Committees You Can Join

                               Opportunites for 2011-2012 School Year!

Leadership and Committee Member Positions

To get involved or to find out more information about a committee you may be interested in, contact Trang Sabel.

Adrenaline Dance (Hip Hop)  Sarah deKramer

Chairperson:  This person organizes volunteers and coordinates registration for the hip-hop dance program taught by Dance Force.  This is an after-school, tuition-based program.  A show is held for parents at the end of the class.  Volunteers:  Check-in students; ensure all children are signed out by a parent or guardian; help chairman as required.

Audit Committee:  Jim Piche

Chairperson:  Leads a committee to certify the accuracy of the books and records of the organization and to assure the membership that the association's funds are being managed properly within the regulations set forth by the PTA ByLaws.  Submit an audit report to the PTA Board. Committee Members needed: meet once or twice during the summer to help review the audit checklist and work together to recommend best practices.

Bingo Night: Astrid Atkins

Chairperson:  Organizes a fun evening for school families held in late October where kids of all ages play Bingo dressed in their Halloween costumes. Responsible for advertising the program in Falcon Express/Tuesday Folders.  Volunteers are needed to work registration, set-up and clean up.

Bookfair:  Anju Olson 

Volunteers are needed to assist Mrs. Martin, the librarian with the annual Bookfair occurring in November.  Help set-up, pack-up, assist children find books, create their wish lists and help with check out.

Box Tops: Roberta Aulestia

Chairperson:  Coordinates the collection of Box tops from General Mills cereals and other General Mills products which are redeemed at a profit of 10 cents per box top. Help spread the word to look for the special Box Top Education symbol on the General Mills Food products and send them to school with your child in an envelope marked "BOX TOPS - PTA".

Chess Club: Blaire Osborn

Chairperson(s):  Organizes the after-school Chess Program for grades 2-6 on Tuesdays. The Chess Club is coached by a Chess Master from the U. S. Chess Center. Volunteers help run the club which include registration processing, weekly setup, dismissal, and snack coordination.

Chinese Class: Deanne Barte

Chairperson: New in 2012, Westbriar is proud to offer a 3rd language program - Chinese! The chair serves as a liaison between the Vendor and the school, coordinates the program scheduling and cost, sends out program information through Falcon Express and Tuesday Folders and manages registration.

Community Services: Diane Slafsky

Chairperson:  Works with Ms. Lonnett, school guidance counselor, to support outreach projects that link service to the curriculum. The goal is to have every child participate in some way each year in a community service project. The Community Service Coordinator will serve as a liaison between the school and the community to communicate information about the service efforts that are going on during the year.

Copy Center:  Kathleen Bingham 

Chairperson:  This volunteer dedicates about one hour per month to photocopy a paper version of the Falcon Express e-mail (PTA's electronic communication) to be distributed to the students in their Tuesday Folders.  This position could easily be shared.

County Council & School Budget:   Pam Konde

Chairperson:  Keeps the PTA informed of actions taken by the School Board, the County Board of Supervisors and Fairfax County of PTAs affecting our school.  Attend meetings of these groups if possible.  Makes recommendations on actions Westbriar PTA should take such as speaking at meetings, hearings, writing letters.  Gives special attention to Fairfax County Budget matters.  Maintains a blog on the PTA website regarding the Budget Status.  Volunteers are needed to help attend meetings and report back to the PTA.

Creative Kids:  Anju Olson

Chairperson:  This person organizes volunteers and coordinates registration for the drama program taught by Interact Story Theater.  This is an after-school, tuition-based program.  Volunteers:  Check-in students; ensure all children are signed out by a parent or guardian; help chairman as required.  

Cultural Arts: Stephanie Sedgwick

Chairperson:  Works with the school administration to identify the types of programs, identify artists, make necessary arrangements, and coordinate activities the day of the presentation.   The PTA sponsors several presentations of music, theater, science and history to supplement the education of Westbriar students.

CyberClub:  Grace Kim

Chairperson  Organizes volunteers and coordinates registration and parent volunteers for the computer program taught by C3CyberClub.  This is an after-school, tuition-based program.  Volunteers are needed to check-in students, monitor the sign-out process and help the chairman as necessary.

Dinner Out: Faith Boettger

Chairperson:  This person would organize two to three "family dinner nights" in the community during which a portion of the merchant's sales are donated to Westbriar PTA. Prior locations have been Let's Dish, Dominos Pizza and Foster's Grill.

Directory: Anne Cook

Chairperson:  Coordinates and implements the printing of the Westbriar School Directory containing Westbriar Family contact information and local merchant advertising. This is an ideal job to do from home.

D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students!) of Westbriar:  Michael Sundius

Chairperson:   This vivacious Dad leads the pack of guys to create a fun event for the kids - last year the DOGS hosted a movie night.  Volunteers:  Dads are need to provide and operate Audio Visual, operate concessions.

Fall Festival:  Dara dirth & Sarah Casper

Chairperson:  The Fall Festival is a welcome back to school outdoor event fun for the entire family.  The leads of this festival secure the vendor who provides all entertainment items and manages the events of the day.  This person or persons form a team to help with registration, volunteer recruitment, concessions, etc.  Committee Members:  parent volunteers are welcome to join the planning committee to help organize this event.  Volunteers:  teens and adults are needed on event day to operate mid-way games, concessions, ticket sales and more.

Family Fun Night: Open

Chairperson:  This event is Westbriar's biggest social event of the year and one of the largest fund raising events as well. Typically held in early spring, it is a great tradition that the kids look forward to with much anticipation each year. The chairperson of this event assembles a team to manage all activities and that occur during the evening. It requires lots and lots of help to pull off!  Committee Members: members are needed to serve as sub-committee heads such as: volunteer coordinator, ticket registrar, decorations, dinner, cake walk, dance, used book sale, face painting and raffle.  Volunteers for the evening are needed as well.  Join in the fun!

French Club:  Sandrine Verma

Chairperson: The before school French Club is a new program for the 2010/2011 school year and is led by a Westbriar parent.  The chair serves as a liaison between the teacher and the school, sends out program information through Falcon Express and Tuesday Folders and manages registration.

Grace Arts: Inci Devin, Anne Cook & Ikram Elayan

Chairperson:  This educational and enrichment program introduces an artist’s or art topic monthly to students. The chairperson organizes the volunteers who act as “Art Docents” in the classrooms. With the help of GRACE Arts, these “Art Docents” plan and prepare age appropriate art activities to support the artist or topic. Volunteers are needed to act as Art Docents and assistants: 2 – 4 volunteers are needed per classroom for one hour per month.

Grocery Receipts:  Robin Nelson

Chairperson:  Help Westbriar raise funds by getting the school signed on with Safeway and Giant's grocery receipts rebate program and marketing the information to parents.

Grounds and Garden: Sherrie Morris

Chairperson:  the primary responsibility is to make sure the grounds look nice, and our children are safe, by removing the fallen leaves each autumn. This group works on beautifying our school grounds by weeding beds and planting flowers. Fairfax County provides lawn and ground services, however Fairfax County does not rake the leaves on the school grounds in the fall. Although we are lucky to have a beautifully wooded lot, the leaves become a danger when they are on the parking lot and sidewalks. It is hoped that the grounds committee will eventually expand to provide additional Westbriar ground improvements.

Hospitality:   Elizabeth Keegan & Martha George

Chairperson:  Organizes a team to provide refreshments for teacher meetings, the welcome back-to-school teacher lunch, the teacher appreciation lunch, kindergarten orientation and other events on an as-needed basis. Volunteers:  Like to cook and share recipes?  This committee is for you!  As food and beverages are needed, we email a request for volunteers for a specific event. You sign up as desired and then drop off your contribution during school hours or by a specified time. This is a great opportunity for working parents or parents with small children to contribute. We need your food, cookies, scones, sandwiches, etc., not your presence! If you can't cook, we still want you. We welcome contributions of soda, paper goods and prepared foods. 

International Night: Sarah DeKramer & Audrey Hassett

New for 2012, this is a program to showcase the diversity of our students! The theme is "Food,  Fashion, and Fun".  The chairperson will work closely with Mrs. Goodwin to organize an evening for: fashion show/catwalk - students or parents can dress up in traditional attire of their culture; food tastings - parents bring tastings of food to share.

Kindergarten Coordinator:  Erica Burbano

Coordinator:  Organizes several play dates for rising kindergartners over the summer. Volunteers are needed to help the Kindergarteners in the cafeteria during lunch for the first few months of school. Rising Kindergarteners Frequently Asked Questions.

Kindergarten Take-Home Reading Program: Terry Quinn

Beginning in December, kindergarteners will begin to bring home books to read to their family members as part of Westbriar’s Kindergarten Take-Home Reading Program. Volunteers are needed to help distribute the books and manage the program. A minimum commitment of one hour a month is required. Please contact Westbriar‘s Reading Teacher, Terry Quinn to sign up to volunteer or ask questions.

Membership and Friends of Westbriar: Kirsten Evans & Linda McDonald

Chairperson:  Conducts a PTA membership drive in the fall via Falcon Express and Tuesday Folders and manages membership & FOW revenue collection via on-line registration.  Volunteers are needed to assemble and distribute Membership Packets; Directories and solicit membership benefits from local vendors.

Reflections:  Amy Marney

Chairperson:  Brings this national PTA recognition and achievement arts program to Westbriar students.  Distributes program rules and regulations and encourages students to create and submit works in literature, music, visual arts and photography.  Collects contest entries and displays artwork in showcase.  Gives an informational workshop in October. 

Room Parents: Sharon Heinz

Coordinator:  Helps to assure that parent volunteers are available to assist classroom teachers on special occasions such as parties and special classroom projects.  Maintains consistent information and communication about Teacher Appreciation Week.  Volunteers:  Each classroom needs volunteers to act as Room Parents.  In addition, there are opportunities for classroom help – parents of individual classrooms will receive these opportunities via email.  Make sure your child’s classroom teacher(s) have your updated email address!

Sally Foster:  Audrey Hassett

Chairperson: The Sally Foster Gift Wrap sale is back!  You would provide a link to Sally Foster that will be available on the PTA website so that orders for gift wrap can be made on-line.  Merchandise will be delivered directly to homes of the person who orders. 

School Sign: Lee Anne Ritter

Coordinator:  This person is in charge of updating the school sign periodically at the request of the Assistant Principal and PTA President.

School Supplies Program: Michele Boykin

Chairperson:  Lines up a school supply company for supplies needed during school year 2012-2013, signs the contract and communicates any changes to the company as necessary. (We've used SchoolKidz last year and this year.) In January, supply lists for the upcoming year need to be reviewed and revised with the Assistant Principal. K-2 supply forms must be given to the office staff for distribution in the kindergarten orientation folders. Order forms for existing students are distributed through Tuesday folders. Collect and fill out an order form spread sheet for the supply company. Volunteers are needed in August to sort boxes and deliver them to the classrooms prior to Open House.

Science: Samantha Carrier

Chairperson:  Organizes and coordinates registration and a few volunteers for the hands-on-Science program, an after-school, tuition-based program. Volunteers are needed to check-in students, monitor the sign-out sheets and help the chairperson as needed.

Sixth Grade Party: Betsy Boswell Fusca & Amy Heerink

Chairperson: Organizes the end of the year party for the 6th grade. The day before graduation is set aside as a party day with sidewalk art, yearbook signing and various field day type activities or other fun activities you can think of!

Skate Night: Sandee Cooper

Chairperson:  secures a date and contract with a venue.  This is a family fun ice skating extravaganza - Volunteers are needed to take tickets at the door.

Spanish Program: Loretta Douglas

Chairperson: The before school Spanish program began in 2005 and is run by All About Languages. The chair serves as a liaison between All About Languages and the school, sends out program information through Falcon Express and Tuesday Folders and manages registration.

Special Education: Kelly Miller

Chairperson:  The purpose of this role is to provide a liaison between the parents and the school for students with special education needs. Responsibilities include providing resources to parents of special education students.

Spiritwear:  Nishi Mendis & Erica Burbano

Chairperson: Orders, compiles and distributes Westbriar logo items for sale at school.

Teacher Appreciation Luncheon:  Elizabeth Keegan & Martha George
Coordinator:  Secures a host with a home close to Westbriar. Coordinates food and door prizes. The PTA Board attends.

Thanksgiving Lunch: Cathy Grose

Chairperson:  Organizes the Parent-Student Cafeteria Thanksgiving Luncheon which traditionally falls on the Thursday before Thanksgiving and kicks off our Book Fair. Responsibilities include scheduling volunteers to work the luncheon. Volunteers are needed to work in the cafeteria, collect money at the door.

Volunteer Coordinator: Elizabeth Keegan

Coordinator:  At the beginning of the school year, this volunteer collects contact information of parents interested in volunteering throughout the year for activities such as book fair, Grace Arts, picture days, and library aids. This information is then given to the Chairs of specific events to aid them in their volunteer scheduling. The volunteer coordinator will also periodically send out emails to the parents asking for volunteers for specific events. This is a great volunteer opportunity for someone that can't spend too much time at school, this job can be done totally at home via email if desired.

Webmaster:  Marcy Davidson        

The Webmaster is responsible for updating the content of the website & event registration.  You do not need to know html code to do this job - Adding and editing webpages, uploading document and pictures is a snap - as easy as editing a Microsoft Word document.  See www.wildapricot.com for tutorials and more information.

Young Rembrandts:  Cara Bretl

Chairperson  Organizes volunteers and coordinates registration and parent volunteers for the art program taught by Young Rembrandts.  This is an after-school, tuition-based program.  Volunteers are needed to check-in students, monitor the sign-out process and help the chairman as necessary.