PTO Minutes for October 8, 2007
Attendees: Allyson Downing, Monica Nygaard-Ostby, Diana Schwaigert, Lynne Baechle, Lisa Hebert, Moira Daly, Rick Ebel, Donna Sullivan McDonald, Carol McQuillen, Lisa Kunin, Roz Saunders, Bridget Baumgaertel, Heather Bates, Pam Liberty, Ken Bowler, Nancy Hellen
Allyson Downing, PTO Co-President, welcomed all attendees and brought the meeting to order. She also reviewed the election results from the last PTO meeting, and welcomed new Co-President Monica Nygaard-Ostby and Co-Vice-President Diana Schwaigert.
Review of minutes from September 10, 2007: Moira Daly
The minutes from the last meeting were summarized and accepted.
Budget: Lisa Hebert
Lisa Hebert briefly reviewed the budget. Member donations to the PTO to date amount to $845. Some teachers have used money from their Principal’s Fund. No information on the Innisbrook fundraiser is as yet available.
International Night: Diana Schwaigert and Moira Daly
Entertainment will include the Taiko Drummers, the American Tae Kwon Do Academy, Scottish dancers, and music performed by Raphael Groton. The Olive Garden will provide the food. Allyson Downing will purchase paper products at Costco. Lisa Hebert is working on passports. Ten families have responded to set up table displays. An email reminder will go out to families regarding the event. SLIMY would like to do a table at International Night, and member Brigitte Baumgartel will be the SLIMY representative.
PTO Bulletin Board: Lisa Hebert
Lisa and Monica have offered to maintain the PTO bulletin board. A copy of the PTO newsletter will be posted, as well information on upcoming events. Lisa has decorated the bulletin board to reflect the upcoming international night and it looks wonderful!
Email: Monica Ostby and Roz Saunders
Monica and Roz have been compiling and email data base. A concern was expressed by a parent present who has no email access. Paper copies of most information will continue to be available, and as we move toward greater online communication, a list of families who would like to receive paper copies of correspondences will be maintained and copies of materials sent home. Paper copies will also be available at school. While there are still a few quirks to be worked out, so far the feedback on email use has been favorable.
Enrichment: Donna Sullivan-Macdonald
The visit by author Elizabeth Winthrop on September 27 was very well
received. Photos of the visit are on the school website, and articles appeared
in both the Burlington Free Press and The Other Paper.
Elizabeth's cost for the two presentations was
$1000.00. Chamberlin and Tuttle Middle School each contributed
$200.00, leaving Orchard's cost to be $600.00. (This speaker normally charges
$1800.00 per presentation but Vermont's cost is lower because of the "Vermont
Reads" book Counting on Grace).
Lynne Baechle is exploring science-based enrichment activities for the 2-3 and 4-5 wings. These include a visit from the Vermont Institute of Natural Science with their raptors program for the 2-3 wing at a cost of $650 for two sessions, and a study of electricity, possibly through IBM’s Jolts and Volts program, for the 4-5 wing. Lynne is hoping the latter may be donated. Nancy Hellen raised the idea of discussing sustainability with regard to electricity, and will explore information available through Green Mountain Power and NRG to supplement any IBM info. Dates have not been established pending discussion with teachers as to timing relative to the curriculum.
Drama: Lisa Kunin and Roz Saunders
Roz provided some background information on how the production works for new families present. Roz highlighted that the play provides an educational and enrichment component incorporated into rehearsals. Don Wright will once again be the director, and Ashley O’Brien, who provided the music last year, will be the music director. Don’s salary for the production has gone up by $300 this year to approximately $3000. This year, the 2-3 chorus will be divided with rehearsals on different days (2nd grade on Tuesdays and 3rd grade on Thursdays). As well as speaking parts, the 4-5 students will have the opportunity to be involved as stage crew. Rehearsals for the 4-5 students will be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Several production meetings have been held, and many volunteer positions filled. There are approximately 90 parent volunteers for the production. A list of positions and volunteers to date was distributed. Volunteers are still be recruited, and anyone interested in volunteering is encouraged to contact Roz. Roz and Lisa have been compiling job descriptions for the many roles required for the production, and are working to identify two people to fill their positions as drama chairs who can work with them these next two years to be trained in their roles. Most correspondence surrounding drama will occur via email. Lisa Kunin provided an update on the budget. All have agreed that the production will remain on site at Orchard. Sound-proofing the gym had been considered but is deemed cost-prohibitive. Andy Pearson, Audio-Visual Director with the South Burlington School District, will assist with the lighting and sound for the production. There has been some discussion with the Imaging Lab at the high school regarding use of using large screens to project the production due to limitations with seating. Fundraising ideas were discussed, including selling shares in the various costs of the production (ie purchasing a share of the cost of costumes, lighting, etc) as well as selling advertising spots in the program. The school district has guidelines on how this can be done, and this will continue to be explored. One goal will be to keep the production under two hours in order that it can be recorded onto one DVD to sell for fundraising.
Skate Night: Lynne Baechle
The committee held its first meeting on October 7. Skate Night will be on Friday March 28 from 5:30-8:30. Efforts will be made to generate more revenue from the community raffle. The next meeting will be held on November 4.
Fundraising: Lisa Hebert
Information on the “It’s My Artwork” will be sent home in Friday folders on October 12, and Lisa hopes to have all art returned by October 22 in order that she can submit it by October 27 and have items returned by the first week of December. All agreed this would be an appropriate application of the email system as a reminder to families, particularly when material is time-sensitive.
The first Uno's Fundraisers will be held on Thursday, October 25. Money raised from this event will go to the 4/5 wing.
SLIMY Update: Chef Suzette will be visiting the school at a cost of $600 which will come out of the SLIMY budget.
There being no further items, Allyson Downing thanked all in attendance and adjourned the meeting.
Page created by PTO Secretary Moira Daly and Orchard Library/Media Specialist Donna Macdonald.
This page last updated: 01/24/08.