Contact the Cary Elementary PTA
2025-2026 Board of Directors
PresidentBonnie Gambardella
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Vice PresidentSarah Chung
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SecretarySarah Day Owen Wiskirchen
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TreasurerToni Thereault
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Audit ChairMegan Van Hook
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Nominating ChairApril Farley
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Advocacy ChairCelia Atkinson
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2025-2026 PTA Leadership
ADVOCACY TEAM
PTA advocacy efforts often include working with multiple organizations to ensure each student is provided with the tools needed to achieve their educational goals, raising public awareness on critical issues and developing advocacy training for their membership to create a larger voice from the community to influence positive change.
At CES PTA, this includes coordinating with Backpack Buddies, the school social worker, front office staff and other community groups. It’s led by advocacy chair, a board position, [email protected]
Multicultural Liaison: Paloma Espinoza, [email protected]
Works with administration, support staff and teachers on existing and new programs (including our new Multilingual and International families community effort!) that help connect our students/parents/caregivers with others in our school community as well as our larger Cary community. CES PTA welcomes all ideas and suggestions to help create a welcoming and inclusive environment for our international students and their families.
Community Partner Liaison: Shelly White, [email protected]
This person regularly communicates with our administration, front office staff, teachers, support staff and community partners to create and maintain programs that provide support to our CES students so each child has the tools and resources they need to be successful.
Advocacy Team board contact: Advocacy Chair Celia Atkinson, [email protected]
At CES PTA, this includes coordinating with Backpack Buddies, the school social worker, front office staff and other community groups. It’s led by advocacy chair, a board position, [email protected]
Multicultural Liaison: Paloma Espinoza, [email protected]
Works with administration, support staff and teachers on existing and new programs (including our new Multilingual and International families community effort!) that help connect our students/parents/caregivers with others in our school community as well as our larger Cary community. CES PTA welcomes all ideas and suggestions to help create a welcoming and inclusive environment for our international students and their families.
Community Partner Liaison: Shelly White, [email protected]
This person regularly communicates with our administration, front office staff, teachers, support staff and community partners to create and maintain programs that provide support to our CES students so each child has the tools and resources they need to be successful.
Advocacy Team board contact: Advocacy Chair Celia Atkinson, [email protected]
COMMUNICATIONS TEAM
If you have any photos of a school event, we’re always looking for photos to include on our social media! Send them to Nicole Savago at [email protected] or by sending a DM to @CaryElementaryPTA on Instagram. Submitting a photo of your student conveys permission to post. Parent/Guardian approval is required for all identifiable students in a photo.
Communications Chair, Newsletter and Social Media: Nicole Savago, [email protected]
Shares PTA news on our Facebook and Instagram accounts, creates our print and digital newsletters.
Website Chair: Nathan Maples, [email protected]
Builds and maintains caryelementarypta.com, keeps content up to date.
Communications Team board contact: Sarah Day Owen Wiskirchen [email protected]
Communications Chair, Newsletter and Social Media: Nicole Savago, [email protected]
Shares PTA news on our Facebook and Instagram accounts, creates our print and digital newsletters.
Website Chair: Nathan Maples, [email protected]
Builds and maintains caryelementarypta.com, keeps content up to date.
Communications Team board contact: Sarah Day Owen Wiskirchen [email protected]
EVENTS TEAM
Trunk or Treat Chair: Sarah King, [email protected]
This annual event is a Saturday afternoon before Halloween. The chair and committee members coordinate the planning, schedule volunteers and manage signups for trunks.
Book Fair Chairs: Valerie Carothers and Ziane Mensah, [email protected]
Coordinate with school staff and vendor for the annual book fair, including coordination of volunteers.
Walk, Bike and Roll to School Chair: Sarah Edgerton, [email protected]
Plans the biannual events (one in spring, one in fall), usually at the Downtown Cary Park, before school starts.
Talent Show Chairs: Ryan Bliss, Ziane Mensah, [email protected]
Plan the popular PTA talent show for our school community in April. Coordinate with school staff, volunteers and others.
Art Show Chair: Megan Van Hook, [email protected]
Organizes the annual Art Show, working with the art teacher, which takes place the same night as/during the Talent Show.
Events Team Board contact: Bonnie Gambardella [email protected]
This annual event is a Saturday afternoon before Halloween. The chair and committee members coordinate the planning, schedule volunteers and manage signups for trunks.
Book Fair Chairs: Valerie Carothers and Ziane Mensah, [email protected]
Coordinate with school staff and vendor for the annual book fair, including coordination of volunteers.
Walk, Bike and Roll to School Chair: Sarah Edgerton, [email protected]
Plans the biannual events (one in spring, one in fall), usually at the Downtown Cary Park, before school starts.
Talent Show Chairs: Ryan Bliss, Ziane Mensah, [email protected]
Plan the popular PTA talent show for our school community in April. Coordinate with school staff, volunteers and others.
Art Show Chair: Megan Van Hook, [email protected]
Organizes the annual Art Show, working with the art teacher, which takes place the same night as/during the Talent Show.
Events Team Board contact: Bonnie Gambardella [email protected]
LEADERSHIP & ENGAGEMENT TEAM
Family Engagement + Volunteer Coordination Chairs: Katie Richards and Jenn Malone, [email protected]
Helps match volunteers with committee and PTA opportunities, organizes family engagement events and helps the Nominating Committee identify future leaders.
Fifth Grade Celebrations: Kara Hand, [email protected]
5th Grade Celebrations liaison is lead for promotion of 5th grade classes in many ways near the end of the school year to celebrate graduation. Activities include the Cary Elementary tradition of the 5th Grade Clap out alongside High School Seniors who are Cary Elementary alum, gathering on the field for games and food trucks.
Kindergarten Liaison: Mary Buckner, [email protected]
Kindergarten liaison serves as a family contact when there are kinder-related questions.
Nominating committee members: Throughout the year, the nominating committee is tasked with identifying talented, motivated and responsible individuals to serve as officers of the Cary Elementary PTA. This standing committee will be established after the start of the school year.
Leadership & Engagement Team Board contact: April Farley, [email protected]
Helps match volunteers with committee and PTA opportunities, organizes family engagement events and helps the Nominating Committee identify future leaders.
Fifth Grade Celebrations: Kara Hand, [email protected]
5th Grade Celebrations liaison is lead for promotion of 5th grade classes in many ways near the end of the school year to celebrate graduation. Activities include the Cary Elementary tradition of the 5th Grade Clap out alongside High School Seniors who are Cary Elementary alum, gathering on the field for games and food trucks.
Kindergarten Liaison: Mary Buckner, [email protected]
Kindergarten liaison serves as a family contact when there are kinder-related questions.
Nominating committee members: Throughout the year, the nominating committee is tasked with identifying talented, motivated and responsible individuals to serve as officers of the Cary Elementary PTA. This standing committee will be established after the start of the school year.
Leadership & Engagement Team Board contact: April Farley, [email protected]
SERVICES TEAM
Hospitality Chair: Kailee VanDamia, [email protected]
The Hospitality Committee provides meals for teachers once per month and stocks the teacher’s lounge with drinks and snacks throughout the year. Look for opportunities to donate goods, typically at student drop-off in the mornings!
Teacher Appreciation Chairs: Sally Nicol and Heidi Odham, [email protected]
Teacher Appreciation Week occurs annually in May, when the CES community enthusiastically celebrates all that the teaching staff accomplished during the school year. The chairs coordinate catered meals, decorations, donations, gifts and events.
Cultural Arts Chair: Lauren Tannenbaum, [email protected]
Cultural Arts is an enriching part of the educational experience of every Cary Elementary student. Cultural Arts programming is funded primarily by the PTA with additional support from United Arts Wake County. The PTA works with a grade level representative from K through 5 and ECS to select artists to visit Cary Elementary who provide programming to help reinforce the curriculum. Experiences vary from performances to single-day workshops to multi-day residencies.
Book Stop Chair: Jessa Bliss, [email protected]
The Book Stop program began in 1994 and celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Through Book Stop, children can purchase books using Book Bucks they earn in class for good behavior, completing assignments, etc. Students may also donate back books they have purchased before after they have read them.
Grounds Committee: [email protected] The Grounds Committee maintains and cares for the landscaping and outdoor facilities at Cary Elementary School not supported by Wake County Public Schools.
This includes maintaining the mulched areas in the front of the school, pressure washing both elevated and ground surfaces, and planting flowers as needed.
To accomplish its maintenance goals, the Grounds Team typically organizes several group volunteer days to help beautify the campus and purchases supplies to complete tasks. Look for signups!
Paw Patch Chair: Bonnie Gambardella, [email protected]
The Paw Patch is a fully functional garden for flowers, greens, and vegetables, adjacent to the Kindergarten playground. The Paw Patch provides educational opportunities for multiple classrooms and produce grown from the garden is donated every year.
Air Purifiers Chair: Vincent Chung and Mark Van Hook, [email protected]
Air purifiers were purchased by CES PTA in 2021 to mitigate transmission of airborne viruses (e.g. influenza, coronavirus, etc.) in classrooms and overall improve public health. The filters must be changed annually and the 26 purifiers vacuumed.
Services Team Board contact: Sarah Chung, [email protected]
The Hospitality Committee provides meals for teachers once per month and stocks the teacher’s lounge with drinks and snacks throughout the year. Look for opportunities to donate goods, typically at student drop-off in the mornings!
Teacher Appreciation Chairs: Sally Nicol and Heidi Odham, [email protected]
Teacher Appreciation Week occurs annually in May, when the CES community enthusiastically celebrates all that the teaching staff accomplished during the school year. The chairs coordinate catered meals, decorations, donations, gifts and events.
Cultural Arts Chair: Lauren Tannenbaum, [email protected]
Cultural Arts is an enriching part of the educational experience of every Cary Elementary student. Cultural Arts programming is funded primarily by the PTA with additional support from United Arts Wake County. The PTA works with a grade level representative from K through 5 and ECS to select artists to visit Cary Elementary who provide programming to help reinforce the curriculum. Experiences vary from performances to single-day workshops to multi-day residencies.
Book Stop Chair: Jessa Bliss, [email protected]
The Book Stop program began in 1994 and celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Through Book Stop, children can purchase books using Book Bucks they earn in class for good behavior, completing assignments, etc. Students may also donate back books they have purchased before after they have read them.
Grounds Committee: [email protected] The Grounds Committee maintains and cares for the landscaping and outdoor facilities at Cary Elementary School not supported by Wake County Public Schools.
This includes maintaining the mulched areas in the front of the school, pressure washing both elevated and ground surfaces, and planting flowers as needed.
To accomplish its maintenance goals, the Grounds Team typically organizes several group volunteer days to help beautify the campus and purchases supplies to complete tasks. Look for signups!
Paw Patch Chair: Bonnie Gambardella, [email protected]
The Paw Patch is a fully functional garden for flowers, greens, and vegetables, adjacent to the Kindergarten playground. The Paw Patch provides educational opportunities for multiple classrooms and produce grown from the garden is donated every year.
Air Purifiers Chair: Vincent Chung and Mark Van Hook, [email protected]
Air purifiers were purchased by CES PTA in 2021 to mitigate transmission of airborne viruses (e.g. influenza, coronavirus, etc.) in classrooms and overall improve public health. The filters must be changed annually and the 26 purifiers vacuumed.
Services Team Board contact: Sarah Chung, [email protected]
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Have a business background? Want to make a positive impact on education in your community? Have some new and creative ideas? The Cary Elementary PTA Finance Team seeks excited volunteers who wish to get involved and learn more about the PTA’s finances, budget and fundraising activities. Members of the Finance Team work closely with the PTA Treasurer and Audit Committee Chair to support the service and advocacy goals of the Cary Elementary PTA. Bring your enthusiasm and expertise and we’ll find a way to plug you in. There are many ways to get involved and we’re eager to connect with you! Contact [email protected] and [email protected] to learn more.
Fun Run Chair: Kevin Graybeal, [email protected]
For the last several years, the major PTA fundraiser has been hosted by Apex Fun Run. The Fun Run is a high energy, celebratory fitness event held at the end of the two-week leadership building program. Students get to have a ton of fun and be active.
Sponsorship Chair: Maryellen Collamore, [email protected]
Since 2015, the PTA has benefited from $3,400-$6,500 annually from local businesses in non-pandemic years. Sponsors may choose a level of support through the Givebacks store. Learn more on our sponsorships page!
Spirit Wear Chair: Nicole Savago, [email protected]
The CES PTA sells school-branded apparel and other merchandise to families and receives a return on profit from these purchases to fund services and programs! Visit the PTA store to order and receive items directly.
Spirit Night Chair: Juliana Briscoe, [email protected]
We partner with businesses who donate a percentage of purchases during Spirit Night events to CES PTA! It’s an easy way to support our PTA and local businesses while making your usual purchases, like food or ice cream.
Finance Committee Board Contact: Treasurer, Toni Thereault, [email protected]
Fun Run Chair: Kevin Graybeal, [email protected]
For the last several years, the major PTA fundraiser has been hosted by Apex Fun Run. The Fun Run is a high energy, celebratory fitness event held at the end of the two-week leadership building program. Students get to have a ton of fun and be active.
Sponsorship Chair: Maryellen Collamore, [email protected]
Since 2015, the PTA has benefited from $3,400-$6,500 annually from local businesses in non-pandemic years. Sponsors may choose a level of support through the Givebacks store. Learn more on our sponsorships page!
Spirit Wear Chair: Nicole Savago, [email protected]
The CES PTA sells school-branded apparel and other merchandise to families and receives a return on profit from these purchases to fund services and programs! Visit the PTA store to order and receive items directly.
Spirit Night Chair: Juliana Briscoe, [email protected]
We partner with businesses who donate a percentage of purchases during Spirit Night events to CES PTA! It’s an easy way to support our PTA and local businesses while making your usual purchases, like food or ice cream.
Finance Committee Board Contact: Treasurer, Toni Thereault, [email protected]
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Led by Audit Committee Chair, Megan Van Hook, [email protected]
The Audit Committee consists of 1 Chair and 2 or more additional members. They work with the Treasurer to audit the finances of the PTA and ensure all funds are accounted for and transactions appropriately documented.
The Audit Committee consists of 1 Chair and 2 or more additional members. They work with the Treasurer to audit the finances of the PTA and ensure all funds are accounted for and transactions appropriately documented.