Monday, November 22, 2021

Importance of Town Hall Meetings & Middle School Redistricting Info

 Dear Cooper Families,


Here is an important note from the Cherry Hill Zone PTA. Zone PTA is comprised of PTA Presidents/representatives from all schools in the Cherry Hill Public School District.



Middle School Redistricting

  • Note: The Rosa Middle School lottery will be ending this year. This was already voted upon. What remains to be decided is what Rosa will become. Rosa could be a neighborhood school, a 6th, 7th, or 8th grade school, a 6-7 grade school, or a 7-8th grade school. There are several options that will be discussed at the next Board of Education Meeting. Please see the following link and watch for about 10-11 minutes to understand what was discussed on 10/12/21.
  • Link should be time-stamped to the 10/12/21 BOE Middle School re-districting discussion.  https://youtu.be/Kzv80PXQmI0?t=5126. However, if it is not it should be 10/12/21 meeting time stamp 1:25:29 to 1:36:35. The conversation is transcribed in the video so you can read as well if you are in a noisy environment. 
  • This impacts current 5th and 6th grade students. It impacts every single elementary school student.
  • The next Board of Education Meeting is Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at 6:30pm

Bond Referendum Town Hall Meetings

  • Monday November 22, 7:00-8:30pm at West HS (today)

  • Wednesday December 15, 7:00-8:30pm at East HS


All Improvement presentations can be found at https://www.chclc.org/domain/1094


The bond has NOT been formed yet...the presentations show what renovations / construction are needed at each individual school...essentially a wish list. It is critical families and community members provide any input they have NOW prior to the bond being submitted to the State in January 2022. 


Please remind your fellow parents of children in our school district.


Why is it important to attend a Town Hall meeting and provide input?


  • The District's process has been different this time than in the 2018 referendum. When the presentations took place in 2017/18, the bond plan had already been submitted. In 2021, the District and BOE are asking for community input PRIOR to forming and submitting the bond.
  • The last bond was in 1998.  At that time there was about $110M of necessary work. The bond was $52M, so $56M of work that was needed is 1998 still exists 23 years later. Our schools are 23 years older and now $396M of work is necessary. 
  • New Jersey helps fund school projects ONLY via Debt Service Aid.We must incur debt or borrow money in order to get money from the State. The state of NJ will fund at least 40% of the eligible costs of the money we borrow for improvements. 
  • New construction is penalized. The cost of new construction varies from region to region: between $350/square foot and $400/square foot. The State only pays a maximum of 40% of “eligible costs” based on $143/square foot new construction formula.
  • "My children will not benefit from the bond" - in some cases true. If the bond is approved in September 2022, the reality is the projects have to go out for bid so earliest work will begin on any projects is Spring 2023. However, the bond benefits any homeowner as property values are tied into the quality of the Education of this School District, which requires MAINTAINING the facilities.


Since the majority of students will attend one of the high schools, let's look at an example of some proposed projects: 


  • Turf lights for East. Both HS have turf fields but only West has turf light, stadium seating, and a broadcast booth. Since East does not have turf lights, the football team cannot play night games on their home field. The field hockey team plays varsity game which is followed by the JV game. The games should be 15-minute quarters. By end of September, the JV game becomes 15-min halves. By mid-October, the JV games becomes 10-min halves. Aside from use by East Athletics, a turf field could be renting to athletic organizations when not being use it would provide a revenue stream. 
  • West has 2 Gymnasium that require Finishes, Bleachers, HVAC, Lighting, and Flooring, etc. With these upgrades, they could also be a revenue stream.
  • As a result of the West tour, it was brought to the architect's attention that there is a hallway at West which narrows as you travel down the hallway and creates what the students call the "bottleneck". The architect is now considering plans on how to make changes to correct the "bottleneck".

Take Out Tuesday: Chipotle 11/23 4-8pm

 


Wednesday, November 17, 2021

J.F. Cooper PTA Meeting Agenda for 6:30pm 11/17/21

Please refer to our agenda and handouts for this evening's meeting.

Please add your full name into the chat once you enter the room so that Ramona Hamill, our Secretary, may mark your attendance.

Thank you for your participation!

J.F. Cooper PTA Meeting & Tech Talk Night Information Reminder

Dear Cooper Families, 


This is friendly reminder that tonight, Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at 6:30pm we have a *virtual* General PTA Meeting followed by a special *virtual* Family Tech Talk presented by Trend Micro at 7:00pm.


Zoom Event Link for PTA Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87291636757?pwd=a2tFcjZYTmxGRHA5SlUzRlVrK0xQZz09


Zoom event link for Family Tech Talk:

https://trendmicro.zoom.us/j/93325722594?pwd=cGUwdWJUOFBzTisxZVZCekdyZnhuUT09



Please see the following documents:




PTA Reminders:

11/15 - RaiseRight holiday and donation gift card orders due

11/17 - 6:00pm PTA Board Meeting

11/17 - 6:30pm PTA General Membership Meeting

11/17 - 7:00pm Family Tech Talk Event

11/23 - Poinsettia orders due 

11/23 - Take Out Tuesday - Chipotle 4pm-8pm

11/30 - Zone PTA Holiday Gift Card Donation Drive Ends


  • Please also note that some important messages are sent to PTA members through Memberhub. If you are not yet a PTA member, please consider joining. Our PTA’s goals benefit all students and the information we send to advocate for our children benefits all families. 

  • Do you know we have a Google PTA Calendar? Sync the current PTA Calendar for 2021-2022 by clicking on this link. Dates and times subject to change (you will be notified of changes).


Please join us via Zoom at 7:00pm EST on November 17, 2021 after our PTA Meeting for a special Family Tech Talk Night on Inspiring Digital Responsibility.


Zoom event link for Family Tech Talk: https://trendmicro.zoom.us/j/93325722594?pwd=cGUwdWJUOFBzTisxZVZCekdyZnhuUT09


The last year has challenged us to rethink how we live, work, interact, and view the world. It has become a delicate balancing act between keeping our kids and families safe from a pandemic, coming to terms with more screen time, and managing the transformation of our homes into offices, classrooms and more.


Join us for a conversation about the opportunities and challenges our families and kids have experienced with technology due to COVID-19. From TikTok to Zoom to Roblox, hear some best practices on how to help your kids use the internet in safe and healthy ways. These include tech tips as well as guidelines and exercises you can use with your kids. There will be ample opportunity to raise your concerns and ask questions, too!


A few reminders:

  • The session will run about 75-80 minutes (which includes time for questions).
  • If the event is offered in other languages, please select the language by clicking on the translation icon at the bottom of the screen.
  • Attendees will neither be seen nor heard during the event. However, participants can chat and submit questions at any time using the Q&A button.
  • After you leave the session, you should see a very brief survey. Please provide feedback!
  • Those who complete the feedback and provide an email address will be entered to win a 1-year license of Trend Micro Maximum Security, to protect up to 5 devices in your home.


We look forward to having you at this event, and as always we thank you for your support!


Shazia Ansari

President, J.F. Cooper PTA

1960 Greentree Rd

Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

president@jfcooperpta.org

shazia.ansari@jfcooperpta.org

http://jfcooperpta.blogspot.com

Friday, November 12, 2021

Winter Poinsettia Sale - Orders Due 11/24

Click Image for a Printable Order Form

 

5th Grade Committee Meeting Info

5th Grade Commitee Meeting

Friday, November 12 · 10:00 – 10:30am

Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/kif-yapy-kxi

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 417-567-3084‬ PIN: ‪823 999 370‬#

More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/kif-yapy-kxi?pin=1917179084278

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

November PTA Reminders

 

    REMINDERS

  • THANK YOU to everyone who made our Fall Fun Fest for students a success! It was wonderful to see everyone’s smiling and laughing faces (behind their masks of course!) :)

  • PTA website: http://jfcooperpta.blogspot.com

  • Spirit Wear Update - There has been a delay in shipment of shirts to the printer. The tentative delivery date for apparel that was ordered in August and September is November 19, 2021. We thank you for your patience during this unfortunate delay. If you have any questions, please reach out to Bridgett Moore at spiritwear@jfcooperpta.org

  • If you would like to join the PTA Events Committee please reach out to lindsay.emple@jfcooperpta.org to be aware of the next meeting.

  • There is a *virtual* PTA 5th Grade Class of 2022 Committee Meeting at 10am this Friday, November 12, 2021. The Google Meet link will be available on our website.

  • Our next General PTA Meeting is on Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at 6:30pm. It will be a virtual meeting. The Zoom Link will be available on our website.         

  • A very important and relevant virtual event --- Family Tech Talk Night: Inspiring Digital Responsibility is scheduled for Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at 7:00pm after our brief PTA meeting. Please see our website for more information. 

  • Our School Nurse has requested the following: girls and boys pants in new/gently used condition sizes suitable for K-2 students, new underwear in sizes suitable for K-2 students. Please send items to school in a bag labeled "NURSE." Thank you!

  • Room Parents have sent home letters to all families requesting donations for class parties and teacher gifts for the year. Please respond ASAP. Thank you!

  • We need your Fall photos! Download the TreeRing app or e-mail photos to yearbook@jfcooperpta.org.

  • The Food Book is still on sale for $10. Cooper will receive 60% of the proceeds - this is an amazing fundraiser! For a list of restaurants, see the flyer on our website.

  • Zone PTA Holiday Gift Card Drive - We are collecting $10 gift cards for families in need in our community. Preferred: ShopRite, Target, Walmart, Aldi, Acme.

    • Send in gift cards to the nurse in an envelope marked, "Zone PTA Holiday Drive Attn: Mrs. Fleischmann/Nurse"

  • Place your physical gift card orders (in any denomination) for the upcoming holidays for your friends and family and/or for our school gift card drive for families in need within our district (Acme, Walmart, Target have $10 cards available on RaiseRight). Please submit orders by 11/15 to receive before Thanksgiving.

    • Download the RaiseRight app and enter our enrollment code L293995764473

    • Choose the gift cards you'd like.

    • Pay via bank account or mark that you'll send in a check to the PTA.

    • A Scrip/RaiseRight Gift Card Order Form is available on our website if you prefer a form.

  • Sign Up for PTA Membership for 2021-2022, Sync the PTA Google Calendar, or Fill out the PTA Volunteer Form… all on the website!

As always, thank you for your support!


Cherry Hill Zone PTA Holiday Gift Card Drive

 

PLEASE HELP SUPPORT THE 

CHERRY HILL ZONE PTA 

ANNUAL HOLIDAY GIFT CARD DRIVE FOR 

CHERRY HILL FAMILIES IN NEED

Each year the Cherry Hill Zone PTA asks each PTA and their school community to help support Cherry Hill families in need from our schools.  This year, more than ever, many of our families need our financial support.  We are asking for gift cards in denominations of $10 from Shoprite, Acme, Aldi, Target, or Walmart.  

Our PTA will also accept cash donations to buy gift cards. Please send donations in an envelope marked “PTA Holiday Gift Drive DONATION Attn: Bridget/Shazia” so we may purchase gift cards on your behalf through our RaiseRight gift card program.

Zone PTA will deliver those gift cards directly to the families.  

Please donate as many as you can to help classmates who are in need of our support to have a more enjoyable holiday season.  

If you are sending in gift cards directly, please send them in an envelope labeled “Zone PTA Holiday Drive Attn: NURSE” no later than Tuesday 11/30/21.  You can drop them off any time during school hours. THANK YOU!!!

Any questions or concerns, please contact either Stefani Graff, Cherry Hill Zone PTA Treasurer at stefanirgraff@gmail.com, Shazia Ansari, Cooper PTA President at shazia.ansari@jfcooperpta.org, or School Nurse, Mrs. Jennifer Fleischmann at jfleischmann@chclc.org.

Thank you for helping your Cherry Hill friends, classmates, and neighbors!