Join a PTA Committee! 

PTA Committee volunteers work on PTA-specific activities under the direction of each PTA Committee Chair and assist in meeting our PTA budget and goals for the year (which ultimately impact the school).

 

Download the reimbursement form (PDF) for volunteer expenses.

 

Template for committee meeting minutes (PDF)

 

Committee Descriptions 2023-2024 School Year

 

Aesthetics

Gayton's aesthetics committee helps to maintain campus planters and flower beds.

Questions?  Contact a Committee Chair: 

Jacquelyn Anderson (jlereche@gmail.com) and Ashley McGuire (ashleyslatemcguire@gmail.com)

 

After School Enrichment

This typically is held in the fall and sometimes spring on select days right after school. We need volunteers to assist after school for thirty minutes until enrichment begins. Volunteers would assist kids with homework and brief activity before enrichment begins.

Questions?  Contact a Committee Chair: 

Kristi Price (ksprice08@gmail.com) and Julie Martin (jlmartin05@gmail.com)

 

Book Fair

Assist in working scheduled times during the Fall (usually in late October & early November) and Spring book fairs in the library, in addition to assisting with setup and take down. 

 Questions?  Contact a Committee Chair:                                                                                                   Susan Whitlock (susan.whitlock@gmail.com) and Tatiana Brewer (tatiana.brewer@gmail.com)

 

 

Fifth Grade Celebration

This committee plans and executes the most exciting day of the year for the fifth grade class. If you have a fifth grader and want to be involved in something that directly impacts them this is a great opportunity and promises to be a lot of fun.

Questions?  Contact a Committee Chair: 

Susan Whitlock (susan.whitlock@gmail.com)  and Susan Beck (susanhbeck@gmail.com)

 

 

Garden Club

Gayton’s garden provides hands-on learning opportunities for our students. In order to keep the beds healthy and growing we need a team of volunteers to ensure the garden is tended to on a weekly basis. Garden volunteers can sign up for weeks that fit their schedules and children can be included in the garden maintenance! In addition, garden volunteers are needed to help coordinate with each grade level to incorporate garden themed enrichments and hands on learning opportunities. The Garden committee also needs volunteers to help with the after school club that will be hosted in the fall and spring.

TBD

 

Gator Aides

Gator Aides have a more direct volunteer impact in the school and on a more consistent basis. These volunteer opportunities support the students, school staff, and administration.

Questions?  Contact the Committee Chair: 

Emily Albis (gaytonvolunteers@gmail.com)

 

Gayton Gobbler

The best way to spend the last day of school before Thanksgiving is at the Gayton Gobbler! At the Gobbler we engage every Gator in active fun! Classes will move through stations at a short fun run, as well as other fun stations with movement! TheGobbler needs volunteers who will help with event prep and set up / take down, as well as ensuring each station runs smoothly. This event also needs lots of cheerleaders along the race route that also keep our kids safe! 

Questions?  Contact a Committee Chair: 

Lizz Billings  (Bapplings@gmail.com) and Carter Reilly  (csreilly@henrico.k12.va.us)

 

Gayton Guardians 

Gayton Guardians is an initiative to include more parents to volunteer at school for safety purposes and to participate in fun events with their children. We are encouraged that this new program will promote father & father-like participation, but everyone is invited & welcome.

Questions?  Contact the Committee Chair: 

Josh Tootell (jktootell@outlook.com)

 

GLOW UP 3rd-5th Grade Dance 

This committee plans the annual Gayton Elementary Dance that is planned for November. The dance is for 3rd through 5th graders. Pre-dance and day of volunteers needed!

Questions?  Contact the Committee Chair: 

Erin Willis (e.erin.willis@gmail.com)

 

Hospitality 

With the help of volunteers, this committee provides refreshments and morale boosters for teacher/staff and parent functions throughout the year. Some of the events include teacher breakfasts and luncheons, monthly mobile coffee cart, and goody bags for Parent/Teacher Conferences. Volunteers are needed to send in food items and/or assist at these events. Additionally, this committee creates a welcoming environment for the teacher's lounge; volunteers are needed to send in items and help with décor in the lounge periodically.  

Questions?  Contact a Committee Chair: 

Jenny Horn (jennyruthhorn@gmail.com) and Brittany Harris (blpilgreen09@gmail.com)

 

Movie Night 

This committee plans an exciting event in the fall for all Gators to gather outside for movie night. This year we will be watching “Sing” and need volunteers to assist with planning ahead and executing the day of!

Questions?  Contact the Committee Chair: 

Ashton Gruszecki (hewlettab14@gmail.com)

  

Room Parents

One or two parents per classroom will work with the teacher throughout the year and act as a parent liaison between teacher and parents. Room parent signups are usually during the first two weeks of school. You are the main contact for the teacher and will help organize a team of other parents from your classroom to assist in class projects, winter party, and other events as identified by the teacher. PTA membership is strongly encouraged to be a room parent. PTA membership enhances school related communication through access to a membership directory and opportunities to engage with Gayton families. 

Questions?  Contact the Committee Chair: 

Lindsay Rayfield (lindsaycobb@gmail.com)

 

Running Club

Running Club is hosted before school and helps to create a culture of wellness in the Gayton community by providing opportunities for hands-on learning focusing on nutrition and fitness. 

Questions?  Contact a Committee Chair: 

Katie Langley (kglangley@live.com), Robert Fraker (robertfraker@hotmail.com), Amanda Corcoran (amanda.corcoran.slp@gmail.com), and Carl Adcock (cadco003@gmail.com)

 

 

Snowball Pre-K-2nd Grade Dance 

The snowball dance is a parent-child dance for Pre-k - 2nd grade Gayton students held in February. We believe every child deserves moments of joy and unforgettable memories. We invite you to be a part of something truly magical and heartwarming. The snowball committee is in charge of planning, decorating and executing this fun event.

We are currently in need of a committee chair for this event so please email programs.gaytonpta@gmail.com if you are interested. 

 

 

Spirit Wear

Our new Gayton Gator spirit wear line is coming soon! Be on the lookout for more information about our online sale! If you’re interested in a low-commitment volunteer role, the spirit wear committee is always looking for assistance with order fulfillment, in addition to sales at various events throughout the year.

Questions?  Contact the Committee Chair: 

Jessica Morgan (jmorgan2414@gmail.com)

 

Sponsorships

This committee works before the school year starts to develop a community sponsor program and solicit financial or in-kind donations to support PTA initiatives for the upcoming school year. The majority of the committee's work happens before the first week in August. Volunteers are needed to help develop the outreach list and reach out to potential sponsors via email. There are some activities related to sponsor stewardship during the school year. Learn more about the sponsorship program.

Questions?  Contact the Committee Chair: 

Jenny Pedraza (jennyjpedraza@gmail.com)

 

Spring Carnival

Come join the fun and be a part of our Spring Carnival. This is our most exciting fundraiser of the year. The carnival is only successful with the help of our dedicated committee and our 250 parent volunteers. There is a job for everyone! Up for a bigger challenge? Sign-up for lead role managing wristband sales, volunteers, food, etc. Looking for a smaller commitment? Volunteer for a 45-minute game or inflatable attendant shift, a donut or prize donation, or set-up/clean-up crew. 

Questions?  Contact a Committee Chair: 

Tiffany Christopher (tiffanymchristopher@gmail.com) and Jolene Giandomenico (jolenegia@gmail.com)

  

Teacher Appreciation 

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK 2024 is May 6-10!  More details about this fun-filled week will be sent out in April.  We will be asking for volunteers to help with various jobs throughout the week.  We can't wait to celebrate our AMAZING Gayton teachers all week long!  GAYTON TEACHERS HAVE STAR POWER!

Questions?  Contact a Committee Chair- Jessica Dodson (liljesskd@hotmail.com), Lizz Billings (bapplings@gmail.com) or Tiffany Christopher (tiffanymchristopher@gmail.com)

 

 

Yearbook

Volunteers can be as involved as they want to be and commitment times occur throughout the year.  Some responsibilities could include helping to organize pictures by class, contacting picture parents/room parents/teachers when pictures are needed, copying and distributing fliers, proofreading yearbook copy, helping with yearbook distribution, and meeting to learn the software program.

Questions?  Contact the Committee Chair: 

Sarah Vernon (sarahkarlene@gmail.com

 

Advocacy Chair TBD

  • County Council Rep – Linking the Gayton PTA to the county-, state- and national- level of the PTA, the County Council Representative attends meetings with other PTA leaders in Henrico county to bring back information about programs, grants, and leadership training to support the Gayton PTA. The representative helps Henrico County Council PTA engage in advocacy work to support the legislative program of the Virginia PTA and National PTA by mobilizing local PTA membership. Finally, the representative works with HCPS to provide parent representatives for task forces, study groups, and committees and to disseminate information about changes in the school system, school board policies, and state actions.
  • Lay Advisory Rep – Henrico County has a standing Lay Advisory Committee composed of parents and/or community members who represent the various schools to advise the School Board on educational matters of general interest or concern to the community. Gayton’s representative acts as a liaison on behalf of parents, teachers, and community members to the school board of supervisors. Anyone interested in education and the school system is welcome to attend meetings.