Orchards Elementary PTA Meeting Minutes
6 February 2023
Orchards Elementary PTA was called to order by Kayla Hendren at 6:05 PM in the Orchards
Elementary Teachers’ Lounge. Present at the meeting were: Kayla Hendren, President; Becky
Sturmer, Vice President; Mandie Seubert, Treasurer; Amanda Koenig, Secretary; Jennifer
Gomez, Principal; Jolene Cliffe; BreiAnne Barnes; Dan Sturmer; R.J. Harper; Megan Linscheid;
Tina Greene; Brittny Podrabsky; Sabrina Elger; Chrissy Wittman
President’s Report:
Mandie went to the supplemental school levy meeting. She reported that the levy is about a
third of the school district’s budget and provides funding for support staff, the gifted and talented
program, and reading programs (not athletic facilities and not towards the charter school). She
reported that this tax is not a new tax to our city and, if the levy is passed this year, the cost
would be less than what it currently is due to more money from the state going to the district’s
budget. The levy vote will take place on March 14th.
Principal’s Report – Orchards News:
Discussion about how to do a monthly update from Principal Gomez took place. The March PTA
meeting will be a safety information night facilitated by Principal Gomez. Gomez will reach out to
our School Resource Officer, Officer Smith. The night will include a talk from Officer Smith,
information about our school safety plan including fire drill explanations, and other safety topics
that keep our school safe. Principal Gomez will distribute a flier to inform parents and
communicate out to building teachers.
Orchards will be updating their website, including an updated PTA page. Possibility of live
streaming the meeting and posting a link on the PTA page or videoing the meeting and posting
the link on the PTA page was discussed.
Fundraising Report:
Our spring fundraiser will be a Fun Run on Friday, May 5th from 2:35-3:25. Kayla will contact
volunteers and/or parents that have reached out to PTA or teachers to coordinate a first meeting
to organize this event. This committee will set their own schedule of meetings and deadlines.
This committee will be meeting soon and we need about four more volunteers. Thank
you!!
At the run, every child will be provided an Orchards t-shirt. The cost per shirt will be between $6-
7 with discussion of getting possible donations to purchase these. The t-shirts run in sizes youth
small to adult 3XL.
Discussion:
Pirates and Pancakes will happen on April 27th from 5:30-7:00 PM. Cynthia Nunez will assist
Tina Greene and the Title team to coordinate. There will be a book exchange for students. All
Title students will get a book provided to them. Becky will reach out to Michelle about
scheduling the Book Fair on the same day. Possibility of reducing the amount of items at the
book fair (more books than other items) was suggested and inquired.
Glow Party will take place on Friday, March 3rd from 6:00-7:30 PM. Lights are reserved and the
set up will happen the day of at 3:30 (after school) in the gym. Orchards Student Leadership
Team (student council) has offered their assistance. Consideration for a place for parents to sit
and a designated dancing area was discussed. Pizza and water will be provided again.
Discussion about a spring Orchards t-shirt order was made and agreed upon. A minimum of 24
shirts is required to complete an order. A new order will open this week and it will end this
month (February 28th). Becky will communicate the exact date of when the order will be open
for online orders this week.
PTA will again sponsor 4th Grade Rendezvous entry costs this year for all Orchards 4th graders
to attend.
Next meeting: March 6, 2023 at 6:00 PM
Respectfully submitted by Amanda Koenig