Participants

Lisa Kornetsky

Catherine McKenzie

Michele Hughes

Mike Hertting

Mary Day

Don Creary

Kris Ellingson

Ann O’Rourke

Claudia Blum

Kelly Cook

Monajean Haley

Matt Silvern

October Minutes

October minutes were approved unanimously.

Budget

Kris distributed the budget report. The PTO earned $309.00 from the Bake Sale. Market Day netted $201.41. We also earned $271.00 from Target and $199.02 from the Sock Hop. We are averaging around $100 a month from Market Day, which is down from last year.

Principal’s Report

Dr. Herrting reported that the Sparks Matching Grant came through. Also the Artists in Residence - Dane County Cultural Grant came through. It is targeted to 3^rd graders, second semester. Dr. Herrting will be seeking a matching grant from the PTO.

Dr. Herrting also discussed the Open House. Turnout was 70%. Non-minority turnout was 91%. Non-poverty turnout was 90%. The PTO discussed several ideas to increase turnout at Open House. These include:

Have children sing at the Open House
Combine the Open House with the Ice Cream Social
Provide food at the Open House
Have the Open House earlier in the year

The PTO decided to focus its January meeting on increasing attendance at the Open House.

Keiko Kasza

Don Creary discussed the upcoming visit of Keiko Kasza to the school. There are many books available still. Lisa K. suggested that Mr. Creary send out the flyer regarding the books again with the children. Mr. Creary is very excited about the visit!

Arts Programming at the School

The teachers involved in making suggestions regarding arts programming will provide the PTO with cost estimates of the performers. After receiving this information, Cathy McKenzie and Lisa Kornetsky will meet to decide what programs to propose to the teachers.

School Children Volunteers.

Lisa K. suggested it would be nice to have all of the children participate in a public service at the school to promote volunteerism, either through the PTO or in the classroom. One idea is to have the children participate in the county organized Earth Day celebrations. The PTO should offer teachers options so that they can be included in the decision-making.

sThe business meeting was closeds

PTO Program Meeting

Sally Erck – Peaceful Playgrounds

Sally Erck discussed the ongoing implementation of the Peaceful Playgrounds program at Orchard Ridge. She feels that the program has greatly improved the playground climate. She relayed some of the goals of the program, including:

Painting the playground would increase student participation in games and learning
The goal of having one piece of equipment for every 10 children has been met
To handle conflict, children have learned problem solving skills such as rock/paper/scissors
Staff have been trained so that everyone implements the program consistently
Children play games such as “4 square” by a known set of rules to reduce conflict
The check out systems for playground equipment is working well
No chase games or capturing games are allowed, but the children can still play tag