PTO Profile: The Two Women Co-Presidents of Westminster Elementary School

It's only one month into the school year and Westminster Elementary School's PTO co-presidents Meghan O’Connell and Carri Rightmyer are already diving into their volunteer jobs with full-force. 

Together O’Connell and Rightmyer run the monthly meetings, answer emails, and help maintain the PTO website and bulletin board.  They also monitor PTO committees for upcoming events to make sure each one has a chair and enough committee members.  In addition, the co-presidents help the school with a variety of other issues that might arise. 

THE JOURNEY TO SCHOOL LEADERSHIP

O’Connell has three children, and has been volunteering for the PTO since her oldest child started kindergarten. When she attended her first PTO meeting, she found the board was going to cancel an event because it didn’t have enough parent volunteers.  So she jumped in to help with that event, and has been helping ever since. O'Connell joined the PTO board as vice president last year; this year she shares the role of co-president.

Carri Rightmyer got involved with the PTO when her son was in kindergarten.  With her daughter now entering kindergarten and her son in the third grade, Rightmyer is excited to continue taking charge of many different events around the school as PTO co-president.

SCHOOL CHALLENGES 

Both co-presidents say they agree that all positions on the PTO board require a year-round commitment.  However, the most demanding time is before school begins, and during the first few weeks of the school year. They noted that they are both looking forward to another year where they can organize the events that bring enjoyment to the children.

Rightmyer and O'Connell feel that one of the biggest challenges facing children and teachers this school year is math because of the implementation of a new curriculum.

In addition, bullying in school continues to be an issue.

“Our biggest challenge is the unknown; we are just honored to be able serve as Co-Presidents.  It is going to be a learning experience as we go through the year,” they said. 

Outside of the PTO, both Rightmyer and O’Connell stay busy with their children's extra-curricular activities.