Parent Association

The Catherine Cook Parent Association (PA) assists our parents and guardians by building a sense of community and providing a strong communication link between the parent body and the school.

The PA seeks to foster positive relationships between parents/guardians and the school's administration, faculty, staff, and trustees. Every parent or guardian of a Catherine Cook student is automatically a voting member of the Parent Association.

The PA sponsors many all-school events, parent/guardian education, and volunteer opportunities. It also holds monthly meetings, to which all parents and guardians are invited. These meetings are an excellent way to meet fellow parents, learn how to get involved, and find out what's happening in the school.

In This Section

Parent Association Committees

Spirit Committee

This committee generates Catherine Cook Cougar Pride by coordinating Spirit Weeks, community athletic events, and the Spirit Store.

Service Committee

This committee plans and coordinates a variety of community service events, including donation drives, beach clean-ups, meal services, and more.

School’s Out Extravaganza

This committee plans and coordinates an end-of-year celebration with food trucks and a wide variety of activities.

Room Parents

Room Parents assist teachers with events, organize volunteers, and serve as a liaison between the PA and their classroom parents/guardians.

Lunch Support

This committee provides coverage in the Cafeteria so faculty and staff can eat lunch, focus on instruction, and reset for the remainder of the day.

Library Support

This committee supports our Catherine Cook librarians by assisting with re-shelving and other tasks.

Harvest & Halloween Celebration

This committee decorates Catherine Cook in celebration of Halloween and the fall harvest as well as coordinates the annual Halloween Parade.

Fall Fest

This committee plans and coordinates a fall-themed event with a Chicago Bears game watch and fun activities.

Faculty & Staff Snacks

This committee provides snacks for faculty and staff once per month.

Faculty & Staff Appreciation Luncheon

This committee coordinates a special lunch for faculty and staff at the end of the year.

CultureFest

This committee plans and coordinates an amazing celebration of the diverse cultures and traditions of our community members.

Back to School Celebration

This committee plans and coordinates an exciting party for adults in the community at the start of the school year.

Parent Association Events

Book Fair
This annual event provides families an opportunity to purchase books and gifts for the whole family as well as for their children’s classrooms, with a percentage of sales supporting the Catherine Cook Library to update the school’s collection.

CultureFest
CultureFest - Our school comes together each year to celebrate the diverse cultures and traditions of our community members, including food, fashion, games, performances, and more.

Bump, Set, ROAR!
Each fall, our 8th Graders take on faculty and staff in an exciting volleyball game, with the whole school invited to cheer them on!

Halloween Parade
Halloween Parade - During our annual Halloween Parade, students wear incredible costumes and parade around Cobbler Square as families and friends line the streets.

Cougar Madness
Cougar Madness - In the spring, our faculty and staff bring their best basketball skills to the court as they face off against 8th Graders with the bleachers full of excited fans.

2025-2026 Parent Association Executive Committee:

Julie Levenstein | President
Nadine Saber | Vice President
Cheryl King | Secretary
Alyssa Johnson | Treasurer

2025-2026 Parent Association Committee Chairs

Back to School Celebration
Kelli Burd, Sara Cherney, and Lauren Keyser

CultureFest
Emily Dillingham, Kim Kort, Monique Perlmutter, Virginia Uriostegui, and Padma Varadhi

Faculty & Staff Appreciation Snacks and Luncheon
Alexis Cogswell, Lisa Cotton, Scott Manwaring, Chris Papalia, Samantha Pinkus, and Jenni Sorenson

Fall Fest
Leslie Brosk, Lisa Hall, Emily Hood, and Sonya Metcalf

Harvest and Halloween Celebration
Shana Gearty, Marci Jarog, Christina Rabut, Alice Richter, and Joanna Travalini

Library Support
Shannon Abloh, Leslie Brosk, Kami Davis, Julia Devetski, Alex Dugan, Jenna Gaston, Lisa Hall, Jamie Miller, Leah Rosemergy, Nadine Saber, Daisie Siska, Jenni Sorenson, and Dina Taylor

Lunch Support
Adam Beane and Sarah Fredderke

Room Parent Coordinators
Karen Focht, Gina Ness, and Brooke Torrenga

School’s Out Extravaganza
Alice Becker, Fazilat Farhat, Jenna Gaston, and Saray Owdaom

Service Committee
Leslie Archer, Megan Chessare, Jeff VanDam, and Amber Zelazny

Spirit Committee
Alex Dugan, Kim Edison, Molly Watkins, and Lauren Worley