Meet Mountain Brook Schools’ new PTO presidents
TRICIA PUGH
Mountain Brook High School
Background: I grew up in Fort Lauderdale and graduated from the University of Alabama. My husband, Bubba, and I have been married for 27 years. We have three children. Shane is a freshman at Alabama, Lindsay is in tenth grade and Blake is a sixth grader at CBS. Bubba grew up in Mountain Brook. I enjoy sports, volunteering at my church, and spending time with family and friends.
About MBHS PTO: The MBHS PTO promotes volunteering and fellowship among families. It also funds projects that enhance learning and communicates with the school on behalf of parents. This year we will be hosting Parent Power Lunches and two book studies (fall and spring). Money from our annual fundraiser will go toward upgrading the library.
Vision for the upcoming year: I hope to use my experience as PTO president of CBS and the PTO Council to continue building a strong sense of community within our school, provide opportunities for open communication to foster parent fellowship, and support and help the group with fundraising. I look forward to the upcoming year and welcome comments and ideas.
JEANNE MONK
Crestline Elementary
Background: I grew up in Mountain Brook and attended Crestline, MBJH and MBHS. I graduated from Sewanee and worked for Southern Progress Corporation before becoming a stay-at-home mom. I am married to Richard and have three children: Alice (12), Richard (9) and Ann Caldwell (4). I enjoy tennis, traveling and watching my kids play sports.
About Cougar PTO: The Cougar PTO’s main fundraisers are Cougar Contributors and the Boosterthon. Funds from these events will go mainly towards renovating our media center. We are hosting 250 students from our partner school Brookville again for Celebrate Writing on Feb. 27. Other important PTO-sponsored events are the Book Fair, Red Ribbon Week, Fall Festival, Expressions Contest, Career Day, Circle of Friends Week and Teacher Appreciation Week.
What makes CES special: Crestline is the largest elementary school, but the caring and professional teachers and support staff make it seem small. Crestline’s focus on community, respect and character is emphasized just as much as academics. As president, I hope to continue building community through PTO-sponsored events and volunteer involvement.
AMY SANDERS
Brookwood Forest Elementary
Background: I grew up in Decatur and met my husband, Brantley, at the University of Alabama. He grew up in Mountain Brook and went to BWF. I taught middle school and high school math before becoming a stay-at-home mom. We have four children: Mary Della (eighth grade), Bud (fifth grade), John Robert (second grade) and George (kindergarten).
About BWF PTO: BWF’s library is being renovated this summer and will be ready when the children return in the fall. Ranger PTO helps fund projects like the library. We also provide fun activities throughout the year, such as Forest Fling, Grandpal’s Day, field day, Circle of Friends week, Writers Festival and BWF’s Got Talent. We have three fundraisers: Boosterthon, Ranger Round-Up (auction) and Ranger Sponsors Program.
What makes BWF special: BWF feels like “home.” It felt like a family when my oldest started kindergarten, and it still does today. We are so grateful to have amazing administrators and teachers! I am so excited to be Ranger PTO president this year.
MELANIE TORANTO
Mountain Brook Elementary
Background: I grew up in Decatur. I have an undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama and a graduate degree from the University of Montevallo. I taught high school for eight years. My husband, Steven, and I have been married for 20 years. We have three children: Will (15), Ellie (14) and Mae Helen (8).
About MBE PTO: MBE celebrates its 85th anniversary this year. To mark this occasion, the PTO is selling slate tiles this fall from the original roof, cut in different shapes and sizes. We will continue fundraising through the Lancer Sponsors and the Boosterthon Fun Run.
What makes MBE special: MBE opened its doors in 1929 to 143 children and is the oldest school in the district, currently serving over 500 children. Our excellent administrators and staff along with community volunteers are the cornerstone of MBE. MBE is very fortunate to have a talented and hardworking group of volunteers and over 30 committees on our PTO Board.
LAURA COPE
Mountain Brook Junior High
Background: I was raised in Huntsville and graduated from Birmingham-Southern. My husband, Allen, and I have three children. Griffen is a senior at MBHS. Grace and Wes are twins who will be ninth graders this year at MBJH.
About MBJH PTO: The MBJH PTO will continue supporting the school with events such as Spartan Day, Art Forms and dances while also having a daily presence at the Filling Station. We are continuing our “One Check Campaign,” which enables families to donate to our PTO by writing one check instead of multiple for various fundraisers. This year, we are hoping to raise funds to update classrooms.
Vision for the upcoming year: Because the junior high is a transition for both parents and students, I hope to increase the connectivity between the parents and the junior high. By using social media, the PTO hopes to spread information about news and events, thus creating a more unified experience.
MARY MARGARET HENDRY
Cherokee Bend Elementary
Background: I have been married to Jeff for 14 years and have two children at CBS, Mary Winston (11) and John (10). I graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in marketing and advertising and worked in Atlanta with WGST Radio and Turner Broadcasting. I am involved in civic and volunteer activities around the city and enjoy tennis, golf and time with my children.
About CBS PTO: This year we are endeavoring to consolidate fundraising, concentrating on programs that will return 100 percent of the net proceeds back to the school. We will continue with Chief Sponsors, The Bend’s Got Talent, Carnival and Permanent Brick Pavers on the Playground. New events this year will be the Red and Yellow Run and an off-site winter auction and dinner called Winter Flight.
Vision for the upcoming year: I hope to bring fresh ideas that will provide additional funding to CBS. Another goal is to build community among all stakeholders: schools, parents, teachers, students, school board and community leaders.