About the PTA

Mission

Fairmont strives to provide a safe, welcoming, and supportive learning environment for all students and families. 

How the PTA Helps

The Fairmont PTA works hard to improve the school for every student and family. With the cooperation of teachers, staff, and families, PTA volunteers work tirelessly to ensure a safe, inclusive, and welcoming learning environment for all students and families. We rely on the support of our school community to do the work we do.

The PTA provides financial support to boost educational programs, builds community by bringing families together for healthy and fun special events, and we work to improve school climate through arts & enrichment, and volunteering on campus where help is needed.

Financial Support

Building Community

Improving School Climate

Statement on Racial Justice

Fairmont Elementary PTA stands for racial justice, equality, and supports Black Lives Matter. As we stand today in an historic Black-justice movement, the Fairmont PTA has thought about how, in these uncertain times, our goals and actions can bring us together, move us forward, and support our students to be anti-racist.

We as a PTA are committed to helping prepare our students to work toward racial justice by:

The Fairmont PTA stands in support of the African American community and Black Lives Matter. As a PTA we are making a stronger commitment to A.A. students and families, by providing resources and advocacy. In this effort, we will collaborate with campus groups such as the Fairmont’s African American Parents Advisory Council (AAPAC), outside interest/groups who have expertise, and also those who are passionate about making a difference toward improving racial equity and racial justice. Our hope is that through this commitment we will better serve our Fairmont community as a whole.

Get to know us!

Meet your 2022-2023 School Year PTA Board Members

Nissa Brehmer

she/her

President

Nissa is passionate about supporting art and music in schools - which is what led her to the PTA serving as the Arts Education Chair for the 2021-22 school year. Born and raised in Wisconsin, Nissa has been in the bay area for 16 years and is totally in love with El Cerrito. Her son is a second grader at Fairmont, and she looks forward to contributing to the school community. 

Yara Lomeli-Loibl

she/her/ella

Hospitality

This is Yara’s second year on the PTA. She has a daughter in 2nd grade at Fairmont, and looks forward to meeting Fairmont families, strengthening the community, and working to improve Fairmont for all students. 


Yara habla Español y quiere también conectarse con las familias Latinx de Fairmont. Es su primer año en el PTA y tiene una hija en el primer grado.

Kelly gould

Kelly Gould

she/her

Co-Volunteer Coordinator

Kelly has been on the PTA Board for four years, first serving as the Vice President, PTA President, and now Co-Volunteer Coordinator along with Janis Chung. She has a 4th grade son and a 6th grade daughter at Fairmont Elementary. Building community while centering equity for our families has always been a goal for Kelly and is a central goal for Fairmont's PTA—and we need your voice to help make that happen!

Janis Chun

she/her

Co-Volunteer Coordinator

Janis has two kids, a 1st grader and 2-year-old. Originally from Hawaii, she was part of a military family that took her on all kinds of adventures growing up. She moved to the Bay Area for college and never wants to leave. This year is her first year on the PTA Board, and she's passionate about keeping families informed, connected, and involved!

Yvette Cashmere

Yvette Cashmere

she/her

Secretary

Yvette is a Bay Area native and has long family roots in Richmond.  This is Yvette’s first year on the PTA Board and she wants to support and engage all Fairmont families.  She is especially passionate about bolstering the socio-emotional and academic success of  African American students.

Nico Gamache-Kocol

Nico Gamache-Kocol

she/her

Vice President

Nico is serving her second year on the PTA Board. She's California born & raised and has lived in the Bay Area for 14 years. Nico has two kids; her older son graduated from Albany High class of 2017 and her little guy is currently a Fairmont 2nd grader. Nico is committed to building a welcoming and safe school climate for all students at Fairmont and encourages parents and caregivers to reach out with ideas, questions, and just to say "hi" and build community! 

Kate Cheyne

she/her

Membership

Kate is originally from the Sacramento area, but has lived in the Bay Area since 2008. This is Kate’s second year as a member serving on the PTA Board. She is mom to a third grader and a kinder. She is passionate about food access and food justice, and about continuing to build an inclusive community for all Fairmont students and their families. Kate also helps coordinate the activities and work of Fairmont’s Rainbow Families. 

Bua Pumkajorn

Financial Secretary

Bua has a 5th grade son and 3rd grade son at Fairmont. She volunteers her time at Fairmont whenever she's not working at her family's restaurant, and our favorite Thai restaurant, Bangkok Thai Cuisine. Her family also just adopted the cutest Pomeranian puppy named Snow.

Adam Russell

he/him

Treasurer

I am originally from Massachusetts with stops in New York, Minnesota, and Southern California before moving to the Bay Area in 2012. My family and I have lived in El Cerrito since 2015. I currently work as an actuarial analyst for a major medical practice insurance carrier. I am actively looking to transition into project management based on volunteer roles I have taken within my organization as part of its developing customer experience initiative. I am on the Board of the Pepperdine University alumni where I received my MBA and on the Board of El Cerrito Youth Baseball where I have also coached my son’s team the past two seasons. I have volunteered at places such as a homeless shelter in Los Angeles and the literacy center run by the city of Richmond. In 2012 I started a Microsoft Excel consulting business. I have consulted with local businesses, performed freelance Excel services, and taught adult workshops. What I find most rewarding in all these experiences is the relationships that you build and the sense of accomplishment in making a difference in other peoples' lives. When I make time for myself, I love to read about a variety of topics and run on the trails all over the Bay Area.

Lucas Menanix

Fundraising

I am the dad of two awesome kiddos, Zoella (First Grade) and Ira (Preschool), and I love being part of the diverse Fairmont community. I am passionate about helping our school continue to bring improvements that help all students achieve. I am Secretary of our School Site Council (SSC), which has given me a great perspective into school funding, further highlighting the importance of fundraising to fuel intervention programs, art enrichment, parent engagement, and community building. When I'm not building LEGOs with the kids, I'm leading projects as an engineering consultant and helping clients solve challenging problems with data and creativity. As Fundraising Chair, I plan to bring a community-minded approach to events that serve our entire Fairmont family and highlight the strength in our diversity!

Mande Glueck

she/her

Parliamentarian

Mande is a CA native with a 1st grader at Fairmont Elementary School.  She joined the PTA this year, after volunteering on campus last year. Mande is very interested in building positive community culture at school and within our community at large. Mande is happy to become part of a fantastic PTA, and ready to help where needed. If you want to be involved in the PTA and have a bit of time - join in the fun!

Could this be you?

Ask us how you can become involved in the PTA! We welcome all parents/guardians/community members, and teachers to participate, share ideas, and help us create a safe school environment for all Fairmont students and families. 

Email us for more information: pta@fairmontschool.org

Meeting Information

The PTA Board meets once a month and hosts an open general meeting once a month.  You do not need to be a PTA member to attend general meetings. We would love to see all of you attend! 

PTA Board Meetings

PTA Board meetings are limited to Board participation. They are held during the first or second week of each month at 7:00 PM. Meetings are currently being held on Zoom.


August 2022 -- Agenda

September 2022 -- Agenda

October 2022 -- Agenda

November 2022 -- Agenda

December 2022 -- No Meeting

January 2023 -- Agenda

February 2023 -- Agenda

March 2023 -- Agenda

April 2023 -- Agenda

May 2023 -- Agenda

June 2023 -- Agenda

PTA General Meetings

PTA General meetings are open to all. They are held on the 3rd or 4th Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM. Meetings are currently being held on Zoom.

August 2022 -- Agenda

September 2022 -- Agenda

October 2022 -- Agenda

November 2022 -- Agenda

December 2022 -- No Meeting

January 2023 -- Agenda

February 2023 -- Agenda

March 2023 -- Agenda

April 2023 -- Agenda

May 2023 -- Agenda

June 2023 -- Agenda

Ways to Get Involved

While it is not necessary to become a member to participate in our regular PTA meetings or to volunteer and help support the school, we do encourage membership as the donations we receive from our members help us to support our Fairmont students, teachers, staff, and enrichment programs. As a member, you will also have the opportunity to vote on PTA agenda items and annual budget. Membership is $20 per member per school year.

To become a member, please click here.

There are a variety of ways to participate in your child's experience at Fairmont. Click here to learn more.