Orchard Ridge Elementary
PTO Board Meeting
March 11, 2003
Lisa Kornetsky
Catherine McKenzie
Mike Hertting
Heather Renken
Kris Ellingson
Kelly Cooke
Mary Day
Loriana Zanotti
Ann O’Rourke
Don Crary
Michele Hughes
Claudia Blum
Monajean Haley
February Minutes
The Board approved the February minutes with two corrections. Terry DeSitos is spelled Terry Dsida and Kirt Kiefer is spelled Kurt Kiefer.
Vista Volunteer Loriana Zanotti spoke to the PTO regarding Literacy Tutors. Ms. Zanotti has been assigned to ORE to recruit literacy tutors to improve reading in children grades K-3. She is seeking volunteers willing to tutor children for a half hour after school. Her program runs for 11 more months. The Board suggested she might want to look to retirees as a good source of volunteers. Michele Hughes suggested putting a flyer at the Meadowwood Branch Library and information regarding the program in the Orchard Ridge Community Newspaper. Dr. Hertting suggested Ms. Zanotti post information on the Volunteer Website on the Internet.
Heather Renken reported that although some aspects of the Carnival are coming together nicely such as the bake sale, many volunteers are still needed. Some booth schedules have not been filled.
The raffle and carnival tickets are ready. Ann O’Rourke reported that three middle school children have volunteered to do face painting. Kris Ellingson will have two cashboxes so that raffle proceeds can be kept separate from general carnival proceeds.
Catherine MacKenzie suggested it would be important to record every name of each person who wins a raffle prize. Kelly Cooke volunteered to assist with taking down names. We should have two tables at Carnival, one for PTO information and one for Literacy Tutors.
Dr. Hertting is going to make a brief announcement. We decided that Michele Hughes would also make an announcement requesting individuals to fill Board positions as well as committee chair positions. Many positions remain open, including Market Day, Sock Hop, Family Fun Night, Volunteer and Carnival Coordinators.
Don Crary reported that a letter will be sent out Friday night regarding the Book Fair, which is going to be held from 12 – 3 during the Carnival.
Lisa Kornetsky showed the PTO pledge drive materials prepared by Falk School. There was general agreement that the materials were well organized and could be adapted to use by ORE. Lisa Kornetsky thought that it would be a good idea to aim for the first of May, and look for a quick turn-around for this fund raiser. This will give us a leg up for next year’s fundraising efforts. Matt Silvern thought it was possible that he had contacts to print the brochures for free. Matt Silvern and Lisa Kornetsky will work together to produce the pledge drive forms. They will also present a plan at the next PTO meeting regarding employer matching funds.
Claudia Blum is helping coordinate TV Turn Off Week, which happens in April. Dr. Hertting suggested it would be a good idea to try to give the children alternatives, such as a family fun night during that week. Another suggestion was a Parent Read-In Night.
Volunteer Appreciation
The PTO will discuss volunteer appreciation next
meeting.
Calendar for Next Year
Nancy Kopecky agreed to assist Michele Hughes to set activity dates for next year’s PTO activities as well as filling out the necessary building use permits.
sThe business meeting was closeds
Dr. Hertting discussed the impact proposed budget plans may have on ORE. Somewhere between 9 – 18 million dollars may need to be cut out of the current budget. The cuts could impact ORE most in these areas:
It was agreed that the PTO needed to continue to be active next year to help in any way it could to alleviate budget shortfalls.