Monday, December 13, 2021
Tuesday, December 7, 2021
J.F. Cooper PTA Reflections Contest Information
The PTA would like to invite all Cooper students to participate in this year’s National PTA Reflections Contest.
Does your child enjoy art, music and dance or have an interest in writing, producing films
and/or taking photos? Then let them have fun unleashing their inner artist with PTA Reflections! This year’s theme, “I Will Change the World By...,” calls for their own unique interpretation through the arts.
Each year, students in Pre-K through Grade 12 are invited to create and submit original works of art in the areas of Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography and Visual Arts.
For inspiration, visit the Reflections virtual art gallery and learn more about prizes and scholarships at http://PTA.org/Reflections/Awards.
All participating Cooper students will need to submit an entry form virtually by December 31 AND in hard copy form by January 4 depending on the category.
Here are the Submission Guidelines & Entry Form
Deadlines:
The due date will be Thursday, December 23, 2021 if you’d like to submit before winter break.
E-mail Dance, Film, Literature, and Music files to reflections@jfcooperpta.org and send in the entry form to school. Hand in any physical artwork from the Visual Arts or Photography category by this date.
**Entries can also be submitted over winter break if you need more time.**
Our PTA has to enter your information into a portal by January 1, 2022. If you choose to submit your entry over winter break, keep these things in mind:
No later than Friday, December 31, 2021 - e-mail reflections@jfcooperpta.org
Entry forms must be submitted via e-mail (scan or photo) by a parent/guardian.
- Files of entries must be attached in the proper file format (see submission guidelines).
- If your child created physical artwork, you will need to send a photo of it so it can be entered into the portal.
By Tuesday, January 4, 2022
The HARD COPY of the entry form is due to the main office.
The PHYSICAL artwork that was created for the PHOTOGRAPHY or VISUAL ARTS category, and any handwritten entry created for the LITERATURE category needs to be submitted to the main office.
Note: Students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504 may enter in the Special Artist Division OR grade division most closely aligned to their functional abilities. Please reach out for more information if this applies to your child.
Entries from Cooper will be submitted to the district level representative in early January of 2022. From there, any winning entries will progress to the county, regional, state, and national levels for judging.
If you have any questions, please reach out to reflections@jfcooperpta.org.
Monday, December 6, 2021
Staff Winter Treat Table Donation Sign Up
As we near the end of 2021, let's treat our wonderful Cooper Staff to some delicious goodies before our winter break!
The Hospitality Committee is looking for donations of items (cookies, bars, brownies, vegetable tray, fruit platter, etc) to place out on a small Winter Treat Table for staff. This treat table will be offered to Cooper staff on Friday, 12/17. We would like to provide enough treats for about 70 staff members.
Please sign up with what you'd like to donate by Monday, December 13th.
All items must be dropped off to school in the main office on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16th between 4-5pm. These foods will be placed in the refrigerator for the next day.
If this time doesn't work for you, please reach out after signing up to make arrangements to drop off to Shazia or Bridget.
- An ingredient list must be provided for any treat donated. This will be displayed on the table along with the item.
- "Grab and go" / individually wrapped offerings are always appreciated by staff members.
- If providing a tray or plate of edibles, please provide a plastic tong as well if possible. We have a few but more would be appreciated.
If you have any questions, please reach out. Thank you in advance!!
J.F. Cooper PTA Update - Week of 12/6/21
- Zone PTA Holiday Gift Card Drive Update - Thank you for your donations. We raised $320!
- Room Parents have sent home letters to all families requesting donations for class parties and teacher gifts for the year. Please respond ASAP. If you do not have your room parent's letter, please reach out to Shazia at president@jfcooperpta.org. Thank you!
- There is an *in person* Events Committee meeting Tuesday, December 7th, 2021 at 7:00pm - 8:00pm at Starbucks in Marlton. Please contact Lindsay Emple at lindsay.emple@jfcooperpta.org
- There is a *virtual* Hospitality Committee meeting on Thursday, December 9th, 2021 from 7:30pm - 8:00pm. Google Meet joining info:
- Video call link: https://meet.google.com/ikk-vvke-qxy
- Or dial: (US) +1 415-604-0407 PIN: 432 221 663#
- More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/ikk-vvke-qxy?pin=8860369270371
- There is a *virtual* Yearbook Committee meeting on Thursday, December 16th, 2021 from 7:30pm - 8:00pm. Google Meet joining info:
- Video call link: https://meet.google.com/tan-dbcp-owe
- Or dial: (US) +1 413-729-4178 PIN: 532 535 187#
- More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/tan-dbcp-owe?pin=2937377219266
- We are collecting goodies for our Winter Treat Table for Cooper Staff. If you would like to donate something edible, please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050945AFAE23AAFF2-winter
- Poinsettias will be arriving on Friday, December 10th. Bridget Moore has been reaching out to those who have purchased to make arrangements for pick-up/delivery.
- 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!
- We need your Fall photos! Download the TreeRing app or e-mail photos to yearbook@jfcooperpta.org.
- Place your physical gift card orders for the upcoming holidays by Wednesday, the 8th of December. 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.
- eCards can be purchased any time. Consider eCards for your holiday shopping needs.
- Download the RaiseRight app and enter our enrollment code L293995764473
Last call...The Food Book sale ends Friday, the 10th of December. The Food Book is $10. Cooper will receive 60% of the proceeds - this is an amazing fundraiser! For a list of restaurants, see the flyer on our website.
Take Out Tuesday - 14th of December 2021. 5-8pm McDonald's 760 Rt. 70 W, Marlton. We'll receive 20% back.
Don't forget! It's Fair Funding Friday this Friday, December 10, 2021.
Wednesday, December 1, 2021
Debrief: Family Tech Talk Night
Dear Cooper Families,
We hope you found the information shared during Family Tech Talk Night on 11/17 useful and helpful as parents of elementary, middle, high school, or even college aged children. Perhaps you also learned some useful tips to implement yourself! I know I learned some things that I wasn't aware of, especially in the second half of the session. It was also interesting to be a part of an audience that was participating from all across the country, indicating that this topic is relevant and important to individuals.
In case you were unable to attend, or missed part of the presentation, the Family Tech Talk that we attended was recorded and can be viewed at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Please feel free to share the Family Tech Talk with friends and family.
Trend Micro also has MANY important resources available on its website https://www.trendmicro.com/
On Demand Webinars: Managing Family Life Online
https://www.trendmicro.com/
Cyber Academy for Kids
https://www.trendmicro.com/
There are also a lot of useful resources available from Trend Micro here: https://www.teacherlists.com/
This includes the following:
- Popular Apps That Are Probably on Your Child’s Phone
- Internet Slang Parents Should Know
- Talk TikTok Challenge Information
- Internet Safety FAQs
- Cellphone & Smartphone FAQs
- Tips for Introducing New Tech to Kids
- A Privacy and Balance Pledge
- The Family Internet Safety Promise ("House Rules" for your family)
- And much more...
If you have any ideas for future talks on topics you think parents would like to learn more about, please feel free to reach out to us.
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/
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".
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 Meeting - November 17, 2021 - Revised Agenda (including links to handouts)
- PTA Meeting Minutes - September 29, 2021
- Handouts and Budget Reports for September’s Meeting (scroll down on site)
- PTA Meeting Minutes - October 20, 2021
- Handouts and Budget Reports for October’s Meeting (click on links within the agenda)
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 remember our flyers come home on blue paper. You can also find our information on our website: http://jfcooperpta.blogspot.com
- 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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)