PTO Minutes for March 12, 2007
In attendance:
Donna Sullivan-Macdonald, Allyson Yandow, Allyson Downing, Diana
Schwaigert, Lynne Baechle, Sheila Royer, Lisa Hebert, Moira Daly, Carol
McQuillen
Allyson Yandow called the meeting to order.
1.
Meeting minutes: Moira Daly
The minutes of the February 12 meeting were reviewed.
Lynne Baechle motioned to accept the minutes as summarized.
Sheila Royer seconded. All
were in favor, none opposed.
2.
SLIMY update: Carol McQuillen
SLIMY will present information on composting at the
upcoming Science Fair (Wednesday, March 14).
SLIMY has been in contact with representatives from the Chittenden
County Solid Waste District (CCSWD), who will provide information on their
composting program and will have composting buckets available for residents who
wish to participate. They will also
have information and a presentation on vermicomposting.
A representative from the SLIMY subcommittee has
obtained a donation of coffee from Green Mountain Coffee Roasters which will be
sold at the Science Fair.
A SLIMY representative will be at the entrance of the
school the night of the Science Fair to discuss the garden landscape project for
the front of the school garden with parents.
On Friday, March 9, Carol met with Orchard teachers to
discuss maintenance of the garden spaces that are used by many teachers in their
classroom curricula. Of a faculty
of 18 teachers, 12 currently participate in the landscapes program.
At issue is the PTO funding the position of the summer intern, and
possible alternatives to this arrangement.
Use of the gardens begins during the academic year, but maintenance over
the summer is required. Some
suggestions discussed included formation of a garden club which would involve
Orchard families in maintaining classroom gardens.
It was also proposed that an intern be considered for managing one of the
garden spaces, parents supporting others, and the intern being available to
support parents. Carol’s
discussion with teachers is ongoing, and she will have additional information to
present to the PTO in April in order that a decision can be made whether to go
forward with an intern position.
3.
Technology Update: Donna Sullivan-Macdonald
The PTO meeting was held in Melinda Tate’s classroom
where Donna Sullivan-Macdonald demonstrated the new projection system.
Andrew Pearson, Media Services Director for the district, recently
connected the system, and indicated this particular set up is a model for the
district. This system was funded by
the district. The PTO, with money
from the Uno’s fundraisers, will furnish the cost of a second system for Kay
Howley’s classroom. The PTO
has requested that Andrew provide a proposal for the cost of the next system.
The PTO will then put funds in a district account from which he can draw
for equipment purchases. Lynne
Baechle motioned to reaffirm the PTO giving money to the district to purchase
the projection equipment. Lisa
Hebert seconded. All were in favor,
none opposed. Donna Sullivan-Macdonald
will liaise with Andrew Pearson for purchase of this system.
3. Vermont Lake
Monsters: Donna Sullivan-Macdonald
No new action. Donna
Sullivan-Macdonald will be in contact with the Lake Monsters to request that
Orchard be allowed to sell tickets for the June 25 game and additional games
during the season.
4.
Enrichment: Allyson Yandow
There will be a performance of Jeh Kulu dancers on
Friday, April 20. This was noted in
Mr. Ebel’s weekly bulletin of March 9. Hopefully,
with such advance notice, parents can arrange to attend this daytime
performance.
5.
Skate Night: Lynne Baechle
Tim Hopper, Orchard parent and volunteer hockey coach,
will coordinate skate monitors for the evening.
Information on the “Time, Talent or Treasure” raffle went home in
last week’s Friday folders, and donations from Orchard families should start
coming in. Volunteers will be
needed for the event, including selling raffle tickets during lunch the
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of the week leading up to Skate Night.
6.
“It’s My Art” Fundraiser: Lisa
Hebert
Lisa Hebert has been in contact with Susie Cicirello,
the Orchard art teacher, and artwork for this project should be completed this
week. Artwork and order forms will
go home with students on March 23.
7.
Spanish Club: Allyson Yandow
There was an error in last week’s PTO newsletter.
Spanish club registration was due March 12, and Spanish Club will start
March 21 (not March 12 as indicated in the newsletter).
Monica Ostby was contacting all parents of students enrolled in Spanish
Club to clarify.
8.
Odyssey of the Mind
Two Orchard teams competed in the Odyssey of the Mind
this past weekend (March 10). Nancy
Hellen, coordinator, will be contacted to request a follow up for the upcoming
April PTO newsletter.
9.
Science Fair
The Orchard Science Fair will be held on Wednesday March
14. Students have a ˝ day of
school that day.
10.
Book Fair: Donna Sullivan-Macdonald
There will be a book fair in the library during upcoming
parent-teacher conferences.
There being no further agenda items, Lynne Baechle
motioned to adjourn the meeting. Allyson
Downing seconded, and all were in favor.
The next PTO meeting will be Monday, April 9.
Page created by PTO Secretary Lynne Baechle and Orchard Library/Media Specialist Donna Macdonald.
This page last updated: 04/16/07.