About the PTA

• We fund enrichment programs like, music, arts, and science, and we fund continued support of our garden.

• We support teachers by providing them allocations to pay for classroom supplies and field trips (as permitted).

• We help support and coordinate the 5th grade overnight field trip to Pt. Bonita (when safety permits) and 6th grade commencement activities and events.

• We provide fun activities that also foster family involvement, such as Board Game Night, Family Fun Night, and Friendship Dances.

• We provide the school with educational events such as Family Reading Night and Family Math Night, as well as assemblies.

• We work to foster healthy habits among our students and families, including hosting events like Walk-to-School Day and the Spirit Race.

• We coordinate volunteers on campus to help support teachers in the classroom, to provide supervision and support at lunch and recess, and to help with the garden, the library, and anywhere we see a need.

• We help to improve the appearance of the school. We have transformed an unused plot of land into an edible garden.

• In Spring of 2009, we sponsored the creation of a mural in the kindergarten yard, titled “Growing Minds”.

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. 

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! 

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 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!

I am presently a stay at home mom of three kids - 2 attending Fairmont as grade-schoolers. I’m passionate about volunteerism, educational equity and equality, and engaging children with informal learning opportunities. My goal is to serve to the Fairmont community, whilst teaching my own children by example the joy and value of volunteering. My prior experience includes both administrative and public engagement roles within various environmental non-profits, plus data and lab work in a biology-based research setting. I have a bachelor’s in conservation biology, plus an extensive history of numerous, long-sustained volunteer positions. I look forward to the privilege and delight of serving Fairmont, my children, my community.

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! 

Maria is the mom of 3 kids -- first grade, Kindergarten, and incoming TK. she has been an active parent-volunteer at school events and in the classroom. She has an accounting background and is ready to step into the role of auditor!

I am a mom of 2, a first grader and a fifth grader. I also work full time as a customer service manager at a local bank. This is my first year on the PTA Board and I am excited to get to be a part of the Fairmont community and help make positive things happen at our kids’ elementary school!

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.

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!