PTO Minutes for February 12, 2007
In attendance:
Rick Ebel, Donna Sullivan-Maconald, Allyson Yandow, Allyson Downing,
Diana Schwaigert, Lynne Baechle, Sheila Royer, Lisa Hebert, Moira Daly, Carol
McQuillen, Deb Gurwicz, Mo Genzlinger, Nancy Hellen, Maggie Holt
Allyson Yandow called the meeting to order.
1.
Meeting Minutes: Moira Daly
The minutes of the January 8 meeting were reviewed.
Lynne Baechle motioned to accept the minutes as summarized.
Lisa Hebert seconded. All
were in favor, none opposed.
2.
Technology Update: Donna Sullivan-Macdonald
Components of the projection system are
in Mrs. Tate’s classroom, awaiting Andrew Pearson, Media Services Director for
the district, who will hardwire the system and connect it to the network.
3. Vermont Lake
Monsters: Donna Sullivan-Macdonald
Orchard School has been approached by the Vermont Lake
Monsters to participate in a 50/50 raffle sponsored by the team at their game on
Monday, June 25 as a fund raising opportunity for the school.
Donna Sullivan-Macdonald will ask if Orchard can also sell tickets for
the game and additional games during the season.
In the past, Orchard has received 30% of all ticket sales, most recently
$559 two years ago.
4.
SLIMY Update: Carol McQuillen
Discussions are ongoing between the PTO and SLIMY
regarding SLIMY’s continued role as a subcommittee of the Orchard PTO.
PTO Officers met with SLIMY subcommittee members on January 22, and PTO
co-presidents met with SLIMY co-directors on February 5.
Carol McQuillen reported on current SLIMY activity.
Several SLIMY subcommittee members are participating on the district
strategic planning committee. Minutes
from these discussions will be circulated among district administrators.
Minutes from SLIMY meeting that address issues relating to Orchard school
will be circulated among PTO officers. Ongoing
SLIMY activity within Orchard includes Eat the Rainbow, classroom composting,
Smart Snacks, grow labs, landscapes connected with classroom curricula, and
participation in the Harvest festival.
Among SLIMY activities that do not occur during the
school year and/or available to all Orchard students, as traditionally required
for PTO activities, include the summer gardening program. Money raised at the PTO/SLIMY tag sale has typically been
designated for a summer intern who is involved in maintaining the gardens.
The question remains as to whether it is appropriate for the PTO to be
funding this position. Other opportunities for maintenance of the summer gardens
include exploring the role of children participating in the Parks and Recreation
summer program at Orchard and/or developing a gardening club within Orchard.
Carol McQuillen provided additional explanation regarding the role of the
student intern, which often begins in April as a teaching assistant in the
classrooms helping to prepare and/or maintain plantings used in the classroom
landscapes. Deb Gurwicz spoke to the value of the intern in enabling this
aspect of the classroom curriculum. Resolution
of this issue is needed within approximately one month if a summer intern is to
be retained. Carol will prepare
additional information in writing for the PTO as a means to clarify the role of
the summer intern beyond the summer gardening program.
Carol requested a February 23 deadline for approval by
the PTO officers of the landscape plan for the front of the school.
Carol will prepare promotional material to go in the March PTO newsletter
regarding opportunities for Orchard families to donate to this project.
Lynne Baechle suggested offering recognition and/or tax receipts to
donors who give a certain amount.
Deb Gurwicz spoke to the activity her class has been
involved in surrounding the 50th anniversary of Orchard school.
A UVM intern has been assisting in curriculum activities toward obtaining
and documenting the history of the Orchard property.
Students have been involved in interviewing individuals with a past
connection to Orchard, including the original property owner/farmer Jim Fayette,
Kathy Bowman, the original school nurse, as well as past teachers and students.
Deb Gurwicz indicated this has proven a very positive learning experience
for students, and has reinforced a sense of place and belonging in the Orchard
community as they unearth its history. These
interviews have been videotaped, with the goal of eventually having a multimedia
presentation on the history of Orchard.
There is the possibility that Green Mountain Coffee
Roasters will donate 300 pounds of coffee to SLIMY as a means to fundraise for
the front garden. Carol has
proposed selling this at the science fair.
It was also suggested that an order form be sent home to families.
Allyson Yandow motioned that the SLIMY subcommittee sponsor a Green
Mountain Coffee Roasters sale. Sheila
Royer seconded the motion. All were
in favor, none opposed.
5.
Playground Supplies – Nancy Hellen
The playground supplies have been purchased and labeled,
and are in use by the children during recess.
A secured cupboard for their storage is in the cafeteria, making them
easily accessible. Nancy Hellen will provide an inventory and receipts for
equipment purchased.
6.
Skate Night: Maggie Holt
On Friday, March 30 the Orchard PTO will host Skate
Night at Cairns Arena. The first
half of the evening will be catered to more novice skaters, and the second half
to more experienced skaters. (All
skaters will be welcome throughout the evening).
Volunteers, who will be distinguished by arm bands and carry whistles,
will patrol the ice. Helmets will
be encouraged by all skaters. Fund
raising will include two raffles, one for children at school and one for
families. For the latter, Orchard
families will be encouraged to donate “Time, Treasure or Talent” to be
raffled off at skate night. Advanced
tickets for the raffle may be purchased in order to encourage sales among people
who may not attend skate night. Maggie
Holt will prepare notices to go home in Friday folders.
7.
“It’s My Art” Fundraiser: Lisa
Hebert
“It’s My Art” is a company that puts children’s
artwork on various items (aprons, mouse pads, T-shirts).
Lori Charash, Orchard parent, initially suggested this as a fund raiser
at the first PTO meeting in September, and Lisa Herbert, PTO Co-Treasurer, has
recently explored it. The art
teacher is agreeable to incorporating this activity into the curriculum and will
try to ensure student’s artwork is completed in time for orders to be filled
by Mother’s Day. Artwork will be
sent home for parent’s to review with an order form.
Orchard will receive 50% of all sales.
The order form will also be circulated among teachers in order that they
can include this in classroom correspondences and discussions with the children.
Lynne Baechle motioned that the PTO pursue “It’s My
Artwork” as a fundraiser. Allyson
Yandow seconded. All were in favor,
none opposed.
8.
Champlain Lanes Fundraiser: Allyson
Yandow
Champlain Lanes has been in touch with the PTO regarding
a fundraising opportunity over the upcoming winter break.
From February 26 through March 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Champlain Lanes
will offer Orchard students bowling, shoe rental, pizza or a hot dog and soda
for $7.00, with $1.00 being donated to the Orchard PTO.
Notices will go home in the Friday, February 16 folder.
Lynne Baechle motioned that the PTO go bowling!
Mo Genzlinger seconded the motion. All
were in favor, none opposed.
9.
Treasurer’s Report – Lisa Hebert & Sheila Royer
Since the January meeting, the following fund raising has occurred:
Drama $5098.94
Pizza Uno Night $ 391.41 (12/12)
10.
PTO Donation
Ellen Erdman’s mother died on Friday, February 9.
Lynne Baechle motioned that the PTO donate $100 in her name to the Hope
Lodge in Burlington. Allyson Yandow seconded the motion. All were in favor, none opposed.
There being no further agenda items, Lynne Baechle
motioned to adjourn the meeting. Sheila
Royer seconded, and all were in favor.
The next PTO meeting will be Monday, March 12 at 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria.
Page created by PTO Secretary Lynne Baechle and Orchard Library/Media Specialist Donna Macdonald.
This page last updated: 03/13/07.