Draft of PTO MINUTES 11/11/10
Present at meeting: Tonia Karnedy, Leslie Capano, Lisa Hebert, Carol McQuillen, Donna Sullivan-Macdonald, Mark Trifilio, Nancy Vetters, Megan Houston, Kate Cunningham and Kim Sargent
Kate Cunningham reported that the minutes from November 2009 will be posted soon.
General:
MLK Day is Friday. There has been an email sent out for student volunteers.
The Other Paper has reserved the third week of every month for Orchard School news. Susan Gregoire has offered to take photographs for any event.
Spring Fundraiser:
The group had questions about whether to do a spring fundraiser. There was consideration given to trying to find one for Spring Fling, yet nothing decided.
Budget:
The group looked at the Book Fair money in the budget ($560.79) and Box Tops money ($276.00). It was noted that the Drama monies are down. Yet typically the program pays for itself and the thought is that it will. Square One Art fundraiser did well financially (2,788.50). Donna asked the group about renewal of BookFlix. She stated that parents ask about it and teachers use it. It has been in the CORE twice. The cost is $1,000.00 yearly.
Bolton Ski Program:
Forty-two students have already signed up for the program. There is a meeting on January 26th to discuss the logistics of the program.
Tonia Karnedy stated that there were about 15 adult chaperones signed up.
Tonia also asked about having a waiver for parents to sign to protect in case of automobile accident and children who might require medical needs. She posed the question of who was responsible for whom. The original message in the form sent home was that a parent must find a chaperone if they cannot attend themselves. Ellen will send out a message in the Core to let parents know that the January 26th meeting is mandatory.
Enrichment:
Abby Klein came to the Book Fair. Mark will ask what teachers want for enrichment. (Two years ago Elizabeth Winthrop was a part of the enrichment rogram). Carol McQuillen ensured that the drums tat were ust made were for the entire school to enjoy. In the past, the school has had Sue Morris do “Animals on Track” and Hannafords Foods has offered tours.
Mark T. will let PTO know at the next meeting about VSO and Kids on the Block.
Tonia Karnedy asked about the Reading to End Racism since parents were involved last year.
Parenting on Track information will be in a newsletter.
We received over $400 for the transportation surveys that parents filled out. Many thanks.
Drama:
The tiles are not going in to the gym for drama. Mark said that new speakers will be going in because the ones we currently have are not suitable for crowd management. The company we ordered from has the tiles, but the money has not been sent out. Central Office has t approve purchase of replacing tiles.
Uno’s “Adopt a School” Program:
UNO’s wants to adopt Orchard School in their “Adopt a School” program. There are field trip opportunities for the school and “dough” raising. There were questions from the group as to whom they have adopted in the past and whether we have a commitment to them in any way. (UNO’s was voted the healthiest chain store and it is local)
Carol McQuillen’s SLIMY update:
Tonight Carol is meting with a group to restructure SLIMY. The group will be looking at a way to care for 10 gardeners and 8 faculty. They are looking into composting at every event, using an on-site model for composting, having a table at the Science Fair on composting, and having education on classroom smart snacks.
The Magical Woods needs management, and tool shed upkeep.
Carol noted that there are probably new families in K-1/2-3 classrooms who might not know about SLIMY and she added that phone calls help with volunteerism. She stated that personal contact is wanted and she is hoping for more reach out to parents from parents.
SLIMY wants more of a committee structure.
Carol is talking to Kara Strempek about more sustainable food at Spring Fling this year.
Mark T. will go to the next SLIMY meeting on February 8th.
Donna Macdonald’s Update:
Mulan (the drama production) takes place in Asia. Donna is presenting in the library “Three Cups of Tea” and “Listen to the Wind.” She will have a globe out at the drama productions and in the school to collect “Pennies for Peace.”
Donna also demonstrated the NetBook for the group and discussed how it is helpful for basic needs, not multimedia. She stated that there are 6 in the building in the 4/5 wing.
Other business:
Lisa Hebert is working on the 501(3C) and has everything electronically. There is a need for a “board” in the by-laws and she wondered if the PTO could be the board. She hopes to mail n the application as of next month.
There is still no money paid from last years photographer, though Tonia has sent out what he requested.
Beltrami will be at the drama production to take pictures as part of their package deal with the school. The school will receive a disc of the photographs. They will attend for 3 hours Friday night, and they will do group shots Wednesday prior to the show for one hour.
Kim Sargeant asked about information on the math program, Bridges, with the hopes that someone can come to present on it. There is currently a monthly newsletter in progress and the issue will be put on the agenda for the next meeting.
The meeting adjourned.
Page created by PTO Secretary Kate Cunningham and Orchard Library Media Specialist Donna Macdonald.
This page last updated: 02/06/10.