With the 2007-2008 academic year coming to a close, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to all the many parents volunteers that have worked so hard to make PTAA"s contribution to our community the best ever. 

 No one person can stand alone in a leadership role. Our PTAA leadership team has been excellent. The out going board includes Mike Curran- Past President, Naomi Lambert -VP, Wendy Andrews-Secretary, Howard Udell-Treasurer, Liz Eubanks & Karin Nemetz- US Representatives, Karen Green & Sue Haberberger- MS Representatives, Nikki Dunn-Funding Chair, Katy Allen & Sara Mizelle-Faculty Representatives and Chris Gilmore-Administrative Representative. Each of these individuals has provided invaluable expertise and commitment to their jobs and I so appreciate their dedication to the PTAA.  

Many parents also have stepped up to chair our standing committees and with much initiative and determination brought some great events and programs to CA to help the PTAA to fulfill our goal of promoting, sustaining and enhancing excellence in the school's programs, facilities and atmosphere for education by providing needed assistance and services. I would like to acknowledge these parents and their huge contribution:  Cindy Flook-Arts Guild, Joe Cooper-Athletic Boosters, Jackie Scott-Community Enrichment, Kathy Worm & Elizabeth Fincham & Caroline Morgan-Cultural Arts, Natalie McDonald & Brenda Tie- Diversity Committee, Mary Blondy & Manju Karkare-Faculty/Staff Appreciation, Celeste Lefort & Chris Gilmore-FunFest, Nikki Dunn-Funding/Auction, Mari Asanuma-New Parent, Maureen Sawchak & Nikki Dunn-Nominating Committee, Rosie Benzonelli-Parent Enrichment, Delal Makansi-Parent Book Discussion, Durga Nagulpally-Student Recognition, Mark Easley-Technology and Naomi Lambert-Volunteers. Each grade level has a PTAA grade parent volunteer. These parents coordinate with the US & MS PTAA Representatives, US & MS Administration and faculty to promote parent, student and faculty activities and events. Thanks go to the following grade level parents: Linda Van de Zande & Lisa Glosson-6th Grade, Nancy Parrish & Diane Woronoff-7th Grade, Shawn Brewster & Karen Meir & Mary Morgan-8th Grade, Jennifer Landry & Maureen Sawchak- 9th Grade, Vicki Hatfield & Curlee Patty-10th Grade, Pam Huff & Kim Kohagen-11th Grade, Diane Harris & Pam Ray & Susan Bolick-12th Grade.

Along with all the fantastic events and programs that our PTAA has brought to the school, this years Program of Work is summarized as follows:

Ÿ  PTAA has strengthened the new parent committee by working with admissions to educate new parents on the PTAA and CA by involvement in the new parent dinners, providing “scripts” for the parent ambassadors and including a PTAA brochure in the new parent mailings in the spring.

Ÿ  PTAA has co-chaired a Funding committee with Advancement to explore the “environment of the CA community as a whole for volunteerism and fundraising”. We have partnered  with other parents, faculty and staff and have identifies the areas of volunteerism, fundraising and moral support as areas in which parents can help advance our Ca community forward into the next decade.

Ÿ  PTAA has increased the awareness of its programs and activities at CA through various educational opportunities such as Meet the Teacher nights, the Handshake ceremony and PTAA Spirit Week.

Ÿ  The Diversity committee has been established as a standing PTAA committee and has secured co-chairs to implement its goals and objectives.

Ÿ  The PTAA explored the possibility of establishing an Alumni Committee but has decided to liaison with the Alumni Coordinator in Advancement to reach out to Alumni parents with the possibility of contacting former PTAA Board members to access their interest in “mentoring” types of activities and attending social events.

Ÿ  PTAA increased it’s presence at CA with signage around the school as well as providing a brochure for new parents.

In closing, the PTAA has had a very productive year with lots of opportunities for hundreds of parents to volunteer thousands of hours to fulfill our mission at Cary Academy.  

Charlotte Laverick                                   Naomi Lambert
PTAA President                                        PTAA Vice President
claverick@nc.rr.com                               naomil38@aol.com