PTO Minutes for January 14, 2008
Attendees: Allyson Downing, Monica Nygaard-Ostby, Diana Schwaigert, Lynne Baechle, Lisa Hebert, Moira Daly, Rick Ebel, Heidi Hopper, Rosalind Saunders, Lisa Kunin, Donna Sullivan-Macdonald, Dora Sudarsky
Monica Nygaard-Ostby, PTO Co-President, welcomed all attendees and brought the meeting to order.
Review of minutes from November 12, 2007: Moira Daly
The minutes from the last meeting were reviewed and accepted. Meeting minutes are available for review online through the Orchard School website.
Drama: Roz Saunders and Lisa Kunin
Roz would like to formally recognize Don Wright’s efforts and work with the children, and reiterate how fortunate she feels Orchard is to have him available to us. She highlighted how enriching and respectful he makes the process of theatre for the children, and feels the children are deriving much enjoyment and learning through their involvement. Shows begin next week.
Deidre Reihle is coordinating volunteer activities, and sent an email requesting help with specific tasks. She hopes to have all positions filled before the night of the production. Dora Sudarsky has been assisting Lisa Kunin in coordinating tickets sales and other arrangements.
Lisa Kunin provided an update on several issues. A “rent-a-cop” has been retained to help with parking. Ticket sales are going well. Seating will be in compliance with the fire code. A $2000 grant from the Wyndam Foundation was received, which was an unexpected boost to the budget. T-shirt sales were slightly down from last year, but have been good. A CD has been recorded of the cast singing the score. This will be sold at the performances. Ben and Jerry’s have donated ice cream to be sold at intermission, and have identified Orchard as a school to which they will make this annual donation. There will be no raffle this year. Allyson Downing will coordinate the bake sale, and suggested donations of candy as well as baked goods.
The play program will go to the Orchard PTO Co-Presidents and Mr. Ebel for review before printing. The program will list the cast and other key members of the production. Volunteers will be recognized in a single remark, versus printing all names as in years past. Lighting is being coordinated between Andy Pearson of the SBSD and Don Wright. They are aware of the budget for this. Ticket sales were kept at $3 this year, despite the PTO approving an increase to $5. Lisa felt that keeping the tickets at this price was reasonable for this year. If the sound system is upgraded in future, there may be justification for an increased ticket price. It was suggested the school consider inviting community members to the production. There may not be sufficient space to open up the play to the broader community, but select groups could be considered for the Thursday matinee. Mr. Schmidt’s class has been working with senior citizens from Pillsbury Manor, and they will be approached to see if they would like to attend. Monica suggested obtaining an interview with any residents attending and submitting this to the Other Paper as an example of community involvement in Orchard school.
Mr. Ebel met with Andy Pearson and indicates there is a commitment from the district to assist Orchard with these productions on an ongoing basis, and Orchard’s drama program will be included in the district budget. As newer equipment is installed in other facilities, Orchard may receive donations of the used but functional equipment (i.e. permanent mounting of lighting at Orchard as the high school upgrades its system). There has been some discussion of availing Orchard to the district for other district needs.
Enrichment: Lynne Baechle
The Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences (VINS) raptor program will present to the 2-3 wing on February 15, 2008. The IBM “Jolts & Volts” study of science and electricity will present to the 4-5 wing March 21.
Skate Night: Lynne Baechle
The Skate Night Committee has been meeting regularly. The plan this year, instead of the Time, Treasure and Talent raffle of last year, is to seek three large items from the community, valued at between $100-$200 to be raffled off. In addition, there will be the teacher raffle and a basket raffle. A list of ideas for baskets has been generated, and donations of items will be sought from families, as coordinated by room parents. Volunteers will be needed to package items according to theme. Lynne hopes to have 25-30 baskets displayed and raffled at Skate Night. Lisa Kunin offered to provide a list of donors of raffle items to drama in year’s past as this will not be a feature of the drama production this year. Monica discussed piloting the email distribution to email parents who volunteered to help the PTO in recruiting them for Skate Night activities.
PTO Fundraising Chair: Monica Ostby and Heidi Hopper
Heidi Hopper, parent to two Orchard students, previously met with Monica and Allyson to discuss creating a new role within the PTO of fundraising chair. Heidi’s role would be to oversee all fundraising activities going on, and to explore new fundraising opportunities. Heidi shared some ideas she has for upcoming events.
Spanish Club: Monica Ostby
A new Spanish teacher has been retained.
Martin Luther King Jr Celebration: Monica Ostby and Rick Ebel
Monica and Rick have worked out details of a MLK celebration at school. With the help of Cheryl Gardner, educator and colleague to Monica, and several teachers who volunteered after Rick discussed the idea at staff meeting, the students will have enrichment activities focused on MLK’s message throughout the day on Friday, January 18, culminating in an all-school assembly at 2:00 to which families will be invited. The PTO discussed furnishing the cost of Cheryl’s travel to Burlington. Moira Daly motioned that the PTO approve $300, Diana Schwaigert seconded the motion, and all were in favor.
Unos Fundraiser: Lisa Hebert
The next Unos fundraiser will be Thursday, February 21. Money raised from this event will go to the 2/3 wing.
Green School Initiative: Donna Sullivan-Macdonald
Green School Initiatives is offering a tree planting in appreciation of teachers. Room parents will be asked to coordinate this initiative as a teacher gift.
There being no further items for discussion, the meeting was adjourned. The next PTO meeting will be on Monday, February 11.
Page created by PTO Secretary Moira Daly and Orchard Library/Media Specialist Donna Macdonald.
This page last updated: 05/03/08.