About the Whittier PTA
Mission
Whittier PTA mission is to partner with and advocate for students, families and teachers to provide a safe and inclusive environment, equitable resources, and engaging opportunities to enable all of our children to reach their full, unique potential.
What We Do
Through fundraising and the help of parent volunteers, the PTA provides outreach, organizes special events and activities, hosts parent education events, plans and coordinates teacher appreciation activities, and supports enrichment opportunities for all students. The Whittier PTA is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit (Federal ID #91-1479413).
Your contributions fund many programs and services THIS YEAR:
- Essential Staff Positions & Support (60%)
- More time with Key Support Staff and Specialists
- Professional Development
- Staff Appreciation
- Enrichment (23%)
- Grade-Level Curriculum Enrichment
- Library Books and Supplies
- Guest Artists and Authors
- Funding Proposals
- Reflections Art Contest
- Global Reading Challenge
- Family Events and Resources (13%)
- Community Engagement
- Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Committee
- Scholarships
- Family Communications Platform
- Family Support Services
- Safety
- Operations Costs (4%)
- Insurance
- Bank and Licensing Fees
- General Supplies and Printing
- Accounting Software
Meet the Board
The Whittier PTA is powered by dozens of parents and staff members who do everything from helping to organize and run events, raising funds, planning parent education events, shaping our school’s EDI efforts, and coordinating community outreach. Leading their efforts are the members of the Whittier PTA board, who each oversee a different facet of the PTA’s work. We’re such a fun bunch, you might just be tempted to join us next year. (You’ve been warned. Just kidding, but only kind of. We’re always on the hunt for more parents who want to help make Whittier even better for everyone.) And if you see us at school or around the neighborhood, come say hi! We love getting to know the families in our community.
PTA Board
President
Leah Lansberry Austin
Co-President
Seeking Volunteer!
Vice President
TBA
Co-Secretaries
Jess Templeton and Jared Cortese
Treasurer
Renee Hartnett
Assistant Treasurer
Stacy Rose
Communications Chair
Kate Scher
Communications Co-Chair
Seeking Volunteer!
Fundraising Co-Chairs
Ashley Schiavone and Glenda Elley
Family and Community Engagement Co-Chairs
Kathleen Donahoe and Courtney Sievers
Family and Community Engagement – Events Chair
Emily Grosse
Programs Chair
Seeking Volunteer!
Legislative Reps
Emily Barbee and Megan Wildenradt
Membership Chair
Tricia Schalekamp
Family and Community Engagement – Outreach Chair
Sara Lukas
Volunteer Chair
Mendy Minjarez
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Committee Co-Chairs
Susan Hernandez and Melissa O’Keefe
PTA Non-board Positions
Website Editor
Seeking Volunteer!
WildChat Editor
Kate Scher
Spring Fling Chair
Courtney Sievers and Renee Hartnett
Move-a-thon
Katie Lyden
Spirit Gear
Tina Lilley
What do all these people do? See our Board Position Descriptions for a detailed description of job duties.