In addition to the booths listed, the Popcorn is located right inside the old gym, immediately to your right as you come in. The Ice Cream is located in the new gym, right in front of the kitchen door.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Map of Gyms
In addition to the booths listed, the Popcorn is located right inside the old gym, immediately to your right as you come in. The Ice Cream is located in the new gym, right in front of the kitchen door.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Cricket Article: January
Crestwood Caper: Good Books! Good Times!
Saturday March 7, 10 A.M. to 3 P.M.
Good times will be had with the students’ favorite books this year at the Crestwood Caper. Come explore all the favorite carnival games, each decorated with the theme of the classroom’s chosen book.
After you relish the stories, artwork, and games from those great books, stop by the Kindergartens Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs Roofless Café for a creative lunch. Don’t forget to peruse the student-created masterpiece art up for auction, or to buy your $1 raffle tickets. (Stay tuned for a list of prizes and to find out how each student can get a FREE raffle entry ticket.)
The good news is, this book always has room for more characters. Want to work a shift with your child in his booth? Donate something to the raffle or bake sale? Bring a cake or 2-liter of soda? You’ll help make the caper a story to remember!
Contact: Gina
Julie
Saturday March 7, 10 A.M. to 3 P.M.
Good times will be had with the students’ favorite books this year at the Crestwood Caper. Come explore all the favorite carnival games, each decorated with the theme of the classroom’s chosen book.
After you relish the stories, artwork, and games from those great books, stop by the Kindergartens Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs Roofless Café for a creative lunch. Don’t forget to peruse the student-created masterpiece art up for auction, or to buy your $1 raffle tickets. (Stay tuned for a list of prizes and to find out how each student can get a FREE raffle entry ticket.)
The good news is, this book always has room for more characters. Want to work a shift with your child in his booth? Donate something to the raffle or bake sale? Bring a cake or 2-liter of soda? You’ll help make the caper a story to remember!
Contact: Gina
Julie
Monday, January 19, 2009
How to Help Kids Decorate a Booth
Have you helped a class decorate a booth? Send me some tips so I can improve this post! Here's what I've been told.
1. Keep it kid-centered. The kids will like to see work they've done, and the parents will appreciate that the kids did it. It is THEIR caper.
2. Embellish and improve to the degree your time allows...awesome backdrops are awesome...but we realize not everyone has that much time.
3. Photos of the kids are very popular (but not required) in the decorations. They like to see their own face in the art. People coming to the booth like to scrutinize the art to see if they know the kids in that class.
1. Keep it kid-centered. The kids will like to see work they've done, and the parents will appreciate that the kids did it. It is THEIR caper.
2. Embellish and improve to the degree your time allows...awesome backdrops are awesome...but we realize not everyone has that much time.
3. Photos of the kids are very popular (but not required) in the decorations. They like to see their own face in the art. People coming to the booth like to scrutinize the art to see if they know the kids in that class.
How to Recruit a Volunteer
Have you recruited parent volunteers to work a shift in a booth? What did you say? Please share with me so I can improve this post.
Here are some of the first tips I've received:
Share with them that:
1. Working in a booth alongside their child is fun for both of them.
2. The child will take pride in running the game that he helped plan and decorate.
3. This could be a fun shared memory as well as a good experience for teaching about responsibility and community service...it takes all of us pitching in to pull off a big event.
4. The booth is busy and the time passes very quickly. They won't be bored.
5. They'll still have plenty of time to play and visit the rest of the caper.
If someone agrees and asks, "What shifts do you need to fill?" tell them about the LATER shifts first. Statistics indicate that the last shifts (and cleanup) are harder to fill than the morning shifts.
Here are some of the first tips I've received:
Share with them that:
1. Working in a booth alongside their child is fun for both of them.
2. The child will take pride in running the game that he helped plan and decorate.
3. This could be a fun shared memory as well as a good experience for teaching about responsibility and community service...it takes all of us pitching in to pull off a big event.
4. The booth is busy and the time passes very quickly. They won't be bored.
5. They'll still have plenty of time to play and visit the rest of the caper.
If someone agrees and asks, "What shifts do you need to fill?" tell them about the LATER shifts first. Statistics indicate that the last shifts (and cleanup) are harder to fill than the morning shifts.
First Meeting: To-Do List for Booth Chairs
1. Put meeting dates on personal calendar
2. Contact classroom teacher to schedule visits (to brainstorm, make posters, décor).
3. Determine booth name and email to caper chair.
4. Recruit volunteers/donations via phone/fliers.
5. Create final volunteer schedule. Notify volunteers of shifts.
6. Make banner, table cover, and other décor.
7. Help class make promotional posters.
8. Create a ticket collection box and 3 prize containers.
9. Create poster with booth name & game rules.
10. Keep receipts. Submit donation and expense records to CAPT treasurer.
11. Submit booth report after the caper is done!
2. Contact classroom teacher to schedule visits (to brainstorm, make posters, décor).
3. Determine booth name and email to caper chair.
4. Recruit volunteers/donations via phone/fliers.
5. Create final volunteer schedule. Notify volunteers of shifts.
6. Make banner, table cover, and other décor.
7. Help class make promotional posters.
8. Create a ticket collection box and 3 prize containers.
9. Create poster with booth name & game rules.
10. Keep receipts. Submit donation and expense records to CAPT treasurer.
11. Submit booth report after the caper is done!
First Planning Meeting: Timeline for Booth Chairs
Booth Chair Meeting Dates:
Tuesday, January 20, 2009, 7:00 Crestwood Library
Tuesday, February 17, 2009, 7:00 Crestwood Library
Tuesday, March 17, 2009, 7:00 A fun location
Planning Timeline
Meet with class, determine booth name, NOW
brainstorm decorating ideas
Ask caper chairs for advice,
Ideas to solve problems Anytime
Email booth name to Caper Chair by February 7
Schedule booth volunteers by February 14
Make promotional posters with class by February 21
Work with teacher & class to make décor by March 6
Booth Set-up (Two people) March 6 (6:00 PM)
Booth supervision and take-down March 7 (9:00-4:00)
Submit booth report & folder by March 17
Tuesday, January 20, 2009, 7:00 Crestwood Library
Tuesday, February 17, 2009, 7:00 Crestwood Library
Tuesday, March 17, 2009, 7:00 A fun location
Planning Timeline
Meet with class, determine booth name, NOW
brainstorm decorating ideas
Ask caper chairs for advice,
Ideas to solve problems Anytime
Email booth name to Caper Chair by February 7
Schedule booth volunteers by February 14
Make promotional posters with class by February 21
Work with teacher & class to make décor by March 6
Booth Set-up (Two people) March 6 (6:00 PM)
Booth supervision and take-down March 7 (9:00-4:00)
Submit booth report & folder by March 17
Sunday, January 18, 2009
2009 Theme: Good Books, Good Times!
The 2009 theme is based on the following poem:
Good books.
Good times.
Good stories.
Good rhymes.
Good beginnings.
Good ends.
Good people.
Good friends.
Good fiction.
Good facts.
Good adventures.
Good acts.
Good stories.
Good rhymes.
Good books.
Good times.
LEE BENNETT HOPKINS
Each class will choose a book that goes well with their game OR that they've read and like OR that gives them good ideas for decorations.
Good books.
Good times.
Good stories.
Good rhymes.
Good beginnings.
Good ends.
Good people.
Good friends.
Good fiction.
Good facts.
Good adventures.
Good acts.
Good stories.
Good rhymes.
Good books.
Good times.
LEE BENNETT HOPKINS
Each class will choose a book that goes well with their game OR that they've read and like OR that gives them good ideas for decorations.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Ideas That Were Never Pursued
If you have (or had) an idea that hasn't yet been pursued, tell me so I can put it here to be sure that future planners can consider it.
[] Have the fire department park a fire truck in the bus loading zone. Charge a ticket to honk the horn or get a photo or something.
[] Sell cotton candy.
[] Use photo printers to make the photo booth instant.
[] Have the fire department park a fire truck in the bus loading zone. Charge a ticket to honk the horn or get a photo or something.
[] Sell cotton candy.
[] Use photo printers to make the photo booth instant.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
How to Be a Good Caper Chair
**If you've been a caper chair, please leave a tip on HOW TO BE GOOD so I can add it here**
Gina's List:
1. Choose a theme you're enthusiastic about. You'll be spending a lot of time on it.
2. Call booth chairs early. They like to have as much advance warning as possible. Maybe they'd even like the meeting handouts (another post) up front!
3. Feel out which booth chairs need extra support. Check up with them periodically just to see how it's going. I had a few folks that NEEDED more help and they felt bad that they didn't get it (I wish they would've pestered me more... I never knew they were struggling!)
4. Don't send "stressed out" vibes. Try to get people to do what needs to be done, but if a booth falls through, it's not the end of the caper (or world), so don't get mad. If people can have a little fun, they'll be happier...and they can't have fun if the chair acts like this is something to panic about. If this-or-that falls through...oh well. It will still be a good caper with everything else.
5. Compliment everyone on what they're doing. Let them do it their way and be glad. Assure everyone that the choices they're making are going to be great. Because it's true.
Gina's List:
1. Choose a theme you're enthusiastic about. You'll be spending a lot of time on it.
2. Call booth chairs early. They like to have as much advance warning as possible. Maybe they'd even like the meeting handouts (another post) up front!
3. Feel out which booth chairs need extra support. Check up with them periodically just to see how it's going. I had a few folks that NEEDED more help and they felt bad that they didn't get it (I wish they would've pestered me more... I never knew they were struggling!)
4. Don't send "stressed out" vibes. Try to get people to do what needs to be done, but if a booth falls through, it's not the end of the caper (or world), so don't get mad. If people can have a little fun, they'll be happier...and they can't have fun if the chair acts like this is something to panic about. If this-or-that falls through...oh well. It will still be a good caper with everything else.
5. Compliment everyone on what they're doing. Let them do it their way and be glad. Assure everyone that the choices they're making are going to be great. Because it's true.
Caper Chair To-Do List
Here are a few chores the caper chairs should not forget to do, arranged by date (sort-of):
Caper Chair To-Do List
[] October: Get info from last year’s chairs
[] November: Decide on theme, will there be a contest to choose theme?
[] December: Have students vote on Caper theme.
[] December or January: Submit Raffle license renewal form
[] December: Recruit a chair for each booth or event.
[] December: Recruit 3 people for kitchen. 3 people for raffle. Also Popcorn. Ice Cream. Loot bags. Prizes. Bake Sale. Art Auction. Gym construction.
[] December: Write a cricket article for January.
[] January: Contact custodians. Request 50 tables from the district, to be delivered on Friday.
[] January: Talk to secretary about ordering rolls of colored butcher paper.
[] Schedule booth chair meetings for January and February. Reserve library with secretary. Tuesdays are traditionally "elementary school events" nights, so plan for a Tuesday evening.
[] Create email lists of booth chairs, staff members.
[] Email everyone and tell them about this blog.
[] Email everyone and tell them the theme.
[] Print up hand-outs and hold booth chair meetings.
[] January: Attend staff meeting to present info, answer questions
[] January: Check with set-up crew to be sure all games fit in gyms. Finalize map.
[] January or February: Contact After School program – they need to be elsewhere on Friday at 4:30 for Caper set-up
[] January: Purchase (order) tickets for games and raffle (as soon as license comes).
[] January: Write a cricket article for February.
[] February: Arrange with social worker for bus (Allied residents) and special ticket rate
[] January or February: Contact Spartan Youth Service club (Memorial High School) to solicit volunteers. We had 12-15 for each shift (10-12:30 and 12:30-3:00).
[] February: Make inventory of Caper closet. Let booth chairs know what stuff you have.
[] February: Send home a backpack flyer each week. One about the theme, one about bake sale, one about soda donations, one about raffle prizes and sales.
[] February: Start making decorations/ mural for front hallway. Also make ticket sales sign.
[] February: Find volunteers to sell game tickets and raffle tickets.
[] February: Decorate sandwich board and laminate (stored in boiler room). Put it out 1 1/2 weeks before caper.
[] Monday: Email booth chairs, find out who has shifts not filled. Make a schedule of where volunteers from the high school will be sent.
[] Friday: Put up mural. Be present to help with booths. Keep people out of the gym until heavy-work crew is done.
[] Saturday: Laugh. Direct high school volunteers to proper places.
[] Monday: Remind everyone about booth reports. Email booth reports to the blog archivist.
[] Send messages of thanks to donors of prizes and supplies.
Were you a caper chair? Did I forget to consider a chore? Let me know and I'll add it!
Caper Chair To-Do List
[] October: Get info from last year’s chairs
[] November: Decide on theme, will there be a contest to choose theme?
[] December: Have students vote on Caper theme.
[] December or January: Submit Raffle license renewal form
[] December: Recruit a chair for each booth or event.
[] December: Recruit 3 people for kitchen. 3 people for raffle. Also Popcorn. Ice Cream. Loot bags. Prizes. Bake Sale. Art Auction. Gym construction.
[] December: Write a cricket article for January.
[] January: Contact custodians. Request 50 tables from the district, to be delivered on Friday.
[] January: Talk to secretary about ordering rolls of colored butcher paper.
[] Schedule booth chair meetings for January and February. Reserve library with secretary. Tuesdays are traditionally "elementary school events" nights, so plan for a Tuesday evening.
[] Create email lists of booth chairs, staff members.
[] Email everyone and tell them about this blog.
[] Email everyone and tell them the theme.
[] Print up hand-outs and hold booth chair meetings.
[] January: Attend staff meeting to present info, answer questions
[] January: Check with set-up crew to be sure all games fit in gyms. Finalize map.
[] January or February: Contact After School program – they need to be elsewhere on Friday at 4:30 for Caper set-up
[] January: Purchase (order) tickets for games and raffle (as soon as license comes).
[] January: Write a cricket article for February.
[] February: Arrange with social worker for bus (Allied residents) and special ticket rate
[] January or February: Contact Spartan Youth Service club (Memorial High School) to solicit volunteers. We had 12-15 for each shift (10-12:30 and 12:30-3:00).
[] February: Make inventory of Caper closet. Let booth chairs know what stuff you have.
[] February: Send home a backpack flyer each week. One about the theme, one about bake sale, one about soda donations, one about raffle prizes and sales.
[] February: Start making decorations/ mural for front hallway. Also make ticket sales sign.
[] February: Find volunteers to sell game tickets and raffle tickets.
[] February: Decorate sandwich board and laminate (stored in boiler room). Put it out 1 1/2 weeks before caper.
[] Monday: Email booth chairs, find out who has shifts not filled. Make a schedule of where volunteers from the high school will be sent.
[] Friday: Put up mural. Be present to help with booths. Keep people out of the gym until heavy-work crew is done.
[] Saturday: Laugh. Direct high school volunteers to proper places.
[] Monday: Remind everyone about booth reports. Email booth reports to the blog archivist.
[] Send messages of thanks to donors of prizes and supplies.
Were you a caper chair? Did I forget to consider a chore? Let me know and I'll add it!
A Caper Chair has Three Heads
Traditionally, the caper has had 2 co-chairs, although there are 3 main responsibilities. If you had 3 chairs, they would be:
1. Chair in charge of Booths: Coordinates all the booth chairs, helps them have a cohesive theme, helps the booths get the help they need to get the job done.
2. Chair in charge of the Raffle: Finds a team to work on the raffle. Goes to their meetings to see that they're doing okay and making good progress, be sure they know how to go about getting donations, helps to see that the raffle team has the raffle planned and manned for Saturday.
3. Chair in charge of Kitchen: Finds a team of kindergarten parents to work on the kitchen. Attends their meetings to help them navigate the many aspects of running the kitchen: finding donations, volunteers, decorating, etc. Help the K team get started early so they can get those donations!
This year I did not get very involved with the kitchen team, and, being all-new parents, they were overwhelmed by the newness of a "caper" and the short term they had to get ready for it. Their tasks would have all been much easier if a seasoned, non-K parent had been on their committee, just to give info when questions arise, and give them ideas about how to go about this crazy thing.
As chairs, we have not had to supervise the art auction at all. But with an all-new person in that role, it might be helpful for one of the chairs to assume a position on the art auction committee (or room basket committee), too. I guess it all comes down to feeling out the art team, kitchen team, or raffle team to see if they need a little extra guidance or not. Don't leave anyone flailing (and don't assume they're doing fine unless you check in.)
1. Chair in charge of Booths: Coordinates all the booth chairs, helps them have a cohesive theme, helps the booths get the help they need to get the job done.
2. Chair in charge of the Raffle: Finds a team to work on the raffle. Goes to their meetings to see that they're doing okay and making good progress, be sure they know how to go about getting donations, helps to see that the raffle team has the raffle planned and manned for Saturday.
3. Chair in charge of Kitchen: Finds a team of kindergarten parents to work on the kitchen. Attends their meetings to help them navigate the many aspects of running the kitchen: finding donations, volunteers, decorating, etc. Help the K team get started early so they can get those donations!
This year I did not get very involved with the kitchen team, and, being all-new parents, they were overwhelmed by the newness of a "caper" and the short term they had to get ready for it. Their tasks would have all been much easier if a seasoned, non-K parent had been on their committee, just to give info when questions arise, and give them ideas about how to go about this crazy thing.
As chairs, we have not had to supervise the art auction at all. But with an all-new person in that role, it might be helpful for one of the chairs to assume a position on the art auction committee (or room basket committee), too. I guess it all comes down to feeling out the art team, kitchen team, or raffle team to see if they need a little extra guidance or not. Don't leave anyone flailing (and don't assume they're doing fine unless you check in.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
