programs

Explore all the different Thurston PTA programs and fundraisers. Please use the Volunteer Interest Form below if you are interested in a role.

Annual membership

The PTA membership chair works to plan the annual membership campaign. They are responsible for creating and implementing a membership plan, promoting membership throughout the year, providing membership reports at PTA board and association meetings, checking membership status during association meetings, and collecting dues (done automatically through TOTEM system).  See full description at: http://downloads.capta.org/toolkit/jd/MembershipChairmen-VP-Unit.pdf

CHAIR: KATIE BRENNAN

angels Family Night

The Angels Family night is a district wide fundraiser held in May. Laguna Beach Council of PTAs receives reserved group section seats. The chairperson develops a plan to market the event, sells tickets online, coordinates with council level chair, collects and distributes tickets to families (via 6th period to students) and helps annouce winners of opportunity drawings.

CHAIR: LOURDES DE QUILLIEN

Communications

The communications chair handles PTA communications via email & social media marketing.  They receive the contact list of parent which opt-in to receive PTA emails and import into the email marketing database.

CHAIR: DIANNE HITZEL

WGames

WGames is the largest fundraiser of the year. Students collect donations and compete in multiple days of field games during PE.  Prizes are awarded for top fundraisers and top-placing teams.

CHAIR: CARISA LALIM

winterfest

WINTERFEST is a joyful, winter-themed, outdoor fun zone for students held after school in February. Winterfest's 1st Annual event (in 2021) included: a DJ, ice rink, inflatables like wipeout, obstacle courses and jousting, snowboarding simulator, football toss, mini golf, photo booth, dunk tank, snow machine and lots of FOOD!

CHAIR: MELISAA GREGG

movie night

Join Thurston friends for a movie night on the field. Held in the fall, this event kicks off a fun social experience for all grades.  Potential coordination with Coast Film Festival. 

CHAIR:  JENNIFER BENNETT

reflections

The National PTA Reflections Program is an arts recognition and achievement program for students. The Reflections Program provides opportunities for students to express themselves creatively and to receive positive recognition for original works of art inspired by a pre-selected theme while increasing community awareness of the importance of the arts in education.  The chair for this event helps generate student interest and entries from Thurston, submits them to council, and plans a recognition event for all participants following judging.  Learn more at CAPTA: http://toolkit.capta.org/job-descriptions/reflectionsprogram/

CHAIR: JEN GRZESKOWIAK

scholarships

Thurston PTA provides a $1,000 scholarship for a LBHS Senior who graduated from Thurston Middle School and has demonstrated a significant contribution to her/his community. Recipient must be planning to attend a four year college in the Fall. The recipient of the scholarship will be asked to attend a Thurston PTA meeting making a few brief, oral remarks about what the scholarship means to her/him. The chair assembles a committee to review applicants, select the recipient and request the check.

CHAIR:  LAURA JUMANI

The Thurston PTA Sports Swap is held the first Saturday of every November. 2022 will mark the 14th annual event. Gather and donate your gently used sporting goods to PTA the entire month of October, then come shop the 'Swap' for your own treasures.  This is a fun event and a great way to donate and/or purchase new and used surfboards, wetsuits, ski/snow boards, ski clothes, bikes, balls, fitness equipment, golf clubs, weights, and more!  The chair / event committee develops a marketing plan, prints banners, gathers sponsors (typically including Catch Surf, KXFM 93.5, Jedidiah Coffee, Hobie, The Ranch & StuNews and youth sports organizations), collects donations, tags/prices items, merchandises items and collects payments. 

CHAIR: PRUE WYMAN

staff appreciation

Help plan, decorate, cook, order and/or serve “thank you” lunch and breakfasts.  Kick off with a welcome back luncheon in August.  Plan a total of three potluck breakfasts events throughout the school year (using online signup). A final week in May is designated National Teacher (Staff) Appreciation Week, with flexibility for the chair to determine events. This is a wonderful way to give back to the hard-working staff of Thurston.

CHAIR: ERIN BERRYMAN

student store

Thurston PTA supports the student-run "Student Store".  Students earn Live School points for positive behavior and shop the store at select lunches. PTA helps purchase swag (TMS hoodies, shades etc.) and drum up local goods like gift cards and surf wax. This person coordinates with the staff liaison on inventory and needs.

CHAIR: AMY CORIN

TMS Sports

This volunteer will support Thurston Intramural Sports run by the LBUSD Athletic Director. They collaborate with TMS principal, Athletic Director, PTA president, other volunteers and campus student groups to coordinate program.  They oversee uniform inventory, distribution, and collection at beginning/end of each season; develop annual funding needs and presents it to PTA budget committee in April; publicize Intramural calendar dates using newsletters, website, emails, social networks and word of mouth, in both school-led and PTA-led communications; and design ways to garner school spirit for, and participation in, the Intramural program, e.g. game day signs, strong attendance for home games (1x season) and/or end of season all sport event/party/banquet.

CHAIR: KRISTINE FLYNN

6th grade REPresentative

Nerf war? Game-a-thon?  Beach meet up? New this year, Thurston PTA wants to plan a special social for 6th graders. Volunteer to bring your creative ideas to help our students make positive social connections.  This chair also helps coordinate decor & food the 6th grade Oral History Luncheon (a school-day event where students give speeches about a special person in their life) with the TMS English Language Arts team.

CHAIR: KELLY HOUDEK

7th grade REPresentative 

Beach bonfire? Group paddle board? Escape room? Downtown scavenger hunt? New this year, Thurston PTA wants to plan a special social for 7th graders. Volunteer to bring your creative ideas to help our students make positive social connections.

CHAIR:  JILL NUGENT + HANG TRAN

8th grade REP & promotion

Plan the end of the year festivities for our promoting 8th graders. Help organize the field trip held in early June, a school dance or yearbook signing party, and collecting parent donations to support all the promotion activities.

CHAIR: MELISSA NORIELLI

volunteering is fun!

Check out our volunteers in action over the years!