committees - updates pending for 2019-20
There are many opportunities to participate at Westbrook PTA events. We'd love to have your help! Take a look at the committees and events listed below and reach out to the committee/event chairperson to see how you can get involved.
Aqua Eagles
The Aqua Eagles Liaison works with the Aqua Eagles Teacher (a member of Westbrook's staff) to coordinate this beloved environmental science program for fifth grade students, which helps protect the Chesapeake Bay through initiatives such as raising trout and chad and hosting a native-seed collection program. Kelly Fraser
Artist in Residence
The Artist in Residence (AIR) program provides all students, at every grade level, with meaningful exposure to the arts in a way that supplements MCPS curriculum. Each grade works collaboratively with an artist to learn an art form. The focus of the residency is aligned with a topic from that grade’s curriculum. The program also provides or advises on arts integrated professional development opportunities for teachers. Chris Barone
Art Teacher Liaison
The Art Teacher Liaison supports the art teacher with as-needed help throughout the year. The liaison also helps with the end-of-year art exhibition, which showcases student work and themes covered throughout the year. Kerry Moore
Back to School Picnic
Bingo Night
This committee organizes the yearly Family Bingo Night, which is a PTA spirit event. Deborah Eichhorn and Debra Ladner
Birthday Board
Each month, the Birthday Board Chair updates the birthday bulletin board outside the APR to include each student in the school who has a birthday that month. The kids love seeing their name in lights or written on a cupcake, as the case may be. Melanie Fleeger
Book Fair
Book Fair, held annually, raises funds for the PTA and promotes reading. The event sells a wide selection of children’s fiction and nonfiction books, small gift items, and books for adults. Iva Joseph and Tim Brennan
Box Tops for Education
The Box Tops for Education program helps raise money for our school through the collection of box tops from products many of us buy every day. Look for the pink "Box Tops for Education" logo on your household products (like cereal, Ziploc bags, and many paper products), clip them, and send them into your child's classroom teacher to help raise money for Westbrook. Kerry Moore
Buildings and Grounds
The Building and Grounds Committee oversees landscape design and implements improvements on the Westbrook school facilities. The committee generally sponsors “grounds cleanup day” each fall and spring. Jessica Deighton
Carnival
Carnival, held the first Friday in May, is a long-standing, annual community tradition and Westbrook’s biggest fundraiser. A wide array of activities, including games, rides, concessions, a used book sale, a bake sale, a cake walk, a teacher raffle, and an obstacle course provide fun for the whole family. Carnival is a major undertaking that requires the assistance of every Westbrook family to ensure the success of this important event. VACANT
Cluster Representatives
The Cluster Representative acts as a liaison between Westbrook and the eight other schools in the Bethesda-Chevy Chase School Cluster. The Cluster is the forum by which schools share information about the operating and capital budget processes and other local and state government issues that affect Cluster schools. Amanda Miller
Communications
The Communication Committee chairs solicit, collect, edit and publish information, calendars and articles of interest to the Westbrook community. The information is posted on the PTA page on the website, in the PTA newsletter (The PTA Patter), and weekly on the listserv. The communications group works to ensure that all members of the school community get important information about school and PTA events. Amanda Miller (Weekly/Monthly Calendar), Christine Ryan (Website), and Jessica Myrow (Facebook)
Community of Caring
The Community of Caring Program is a whole-school, research-based character education program that teaches values everywhere: in the classroom, hallway, cafeteria, and on the playing field. The Parent Liaison works with staff and parents to help develop student forums, integrate the Program’s five core values (caring, respect, responsibility, trust and family) in and across the curriculum, and expand family and community involvement in the Program. Amanda Miller
Directory/Educational Partnerships
This invaluable booklet, published each fall and distributed to all PTA member families and teachers, serves as a general guide to school activities, regulations and operations, and facilitates contacts within the school community. The Educational Partnerships Committee coordinates partnership programs with various corporate sponsors (Giant and Safeway grocery card programs) that provide cash awards, equipment, and instructional materials directly to Westbrook. Katie Funk
Enrollment and Welcoming
The Enrollment Committee works with staff to introduce and welcome new families to Westbrook. The committee conducts school tours monthly, and as needed, during the school year. In addition, the committee co-hosts, with the school, the August Open House, an introductory coffee in September, a Kindergarten informational meeting in December, and Kindergarten Orientation in April. Karen Thornton
Fifth Grade Transition
The Fifth Grade Transition Committee helps fifth grade students transition to middle school, coordinates year-end activities, and publishes the class yearbook and end of year slideshow. Susan Higgins and Meredith Hammond
GT Liaison
The Gifted and Talented (GT) parent liaison disseminates information regarding the Montgomery County GT program to the Westbrook Community and is available to field parent questions regarding the GT program. Caroline Smith and Carin Levine
Health Room Liaison
The health room liaison supports the school nurse and health tech with various health screenings throughout the year. The liaison also consults on health and safety issues, as needed. Denise Robinson
International and Multicultural Night
This committee coordinates music, cultural exhibits, food service and decorations for International and Multicultural Night, generally held in the spring, featuring the dozens of cultures represented in the Westbrook community. Lynn Forsyth and Mariella Schattiger
Local Retail Promotions
This committee organizes fundraisers through local retail and restaurant partnerships. Helene Krasnoff
Lost and Found
The Lost and Found Committee helps students “connect” with dearly lost items (e.g., lunch boxes, coats). Items not claimed are donated to charity. Caryn Solomon
MCCPTA Delegates
The MCCPTA Delegates represent Westbrook at monthly Montgomery County Council of PTAs meetings, and serves as liaison between the PTA and the county organization. Tina Conroy
Media Center Liaison
The Media Center Liaison coordinates volunteer support (e.g., book checkout and reshelving) for the media staff. Kerry Lawrence
NAACP Representative
Westbrook’s representative to the NAACP Parents’ Council, the county-wide council which helps train parents to be advocates for their children, sharing information, and resolving problems that impact the education of their children. Janelle Wong
Nurse Liasion
PE Teacher Liaison/Walking Program
The PE Teacher Liaison provides assistance and support to the Physical Education teacher on the implementation of the "Westbrook Walks" program. The Liaison assists with communication, tracking data, and program implementation. Alison Goradia
Room Parent Coordinator
The Room Parent Coordinator recruits parents to assist teachers with class parties, field trips and other special activities. Room parents coordinate staff appreciation activities and fall parent get-togethers for each grade. Leslie Moylan
Room Parents
Room parents are responsible for coordinating the Halloween, Valentines and end of year student parties. They also coordinate a grade level parent social in the Fall and a grade level pot luck lunch (with assistance from the staff appreciation committee) for teachers and staff.
Science Commitee
The Science Committee, comprised of parents, the principal, and teachers, develops and implements science enrichment activities, such as supplemental assemblies, classroom supplies, field trips, and books. Erin Harcourt and Maureen Kramer
Sister School Program
An initiative between Westbrook and Viers Mill Elementary School in which families of students at both schools share resources in order to enhance the educational opportunities for all of our children. Kari Swenson
Skate Night
Special Needs Liaison
The Special Needs Liaison acts as an interface between families of special education students and the PTA and distributes information about special education programs, policies, and resources to parents. Many of these documents are posted on this website under Special Education. Patricia Guroff
Spirit Wear
The Spirit Wear Committee organizes the creation and sale of Westbrook spirit clothing. Kathleen McDermott and Nan Hartman
Staff Appreciation
The Staff Appreciation Committee organizes various activities throughout the year to celebrate the wonderful teachers and staff at Westbrook. Caroline Smith and Jessica Deighton
Talent Show
The Talent Show Committee organizes the annual Westbrook Talent Show, which allows students to perform and showcase their various talents! Meredith Wade and Meghan O'Connell
Technology
The Technology Committee helps Westbrook acquire and utilize appropriate technology tools and manages the Westbrook listserv. John Crupi
Trash Free Lunch
Trash Free Lunch is a program designed to educate and encourage the Westbrook community to reduce waste at home and at school. Students or classes get small rewards for using reusable and recyclable containers, utensils and napkins for their lunches. Check out the Trash Free Guidelines. Chris Barone and Sacha De Lange
Volunteer Coordinator
The Volunteer Coordinator Committee works with staff to recruit, train and schedule parent volunteers, as well as track volunteer hours. Jessica Myrow
Wellness Commitee/Recess Rangers
This committee will be promoting healthy choices at school-wide events as well as providing education in the importance of daily physical activity and mindfulness. The Recess Rangers are volunteers who assist on the playground during recess and in the APR during lunchtime. They help with games and activities on the playground or inside during inclement weather. Lindsey Rieling
Westbrook Aftercare Liaison
The Aftercare Liaison is the liaison between the Westbrook PTA and Westbrook's aftercare, which provides on-site before and after-school child care. Kimberly Palmer
Yearbook
The Yearbook Committee compiles the yearbook, which is available for purchase at the end of the school year. It is always a favorite among students! Autumn English