MDE 2026-27 Committee Chairs

 

 

Committee Chairs: MDE PTA’s Three Primary Fundraisers

 

Auction & Gala - Blair Foster, Carrie Compton & Molly Weisselberg (auction@mdepta.org)

 

Committee Chairs plan and auction and gala to support MDE - this is our school’s largest fundraiser.  Chairs will select location & theme, organize a live and silent auction, and sell tickets and tables to MDE families and staff.

 

During the 2026-27 school year, our auction & gala will be held on February 27, 2027, at the Houston Country Club. Auction sponsors receive special visibility and recognition throughout the evening with table options to attend based on giving level. Unlike our year-round giving partners, these sponsorships help support our school through one unforgettable evening.

 

Annual Fund - Mimi Meacham (annualfund@mdepta.org)

 

Committee Chair leads the year-long fundraiser, with a goal of 100% family participation - it could be $5 or $5,000 - any donation is welcome!  

 

During the 2026-27 we are seeking one Annual Fund ‘Community Partner’ to match the first $10,000 raised by our families. The partner will receive all Diamond benefits and name/logo will be featured on the Annual Fund Fundraising Thermometer in the school entryway.

 

Community Partners - Morgan Zarghouni (advertising@mdepta.org)

 

Committee Chair develops sponsorship opportunities for the school and contacts local businesses about supporting our school and gaining visibility with our families throughout the school year.  Works closely with Annual Fund and Auction & Gala. 

 

2026-27 Community Partner Levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Diamond, and Platinum and/or an "Additional Community Partner Opportunity"

 

Committee Chairs: Enrichment Programs & PTA Sponsored Events

 

Book Fair - Emily Marye, Jessica Kottwitz, Lindsay Putterman, Sarah Kamel & Trishia Pankratz

  • The Book Fair is a week long event & a great way to contribute to our library, add to your personal library shelves, and volunteer directly with the students.

Cultural Arts - Dina Akbar & Marty Whatley

  • Explore and learn about the cultures of our MDE Community. The event highlights different cultures, customs and foods from around the world.  Committee Chairs will select the country and plan a week long ‘tour’ of that country for our MDE students to experience.

Dad’s Club - Juan Carlos Flores

  • Fellowship among men in the Memorial Drive Elementary Community and to raise funds for the support of the MDE community. Coordinate MDE field usage and host social events.

Directory Chair - Ellen Sweet

  • Coordinates putting together the printed MDE directory.  

Fall Festival - Gracie Howey, Hannah Kline and Jill Mertz

  • Coordinates a Halloween or Fall themed evening event for students and the community, typically held in October.  This is our largest school-wide event in the Fall.

Field Day - Claire Kruse, Erin Patchell and Kim Kanaly

  • Students participate in a variety of athletic activities and show their school pride - this event is held during the school day.  Committee Chairs work directly with Coach Nguyen to put on the event.  This event is held during the school day.

Fifth Grade Graduation & Additional Top Dogs Events - Currie Rice, Emily, Marye, Jill Naponic & Mimi Meacham

  • Multiple activities and events including D.A.R.E Graduation & Picnic, Color RUn, Name the Baby, Graduation Ceremony & Graduation Party for our 5th Grade Top Dogs

Finance Audit and Review - Mitchell Baldridge

  • End of the Year PTA Audit

Financial Review Chair - Mitchell Baldridge

  • Receivers and reviews monthly PTA statements

Gallery Night - Bethany Quinn and Kristen Burney

  • An Art Show that displays a piece of art from every student in the school.  Committee Chairs will work with Art Teacher to collect and label art, pattern with a third party vendor to frame and setup for the event which is held in the evening.  2025-26

Gardening Committee - Amanda Lundquist, Angie Keck, Amy Wolf, Christie Grace Rice, Crystal Garcia, KathyTipton & Lauren Lewis

  • During the first year (2026-27) Committee Chairs will build the garden, coordinate with teachers on Fall & Spring planting and maintenance, and maintain the garden throughout the year.  2026-27

Grandparents' & Special Friends Day - Jaycie Chapman & Claire Renfro

  • Grandparents and special friends are invited to join students for a day during the week of book fair to have a treat, shop the book fair and tour their classrooms.  Committee Chairs will partner with Book Fair Chairs.

GT Parent Advisory Committee - Bran Battista & Vicki Gilani-Momeni

  • Committee Chairs serve as MDE liaison with the SBISD’s Office of Advanced Academic Affairs (AAS).

Guidance Counselor Liaison - Elizabeth Wilhite

  • Assists Counselor with Red Ribbon Week, Safety Patrol, Kindness Week, GenTex Week and GT/PGP Services

Hands on Science (HOS) - Lauren Moncrief and Myrtle Jeroudi

  • Students in 4th and 5th grades receive enrichment in their science classes through hands-on experiences in physical science, anatomy, physiology, and dissection. Committee Chairs partner with STEAM teacher to plan a HOS activity in the Fall and Spring.

Healthy Lifestyles - Amber Lewis

  • Promotes healthy eating habits at school lunches and health conscious events such as Bike to School Day.

Heroes Lunch - Christine WIlliamson

  • Coordinates the annual Lunch with Heroes (on or near Veterans Day) – remembering 9/11 and honoring our local heroes.

Homeroom Parent Coordinator - Jennifer Beasley

  • Each class has 2-3 room parent volunteers who is the liaison between the teacher and parents and assists the teacher with classroom activities (as needed). Responsibilities include recruiting parent volunteers for class parties and events, coordinating recognition of teacher birthdays, and communicating volunteer opportunities for events such as Family Fair and Cougar Carnival. Room parents are selected the first week of school from those parents who express interest by returning the room parent selection form.

Kinder Meet and Greet - Amelia McKnight & Molly Wellington

  • Coordinates Kinder Event prior to school starting for incoming Kindergarteners and their families.

Library Coordinator - Jill Naponic & Mary Dalton

  • Coordinates parent library volunteers for each class.

Long Range Planning Committee - Jack Foster & Stacy Johnson (Co-Chairs) + Ashley Beecher, Carrie Fersen, Lindsey Jones, Lindsey Putterman and Morgan Zarghouni

  • The purpose of the LRP Committee is to work with Principal Hutcheson to research, review and prioritize the needs of the school so that funds raised by the PTA are spent wisely and timely.  LRP funding is not intended to cover the expenses of classroom consumables; it is for those special items that will improve and enhance your classroom, your teaching and our school. Additionally, we will support campus improvement and staff needs to provide more efficiency and function for faculty, staff, and students of Memorial Drive Elementary.

PTA Newsletter - Eric Winter (PTA Board Vice President)

  • Write and distribute weekly MDE PTA Newsletter to PTA Members.

PTA Webmaster - Melanie Baldridge

Rafflemania - Amy Despot & Kelly Horton

  • Rafflemania is a fun week long event hosted during school lunch periods at MDE that includes a giant raffle with fun prizes. Committee Chairs purchase raffle items, setup display in the cafeteria and sell tickets to students during lunch.  All proceeds support the PTA.

Running Club - Angela Sims

  • Coordinates with the Health and Fitness staff to facilitate morning running club during the Fall semester, typically held September - October.

SBEF Liaison - Savannah Brown

  • Representative to Spring Branch Education Foundation. Attend SBEF meeting in September, Bright Stars in February. Coordinate any MDE involvement with SBEF.

Seasonal Décor for Library and Front Desk - Blair Foster, Hilary Einbinder and Trishia Pankratz

 

School Supplies - Eric Winter (PTA Board Vice President)

  • Coordinates school supply bundles.

Sister School Liaison - Anna Williamson & Lindsey Macomber

  • Organizes events (food & coat drive, teacher appreciation, etc.) throughout the school year for our sister school, Hollibrook Elementary.

Social Media Director - Amanda Lundquist (PTA Board Historian)

  • Creates content and runs MDE social platforms - Instagram.

Spelling Bee - Audra Jain

  • 3rd – 5th graders compete in classroom bees. The top speller from each classroom bee, plus a few additional top spellers from each grade, advance to the school-wide bee in December. Winners of the school-wide bee advance to the district-level bee in late January or early February.

Spirit Store And Design Chairs - Lauren Sutherland, Lauren Tschoepe and Rachel Cooper

  • Design the spirit store items + coordinate online pre-sales and in person pop-up shops throughout the year.

STEAM Night - Kristina Jensen and Lisa Dillon

  • This event encourages the entire family - parents and all grade level students to think like young scientists. A project is presented prior to the event that students can choose to participate in.  These projects are displayed during the evening event for viewing by students, family and friends.  The night also includes additional STEAM based stations for any student to participate in.

Staff Appreciation Week - Carrie Fersen, Hilary Einbinder and Lindsay Jones

  • Plans and coordinates Staff Appreciation Week in May.

Staff Monthly Lunches - Currie Rice and Emily Marye

  • Plans teacher and staff appreciation lunches once a month throughout the year.

Talent Show - Kalynn Swinbank

  • Works with the Music teacher to plan and coordinate the spring talent show.

Yearbook - Shelby Rushing

  • The yearbook contains photos of individual students, class groups, school functions and PTA activities. The books will be delivered to the students in May. The committee chair is responsible for planning the student and class photos (outside vendor) +  collecting photos for the yearbook, designing the yearbook and working with the PTA webmaster to sell the yearbook online.

 

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