In my studio today, as I was preparing to work on a painting, I began to squeeze fresh tubes of paint onto my palette. Choosing colors that might be needed to improve the piece, I found myself reflecting on the preparations also being made for a year full of fun and exciting PTAA activities designed to enhance the Cary Academy experience. The new leadership team is approaching an unfinished masterpiece, ready to add their very own bold strokes of color this year. We have some wonderful committees that could use your help to make this a dynamic year at CA. Please think about adding your special touch to these committees that need your help…every mark matters and together we can create a fantastic year.

• Arts Hospitality: Hosts receptions for MS and US chorus, dance, drama, band, orchestra and visual arts programs.
• Auction: Plans the Annual PTAA Benefit Auction, the PTAA’s only fundraiser. Auction volunteers tackle tasks from creating auction paddles to acquiring interesting items for the PTAA’s biggest annual event.
• Book Fair: Plans and coordinates volunteers for this CA fundraiser.
• Charger Club: Supports all aspects of CA athletics by promoting school spirit, good sportsmanship and volunteer commitment, working closely with the Athletic Department.
• Cultural Arts: Partners with CA faculty and administration as well as community groups to bring to CA innovative arts experiences that enhance school curriculum.
• Diversity: Provides support for families of different racial and ethnic groups, religious traditions, genders, sexual orientations, ages and socioeconomic statuses and encourages participation in PTAA activities.
• Fun Fest: Provides on-site and data entry support for CA’s annual family carnival event.
• Interview Skills: Works with staff to plan and coordinate PTAA’s Interview Skills initiative, which provides every Junior with skills training and a practice college interview, and gives every Senior a chance to schedule a an additional practice college interview or practice job interview.
• Health & Wellness: Works with staff to plan and coordinate speakers and events to enhance the Charger Trails and US advisory programs in Health and Wellness matters.
• New Parent Programs: Welcome families new to CA and help them get acclimated, as well as support the CA Admissions Division by assisting at Open Houses and Information Sessions and by giving guided tours to prospective families.
• Nominating: Identifies candidates for nomination to the PTAA Executive Committee and for appointment as committee chairs and grade-level representatives, with a parent from each grade-level; encourages nominations from all members of the CA community beginning in February and contacts all nominees to assess interest, learn their skills and schedule, and to identify potential matches for leadership opportunities.
• Photography: Attends various CA PTAA events and take pictures of students, faculty and volunteer parents to be used for the PTAA web pages and the PTAA Auction slide show.  They also update the CA PTAA Flickr website.

If you are interested in learning more about any of these committees, please let me know.  We can’t wait to see what kind of progress we can make on this beautiful masterpiece that is Cary Academy.

Lisa Mathis
CA PTAA President  2014-15