PGPA

PgPA

A Community of Families

We are not simply a school - we are a community of families because of the dedication of our parent volunteers. Porter-Gaud values and encourages parent engagement. The relationships between parents, faculty, students, and administrators are strengthened by parent involvement in the volunteer opportunities offered by the Porter-Gaud Parent Association (PGPA).

PGPA Volunteer FORM

Concession Volunteer Sign-Up

SPIRIT Gear STORE

Strengthening Relationships Between Parents, Faculty, Students, and Administrators

The mission of the PGPA is to:

Build community among families through special events and volunteer opportunities.
Support school-wide initiatives that connect and educate our parents and caregivers.
Raise funds that support school programs.

The Porter-Gaud experience is enhanced when our parents share their talents and time with our community. We encourage you to get involved!

Leadership

PGPA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2024-2025
Past President: Dorothy Thaxton President: Kate Adams Vice President Community: Morgan Marshall Vice President Events: Gretchen Naylor Vice President Athletics: Krysten Hariri & Richard McElroy Treasurer: Amanda Doherty Secretary: Abigail Speights

PGPA Board 2024-2025

Athletics
Fall Concessions Coordinator (Football): Fall: Open Concessions Coordinator (Volleyball): Winter: Open Concessions Coordinator: Open Spring Concessions Coordinator: 2 Positions Open Coach Appreciation: Phoebe Mendez Fundraising: Brook Bennett & Craig Sedmak Father’s Social Event Coordinator: Craig Sedmak Mom’s Social Event Coordinator: Ellie Gray
Events
PG Merchandise: Christina Goodear, Becky Lincoln, and Tiffany Issa PG Spring Community Event: Ellie Gray and Jessie Brooker Halloween: Ansley Feussner, Lisa McFadden, and Carson Lucas Holiday Festival: Maryann Mazurek, Geoffrey Chewing, and Marisa Lynch Athletic Event Chair: Ellie Gray Assistant Chairs: Whitney Holzer, Laura Barnhart Transition Team: Ellie Gray, Robin Poliakoff
Community Building
US Division Representative: Jill Settle US Teacher Appreciation: Jennifer Thompson, Dee Fortson, Christine Mermer MS Representative: Cindy Nistad MS Teacher Appreciation: Fernanda Brewer, Kimberly Brown, Jackie Thomson, Angie Polk LS Representatives: Becky Cheek & Masheed Rockwell LS Teacher Appreciation: Anne Jackson, Chantal Byrne, Megan Lecholop Facilities/Dining Appreciation: Charlotte Stein, Sarah Wendell, Erin Farrow Faith / Moms in Prayer: Adria Rhoads, Chenoa Reed, and Whitney Morrison Families for Cultural and Community Engagement: Kimberly Brown and Katie McCabe Jewish Life Families: Rachel Anspach and Elisia Abrams Family Wellness: Emily Johnson and Carolyn McChesney

Grade Level Reps

Lower School
Grade 1: Allison Sheets, Valerie Howell, and Jenny Desart Grade 2: Ashley Cook, Katie Lansbury, Laura Woodcock, and Emily Giarrocco Grade 3: Laura Barnhart, Whitney Morrison, and Anna Maria Kammeyer Grade 4: Kristen Cochran, Megan Louis, Kelly Bogdan, and Heather Adams
Middle School
Grade 5: Kate Johnson, Chenoa Reed, Lauren Lail, and Diana Snyder Grade 6: Nicole Codell and Rebecca Wade Grade 7: Lisa McElhaney, Brian Kern, and Lauren Little Grade 8: Blair Turner, Merritt Buck, Rebecca Warren, Melissa VandeWiel
Upper School
Grade 9: Jennifer Lea, Anne Pope Grade 10: Amy Salzhauer, Kristen Wisner, Allyson Thornton Grade 11: Hope Gamble, Hunter Dawson Grade 12: Denise Apple, Kacie Highsmith, Avery Smith, Nicole Ferraro & Holly Centurino

Community Support Committees

These committees partner with a school faculty or administrator to host events that help develop awareness and empathy while also recognizing the appreciation we have for our unique community.

Families for Cultural and Community Engagement
Jewish Life Families
Family Wellness

The Family Wellness team works with school administrators, deans, and counselors to select wellness speakers, panel discussions, recommended blogs, articles, and books as resources for parents. In April 2024, we were honored to host Harvard researcher and lecturer Emily Weinstein, Ed.D, co-author of Behind Their Screens: What Teens are Facing (and What Adults are Missing), for an in-person lecture and student panel.

Faith

Moms In Prayer

Moms In Prayer is an international organization with a vision that every school in the world would be covered with prayer. Starting in September, we will meet every Tuesday from 8:30-9:30 a.m. to intercede on behalf of our children and school through prayer.

We invite all mothers to join us in Washington Hall anytime! Feel free to visit momsinprayer.org or, if you have any questions, email Adria Rhoads at adriahat@hotmail.com.

Resources for Parents/Student Organizations

Vestry: Porter-Gaud's Vestry Program invites students into the life of Christ and his love for the world. Contact Head Chaplain, The Rev. Palmer Kennedy, at pkennedy@portergaud.edu or Middle School Chaplain, Abbie Panuccio at apanuccio@portergaud.edu to learn more.
FCA: Fellowship of Christian Athletes is a student-led club and is open to all Middle and Upper School students (regardless of whether they play a sport). Interested students can sign up during club sign-up time. Please reach out to Jill Settle at jillasettle@gmail.com if you would like to be included in the parent emails or participate in volunteer opportunities.
Young Life: Though not directly affiliated with Porter-Gaud, a number of students participate in the local chapter. Click here to learn more.