Orchard Farms PTO

Executive Board in attendance: Lisa Gargaro, President, Mr. Dennis Charpentier, Principal and 2nd Vice-President, and Laurie Thies, Secretary.

Meeting was called to order at 7:05PM.

President's Report

Lisa Gargaro mentioned that the PTO membership drive is still going on. She encouraged everyone to sign up to be a member and to purchase an entertainment book. The opportunity to join the PTO will also be available at Open House.

She reported that the walkathon made $9,474 which is down from last year when we raised over $10,000. Lisa thanked Mrs. Burgess, the P.E. teacher, for running the event and for walking with the students all day.

The Gloria Gemma Foundation event at Waterfire was a great occasion. Photos are online at www.gloriagemma.org. Click on photos and scroll to the bottom. The event is going to be televised. More information about the television special will be posted on the Orchard Farms website.

Lisa attended a safety workshop. The issue of busing was discussed. It is possible that the mileage from school required to receive busing may be lengthened with the hope of eliminating some buses. Several concerns were raised at the workshop, such as sidewalks, crossing guards, and lights.

Principal's Report: Dennis Charpentier reminded everyone that Open House will be held on Tuesday, October 21st. Kindergarten through grade 4 will come from 6:30 to 7:00. 7:00  7:30 will be a meeting in the cafetorium. The 5th and 6th grades will meet from 7:30 to 8:30 with 15 minutes being spent with each of the four teachers.

Jadra Catauro, Hospitality chairperson, will be responsible for refreshments and decorations for Open House. Spirit Wear will be sold that evening. A membership table will be set up for the PTO and committee sign up posters will also be posted on the wall.

If any parent is interested in a conference with the teacher, the parent should sign up for a time at Open House.

Committee Updates

After-School Activities: Lisa Levin said that forms for after-school activities will be sent home on Friday. Classes will begin on October 28th and end before the winter holidays. Lisa Levin requested that Mr. Charpentier ask Mrs. Sousa to dismiss the students involved in after-school activities first so that they may be checked in before the buses leave for the day.

Box Tops: Please continue to send in box tops throughout the year.

CEAB: Rhonda Perrotta stated that on Monday, October 27th at 7:00pm at the Church of Ascension in Rolfe Square, a round table will take place to meet the candidates running for the school committee from the various wards. The next CEAB meeting will be on Monday, November 3rd at 7:00pm in the Library of Cranston East.

Cultural Arts: Diane Shelhart will contact Patrick Dunning with the Signature Project to come to the school in the spring.

Ice Cream Sales: Ice cream sales have been going well. It was suggested that the parents be informed that they shouldn't buy ice cream for the students because of allergy issues.

Membership: Sign-ups for membership into the PTO and entertainment books will be available at Open House.

Social: Stacy Calvino reminded everyone that the Father and Daughter dance is scheduled for Friday, May 29th at the Alpine Country Club. Stacey will make all further decisions after committee sign-ups at Open House.

This year a mother and daughter event and a father and son event are to take place. We are in need of chairpersons and volunteers for both events. Sign-ups will be at Open House. Lisa Gargaro mentioned that she is also working on planning a wine tasting event for adults.

Dawn Ferrot mentioned that she would like to see a Mother and Son event every year similar to the yearly Father and Daughter event. She would be willing to organize it. Lisa Gargaro recommended that she send home a survey asking the families which social events they would like to see scheduled each year. The idea of a yearly Mother and Son event will be put on the agenda for next month's meeting. Dawn will collect the surveys that are returned, analyze the results, and report the findings at the next PTO meeting. Based on the results, a vote on whether or not to have a yearly Mother and Son event will then be taken at the November PTO meeting.

Sunshine: The Thanksgiving Food Drive will start the first week of November. More information will be sent home.

VICS: A volunteer is still needed to attend the VICS meetings four times during the year.

Website: Steve Kostecke explained that the website is updated daily and encouraged everyone to visit the site at www.orchardfarms.org. Steve asked the committee chairpersons to notify him with any information before it is sent home, so that he may post it on the website.

Open Discussion: Janice Ruggieri, a candidate for the school committee, visited our PTO meeting to introduce herself and meet the members. She encouraged everyone to email her at jrceegal@cox.net with any questions or suggestions.

One parent questioned why it seemed that the 5th graders and the 6th graders were being given the same tests and quizzes. Mr. Charpentier said that he will check into it.

On Tuesday, November 4th if any Orchard Farms families eat at the Chelo's in Apple Valley, the school will receive 20% of the check, minus tax and tip.

The next PTO meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 12th at 7:00pm.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:36pm.
Laurie Thies
PTO Secretary
secretary@orchardfarms.org