PTO Meeting Minutes, Monday March 9th 2009
Attendees: Megan Houston,
Tonia Karnedy, Kate Cunningham, Lisa Hebert, Leslie Capano, Kara Strempek,
Steven Schmidt, Carol McQuillen, Donna MacDonald, Katherine Hunter, Nancy
Vetters, Monica Ostby, Rick Ebel
As a follow up to February’s meeting discussion, the PTO invited three
photographers to attend the March meeting to present proposals for School
Pictures at Orchard in fall 2010. Life Touch, Beltrami Studios, and the current
photographer, Lizzari Photographic presented their picture day process, photo
packages, additional provisions for use by administration and families, as well
as other pertinent details about their company and services. All three
photographers’ offers were competitive regarding choices available to parents,
bonus materials for child safety and school administrative use and optional
school spirit pieces or photo merchandise such as key chains, etc. All three
photographers brought sample photos although one photographer’s work was
represented on DVD only. Attendees asked clarifying questions, especially in
reference to of photo retake policies and group (class) photos. Although one
photographer earned a majority of ballot votes, the attendees agreed to further
review the print versions of the proposals before making a declaration and
closing the issue.
Carol McQuillen addressed the meeting on behalf of SLIMY (Sustainable Living
Initiatives Motivating Youth). SLIMY requested permission to host Jessica Sankey
of Chittenden Solid Waste with a composting and plastic use reduction exhibit at
the PTO Science Fair on March 11th; permission was granted. SLIMY
also requested to exhibit brochures and information about ‘Common Roots,’ a new
district-level organization of which the Orchard SLIMY team is a significant
member, regarding a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share program
available to South Burlington residents. For more information regarding Common
Roots and the CSA, contact Leah Mital-Skiff at 238-8679 or
leah@commonroots.us.
The Common Roots display was also approved. Mrs. McQuillen also updated
attendees regarding the Orchard summer gardens which will be maintained by a
volunteer parent horticulturalist and 2 paid UVM interns, identifying poison ivy
and buckthorn as areas of focus. SLIMY is working with the Conservation Corp
regarding the management of the buckthorn, to prevent it from overtaking the
Magical Woods area of the Orchard playground.
Lynne Baechle addressed the PTO as Skate Night Committee Chair. One of the
largest PTO fundraisers, Skate Night will be held on Friday, April 3 at Cairns
Arena. The committee is seeking volunteers to transport baskets to the arena, to
arrange donated basket items, and to set up and clean up at the event.
Volunteers are also needed to sell student raffle tickets at the lunch hour
during the week of the event. Every student will be given 1 raffle ticket by the
PTO; the rest are available for purchase at 25 cents each. The request to area
businesses for donated baskets to use as raffle items at the event has netted 26
commitments compared to 30 last year; please consider asking the businesses you
frequent --or your workplace-- to support Skate Night for the Orchard PTO. 20
classroom baskets will also be available for raffle; room parents are
coordinating student/parent donations for assembly by the committee and
volunteers. A flyer will be sent to Orchard families for pre-admission to Skate
Night. A bake sale may be held at Skate Night by the PTO or possibly by School’s
Out, featuring items not available at the Cairns refreshment stand.
A brief discussion of possible spring fundraisers included the introduction by
Co-President Lisa Hebert of 2 new ideas for consideration, both of which promote
eco-friendly concepts. The PTO could pre-order a quantity of reusable shopping
bags for direct purchase at a future PTO event; reusable sandwich wraps could be
sold in a similar fashion. Information about these products was made available
for follow-up. Remaining inventory of Orchard t-shirts will also likely be
available at spring PTO functions.
Co-President Monica Ostby addressed the group regarding the school budget vote
on Town Meeting Day. The South Burlington school budget passed by only 6 votes.
The PTO discussed the possibility of setting up budget presentation tables at
PTO events occurring before the vote in 2010; it was noted that considerable
effort had been expended regarding voter participation at the Friday and
Saturday night drama performances in January, PTO newsletters and emails to
parents.
The meeting was adjourned as no further business had been presented.
Page created by PTO Secretary Megan Houston and Orchard Library Media Specialist Donna Macdonald.
This page last updated: 05/13/09.