PTO Spotlight with PTO Early Dismissal Movie Chair Nadine HartmanQ: Tell us about your family.A: My Husband Phil and I have lived in Brookline for 2 years, and previously lived in Boston for over 10 years. We are both from the Midwest, but love the East Coast! Our daughter Maya just turned 4 and attends BEEP at Driscoll and our son Liam is 6 and is in 1 Har.Q: Tell us how you came to serve as PTO Early Release Movie Chair?A: When Liam started Kindergarten at Driscoll, we were new to the school, and to Brookline, so I thought volunteering would be a nice way to get involved and to meet people. I saw that the PTO was looking for someone to take over the movies, so I thought why not. Meg Brackley and Lori Day (Pto Board Members) did a great job selling it to me JQ: Any advice for parents wanting to get involved at Driscoll?A: Most parents have time restrictions, and volunteering can be tough to squeeze in, but there are always ways to get involved on your own time as well, if that was something you wanted to do. You can always reach out to anyone on the PTO – and I’m sure they can find something for you!Q: Do your kids have a favorite PTO program?A: I would say the Carnival! What they put together on the Driscoll field is pretty amazing, and the kids just have so much fun.Q: Fun Fact: What's something we should know about you that we don't? OR What do you like doing in your free time?A: In my free time I like to ski, go to the beach, socialize with friends and family, and travel when I can.
PTO Spotlight with David Souza
PTO Spotlight with Co
-Treasurer, and Spring Fair Co-Chair David Souza:(photos on driscollpot.org)Q: Tell us about your family.A: My wife Tatyana and I have lived in Brookline for 12 years. We have two boys, Nikolai (2W) and Andreas (BEEP). Tatyana owns/manages, Coolidge Corner Yoga. I'm a partner at a Boston based hedge fund. As a family, we love to enjoy all four seasons through outdoor activities!Q: You're involved in a couple of ways on the PTO. Tell us about them.A: I'm currently finishing up a (3) year term as co-Treasurer for the Driscoll PTO. With a background in Finance, the co-Treasurer role was a logical way to support the PTO. I shared the role with Meg Brackley during the first (2) years of service. This year, I share the role with Ranjana Mayar.In addition, this will be my second year as co-Chair of the beloved Spring Fair. Running the Fair alongside Jennifer Klaus and Desmond Hallandoats has been a very rewarding experience. We are looking for a 4th co-Chair if anyone is interested;)Q: Do you have any advice for parents interested in becoming involved at Driscoll?A: Involvement can be small or large. The Driscoll community is full of wonderful people with diverse skill sets. I urge anyone with volunteer interest to contact the PTO chairs directly.Q: Fun Fact: What's something we should know about you that we don't?A: I was raised in a farm town in MA. My father was a blue collar "jack of all trades" kind of guy. Among other things, he had me riding/maintaining dirt bikes starting at the age of 4. At my home, you will see this is still very much a part of me, as shown by the many toolboxes owned:) Tatyana often uses this knowledge to her advantage when she wants me to fix something....
PTO Spotlight with Lori Popakostas
PTO Spotlight with Lori Popakostas
Q: Tell us about your family.A: We have lived in Brookline for 11 years. Our children Ellie (4th Grade) and Yanni (6th Grade) have attended Driscoll since they were 2 and 3 years old!Q: For many years you edited the Driscoll Blue Sheet. Tell us how you came to do that and your other involvement in the school / PTO.A: I was asked by another PTO member when my son was in Kindergarten. It was a great fit as I was able to work from home and around my schedule. It was also a fantastic way to stay current with school and town events.Q: Do you have any advice for parents interested in becoming involved at Driscoll?A: I highly recommend it as a way to get to know parents and staff at Driscoll. There are so many ways one can volunteer in various capacities that would fit your schedule.Q: Do your kids have a favorite PTO program?A: DASA is a favorite! They have enjoyed classes in Photography, It's Electric, Art, and Yoga.Q: What do you like to do in your free time?A: In addition to traveling, I enjoy cooking, hiking, cycling, and playing tennis
PTO Spotlight with Rena Sokolow
PTO Spotlight with Rena Sokolow:Q: Tell us about your family.A: Ours is a family of East Coasters. John and I grew up in New York, met on a tiny island off the coast of Maine and got married in Boston. Eric, Lucas and Carl were born in Canada and were happy to meet Louis and Grace when they were born in Brookline. We keep busy by rooting for opposing sports teams, working out, playing soccer, singing and taking family vacations that include both active and restful weeks. We celebrate many holidays, bake for them all and eat really well.Q: You created the Driscoll School, and PTO logos. Tell us about that process, and your inspiration for the design.A: I am a graphic designer. At one2tree we design books, posters, invitations, brochures, exhibitions and logos. Creating a logo, a graphic that is unique to a company or organization is not as easy as you might think. The computer is my tool, but ideas fuel my projects. I start by brainstorming and making lists. For this project my list included toddlers, 8th graders, notebooks, pencils, books, teachers, dragons, doors, numbers, primary colors and upper and lower case letters. Pages and pages of ideas were put to the test. In the end the suggestion of binder holes and primary colors with a modern lower case d gave the Driscoll School its unique mark.Q: Do you have any advice for parents interested in becoming involved at Driscoll?A: I am proud to wear my Driscoll T-shirt and not only because I designed it. Being part of the PTO, especially when kids are young is a great way to connect with other families and to teach kids the importance of volunteering.Q: Do your kids have a favorite PTO program?A: The Spring Fair, Arts Equinox and Kids for Kids have been very popular in our house.Q: Fun Fact: What do you like doing in your free time?A: In my free time I love to cycle down Beacon Street, into Newton and beyond
PTO Spotlight: Meg Brackley
PTO Spotlight with former PTO Co-Treasurer, and current Room Parent Meg Brackley. Q: Tell us about your family.A: My family is my husband, Kunal, daughter, Ellora (2-G), and my son Devan (K-Shea). I grew up in Hingham and still have lots of family there and in RI.Q: Tell us how you've been involved at Driscoll.A: I spent two years as a Co-Treasurer with David Souza. I am room parent for KShea and 2-G and this year I was a co-chair on the Book Fair with Amy Grayson and Grace Johnston.Q: What's your favorite PTO program?A: I really enjoy a lot of the great programs- this year I had so much fun working with Amy G, Grace J and Amy Neale on the Book Fair. It is a great way to help the library and meet some of the children, parents and teachers in the Driscoll community.Q: Tell us about your hobbies. OR Tell us about your favorite restaurant.A: Favorite restaurant- so many choices, just went to a great pop-up restaurant in Brookline village that was a lot of fun.
PTO Spotlight: Tracy Rieur
Q & A with Parent Volunteer Tracy Rieur: Q: What is your name, child(ren)'s name/grade?A: Phoebe 5, Olivia 10. Q: What is your day job?A: Massage therapist/Office manager. Q: What specific roles for the PTO did you work on for Driscoll?And for how long?A: Room parent coordinator 5 yrs, various one time activites- book fair, arts equinox, action, spring fair! Q: Why did you feel volunteering for Driscoll was important?A: Becoming involved in your child's school community is really a great thing- you get to know the kids, teachers, administration, and fellow parents. You really become part of this special community! Q: What did you learn from volunteering?A: That no matter the amount of time you can spend- it always is helpful. Q: What was FUN about volunteering?A: Getting to know everyone involved. It is nice to get to know others outside of just back to school night and class room presentation days. Q: Would you encourage others?A: Absolutely! An hour or two if you've got it from time to time is always appreciated and always a great help! Q: What surprised you about volunteering?A: That I always really felt part of this wonderful community, and usually had great fun in the process. Q: What advice might you give someone who is looking to volunteer?A: No Matter the amount of time you have to volunteer- a couple hours a week or month, or a couple hours a year, it is well worth the time to get to know Driscoll and others in the community- and I think you will find that it is fun in the process! Q: Anything else?A: Driscoll really needs your help in anyway, we are always looking for volunteers, no matter how big or small the job.
PTO Spotlight: Shannon Hedrick
PTO Q & A with PTO Volunteer Coordinator Shannon HedrickQ: Tell us about your family.A: I have been married to Guy McPherson for nearly 13 years. We met in music school. I was a singer. He was a composer. He wrote songs for me. The rest is history. Now I teach piano from home and Guy is an attorney.We have two daughters, Penelope (3rd Grade) and Josephine (Kindergarten). Penelope’s heart is with nature. She dreams of living on her own piece of land that is inhabited by more animals than humans. Josephine’s spirit zooms through our house like the wind. She is inspired by people she meets and new experiences. She has the most contagious positive attitude and joie de vie.We also have Syliva, the very tired and disgruntled cat and Cresty the crested gecko.Q: Tell us how you came to serve as PTO Volunteer Coordinator.A: A couple of years ago, I was a Village leader and saw a need for someone to help organize all the opportunities that are available to parents at Driscoll. I was new to the school and was unaware of all the amazing things that happen and how to get involved.I spoke with my fellow Village Leaders and the Principal and eventually was connected to the PTO Executive Board. They helped me to define goals and set priorities.Since then I have worked with the Co-Chairs for all the events to develop written descriptions of our programs and online and paper sign-ups for parents. I connect with each event Chair before their event and coordinate their volunteer efforts. Some activities need a lot of my help and others, need less. Q: Tell us what we should know about the PTO and why volunteering is so important.A: One of Driscoll’s core values is community building. We work together to create an environment for our children that we value and nurture. To me, volunteering shows Penelope and Josephine that we have the power to create the community we want to be a part of. And I like that it’s something that they can relate to because it is their day-to-day life. I feel I can show them that when you care for something, you put in the work and reap the rewards.Over the last few years I have learned that all of our programs – Chinese New Year, Book Fair, Arts Equinox, Science Solstice, the Spring Fair, Teacher Appreciation Breakfast, Early Dismissal Movies, DASA (there are more to name) are all parent run. Without the passion of our stellar parents, these opportunities would not exist for our children. I am proud that our school embraces these diverse activities so that each child has a chance to connect to something extra special over the course of the school year.I feel honored that these occasions have allowed me to work alongside our top-notch teachers. Volunteering has allowed me to be in the classroom and to see how our teachers ignite our children’s curiosity and make Driscoll and safe and positive place to learn. I am so grateful for this. Q: Do you have advice for the next PTO Volunteer Coordinator?A: With all volunteer opportunities at Driscoll including the PTO Volunteer position, I would say…jump in and make it your own! We are our most powerful if use our own individual strengths to benefit our school. You will meet so many wonderful people in the process.
PTO Spotlight
PTO Q & A with outgoing PTO Co-chair Lakia Rutherford:Q: Tell us about your family.A: I have 5 children, Destinee (14 years old) 8-1, Darius (11 years old) 5H, Darin (9 years old) 4W, Danielle (2 years old) and Daniel (1 year old).Q: Tell us how you came to serve as PTO Co-Chair?A: About 6 years ago I was appointed as the METCO liaison for the greater Brookline METCO K-8 Family group, which awarded me a seat on the PTO Board. The Treasurer at that time was looking for a Co-Treasurer, it was to be minimal work, deposit checks and record activity. I figured I could handle it.The following year I moved into the treasurer role, I was then asked if I would be interested in serving as a Co-Chair, which I have done for the past 3 years. I have enjoyed representing the parent body while pushing for programs that support our children and teachers in a manner that promotes mutual respect.Q: Tell us what we should know about the PTO and how it helps Driscoll.A: The Driscoll PTO is a great organization that provides developmental, educational and recreational activities and events for the Driscoll Community as well as the greater Brookline community. Being a part of the Driscoll community you often are unaware that not every school has a Science Solstice or an Arts Equinox yet our PTO year after year works hard to ensure that these traditions live on as a testament to its dedication to ensure that our children receive a well-rounded education.Q: Do you have advice for the next PTO Co-Chair?A: Any person willing to sit on a board with a group of energetic and motivated, well intentioned individuals will need to be prepared to work hard as a team, actively listen and agree to disagree, yet always keep in mind that all of the hard work is for the children.