The PTSA Officers are listed below and all emails and phone numbers can be found in the Whitman directory or by calling the main office at 301-320-6600:
PTSA Co-Presidents: Vicky Strella (strella@att.net) & Sue Kanter (kanterdsw@aol.com)
Manages committees, addresses issues as they arise, conducts meetings monthly, and is the liaison between the administration and the parent community. Sets budget with the treasurer and oversees the disbursement of funds. Represents the school interests to state and national PTSA organizations.
VP Membership: Debbie Flack (hfdt@aol.com) & Sharron Brossi (mbrossi@rocketmail.com)
Publicizes, collects and records dues and contributions from all parents, staff and students at Whitman.
VP Volunteers: Karen Clarkson (kfclarkson@gmail.com) & Susan Scholl (schollhouse@aol.com)
Recruits volunteers for all committee chair positions after the PTSA elections in May. They continue throughout the summer and through the year to solicit additional volunteers for help during the year as needed.
Treasurer: Sheila Duncan-Peters (speters@cbmove.com)
Writes the budget with input from the Co-Presidents, deposits all monies brought in and disburses all funds throughout the year. Prepares/files tax return, oversees audit.
Recording Secretary: Rebecca Kahlenberg (rkahlen2@aol.com) & Catherine McMullen (cmcullen@osc.gov)
Records minutes of all PTSA minutes and passes them to the Co-Presidents to post on Whitnet.
Corresponding Secretary/Whitnet Moderator: Peter Hobby (whitnetmoderator@gmail.com)
Maintains the Whitnet list serve and moderates emails to conform to the guidelines prior to posting.
The PTSA Committees are listed below:
Coordinates the monthly cluster meetings, and works toward the attainment of key cluster goals. They disseminate information to all cluster representatives and seek support as needed.
Attends monthly cluster meetings and reports back to the PTSA meetings on issues and topics of interest to the cluster. The Whitman cluster of schools includes, Walt Whitman High School, Thomas Pyle Middle School, Bethesda Elementary School, Bradley Hills Elementary School, Burning Tree Elementary School, Bannockburn Elementary School, Carderock Elementary School, and Wood Acres Elementary School. The role of the cluster representative is to attend monthly cluster meetings and report to the rest of the cluster information about Whitman that benefits the rest of the cluster schools. The cluster testifies before the Board of Education and County Council on MCPS's Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Budget after agreeing on the cluster's priorities. For the past several years that testimony has focused on reducing class sizes, reducing student to counselor ratios in the high schools, modernizations, additions and new gyms, as well as many other topics that directly benefit the cluster schools, students and staff.
The Counseling Advisory Committee (CAC) is a positive, constructive, working committee comprised of parents, counselors, and SGA representatives who work together to assist the Guidance Department in providing the best possible services for students and their families. Support provided may include but is not limited to: organization of parent informational meetings at each grade level, collaborating on ideas for improvements in the school environment, providing encouragement to the counseling staff, and building better communication between the school and families.
The Directory Committee works with representatives of the senior class to compile updates and corrections to the Whitman Telephone Directory published each fall. The directory includes contact information for staff, PTSA, and students. It is used widely throughout the Whitman community. Sale of the directory is a major fund-raiser for the senior class.
Coordinates all volunteers for the multi day event in May. The event showcases all Whitman arts groups including music and arts. Chairs are responsible for set up, sales and coordination with the Art Department.
Coordinates parent sign ups of the Giant bonus cards to make Whitman High School the recipient of monies from groceries purchased.
Works with the administration to coordinate all graduation certificates and necessary paperwork for graduating students each year.
A group that sets up monthly meetings of international and new parents to Whitman to help them and their students integrate into the Whitman community more easily.
An evening of food, dance and entertainment from all countries represented at Whitman. The parent volunteer coordinates these groups and the entire evening.
Recruits, coordinates, and trains parent volunteers to staff Main Office phones and welcome desk during the school day. Coordinates annual updating of resource information so that volunteers and secretaries have current information available (to facilitate effective “first welcome” to Whitman—both to callers and visitors).
Attends monthly MCCPTA meetings and brings back relevant discussion areas for Whitman at the PTSA meetings including our input on county wide initiatives and areas of concern.
Organizes grade level meetings for parents to discuss relevant topics by grade. Follows up on key topics or issues with the appropriate grade administrator.
Organizes a coffee for all new families to Whitman. This usually occurs on the day of freshman orientation in August. Administrators are present and tours of the school are available.
Organizes food and publicity for the New Student Pizza get together. This is held one evening just before school starts.
Collects names of all new students (with parent names) registering during the year from the Registrars office. Provides the Student Government Association with names of the new students to be paired up with a student contact. Seeks volunteers to act as parent liaisons and pairs them up with new parents as needed. Volunteers will communicate regularly with new families to help them adjust to the Whitman community.
Collects articles, edits and lays them out for the publication sent to all families 3 to 4 times a year. Coordinates printing schedule with the printer and presents an online version available on the Whitman web site. The newsletter is funded by the PTSA.
Coordinates the bulk mailing of the newsletter 3 to 4 times a year. Orders labels from the school system, coordinates volunteers to help sort and label all newsletters, and delivers to USPS' bulk mail department for distribution.
Plans and raises all monies to support the after prom party held from 1:00 am to 5:00 am at Whitman each spring. The committee consists of two to three co-chairs, 15 committee chairs, and over 100 volunteers the night of the party. We are part of a coalition of 26 public and 12 private schools working together to provide an entertaining, safe, alcohol and drug free celebration.
Collects and prepares information about newsworthy events and people at Whitman to disseminate to the local news. Makes and maintains contact with key personnel at area publications, promoting positive efforts and accomplishments of Whitman students and staff.
Stays informed of events and special learning needs issues at Whitman. The chair works closely with the administration to achieve improvement for Whitman in this area.
Coordinates luncheons and snacks for monthly staff meetings and special events. Sends notices to parents to contribute throughout the year. Puts treats into staff and administrative boxes on special occasions.
Helps the SSL Coordinator, other staff, and students implement activities that promote SSL opportunities. Works to improve communication between the school, parents and students on SSL issues.
Works with administration and county personnel on traffic issues.
Sponsors and publicizes regular walks for parents which promote fitness and friendship among participants.
Coordinates all clubs and organizations at Whitman to present one night when all students can come to learn about their groups. Publishes a book each fall available to all parents and students which lists descriptions and officers of all clubs.
Last modified August 28, 2009