Minutes for September 11, 2006
Attendees: Kerry Zuccareno, Travis Delaney, Megan Houston, Deb Noel, Andrea Houlihan, Christine Greene, James Pape, Stacy Pape, Gayle Eustis, Jen Crowther, Holly baker, Monica Nygaard-Ostby, Alesia Clear, Tim Clear, Peter Fornasier, Tracy Fornasier, Kim Gucciardi, Rob Gucciardi, Susan Gregoire, Rachel Sheridan, Jennifer Parks Lyons, Tim Lyons, Gaby Gurt, Erica Williams, Yu Luan, Sheila Royer, Jen Corbet, Lynn Banach, Kelly Philbrick, Carol McQuillen, Sarah Vachereau, Donna Macdonald, Lisa Hebert, Steven Schmidt, Heather Paine, Deidre Riehle, Linda Norris, Gretchen Duell, Jane Jevons, Tatiana Maslova, Diana Schwiagert, Nanci Bevilacqua, Nancy Hellen, Steven Crowley, Moira Daly, Linda Arthur, Rosalind Saunders, Jeff Rogers, Lori Charash, Anne Bradley, Anita Tuttle, Ellen Erdmann, Allyson Downing, Allyson Yandow, Rick Ebel, and Lynne Baechle
Principal Ebel welcomed the large crowd of parents to the PTO and new school year. He explained the mission of the PTO and encouraged new volunteers become involved.
Co-President Yandow introduced the PTO board: Lynne Baechle, Secretary; Anita Tuttle, Co-Vice President; Sheila Royer, Treasurer; Allyson Downing, Co-President; and Ellen Erdmann, Co-Vice President. The Orchard staff present at the meeting also introduced themselves: Sarah Vachereau, 4/5 wing teacher, Carol McQuillen, K/1 wing teacher, Steven Schmidt, 2/3 wing teacher, Donna Macdonald, librarian/ technical education teacher, Anne Eaton and Nancy Hellen, lunch and recess aides as well as Orchard parents.
Co-President Yandow discussed several of the current fundraisers: School Photo Day which provides 50% of sales to the PTO, Innisbrook Gift Wrap sales, which provides 50% of sales to the PTO, and Hannaford Helps Schools which provides cash based on purchases to the schools.
Harvest
Festival: Diana
Schwaigert and Carol McQuillen
Harvest Festival Food Chairperson Diana Schwaigert said the Festival will take place on Thursday October 5th, 2006. A family dinner will be served and activities will be taking place outdoors during the night. Carol McQuillen, Activities Chairperson, announced an Activities subcommittee meeting for September 21st, 2006 in her classroom. Both subcommittees continue to look for volunteers to help put on this event.
2006-2007
Budget: Sheila Royer
Treasurer Sheila Royer reviewed the proposed annual budget with those assembled. She noted that our major fundraisers are: school pictures, Innisbrook Gift Wrap Sale, and Skate Night. Mrs. Royer noted that the Drama program is a self–sustaining program and does its own fundraising. The largest expense is Teacher Educational Units ($7750) given to the teaching staff in the form of an annual stipend to be used as the teacher see fit. The stipend amount differs for organizations/departments which support the whole school (i.e. guidance or health office) and individual teachers. Teacher Sarah Vachereau gave an example of how she used her stipend last year for an extra field trip.
Co-President Downing pointed out that the Innisbrook fundraiser has a web based component to reach families out of town or state and encouraged its use. Orchard School’s code is 120881.
Parent Lori Charash had some additional ideas for fundraising. The PTO Board asked that she meet with them after the meeting to present the idea.
Librarian Donna Macdonald mentioned that two smaller fundraisers late last year were successful, Barnes and Noble and the Orchard Night at the Lake Monsters. She has submitted Orchard again for a night next year.
Parent Nanci Bevilacqua motioned to approve the budget as submitted. Parent Linda Arthur seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Secretary Lynne Baechle motioned to make contributions of $100 to each the Baird Center in memory of Alicia Shanks and the Linda Lambesis Educational Foundation in support of the teachers who were shot is Essex. Heather Paine seconded the motion. Motion passed.
French
Club: Monica Nygaard-Ostby
Chairperson Ostby explained how French Club has grown over the last year. French Club is a district wide club at all 3 elementary schools. This year there will be 2 sessions for French Club at Orchard. Unfortunately, we will not be able to have the assistance of the high school French students or UVM French majors. The French Club will be divided into 2 groups 3-5th graders working in the fall session and the k-2 students working in the spring session. French Club is looking for volunteers to assist running the program. If you are interested, please contact Monica at monicaostby@yahoo.com.
Mrs. Ostby also mentioned an opportunity to form a Spanish Club for the spring, but volunteers are needed to help drive this effort.
Principal Ebel described a trip he and a group investigating the return of World Languages to the elementary curriculum, took last spring to Glastonbury, CT to review their World Languages program which has taught elementary students for 50 years. He thanked Monica Ostby for her driving efforts on this committee.
Pizzeria
Uno’s Night: Monica Nygaard-Ostby
Mrs. Ostby is also chairing the Pizzeria Uno’s fundraisers this year. Our first day a Uno’s is Wednesday, September 27th, 2006. The PTO will receive 20% of all orders purchased with the coupon for the day. All proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit the library.
Memory
Book: Anita Tuttle and Susan Gregoire
Co-Vice President Tuttle showed a Memory Book (yearbook) to the gathering. She described the Memory Book page making process as something similar to scrap booking.
Mrs. Tuttle and Mrs. Gregoire are looking for volunteers to adopt a classroom or two, take pictures of that classroom during the school year, and compile a page for that classroom. Training will be provided at a later date. The cost to print photos is reimbursed.
Popcorn
Fridays: Allyson Yandow
Co-President Yandow explained the tradition of Popcorn Friday’s at Orchard. Bags are sold for $0.25 each every other Friday. The PTO is looking for a volunteer to chair and coordinate volunteers to make and sell the popcorn during lunch. Volunteers need to be available from 10am to 12:45pm. Training on the use of the popcorn popper would be available. Susan Gregoire volunteered to chair this committee.
Slimy:
Carol McQuillen
Chairperson Carol McQuillen explained what Slimy is, its mission and function in the school and community and gave examples of the activities Slimy does at Orchard. Mrs. McQuillen explained the funding model used to support the Slimy activities: 2 tag sales (fall and spring), and 25% of plant sales for the month of May from Just Dancin’ (a local garden store). Mrs. McQuillen explained that the moneys raised go towards hiring a summer intern to maintain the school teaching gardens, work with the School’s Out and Recreation Department programs which are at the school over the summer months. The Slimy Tag Sale will be November 4th and 5th, 2006.
PTO
Officer Elections: Allyson Yandow
President Yandow identified three open positions: Co Vice-President, Co-Treasurer and Secretary. These are 2 year terms. Lynne Baechle and Diana Schwaigert have submitted their names for the Co-Vice President position, Lisa Hebert for the position of Co-Treasurer. At the time of the vote there were no candidates for Secretary. Each candidate gave a short speech. Completed ballots were collected by Co-Vice President Erdmann. The results will be announced at the next meeting.
Volunteer
Training: Rick Ebel
Principal Ebel trained the assembly on the school district expectations when volunteering in a classroom, on a field trip, etc. The main points are:
Principal Ebel reminded everyone to sign in upon entering the building and displaying a visitor’s badge while in the building.
President Yandow highlighted the PTO Membership Donation form in the back of the newsletter and the sale Middle School District wide Calendars ($5).
Sign Up sheets for all PTO activities would be available after the meeting.
Stacey Pape motioned that the meeting be adjourned.
Ellen Erdmann seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Page created by PTO Secretary Lynne Baechle and Orchard Library/Media Specialist Donna Macdonald.
This page last updated: 10/17/06.