Hey CIS Parents!

Our PTA elections for new Board Members is just around the corner! CIS PTA Board Members are responsible for many decisions affecting our school through fundraisers, events, book fairs, after-care, etc. so it's very important to be involved and to pick the best to represent us!

We have amazing parents stepping up to the task and we need to elect a board that will reside over PTA for the next 2 school years. Elections will start the evening of April 10th, at the PTA meeting and will continue through online means for several days. You must be a current PTA member to vote but it's not too late to join!

At April 10th's PTA meeting, starting at 6pm, there will be some time to ask the candidates questions and there will be room for write-ins if you choose last minute to run against anyone. Below are names/positions/and a little about each candidate!

President: Megan Walsh

Vice-President: Carolyn Miney AND Amanda Choen-Bandy
Secretary: Anna Prewitt AND Tonia Padilla

Tresurer: Abbey Jackson

President:
Megan Walsh

My name is Megan Walsh and I have a Kindergartener and a 1st grader at CIS.  I am interested in serving on the PTA Board because I have been consistently amazed at the opportunities our children have through CIS and its PTA. When I think about Maestra Gaby's PreKindergarten 3 week preparation, field trips, International Day, Book Fair and all of the other special events the PTA supports, I'm so excited to be a part of it!  I am an independently licensed social worker in the field of adoption and love working with kids and families.  I believe strongly that CIS is an incredible school with amazing teachers and administration.  Our children will be best served by a respectful alliance between the PTA and school administration.  By working toward common goals, we will further our children's education and create an inclusive, respectful community based on the needs of our kids.

Vice President:
Carolyn Miney

In the Fall, I will have two daughters at CIS, Charlotte (soon to be 2nd grader) and Josephine (soon to be kindergartener), the left and right ventricles of my heart. I spent more time selecting this school for them than I care to admit ;-). With that said, over the past two years as member of the PTA, I have come to learn the importance of this organization to our school. I'm not sure every CIS parent understands the role of our PTA and that is what I would like to change as PTA Vice-president.

First of all, a primary function of a PTA is to build community in a school. Many of us see each other everyday, but would have difficulty putting a name with the familiar face. I believe a voluntary school directory can be an important way of building community. Since I am an instructional technologist, I'd naturally like to create it online and make print copies available at the school for those families that aren't addicted to the Internet like ours ;-).

Second, I think we need to make sure more information reaches more parents who aren't attending PTA meetings. Perhaps a PTA newsletter could reach those parents.

Third, parent involvement is the key to the success of every student. I would like to partner with teachers and administration to develop a week of activities dedicated to educating parents about how they can be involved in their child's school life.

If you like what you've read so far, feel free to drop me a line anytime. I would love to hear more thoughts and opinions from other parents. I'm on Facebook. And don't forget to cast your vote...April 10, 2012!

AND:

Amanda Cohen-Bandy

I am a Mom of two boys at CIS, Harlan in 1st grade, and Benjamin in Kindergarten. I have been serving as the PTA membership chair this academic year and have had the opportunity to attend PTA meetings and to participate in some of the decisions and activities. Our PTA is a wonderful group of committed parents who make a great contribution to the school. I am interested in the Vice President position so that I can help to enhance the ways that the PTA has given to the students and their families. I believe that the PTA should work to provide funds that will aid the school's faculty in further enriching our students' education. I would like to see our fundraising efforts streamlined and am in support of maintaining the PTA operation of after-care as its main source of funds. Finally, I am in favor of introducing more community building activities, including transitioning International Day to a fully funded community-wide event. If elected, I would work hard to achieve the PTA's main functions, to increase community-wide relations and communication, and to provide our students with increased exposure to internationally-themed enrichment activities.

Secretary:
Anna Prewitt

I am a proud mom of three boys, Oliver (2nd grader), Max (Kinder) and Elliot. Some of you may know me from such past hits as Bug Club 2010 to present and as the Kinder SAC representative this year. I've also pestered you as membership chair last year as well as volunteered at numerous school functions since my kiddos have had the fortune of being a part of this inspiring school. As a candidate for PTA secretary I confidently feel I can take notes and keep minutes. I also would love the opportunity to build upon the hard work the PTA board has begun with fundraising work while increasing our focus on community building and parent involvement. One area I would love to help PTA focus our goals on for the coming year is in providing resources and opportunities for greater family involvement and building our school community. Whomever you vote for (me!me!me!) please vote, participate in PTA and be an active part of our great school community.

AND:

Tonia Padilla

My name is Tonia Padilla and I am your current CIS PTA Treasurer. I am also the proud mommy to two girls here at CIS. I have been involved with CIS since the first day the doors were opened. During this time, I served as the first school advisory council chair person. I have also served as "Room Mom" for my daughters' classrooms. Most recently, I have had the opportunity to be your treasure since February 2010. As a PTA board member, I have enjoyed being able help fund fieldtrips, teacher wish lists, and family events. My term is up this June and I am now running  for secretary. I feel that my experience, organizational strengths, and attention to detail  will be an asset to the incoming board. I have also developed a close relationship with the State PTA of New Mexico. I have learned so much over the past two years that I would be honored to continue and share with others.

Treasurer:
Abbie Jackson

My name is Abbie Jackson and I am the proud parent of two children at CIS; Hannah, who is in 7th grade, and Alexander, who is in kindergarten. This is our first year at CIS and I am very proud to be a part of such a great school. I believe that being actively involved in supporting our school is essential the success of a student, and the PTA plays such an important role in involvement, doing everything from fundraising, to organizing functions, to providing recognition for the teachers. For this reason I am pursuing a more active role within the PTA, that of Treasure.  Although I do not have a background in accounting I am confident that I will be able to fulfill all duties that the position requires. This is my second year as a stay-at-home mom, which allows me the time necessary to contribute a full effort towards the position. I believe that the current board has done a very good job in their duties, and I can only add to the strengths that are already there. Although we are new to the school and still learning the ropes, I am eager to get to know everyone and do all that I can to contribute to the continued success of the school.

Thank you! And I hope to see you April 10th!

-Rianne
(PTA Steering Committee Chair)