Academic Enrichment:
The Academic Enrichment Committee organizes after school activities and clubs to enhance and enrich each student’s learning experience. This year, the committee will offer tuition-based, after school art, chess, glee club, and keyboarding classes, and Mad Science (a grade-specific, science-enrichment program). Need-based tuition scholarships are available. Orly Isaacson & Lisa Finneran (Art), Bob Scribner (Chess), Ellen Crupi (Keyboarding), Julie Coe (Mad Science), Cathy Stocker (Glee Club)
Arts Integration: The Arts Integration Committee supports arts integrated curriculum residencies with teaching artists and provides professional development training for teachers to increase student understanding in and through the arts. The committee sources funding, scheduling and management of the residencies and workshops. Karen Baratz & Jacquie Moen
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. Judy Renfrew
Bingo Night: This committee organizes the yearly Family Bingo Night, which is a PTA spirit event. Lisa Dwyer & Nancy LaVigne
Book Fair: Book Fair, held annually in early November, 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. Karen Kalat
Buildings and Grounds: The Building and Grounds Committee oversees landscape design, manages litter patrol, and implements improvements on the Westbrook school facilities. The committee generally sponsors “grounds cleanup day” each fall and spring. Lisa Davis
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. Greg Wang
Cluster Representative: 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. Abner Oakes
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. Liz Raymond (PTA Patter), Bama Athreya (Weekly Calendar), Jesse Gordon (Website), Ilyse Veron Marlin (Contributor)
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. Kristina Zissis & Nadine Gabai-Botero
Cultural Arts: The Cultural Arts Committee previews and schedules cultural assemblies and events in the fields of music, drama, art, dance, literature, and natural science to enrich and expand the academic program. Cultural Arts works closely with Arts Integration to complement both programs. Katie Spurlock
Directory: 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. Dana Rice & Erica Wileman
Eco-Defenders: Eco-Defenders is the environmental club that educates students about environmental issues and promotes environmentally “friendly” activities such as Trash-Free Lunch and Walk to School days. Mikel Moore
Educational Partnerships: The Educational Partnerships Committee coordinates partnership programs with various corporate sponsors (Giant and Safeway grocery card programs, and Box Tops for Education) that provide cash awards, equipment, and instructional materials directly to Westbrook. Maureen Kramer
Enrollment: 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 an introductory coffee in September, a Kindergarten informational meeting in December, and Kindergarten Round-Up in April. Mikel Moore & Tara Gorman
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. Eileen Sherman
Foreign Language: The Foreign Language committee administers the PTA's independent foreign language program in beginning through advanced conversational French, Spanish and Chinese. Tuition is collected to fund teachers' salaries and purchase class materials. Li Ives (Chinese), Janet Gaffney (French), Tiffany Leeson (Spanish)
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. Jodi Grant
Health & Safety: The Health and Safety Committee works in partnership with Westbrook staff to establish policies and procedures for emergency preparedness, and consults on other health and safety issues, as needed. Denise Robinson & James August (on construction issues)
Hospitality: The Hospitality Committee plans and provides refreshments for Open House, Back-to-School Nights, the end-of-year Staff Appreciation Luncheon, and other school functions. Kristin Wardour, Tiffany Rowan, and Wendy Bailey
International Night: The International Committee coordinates music, cultural exhibits, food service and decorations for International Night, generally held in the spring, featuring the dozens of cultures represented in the Westbrook community. Sandra Bellew
Local Retail Promotions: The Local Retail Promotions Committee organizes fundraisers through local retail and restaurant partnerships. Kerry Moore
Long Term Planning: The Long Term Planning Committee is working with the Principal, MCPS and Muse architects to help the community secure priorities and plans for the Westbrook building addition. The addition is slated to include several new classrooms, bathrooms and a gymnasium among other things by the end of August 2013. Claire Slabaugh
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. Pam Mebane & Cynthia Morton
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. Marcy Berman & Jennifer Lavorel
Media Center Liaison: The Media Center Liaison coordinates volunteer support (e.g., book checkout and reshelving) for the media staff. In addition, the Committee makes suggestions for new acquisitions of books for the Media Center. Sarah Inman
Membership: The Membership Committee conducts the PTA membership drive at Back-to-School Night in September. Wendy Cohen
NAACP Representative: As Westbrook’s representative to the NAACP Parents’ Council, this parent works together with other parent representatives within the county’s schools for the purpose of training other parents to be advocates for their children, sharing information, and resolving problems that impact the education of their children. Dan Parkins
Outdoor Learning Initiative: The Outdoor Learning Initiative Committee is exploring with Westbrook staff whether to continue or expand Lessons Outdoors, a pilot program that enabled classes to get some fresh air and connect the curriculum with the outdoor environment. Allie Coleman
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 where students/classes are encouraged and provided with an incentive to be active and to walk to and from school and during recess. The Liaison assists with communication, tracking data, and program implementation. Kathleen McDermott
Recess Rangers: The Recess Ranger committee solicits and organizes volunteers to help support Westbrook staff and students during recess. Maggie Farley
Room Parents: The Room Parents Committee 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. Lisa Carmel & Laura Kolton
School Store: The School Store Committee purchases and sells school supplies and trinkets throughout the year to students, during the lunch hour. Proceeds go to the PTA. Liz Adams
Science: 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. Jack Sobel
Sister School Partnership: A new 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. Valerie Baruch
Skate Night: This committee organizes the yearly Family Ice Skating Night, which is a PTA spirit event. Kristin McNavage
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. Julie Reiley & Mary Press
Spirit Days: The Spirit Days Committee promotes school spirit at social events, such as the Back-to-School Picnic, Ice Skating Night, Family Bingo Night, the Talent Show, and an End-of-Year Picnic. Kari Swenson & Kristin McNavage
Spirit Wear: The Spirit Wear Committee organizes the creation and sale of Westbrook spirit clothing. Caryn Soloman, Deborah Eichhorn, & Christine Zebrowski
Student Government Association (SGA) Parent Representatives: The SGA Parent Representatives are the PTA’s liaison to the SGA and supervise SGA community outreach projects. Jennifer Sharkey, Jacquie Moen, & Julie Crain
Talent Show: The Talent Show Committee organizes the annual Westbrook Talent Show, which allows students to perform and showcase their various talents! Glennon Gordon, Tiffany Rowan, Crissy Upston
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. Lee Anne Graeub & Anne Brooks Rudzki
Volunteer Coordinator: The Volunteer Coordinator Committee works with staff to recruit, train and schedule parent volunteers, as well as track volunteer hours. Erin Harcourt
Welcoming New Families: This family mentoring program pairs veteran Westbrook families with those entering from another school, to help them navigate the ins and outs of the Westbrook community. Margaret Anderson & Marina Bowsher
Westmoreland Children's Center Representative: The Westmoreland Children's Center Representative is the liaison between the Westbrook PTA and the Westmoreland Children's Center, which provides on-site before and after-school child care. Kristin McNavage