Attendees: L. Baechle, K. Blake, K. Barnes, M. Nygaard-Ostay, M. Bissonette, A. Daniels, K. Kasun, E. LeClair, C. Keetle, F. Geier, C. Thorneloe, D. Riehle, E. Erdmann, C. Keogh, C. Hammach, J. Murray, M. Dingeman, S. Weber, D. Frizzell, A. Morrow, K. Cunningham, K. Jarus, T. Dingeman, P. Cyr, A. Downing, D. Schwiagert, K. Killian, J. Jevons Cowey, L. Perrin, M. Perrin, L. Abbott, J. Drouin, B. Drouin, R. Ebel, A. Yandow, M. Genzlinger, N. Bevilacqua, S. Royer, T. Barritt, L. Kunin, R. Saunders, L. Capano, F. Mazur, T. Warshaw, J. Gilmartin, P. Farmer, K. Philbrick, L. Pelletier, A. Wong, K. Yumoto, N. Hellen, G. Gurt, S. Solnick, A. Tuttle, K. Handy, P. Handy

President Nanci Bevilacqua opened the PTO meeting with a welcome to all old and new parents. She then introduced the PTO officers: Sheila Royer, Treasurer, Allyson Yandow, Vice President, Anita Tuttle Vice President, Maureen Genzlinger, Teacher Representative, Lynne Baechle Secretary.  Meeting Agendas were handed out (see attachment #1)

President Bevilacqua explained what the PTO is all about and encouraged parent participation.  The Orchard PTO was nominated for a United Way Hometown Hero award.  While the PTO didn’t win, President Bevilacqua expressed satisfaction in just being nominated. The Kids on the Block won the United Way Hometown Hero award for this year.

There will be a bake sale on Tuesday 9/14/04 for the Vermont State Primaries. Help is needed. Please see Nanci Bevilacqua if you can help.

Budget: Sheila Royer

Copies of this year projected budget were passed out (see attachment #2). Treasurer Royer explained that the budget is designed to breakeven each year. She detailed the largest revenue sources as Membership Drive, Skate Night, and Wrapping Paper sales.  The largest expense items are the teacher subsidies.  Each classroom teacher receives a subsidy of $225 for the year to cover items purchased by teachers for their classrooms.

Q. What are the Enrichment line items in the budget?

A. Enrichment comes in many forms and varies from year to year.  It could be Artists in Residence, or Circus Smirkus, or Kids on the Block.

The Budget was motioned, seconded, and approved by the members present.

French Club: Nanci Bevilacqua

French Club was introduced last year as a project between all 3 elementary schools, each funding a portion of costs, with the Community Fund also contributing to the project.  Central and Chamberlain school PTOs have asked if Orchard School PTO can include French Club as a line item for the next 5 years at $550/year?  The Community Fund contributes $480 towards supplies.

Principal Ebel explained the history of the French Club and why the PTOs are running such a program.  World Languages (including French) were previously taught in the elementary schools.  After Act 60, the funding for World Languages was removed from the elementary schools budget and the program was dropped. The parents and PTOs continue to have an interest in World Languages program and are encouraged that all three elementary schools are working together.

Q. How will returning students be differentiated?

A. Will return answer at Oct PTO meeting.

Q. How many kids participated in French Club last year and how does that compare with other activities?

A. French Club was filled, with some students having to join a waiting list before being accepted (first come, first serve basis).  Children who go to School’s Out can participate in French Club.

Q. Are there any internships available through the University?  Internships and foreign nations can not get paid.

A. Monica Nygaard-Ostay was willing to investigate and return an answer to the PTO at October’s meeting.

A motion and second, to table a decision on funding French Club until the October meeting was approved.

Water Damage Issues: Rick Ebel

Principal Ebel reported that FEMA has been contacted. Work to repair the 4/5 house has been going quickly. Local contractors have been very helpful.  The target date to return the 4^th and 5^th grade students to their classrooms is September 20^th.

On Monday August 30^th 2 to 3 inches of water covered the floors and carpets of the 4/5 house.  The carpets have been torn out and are being replaced with tile. In addition, the bottom 12” of sheetrock and insulation has been replaced. Teachers are still inventorying their supplies to figure out what has been lost.  Several outside programs, using Orchard classroom space, have been temporarily displaced to make room for the 4^th and 5^th graders. In addition, the K/1 and 2/3 project rooms are being used for classrooms.

Hot Lunch: Rick Ebel

Principal Ebel talked about the implementation of an electronic hot lunch system.  Many kinks have to be worked out of the system. All three elementary schools are having similar  difficulties.  A second keypad has been ordered. Adults are helping students key in their PIN numbers.  If parents have experience with similar systems; or ideas on improvements, please contact Rick Ebel.

Q. How do you know when the account balance is low?

A. The Student will be told.

Q.  How can you get a statement of items purchased?

A. You must request it from Nutritional Services.

SLIMY: Carol McQuillen

The three objectives for SLIMY subcommittee are:

• Care of the landscapes of the schools
• Composting Program
• Quality of Food in the School

Parent volunteers are needed to help the K/1 students with composting.

SLIMY meetings are held after PTO meetings.

There will be a SLIMY Tag Sale on November 5^th and 6^th, 2004.

Enrichment: Ellen Erdmann

Parent Ellen Erdmann suggested that Enrichment become a committee. A call for volunteer chairpersons was issued.

PTO Calendar

September 17, 2004    Family Fun Night    6pm – 8pm

October 14, 2004    Harvest Festival   5:30pm – 7:30pm

Orchard Talent Show: Nanci Bevilacqua

President Bevilacqua floated the idea of putting on a talent show sometime in the spring.  Anyone affiliated with Orchard School could participate. There would be auditions to ensure the material and content of the acts was appropriate.  The idea was well received.  It was also suggested that there be a theme for the night (i.e. the 60’s).  Another suggested that Visual Arts show be presented at the same time.

Orchard Staff Goals and Volunteer Training: Rick Ebel

Principal Ebel outlined the staff goals for the year:

• Equitity and Diversity through the Kids on the Block  and Theme Thursdays
• Reimplementing Literacy Blocks throughout the school with the Para educators
• Differentiated Instruction with a consultant
• Communication Improvements and Interpersonal Skill

Policy 2.02 was distributed.  The parents in attendance were trained to volunteer at Orchard School.  Teachers will do all future training of volunteers who were absent.