Champlain PTO Meeting
May 20, 2008
Dawn called the meeting to order at 6:10 pm.
I.
Elections – nominations are as follows: Co-Presidents: Jessica Nordhaus and Parm Padgett, Co-Vice Presidents: Russell Beste and Melissa McConnell, Secretary: Chris Allen, Treasurer: Karen Hunt, Assistant Treasurer: Jim Devoe-Talluto. The PTO voted the above mentioned nominations into their positions.
Elections – nominations are as follows: Co-Presidents: Jessica Nordhaus and Parm Padgett, Co-Vice Presidents: Russell Beste and Melissa McConnell, Secretary: Chris Allen, Treasurer: Karen Hunt, Assistant Treasurer: Jim Devoe-Talluto. The PTO voted the above mentioned nominations into their positions.II.Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events1.Kindergarten Open House – all set. Nancy would put any parents to good use who could be available to show off our school. Thank you to Jen Mann, Thomas Case, and Sebastian’s dad for getting the Living Machine in order. Jessica suggested a table for the PTO to disperse information to new families about the PTO.
Kindergarten Open House – all set. Nancy would put any parents to good use who could be available to show off our school. Thank you to Jen Mann, Thomas Case, and Sebastian’s dad for getting the Living Machine in order. Jessica suggested a table for the PTO to disperse information to new families about the PTO.2.PTO Council meeting 5/21 – Jenny Breckenridge will attend representing Champlain. Jenny described a new photographer (Ambiant) bidding for the contract to do school photos. Nancy described the current photographer’s (Life Touch) free services (digital photos for the Lunch program, free 5th grade photo for all 5th graders, digital photo of all students for files). Jenny will gather more information about this tomorrow. This idea was initiated by a school who has made this switch. Pros and cons of Life Touch were reviewed (ie. Poor shots last year by inexperienced photographers).
PTO Council meeting 5/21 – Jenny Breckenridge will attend representing Champlain. Jenny described a new photographer (Ambiant) bidding for the contract to do school photos. Nancy described the current photographer’s (Life Touch) free services (digital photos for the Lunch program, free 5th grade photo for all 5th graders, digital photo of all students for files). Jenny will gather more information about this tomorrow. This idea was initiated by a school who has made this switch. Pros and cons of Life Touch were reviewed (ie. Poor shots last year by inexperienced photographers).3.AO! Glass Sale 5/24 – wanting to donate 20% of their sales to PTO. Russell will send out an email to let the school community know about this sale.
AO! Glass Sale 5/24 – wanting to donate 20% of their sales to PTO. Russell will send out an email to let the school community know about this sale.4.Book Fair (5/27-30) Volunteers needed for clean up on Thursday afternoon after 3:00 pm. Melissa raised the issue of the class going down to the book fair and making lists of what they want. Nancy reports that they try to give a book to every student. We talked about switching to a local book retailer and doing things differently. Perhaps we can get rid of the “wish list”. Perhaps the whole process of collecting the books could be rearranged.
Book Fair (5/27-30) Volunteers needed for clean up on Thursday afternoon after 3:00 pm. Melissa raised the issue of the class going down to the book fair and making lists of what they want. Nancy reports that they try to give a book to every student. We talked about switching to a local book retailer and doing things differently. Perhaps we can get rid of the “wish list”. Perhaps the whole process of collecting the books could be rearranged. 5.Cook Out (Wed. 5/28). We need a point person to run this event. We need barbeque set up at 4:00, cook the hot dogs, 6-8 people at least to keep the food cooking. Let’s all gather some volunteers to get here at 4:00ish to help out with this event.
Cook Out (Wed. 5/28). We need a point person to run this event. We need barbeque set up at 4:00, cook the hot dogs, 6-8 people at least to keep the food cooking. Let’s all gather some volunteers to get here at 4:00ish to help out with this event.6.Meeting: Changes to the After School Program – Tuesday, 6/3, 5:30 pm. There have been changes to the After School program that need to be discussed. Nancy would like to see a proposal of sorts before this meeting takes place to be informed about these events.
Meeting: Changes to the After School Program – Tuesday, 6/3, 5:30 pm. There have been changes to the After School program that need to be discussed. Nancy would like to see a proposal of sorts before this meeting takes place to be informed about these events.7.Other: Dianne Officer talked about a fund raiser for the school – Sports Day – events that include activities like running, shooting baskets, etc. and students get sponsored to do these things. Dianne also reported on Box Tops. We brought in $410.00. Dianne is confident that we could bring in a lot more money if more people participated. Dianne suggested ideas to boost in participation. We discussed getting an envelope for collection. Dianne pointed out that only 2008 could be handed in. She will send in what she has gathered.
Other: Dianne Officer talked about a fund raiser for the school – Sports Day – events that include activities like running, shooting baskets, etc. and students get sponsored to do these things. Dianne also reported on Box Tops. We brought in $410.00. Dianne is confident that we could bring in a lot more money if more people participated. Dianne suggested ideas to boost in participation. We discussed getting an envelope for collection. Dianne pointed out that only 2008 could be handed in. She will send in what she has gathered.June 2 – 5:30 at our school Jazz Festival Performance
June 3 – 12:30 Champlain Chorus at City Hall
June 5 – 5:30 Champlain School Presents Burlington Then and Now at the Water Front Theater
June 9 – 5th grade trip to North Beach on bikes
June 11th – Step-up graduation for 5th graders
Dawn acknowledged the amount of involvement through the 4th and 5th grade parents. Nancy also brought up the “We all Belong” project which involved many families.
Cook out – Barbara has invited Champlain alumna to perform (drumming)
Nemo talked about the students that will be attending camp and how excited the children are to attend. Nemo told us stories about sending her own daughters to camp over the years and the positive experiences they have had. Nemo thanked the PTO for the school’s welcoming nature to the children with whom she works.
Dawn suggested that a small group of us get together to set dates for next year’s school district calendar. We would like to be prepared for the Back to School Breakfast, Apple Fest, etc. Parm suggested rotating PTO meetings, working meetings, events for PTO events.
PTO work session: Wednesday, June 18th at Jessica Nordhaus’ home.
We need to water our trees!!! Gwen needs folks to help out with the trees this summer. Sunday afternoons? 4:00 – Gwen will send out notices. She would like to establish a sunflower garden on the south side of the school on Sunday, June 1st at 4:00.
Many thanks to Jenn Appleyard for helping out with First Steps in Music.
Nancy would like to see if anyone could help fix the ceramic eggs that sit outside in the courtyard.
Attendance:
Sharon McConnell
Dianne Officer
Jim Devoe-Talluto
Nimo Girreh
Russell Beste
Melissa McConnell
Karen Hunt
Jenny Breckenridge
Nancy Zanhiser
Gwen Causer
Sandi Marchessault
Parm Padgett
Jessica Nordhaus
Dawn Moskowitz
Chris Allen
connecting champlain families with our school
Champlain Elementary PTO
Past Minutes
