Graduation Party RSVP tickets are due on or before May 29th. If you need another copy, the invitation and the ticket are available here.

Contributions to the 8th Grade Class Gift are due by June 1st. Please direct your contribution to Cathy Louthen, Donna Mitchell, or to the PTA box in the Hauser office.

May 18, 2007

Dear Hauser Parents and Staff,

Thank you for the privilege of allowing me to be PTA president this past year. I really have very much enjoyed it.

There are many things I’ve learned (or relearned) this year, but I’d like in particular to share a few:

1. Frequent and timely communication generates good will. The comment I’ve heard more than any other this year is “Thank you for increasing the level of communication coming from the PTA.”
2. Attend school board meetings when you can. The school board expects parents who are concerned about district issues to stay informed via attendance at meetings. (For an explanation of how school boards work, and tips on how you can work with them, click here.)
3. If you are a person who, from time to time, voices complaints, try to be a person who shares compliments as well.
4. Don’t underestimate the power of simple acts of kindness. Several experiences this year have taught me how much it can mean when someone comes forward, and says or does something unexpectedly kind. Please share this gift with as many people as you can.

I wish to thank Leslie Berman for all her hard work this year. I hadn’t realized how many things a principal has on her plate until I saw Leslie in action. My gratitude also goes to Gwen Heine, Diane Powers, and all Hauser teachers, staff, and custodians for their help with PTA this year.

I want to thank my executive board and my committee chairs for all you did this year. I am imperfect and nobody in the PTA knows this better than you. I couldn’t have asked for more a more patient and supportive group. You did your jobs well, and every parent at this school owes you a debt of gratitude, though I owe you the most.

The increased level of communication would not have been possible without the help of Chris Hajer. He made the e-mail and website happen.

However, and this is important, I want to express an equal amount of gratitude to everybody who participated in our PTA in any capacity this year, whether it was attending just one meeting, bringing refreshments when needed, chairing a committee, or sitting on the Executive Board: thank you for doing what you could. That’s the most important thing.

So the time has come to turn over the reins to Cathy Louthen, Tina Duve, Marianne Fieseler, Lisa Veon, Michelle Hejna, and all of next year’s volunteers. I wish you all the gratifying experience I’ve had.

Sincerely,
Mary Jo Robling

The final PTA Meeting of the 2006-2007 school year will be held tonight, May 17, at 6 pm in the Hauser LRC. New officers will be installed, and we’ll celebrate the accomplishments of the PTA year. Leslie Berman will be on hand to answer questions about the now-official changeover to a middle school format, and to announce several staffing changes. Light refreshments will be served.

The District 96 school board voted last night to adopt the middle school model for Hauser Junior High. Leslie Berman said at the meeting that a letter explaining the changes will soon be mailed to parents. Parents with questions and/or concerns are encouraged to contact Ms. Berman.

It was also announced last night that Kim Hefner will be leaving Hauser at the end of the school year to take a position as assistant principal at a school in Glen Ellyn. We are sorry to see Kim go, but wish her all the best in her new position.

It is expected that the school will soon provide information about other staffing changes as well.

On a couple other issues of particular interest to parents: the school board voted to adopt the proposed wellness policy, and to approve the proposed changes to the Social Studies curriculum and the AP math program.

The topic of how the district communicates with parents was discussed at some length. Board president Cheryl Berdelle stated that she feels communication is satisfactory. There was a discussion of possibly posting meeting agendas and minutes to the district website. Parents in the audience were told the best way to stay informed regarding board actions is to attend board meetings.

Parents with questions and/or concerns about district communication are strongly encouraged to attend meetings. You also may share your concerns via e-mail. The board of education address is boardofed@district96.org.

Your child should have by now received in the mail an invitation to the 8th grade graduation party, hosted by the PTA. An RSVP is required. If you haven’t received the invitation, you may pick up a copy at the PTA Meeting tonight, or contact Jeanine Buttimer at buttimer270@aol.com.

Also, if you haven’t done so already, please consider contributing to the 8th grade class gift. Contributions of all sizes are welcome. You may give your contribution to Cathy Louthen or Donna Mitchell, or send it to the PTA box in the Hauser office. Questions? Contact Cathy at louthen@sbcglobal.net or Donna at rivermitchells@aol.com, or via their phone numbers in the student directory.

In appreciation of three wonderful years, and as a way of creating a lasting link with Hauser, the Class of 2007 is planning to purchase a gift for the school. Donations of all sizes are welcome. If you would like to contribute, please send cash or a check to Cathy Louthen at 277 Gage, or Donna Mitchell at 435 Shenstone, or to the PTA box in the Hauser office before May 22nd. Please make checks payable to the Hauser PTA, and mark all envelopes “8th Grade Class Gift”. The choice of gift will depend on how much money we collect, and your suggestions are welcome! Please forward them with your donation. Thank you!

Also, if you haven’t already, you should very soon receive in the mail a letter from Leslie Berman detailing all end-of-year events for 8th graders. If you do not receive this letter in the next day or so, please contact the Hauser office at 447-3896.

On Thursday, May 3, from 7:30 to 8:20 a.m., the Hauser PTA will host a continental breakfast (bagels, cream cheese, donut holes, fresh fruit and milk) for all students who made the third quarter honor roll. If your child is on the honor roll, encourage him or her to enjoy breakfast with their friends. Honor roll is announced on the bulletin board right outside the Hauser office.

Donations of food items are still needed. Please contact Kirsten Jantze by email jantze@sbcglobal.net (or see student directory for phone number) if you are able to donate. Thank you for your support!

Congratulations to all Honor Roll students!

Plans are already being made for the 2007-2008 PTA year. Soon the new officers will meet to determine which committees need chairs. If you would like to volunteer to head up a committee, please reply to this e-mail indicating where your interests lie. Being involved in PTA is one of the best ways of learning how the school works.

The Central School PTA is selling its last batch of brick pavers for the year. These pavers, which will be installed over the summer, make great graduation gifts. If you are interested, you can download an order form here.