Minutes for
October 10, 2005
Attendees:
Allyson Downing, Frank Geier, Mamata Hegde, Ellen Erdmann, Carol McQuillen,
Monica Ostby, Linda Norris, Barbara Pawluk, Lynne Baechle, Sheila Royer, Rick
Ebel, Allyson Yandow, Anita Tuttle, Rosalind Saunders, Maureen Genzlinger, Donna
Macdonald, and Kathy Fox
Co-President Allyson Yandow opened the meeting by welcoming all in attendance.
Secretary Lynne Baechle read the minutes from the
September PTO meeting for approval. It was also announced that Allyson Downing
was elected Co-President and Ellen Erdmann was elected Co-Vice President.
Allyson Yandow motioned to approve the minutes, Allyson Downing seconded
the motion. The minutes were approved as read.
International
Night: Allyson Yandow
International Night Chairperson Diana Schwaigert was
unable to attend the meeting. Co-President Yandow provided the following update
for International Night. Chair Schwaigert is talking with Olive garden
restaurant about possible food donations. They have been supportive of Orchard
School in the past. Table Chair Anne Eaton noted that we have 17-18 countries
tables currently. Entertainment
Chair Maggie Holt has been able to get Tae Kwon Do, Irish Step Dancing, Highland
Dancers, and the Tiako Drummers for the festival.
Slimy:
Carol McQuillen
Co-Chair Carol McQuillen stated that the semi-annual
Slimy Tag Sale will take place November 4 & 5th.
The hours for Friday (11/4) will be 3pm-7pm for the school community and
4pm-7pm for the general public. Slimy
is also working to create an informal network of community charitable
organizations to receive items not sold. Slimy
is looking into ways to send some to appropriate extra items towards Hurricane
Katrina relief efforts. Sign up
sheets for volunteers will be going up next week.
Drama: Ellen
Erdmann
Chairperson Ellen Erdmann announced that the Drama
committee has a production staff in place for The
Wizard of Oz. November
audition times were announced in the October PTO newsletter.
Auditions will be held after school in November. If a child wants a
speaking role, they must audition. There
will be roles with limited speaking in the 4/5 chorus. Several parents asked for
more guidance about the drama audition process.
Principal Ebel reiterated that the children learn and grow just by
participating in the drama process.
French Club:
Monica Ostby
Chairperson Ostby is looking to expand French Club. The
idea was well received at Central and Chamberlin schools. The South Burlington Community Fund, which has provided a
portion of the funding for French Club in the past, is not currently able to
provide any funding. French Club chairs are looking at other sources of funding
such as the South Burlington High School Alumni Foundation. The 3 elementary schools could be seeking up to $3000 for an
expanded French Club supplies. French
Club is planned for the period between the February and April vacations.
Mrs. Ostby met with the high school AP French teacher.
22 high school AP students were willing to help the elementary students
with French. Other high school
organizations may be willing to support the French club as well (National Honor
Society, and Future Teachers organization).
French Club will be sending
out a questionnaire to gauge interest level.
Parent Kathy Fox has contacts at UVM which might provide additional
French students the opportunity to teach.
Parent Linda Norris inquired
about support for a world language, specifically Spanish, in the school.
Linda Norris and Monica Ostby will form a World Languages subcommittee to
investigate the possibilities of such.
Chess Club:
Kathy Fox
Chess Club will run between January 30, 2006 and
February 24, 2006. The fee assessed
for chess club will be used to provide snacks, new chess boards, and some chess
clocks for the more advanced students. Ms.
Fox was looking for ideas on how to get more girls involved in Chess Club.
Ms. Fox will ask the School’s Out coordinator for help in generating
interest among the girls for Chess Club.
Expos Update:
Donna Macdonald
Librarian Macdonald coordinated the night at the Vermont
Expos last summer. She reported that we raised $539 in ticket sales and $1206 in
the 50/50 raffle. All proceeds were
donated to the Caring for Alex foundation (former Orchard student Alex Johnson).
Mrs. Macdonald asked if the Orchard PTO was interested in doing another
night at the Expos. A letter was submitted to the baseball organization, we will
know if we were accepted in January, 2006.
Book Fair and
Pizza Night: Allyson Yandow
Book
Fair and Pizza Night preparations are well under way and on target.
Budget Report:
Sheila Royer
Treasurer Royer reported that the membership drive has
netted $550 thus far. We have projected $850 from membership. The gift wrap
sales numbers are not in yet. Madeleine
Nash, the Central School Counselor, has asked if the Orchard PTO would
contribute $70 towards refreshments and child care services for two parent
course being offered in the school district.
Maureen Genzlinger motioned that the PTO support Counselor Nash’s
request. Ellen Erdmann seconded the
motion. Motion passed.
School Signage:
Rick Ebel
Principal Ebel spoke with the school district Facilities
director about a new sign for Orchard School.
He found out that maintenance man, Mike Repauz has already made a one
sided sign for the school. Principal
Ebel will take a look at the sign this week and ask the district if a one-sided
sign can be installed.
Enrichment:
Carol McQuillen
Teacher McQuillen put forth a concept for an enrichment
opportunity for the school. She
would like to have former Orchard student, Chad Hollister, assist the students
in the writing and performance of music and percussion pieces which support the
Fabulous Friday curriculum (Social Skills).
Music teacher Amy Frostman was willing to have some student pieces
performed during the winter concert. The possibility exists that parent Chuck
Eller would record the performance and the PTO could sell the CDs for additional
fundraising. Teacher McQuillen was asking for $2000 to support this school wide
artist in residence.
Principal Ebel asked about the timing and coordination
of this school wide event.
Co-Vice President Ellen Erdmann asked that Mr. Hollister
submit a written proposal to the PTO Board for review before proceeding.
Bracelets for
Alex: Rosalind Saunders
Parent Saunders asked to set up a table at International
Night for the sale of bracelets which support the Caring for Alex foundation.
Ms. Saunders was directed to talk with Anne Eaton about table availability.
Poinsettia Sale:
Allyson Yandow
In the past, Orchard School has run a fundraiser by
selling Poinsettia plants from a local nursery. Historically we have made about
$300 from these sales. The PTO was asked if we wish to resume the sale.
Discussion centered on can we offer another flower, as well as the poinsettia,
which isn’t symbolically Christian.
Parent Sue Vankovering will investigate. If possible, sale flyers will go home November 4, 2005.
Parent Linda Norris motioned that, if we can offer two flowers for sale, that we reinstate the flower sale. Co-Vice President Ellen Erdmann seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Allyson Yandow motioned that the meeting be adjourned. Allyson Downing seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Page created by PTO Secretary Lynne Baechle and Orchard Library/Media Specialist Donna Macdonald.
This page last updated: 11/17/05.