Girl Scouts: Need a couple scouts for February 11th!

Hi!

On February 11th, Greendale School District is hosting a "Family Fitness Afternoon" from 1-3:00 at Greendale High School.

I was asked if our scouts wanted to participate and run an activity, and said "sure!"  I thought that we could do the "design your own game" activity we did at one of our Girl Scout meetings last year.  I'll bring all the various cones and balls and hoops, and flags, etc. but we'd need to have a few Girl Scouts there to oversee and explain the activity.  (Just to explain that the kids have all that equipment and can make up a game to play, and then guide the younger kids as they play the game they invent.)

Kids from all the Greendale elementary schools will be there, so this is another great opportunity to be community leaders for our scouts.  It's a good community service opportunity too, which is important for girls these ages to get a firm foothold in.

So, who's in?

Aleks

Girl Scouts: Cookie Booths 2018!

Hi everyone!

Here's what we got for Cookie Booths!  It's a pretty decent selection, and there should be enough to go around!

The link to the list and spots to sign up is below.  If you could just sign up for two booth spots initially, then add more spots on or after Friday, that would be great, and would keep things as fair as possible for everyone.

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0a4fa5ad22a13-2018

Thanks so much!  And happy scouting!

Aleks

Girl Scouts: Do I have all your cookie orders?

Ok, Here's whose I have:

Evie

Megha

Portia

Eva

Adrhia

Lia

Ellen

Kendra

Kahlen

Teagan

Lauren

Sophia

Samantha

Carrie

Liliana

Quinn

Jesi

Initial orders will be locked in at 2:45 this afternoon, so you if you missed the 1/28 deadline you have a bonus hour to get it in! 

If you miss the 2:45 time, no problem though!  I'll add your scout's totals in with our first additional order when we order cookies for our first cookie booths.  It just means you'll get your cookies around Feb 23-24-25th.  Everyone with their orders in will get their cookies around Feb 18-19th.

Thanks everyone!

Aleks

Girl Scouts: One more cookie note--Gluten free

Hi again,

I didn't mention it before, but yes, Gluten Free Trio (Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal, Peanut Butter) cookies are available again this year.  They're not on the order sheet, but ones you sell will count to your scout's total.  They cost $5 instead of $4 like the rest of the cookies.  Just let me know if you need any, and how many, when you send me your order.

I will not be available to collect cookie orders in person this weekend, so email (or text 414-595-6668) is the way to get those orders to me.

Thanks so much!  Keep scouting!

Aleks

  

Girl Scouts: Cookie booth question (Please respond!)

Hi everyone,

I need to get a feel for how many scouts are interested in doing Cookie Booths this year for the cookie sale.  I have some reserved for us already, but I want to be careful to get the right amount--enough for everyone to get the chances they want, but not so many that they end up unstaffed.  

So, please let me know if your scout is interested in staffing cookie booths this year, and how much you anticipate them attending booths.  

ALSO:  Remember, I need your cookie order totals turned in by 1/28!  You'll be able to get those Cookies around 2/18-19, and after that time you'll be able to place additional orders which we'll be able to fill within a week (give or take).  The best way to get those numbers to me is by email.  (Just send the total number of boxes for each type of cookie that you need.)  I'll send a confirmation out with a list of which scouts' orders I've received on 1/29.  

Please send your totals like this--feel free to use the abbreviations to save time:

Donation Boxes ________ *******

Thanks-a-Lot (TAL) ________

S'Mores (SMO) ________

Lemonades (LEM) ________

Shortbread (SB) ________

Thin Mints (TM) ________

Peanut Butter Patties (PBP) ________

Caramel DeLites (CD) ________

Peanut Butter Sandwiches (PBS) ________

TOTAL Boxes Sold:   ________

*******If you enter cookies for donation boxes in that line, those cookies will be donated directly by Girl Scouts to local food pantries.  Those WILL be counted to your scout's total but you will NOT pick up those boxes or have any control over where they are donated.  If you have a specific place or type of cookie you want donated then include those boxes in your regular order and you or the troop can physically donate them to the organization of your choosing.******

Girl Scouts: That was great! Also: important question!

Hi everyone!

What fun!  Before I recap the meeting though--did any girls find a pink watch at the meeting? One of our scouts left her watch at the meeting, and I didn't see it when cleaning up.  Let me know if anyone found it!

So, what we did:

We started out (and finished) with some girl scout pictionary while we waited for everyone to arrive.  We've got some pretty creative artists in our bunch!  

Once everyone had arrived, we broke into groups and got cooking--literally!  Each table was given tools, ingredients, and a recipe and then let go.  One group made shortbread hazelnut parfaits, one group made thin mint muddy buddies, and one group made thin mint truffles.  All three groups worked together incredibly well, and their creations turned out delicious.

After we finished cooking, all the girls that had prepared a cooked cookie project presented their creations to the group and talked about their experience making those treats.  It sounds like there were some messy kitchens--sorry!

While eating all these great desserts, the girls talked about what they liked about each one, and since we had some time left, we wrapped it up with some final rounds of Girl Scout pictionary.

All in all we had a lot of fun, and the girls picked up a some good cooking techniques.  They also all got a chance to see how capable they can be.  They made all those treats at the meeting without any help from grown ups.  We also had a lot of leftovers, and I'm sure the girls will be happy to share!

Great job everyone!

Aleks  

Girl Scouts: Big (and delicious!) plans!

Hi everyone!

There's a lot going on, so let's jump right to it!

1)  VERY Time sensitive:  I got a flyer for a Girl Scout event on 1/28 that some of you might be interested in.  Kathleen, Evie,  and I will be out of town, but if anyone wants me to register for tickets for you I can have them left for you at Will Call.  I have to mail the registration in by the 19th, so let me know ASAP!  Here's the event:

Girl Scout Day at the Symphony hosted by Festival City Symphony.  

GIRL SCOUTS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS are invited to a concert entitled "Saints and Heroes," which presents music from three musical style periods, conveying powerful ideas and revealing the passionate spirit of each composer featured. Beethoven's Egmont Overture expresses the transcendent heroism of 16th century Lamoral, the Count of Egmont. Hindemith's Noblissima Visione reflects the "mystic union" of "all symbolic personifications of heavenly and earthly existence." Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 5, the "Reformation Symphony," will be performed just as the 500th anniversary of The Reformation concludes.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 28, 2018 CONCERT AT 3 P.M.

2:30 p.m. Meet the Musicians and Children's Program Notes

Pabst Theater, 144 E. Wells St., Downtown Milwaukee

Tickets:  $7 (all ages)

GIRL SCOUTS WILL ENJOY:

--Welcome from the conductor during the concert.

--Opportunity to meet/greet the symphony musicians. Girl Scouts seated by 2:30 p.m. are invited to meet the symphony members and hear instrument demonstrations prior to the performance.

--Pre-concert "Children's Program Notes" featuring a group activity and discussion presented by music educator Lynn Roginske designed to get children involved in the music they are about to hear.

--Commemorative patch for each Girl Scout in attendance.

Let me know if you're interested ASAP.  Registration due 1/19.

2)  Meeting Fun!  Let's get COOKING!

One of the ideas the girls had for a meeting idea was for everyone to cook something and bring it in to the meeting to share.  So why not do it with our cookie recipes?  Since the girls have told me they LOVE to cook, and LOVE cookies, and since we've been giving a recipe book out at Cookie Booths for years now, I thought we can combine these loves for our next meeting.

Because I help a lot, I was able to talk scouts into giving us two extra boxes of each kind of cookie.  Please sign up for one of the recipes at the link, and let me know the best way to get the appropriate cookies to you.  (Recipe book attached to this email.)  Bring your creation to our next meeting (1/24) and we'll share!  (We'll also be making a couple of the recipes at the meeting which is why not everything from the book is on the sign up list.)

  

Sign up at the link here to make sure we're not doubling up on recipes and so we can be sure to have enough kinds of cookies to make everything.   Link:  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0a4fa5ad22a13-cookie4

3)  Speaking of meetings:  

Our January meeting is next week Wednesday, 1/24.  To avoid the meeting going off the rails every 15 minutes as more girls arrive at all different times, the doors will be closed after our Highland View scouts arrive (so, around 3:40-3:45 ish).  While the official meeting starts at 3:30 to give those Highland View scouts time to arrive, we have activities from 3:00-3:30, including making Thanks-a-Lot S'Mores, and a Girl Scout Law game while we wait for the 5th graders to make it to us.  If you're a scout at GMS, please treat the meeting as if it starts right after school.  

If your scout will be attending, please sign up here:  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0a4fa5ad22a13-january1

4)  Cookie Sale Stuff:

Remember, I need your order totals in my hands by 1/28, or else you'll get your cookies a week or two after everyone else.  (Everyone with orders in by 1/28 will get their cookies around 2/18.  Late orders will be filled the week of 2/23.)  

Super thanks to Portia's family for being our troop's cookie cupboard!  We'll work out the specific process for families to pick up extra cookies, etc. based on Bonnie's availability and convenience and get that information out to you.

Does anyone else need cookie order forms and information? 

Has everyone logged into the online cookie system for their scout? (You should have been emailed a link last Saturday.)

That's all for now!

Aleks  

Girl Scouts: Information for Self Defense tomorrow and list of patches earned so far 2017-2018

Hi everyone!

Just a last update for the Self Defense/Safety event tomorrow:

1)  Plan to meet up at the location.  Because I'm coaching soccer from 9:00-11:00, and Kathleen is bringing Evie to the event straight from mid-game, I won't really be able to provide rides.  Staying around is super encouraged too.  Everyone has to at least stop in to sign a waiver for the scout to participate.  Check in with Kathleen or Rochelle (Ellen's mom) to get things started.

Address:  

Sorce Martial Arts

926 Milwaukee Avenue

South Milwaukee, Wisconsin

United States 53172

(414) 755-9068

2)  Here's who we're expecting.  Any Changes?

Liliana

Lia

Samantha

Carrie

Megha

Kahlen

Evie

Ellen

Jesi

Kendra

Teagan

Katie

Nyelah

 

3)  And here's what we've done since June that had patches associated.  Some girls might not have done all the activities, and some girls may have more patches/badges than are on this list if they've done other activities apart from the troop (like at a Girl Scout summer camp, or other Girl Scout activity they attended solo.) Patches for the tan sash should be ones earned between the end of 5th grade and the end of 8th grade.  If your scout attended one of these events and can't find the patch(es), let me know.  For most of these, I DO have extras, and can catch you up.

OK:

June:  Washington DC Trip patches (11)

July:  4th of July Parade, Old World Wisconsin/Laura Ingalls Wilder Event, Renaissance Faire Scout Day

September:  Green Corners Campout, Horseback Riding Event (Care of Animals Badge)

October:  Halloween event patch (girls who wrote the letter about their favorite part)

November:  Nut Sale earned patches, Raingutter Regatta

January:  Cookie Kick off Party, Self Defense Event (patches available at event)

Earned but not owned yet:  GS Bronze award pin will be presented at the Girl Scout Award Banquet in March/April.  

Aleks 

Girl Scouts: Cookie Stuff

Hi everyone!

Cookie news!  So much cookie news....

1)  Cookie order-taking starts this weekend (OMG!) some of you who were at the cookie party already picked up your cookie order forms, etc.  IF you want cookie sale order forms before Saturday, email me ASAP and we can coordinate getting that to you.  Your initial order totals are due to me by January 28th, and you'll get to pick up your cookies sometime after or around February 19th.

2)  I'll need help!  I can handle collecting orders, getting things organized through Girl Scouts, etc. and even the initial pick up/drop off of initial cookie orders.  BUT, really don't have the space in my house or car or garage to hold cookies between the time of the initial order pickups (February 19th) and when the sale finally wraps up at the end of March.  SO, either we wrap the sale up with just the initial order--no booths, no extra cookie sales, etc. OR I need a parent to volunteer some space and some time to be a troop cookie cupboard (just for our troop!) and store cookies so that once a week parents can pick up any additional cookies they need, and also so we can have cookies on hand for cookie booths.  If you think you might be interested, we can talk more about how we can make it work!

3)  You should get an email from "no-reply@abcsmartcookies.com" this weekend with information about setting up your online store.  It's pretty similar to what scouts has done in the past.  It's not required, but it is encouraged, and can be a help in cookie selling.  So keep eyes open for that.

4)  Cookie booths will be between 2/23 and the end of March.  If we have booths, that's when they'll be.  We won't know when/where our booths will be until February, so that's really all I have to say about that for now.

5)  Finally, this year's cookie mascot is an elephant!  That means all the prizes and patches are elephant themed.  And I think I've heard that there are a couple of of scouts that just may be into elephants... (Just an FYI.)

6)  Questions?  Ask away! 

Aleks 

Girl Scouts: Important Stuff!

Hi everyone!

What a fun cookie party!  I know our girls had a good time, and they were definitely a big help with the younger girls.  It's great to see them step up and be leaders in a that event,especially now that it's become an expected Greendale tradition.  Troop leaders from all the Greendale elementary schools (including St. Al's!) wanted to thank our girls and troop for putting the event on again this year.

New important stuff:

1)  International fair!

February 23rd, 6:30-8:30, Girl Scout troops from the Greendale, Greenfield, and Hales Corners area will be putting on an "International Fair."  Troops will be presenting information, crafts, food, traditions, etc. from many different countries.  I need to know how many of our scouts would like to attend.  The event is free, but our troop does have to present about China, so between now and then we'll have the girls work on putting something together.  PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOUR SCOUT WILL BE ATTENDING THAT EVENT.  The event organizer needs to know ASAP so she can order the correct number of patches, etc. (If you're a Highland View family, imagine it's like the All the World event, but with a Girls/Girl Scouts focus.)

2)  Patches!  Because there are so many different things going on in our girls lives, many girls have missed meetings, or parts of meetings.  Sometimes they miss when I hand out patches.  I'm putting together a list of all the patches that girls could have earned since June 2017.  Not everyone will have earned all of them, and there may be patches individual scouts earned that were separate from the troop (at a Girl Scout Camp, for example) BUT, if you see something on the list that your scout attended/participated in that she doesn't have the patch for, let me know and we can figure out how to get it to you.

3)  Meeting prep!  OK, so the girls have told me in no uncertain terms, that they like cooking, and that they like eating.  Since cookie season is approaching, and since our scouts have been giving out a "stuff you can cook using Girl Scout Cookies" cookbook for years, I thought a neat idea for the next meeting would for the girls to cook things out of the cookbook, and bring them to the meeting.  Keep your eyes open for more details in the next couple of days, including a sign up list for recipes, and a digital copy of the cookbook so you know how to make the recipes.  I also picked up several more boxes of GS cookies from scouts today so you'll be covered there too.

4)  Fourth will actually be a whole email of its own.  LOTS of Girl Scout Cookie information.  So keep your eyes open for that in the next couple hours.

5)  Remember to let me know if your scout wants to attend the international fair 2/23 6:30-8:30!

Keep Scouting!

Aleks

Reminder: Greendale Cookie Kick Off Party Tuesday Night!

Hi everyone!

Just a reminder that the cookie kick off party is tomorrow night at Greendale Middle School!  There are some new activities this year, and a lot of fun as always.  Our girls are old enough to help out now too, and the hands are super appreciated.  It's a great opportunity to be a leader to some of the younger scouts.  (And of COURSE, our scouts don't have to help the whole time--it's their chance to have fun too!)

Aleks

Girl Scout Self Defense/Safety CORRECTION!

Hi everyone,

I mistakenly thought we were scheduled for the 10:00 Tae Kwon Do event, but we're actually scheduled for 11:00.

Here's the address:

Sorce Martial Arts

926 Milwaukee Avenue

South Milwaukee, Wisconsin

United States 53172

(414) 755-9068

See you there!

Aleks Skibicki

Girl Scouts: Meeting Recap, Updates, and Upcoming Events

Hi everyone!

Welcome to the new year.  I hope everyone is managing to keep warm!

First a quick recap from our meeting.  Unfortunately, we weren't able to get through a lot of what was planned, since a lot of our scouts didn't arrive until after 4:00, and getting everyone settled and pointed in the same direction took some time too.  BUT, we did have some fun, and did some learning along the way too.

We started with a Girl Scout Law version of the game "2 Truths and  Lie" where each girl came up with two true examples of when she acted according to Girl Scout principles, and one made-up story.  The other girls had to try to guess which was the made up story.  You'll be happy to know that most of the girls found it easier to remember true stories than to make one up!  It was a lot of fun for the girls to learn more about each other and think about how they've embodied things like being courageous, strong, honest, fair, and caring.

We moved on to talk briefly about some of the answers we got to our happiness survey questions.  We noticed that there were some things that seemed to be very common when it came to making people happy, and some things that were very specific to certain individuals.  We also made a graph of the times from our happiness journals when we noticed we were happy.  The girls found some patterns in the times when they were most often happy--notably, they tended to be happiest after eating.  They realized that sometimes how they feel can be affected by things other than just what's happening right in a particular moment.

Speaking of eating though, we did get a snack in during the meeting, and as an exercise in learning to deal with stress and boosting our happiness, we used a meditative eating technique for our snack.  When we ate, we ate slowly, thinking carefully about all our senses, thoughts, and feelings while we were eating.  Some of the girls enjoyed it, but some would have preferred to just eat FAST!  (We also tried some warm holiday wassail (non-alcoholic) to add some cheer too.

We wrapped up with another stress-relieving activity:  we learned some easy yoga poses to help us stretch and relax when we get stressed.

ACTIVITIES COMING UP:

#1)  JANUARY 13th  SELF DEFENSE/SELF CONFIDENCE TAE KWON DO EVENT   

It sounds like all the scouts will be at 10:00 on January 13th.  I'll get the final information from the mom who's organizing everything and get it out to you as soon as I have it.  

Here's who's expected:

Portia (maybe)

Liliana

Lia

Samantha

Carrie

Megha

Kahlen

Evie

Ellen

Jesi

Kendra

Teagan

Katie

Anyone else?

2)  FEBRUARY 17th, Milwaukee Wave Girl Scout Night.  LAST CALL!

Come for the game, or the game and a movie, or camp out in a tent right on the indoor soccer arena that night!  All scouts get a Wave winter hat, ticket, and anyone staying for the movie or sleepover also get popcorn and a soda included.

Details and Sign Up here:

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0a4fa5ad22a13-milwaukee

3)  COOKIE KICK OFF PARTY TUESDAY JANUARY 9th

Remember the Cookie Kick off Party for Greendale Girl Scouts is at GMS on Tuesday, and our scouts are hosting! (And they're also invited to join in and play and have fun too of course!)

More information and sign up here:

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0a4fa5ad22a13-cookie3