babes in Arms" on Saturday, February 25, catered by Robust (owned by Stanley and Arlene Maminta Browne '88) before curtain time. Tickets are $25 and may be reserved in advance by e-mailing Laurie Garland. More details to follow. Last year's event was a perfect opportunity to visit over a delicious menu before the production.
The Producers is a group of parents who support the arts at JBS. From assisting Brian Connor (Industrial Technology; Theatre) in his set building for plays, to baking cookies for pre-performance concessions sale, to distributing fliers around town to help publicize performances, the group is currently "auditioning" for volunteers. Contact either of us (Laurie Garland or Susan Sherman) if you would like to help with arts events through the remainder of the year.
—Co-chairs Laurie Garland and Susan Sherman
Parents Council Board Seeks Nominations
The Nominating Committee of the Parents Council Board is seeking parent nominations for the 2012-13 school year. If there’s an event or committee that you would like to chair, it’s time to speak up! Please consider nominating yourself or someone else to lead one of our great committees. Click here to learn more about Parents Council.
The Board meets four times each year and consists of parent grade chairs, cochairs of 20 standing committees, and an executive board. Being part of the Parents Council is a great way to get more involved at JBS while having fun and making new friends!
To nominate yourself or someone else who you believe would be an asset to the Board, please contact me as soon as possible.
—Nominating chair Susan Murray
Parents Council Calendar
See Parents Council calendar for a list of upcoming events and meetings. See the online school calendar for a complete list of school-wide events.
