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The Old Mission Peninsula School (OMPS) PTO met at Mission Table restaurant on Feb. 6, 2018 and covered lots of ground with their reports.
Also on hand were representatives from the Old Mission Peninsula Education Foundation (OMPEF), including president Allison O’Keefe, school board president Mike Smiley, vice-president Jen Coleman and treasurer Isaiah Wunsch. Here’s a rundown of notes from the meeting:
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O’Keefe reported that the OMPEF will be hosting a farmer’s market at the school on Fridays, 4 – 7 p.m., throughout the summer. The market is open to farmers and artists of the Old Mission Peninsula. Watch for upcoming info.
The OMPEF has narrowed their search for a Director of Operations and should have news within a few weeks. After that, they’ll ramp up their search for a Director of Academics. The OMPEF has also welcomed four new members, Tony Guzzo, Sarah Kroupa, Candy Gardner and Amanda Renkiewicz.
The OMPEF is working with Angel Care Daycare to offer daycare for little ones in the Fall of 2018, when the new school opens. They have not signed a contract, but O’Keefe said they’re 99% sure they will. This program is for infants, one- to two-year-old toddlers, and three- to four-year-old preschoolers. Read more about Angel Care here.
The new OMPS School Board (see them here) meets the third Thursday of the month, 6 p.m. at the Peninsula Township Hall. The next school board meeting will take place on Feb. 15, 6 p.m., at the Peninsula Township Hall. (Check the OMP calendar here for all meeting dates.)
There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebration when the OMPEF takes possession of the school on July 1, 2018. Watch for more info coming up.
The OMPEF is inviting all OMPS alum – teachers, kids, parents of kids, etc. – to walk along with the OMPS float during the National Cherry Festival this summer. T-shirts will be available. Watch for more info.
O’Keefe said the OMPEF has currently raised about $1.65 million towards their $2 million goal for the new school. Donations are always welcome – check out their website here to learn more and donate online.
OMPS PTO president Julia Phelps reported that they’re currently accepting donations for the TC Food Pantry, which helps students at the Traverse City Alternative High School who are couch surfing or caring for kids of their own. There’s a table in the OMPS foyer, and any donation is appreciated.
Starting April 3, the Norte Bike Program will begin a program for preschool students. PTO is funding the program, which helps little ones learn how to ride a two-wheeler. Read more about Norte here.
The OMPS Winter Carnival will be held Friday, Feb. 23, 5:30 – 8 p.m. The PTO would love to have community members join them, volunteer at the carnival, or donate a cake, cupcakes, brownies or cookies for the cake walk.
Folks can sign up for various jobs – sell tickets, run a game (there are 22 games with 30-minute shifts), help in the kitchen and more – at their online signup form here.
You’re also welcome to contact Julia Phelps, [email protected], for more info about the carnival and how to volunteer.
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