Champlain PTO Meeting
PTO Work Session
September 10, 2008
Champlain Elementary PTO Meeting September 10, 2008
Introductions (31 Attendees including two teachers and Leslie)
On-Going Business:
Parm thanked all those who helped with both the Open House and the Welcome Breakfast.
Tammy Charbonneau is being considered for VT Physical Education teacher of the year – Parm has a letter of recommendation for her – all can sign it tonight.
1.
Parents’ Night – Thursday, Sept. 25th. Leslie proposed a new idea – have the kindergarten open house on Wednesday and then do the curriculum open house for the upper grades on Thursday. Grades 1-2 at 6-6:45 then 3,4,5 at 6:45 – 7:30. Another issue is the childcare – last year there were 40-50 students, which was too much for the caretakers (including our PE instructor) to manage. Also, the P.E. teacher would like to present her curriculum as well. We discussed how to deal with the need that parents have for childcare and the lack of resources. It was suggested that we cap the number of students for childcare. So, Leslie will encourage parents to RSVP for childcare and also encourage parents to find alternative childcare.
Parents’ Night – Thursday, Sept. 25th. Leslie proposed a new idea – have the kindergarten open house on Wednesday and then do the curriculum open house for the upper grades on Thursday. Grades 1-2 at 6-6:45 then 3,4,5 at 6:45 – 7:30. Another issue is the childcare – last year there were 40-50 students, which was too much for the caretakers (including our PE instructor) to manage. Also, the P.E. teacher would like to present her curriculum as well. We discussed how to deal with the need that parents have for childcare and the lack of resources. It was suggested that we cap the number of students for childcare. So, Leslie will encourage parents to RSVP for childcare and also encourage parents to find alternative childcare.2.Apple Fest – Fund Raiser/ Carnival, which happens each fall. We have a silent auction, which is our best fund raising event of the year. We also have lots of other events. It is community-wide. We talked about needing an activity committee/director to help with organization. If you have an idea for an activity you can get prizes for distribution from the PTO. Renee will be sending a flyer home ASAP re. the silent auction – please donate goods and services. Renee talked about her experience of gathering resources last year – she reports that the community is very giving. Several people have stepped up to help Renee gather the resources/goods/services. Gwen reports that Shelburne Farms will come with 3 staff members to put the “apple” back into Apple Fest – ideas are apple press to make cider, apple sauce, cheese. She also asked the to donate a membership. There may be some rabbits and a goat! They will also donate some small items for prizes. City Market has also volunteered to do food preparation with the students. We need Al to make the poster for volunteer sign up. We need another meeting to work on this.
Apple Fest – Fund Raiser/ Carnival, which happens each fall. We have a silent auction, which is our best fund raising event of the year. We also have lots of other events. It is community-wide. We talked about needing an activity committee/director to help with organization. If you have an idea for an activity you can get prizes for distribution from the PTO. Renee will be sending a flyer home ASAP re. the silent auction – please donate goods and services. Renee talked about her experience of gathering resources last year – she reports that the community is very giving. Several people have stepped up to help Renee gather the resources/goods/services. Gwen reports that Shelburne Farms will come with 3 staff members to put the “apple” back into Apple Fest – ideas are apple press to make cider, apple sauce, cheese. She also asked the to donate a membership. There may be some rabbits and a goat! They will also donate some small items for prizes. City Market has also volunteered to do food preparation with the students. We need Al to make the poster for volunteer sign up. We need another meeting to work on this.3.Safe Routes to School – walk to school day is October 8th. Leslyn talked about a federal grant, which we can get by doing several events and 2 surveys. We brainstormed ideas of how to get the parent survey completed – perhaps at the parent night. The grant is a little bit of money of the first year but the money would go up substantially in later years – this money could be used for many things such as more crossing guards, etc. Ideas were discussed such as a “walking bus”. Leslyn talked about the danger of crossing Shelburne Road. There seems to be interest in this project so a committee needs to be formed – Leslyn is willing to do the data crunching and write the grant.
Safe Routes to School – walk to school day is October 8th. Leslyn talked about a federal grant, which we can get by doing several events and 2 surveys. We brainstormed ideas of how to get the parent survey completed – perhaps at the parent night. The grant is a little bit of money of the first year but the money would go up substantially in later years – this money could be used for many things such as more crossing guards, etc. Ideas were discussed such as a “walking bus”. Leslyn talked about the danger of crossing Shelburne Road. There seems to be interest in this project so a committee needs to be formed – Leslyn is willing to do the data crunching and write the grant.4.Dr. Frankowski has not yet been scheduled. Dr. Frankowski comes to our 4th and 5th grade classes in January for sex education. We have discussed having her come to talk to the parents before her classroom time.
Dr. Frankowski has not yet been scheduled. Dr. Frankowski comes to our 4th and 5th grade classes in January for sex education. We have discussed having her come to talk to the parents before her classroom time. 5.Review of previous events – Kristen has developed a form to help gather information after our events. This form would help us
Review of previous events – Kristen has developed a form to help gather information after our events. This form would help us 6.Fundraising – Innisbrook packets went out today. Tammy was wrapped up this morning in wrapping paper. Please encourage families to buy as much as they can. The mum sale is off – too close to Innisbrook. We will do the coffee club as well. We are trying to vary our fundraisers. Roxanne talked about a Fun Run in the spring – we are trying to come up with ideas that are different from asking the kids to sell. Perhaps a tag sale??
Fundraising – Innisbrook packets went out today. Tammy was wrapped up this morning in wrapping paper. Please encourage families to buy as much as they can. The mum sale is off – too close to Innisbrook. We will do the coffee club as well. We are trying to vary our fundraisers. Roxanne talked about a Fun Run in the spring – we are trying to come up with ideas that are different from asking the kids to sell. Perhaps a tag sale??Special topics
1.Technology – bridging the gap between teachers and parents. We had discussed this at the last meeting. We have talked to Dianne in the technology dept to use parent volunteers to help teachers use technology. This led to a long discussion about what would parents like to see/access on the web from the classroom. Laurie’s husband, Scott, is doing the Student Directory this year (Thank You!!).We already have approx. 300 responses! The directory will be put into a data base -
Technology – bridging the gap between teachers and parents. We had discussed this at the last meeting. We have talked to Dianne in the technology dept to use parent volunteers to help teachers use technology. This led to a long discussion about what would parents like to see/access on the web from the classroom. Laurie’s husband, Scott, is doing the Student Directory this year (Thank You!!).We already have approx. 300 responses! The directory will be put into a data base - 2.We need volunteers/planners for our upcoming events: Apple Fest, book fair, multi-cultural dinner.
We need volunteers/planners for our upcoming events: Apple Fest, book fair, multi-cultural dinner.3.Budget overview - Karen Hunt – we will discuss this next meeting.
Budget overview - Karen Hunt – we will discuss this next meeting.4.Musical update – Parm talked about how it will be different this year now that the After School Program no longer helps pay for this. We need to get the community involved as much as possible before we hire a director. We need a committee to help get this organized.
Musical update – Parm talked about how it will be different this year now that the After School Program no longer helps pay for this. We need to get the community involved as much as possible before we hire a director. We need a committee to help get this organized.5.Parm talked about addressing better access to the school for our disabled students (for now, these students can only enter the school from the back of the building).
Parm talked about addressing better access to the school for our disabled students (for now, these students can only enter the school from the back of the building).Art Hop – students want to get involved.
The new restaurant “Bite Me” donated pizza
School Board Update – Amy Werbel
Amy’s presentation is at www.bsdplan.com
connecting champlain families with our school
Champlain Elementary PTO
Past Minutes
