Bryker Woods PTA

I’m pleased to report that over 140 people took the PTA’s parent survey last month. That represents almost half of the families at our school. What a great response – thank you all! Of those who responded:
- 98% feel well-informed about PTA activities
- 88% have a good understanding of PTA plans and goals
- 85% believe the PTA’s budget reflects their priorities
Our PTA works hard to represent everyone’s interests at school – parents, teachers, and of course, students. We can’t do that without consistent, clear communication so I’m glad information is reaching folks so well. I hope more of us will become involved in the planning and budgeting processes so that we can build even greater consensus in the future. For instance, there is the current initiative being forwarded by teachers and parents through the CAC – a technology specialist. Our survey tells us that:
- 95% feel Bryker Woods needs a technology specialist
- 82% want the PTA to help pay for that specialist
- 80% were willing to pay some additional amount through the No Hassle
We will keep you informed about developments, especially since any funding of this position by PTA will need approval by vote of the general membership. For a complete report and analysis of the survey, including all the great ideas and feedback received through the open response questions, please download the following report:

Parent Survey Report

Thanks again for your time completing the survey,

Corinna Whiteaker-Lewis

TTF Final Report
The Technology Task Force presented its final report to Bryker Woods parents and teachers at a meeting on April 14th. TTF chair Kent Odland explained the task force’s mission and findings. Much of the discussion centered on how Bryker Woods teachers currently use technology in their teaching and the impact a technology specialist at the school could have.

Based on its research, the TTF recommends that Bryker Woods hire a full-time technology instruction specialist:

Bryker Woods’ Technology Task Force finds that a Instructional Technology Specialist would help ensure all students have equal access to and mastery of technology TEKS. (See Research section for TEKS summaries.) The TTF recommends that the school find monies from outside funding sources (grants, local business donations, AISD budget) as well as possibly from within the school and PTA budget, to hire a permanent, fulltime, teaching-accredited Instructional Technology Specialist, drawing upon the successful strategies at other AISD schools.

Thanks to the members of the TTF for their excellent work on the school’s behalf: Kent Odland, Dee Susong, Janeen Irwin, Matt Nelson, Amy Whitsell, Anne Heinen and Mr. Arce. Everyone who attended the meeting was impressed by the professionalism and the quality of their efforts. The text of the executive summary follows after the break. The entire report is available via the link above. [Read more →]

No, it’s not the latest advice for coping with Science Fair. Newsletter editor Diane Wheeler has started a new parent discussion: what can you try for cedar fever before going the expensive medication route? Let us know if you have a suggestion.

Looking for the perfect gift for that special teacher? We asked BW teachers and staff to share a few of their favorite things with us:

Trisha Andrews:
Gift Certificates to:
Cathy Davis, Massage therapy, 377-2273
Amanda Casey, Aesthetician, 346-8202 (Luxe Apothetique at The Domain)
Starbucks
Yoga Yoga
Hugs from happy children.

Cathy Cox:
I love massages (I go to Mary Louise Shack)
Favorite restaurants are Hyde Park Bar and Grill, Houston’s (and lots of Fridays we
order dinner from Eat out In.
I shop at Origins (I love their products)
William Sonoma and Breed and Co. are also places where I love to shop.

Barbara Harverstick:
I love shopping at J Jill and Nordstroms (ha, ha), Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn, Macy’s–I could go on and on. I also enjoy Z Tejas, McCormick and Schmicks (sp?)–the appetizers are good! This sounds like a real dilettante’s list, but I also love Old Navy, California Pizza, , Barton Springs Nursery, Home Depot,
Waterloo. Central Market is also one of my favorite places! Just being here, getting to know you and your children is a gift, too.

Debbie Hime:
I prefer gift cert. to places I can get school related items / books etc. (Target, Teacher Heaven…)

Jeneen Irwin:
I love gift certificates. They always fit. Some of my favorite places are Starbucks, Barnes and Noble, Alamo Drafthouse, Target.

Matt Nelson:
Favorite Drinks: Wine and Coffee
Favorite Treat: Dark Chocolate
Favorite Music Store: Waterloo Records
Favorite Restaurants: La Feria, Trudy’s, Shady Grove, Magnolia Cafe, Hut’s, Frank & Angie’s, P. Terry’s, Eastside Cafe
Favorite Store: REI
Favorite Sports Team: Chicago Cubs
Favorite Simple Gift: Windup Toys

Susan Olle:
Starbucks coffee and tea
Candles
Movie tickets
Books

Susan St Germain:
Favorite things: I really love jewelry. I usually wear silver but love color too.
Treats: chocolate, nuts (but not too much……I do not need to gain weight!)
Stores: J.Jill, Macy’s, Dillard’s, Kohl’s.

Angela Sharpe:
Barnes and Noble
World Market
Target
Central Market
massage

Jan Spain:
I love…
dinner out…Hyde Park, Z Tejas, Eddie Vs, Fonda San Miguel
Yankee candles
paper, cards, pens, stamps
books (maybe gift card)
decorative stuff for home
silver (earrings, etc)
I hope this doesn’t sound presumptuous. I’ve never been good at providing Christmas lists to anyone!

Dee Susong:
1. books (from Book Fair or gift cards)
2. candles (especially from Pier One)
3. Bath & Body Works gift card
4. Target gift card
5. HEB or Central Market Gift Card

Lorene Wallace:
Here is my wish list in no particular order:
Central Market
Breed’s Hardware
Gardens
J. Jill
T Nails on Burnet
Anderson’s Coffee
Starbucks

Debbie Warren:
I love Starbucks (no secret there) - also Barnes & Noble and Alamo
Drafthouse!! Those are my top 3 - I get my massages at the massage school
at Bee Caves and Mopac (I’m a “guinea pig”) for $39 for 90 minutes because
it’s such a great deal!! If I spend more than that, I come out more
stressed than when I went it – HA

Devon Williams:
Viva Day Spa
Starbucks
Target
Central Market
dark chocolate
silver ornaments

Congratulations to Bryker Woods students Jane Addison, Jonah Combs, Grace Olwell, and Emma Genet on their successful entries in this year’s Zilker Park Holiday Tree Art Contest! As winner of the junior division, Jane flipped the switch on the Zilker Holiday Tree, Sunday December 2nd. Emma, winner of the senior division, will cut the ribbon on the Trail of Lights, Saturday, December 8th. Thanks to Ms. Flohr for her support and encouragement for Bryker Woods students in this contest. She reminds us all that art is an important part of what makes Austin a great city–and what makes Bryker Woods a great school!

(Sorry about the overlap with our right menu items. We’ll work on fixing it when our webmaster is available.)

Congratulations to Bryker Woods students Jane Addison, Jonah Combs, Grace Olwell, and Emma Genet on their successful entries in this year’s Zilker Park Holiday Tree Art Contest! As winner of the junior division, Jane flipped the switch on the Zilker Holiday Tree, Sunday December 2nd. Emma, winner of the senior division, will cut the ribbon on the Trail of Lights, Saturday, December 8th. Thanks to Ms. Flohr for her support and encouragement for Bryker Woods students in this contest. She reminds us all that art is an important part of what makes Austin a great city–and what makes Bryker Woods a great school!

2007 Winners - Junior Division
1st Place Jane Addison	2nd Place Jonah Combs	3rd Place Grace Olwell
2007 Winners - Senior Division
1st Place Emma Genet	2nd Place Rachel Leslie	3rd Place Hannah Cartwright

Clearly, everyone took the marquee to heart.
Thanks for making the 2007 No Hassle such a success.

As many of you learned at Back to School Night, Bryker Woods PTA is already working to make this a terrific year. One of the ways we start the year off in the right direction is something we don’t do. We’re not gearing up to sell gift wrap or cookie dough or passbooks. For the fourth year in a row, we’re saying no to commercial fundraisers to fund our PTA. That means it’s time for the No Hassle Fundraiser.

Once again, online giving is available via PayPal. When making an online gift, you’ll need to choose between making a one-time donation and dividing your donation into five monthly payments. PayPal will set up a subscription plan to make the monthly installments. Subscription payments will be credited for the full amount of the gift as we track our progress on No Hassle.

We’ll keep you posted on the No Hassle’s progress. Please check back on the website next week for an update. Thank you in advance for your generosity and your support for Bryker Woods.