Chenoweth PTA

05/30/2026

It has been one week since our 5th graders took their final walk through the halls of Chenoweth, but before they said their goodbyes, they made their mark in the annual PTA-sponsored legacy project! In April, the students worked with art teacher Mrs. King to paint rocks that they later pressed into custom concrete stepping stones. (A big thanks to the 5th grade parent volunteers that helped make it happen... and didn’t mind getting dirty in the process!)

The completed stones were installed by the front patio – right next to the (relocated) stepping stones from last year’s graduating class. Luckily, the school yard is big because the PTA plans to continue the legacy project with 5th grade students for years to come!

**If you are interested in getting involved in arts programming with the PTA in the 2026-27 school year, send us a message or email [email protected].**

05/21/2026

We still have a limited quantity of yearbooks available to purchase. Give cash or check (payable to “Chenoweth PTA”) to the front office with your students’ name and classroom and we will be sure they get one!

05/19/2026

Help us to recognize Chenoweth PTA's TWO 15th District PTA Outstanding Volunteer Award Recipients! 👏👏 We recently had the honor to celebrate the contributions of Machelle Cox and Anna Rueff at the 15th District Awards Banquet. If you don't already know them, here is some of what was shared in their nominations:

💛MACHELLE COX: Machelle's service has made a lasting positive impact on our PTA, our students, and our school community. Machelle reluctantly joined the PTA Executive Board three years ago (2023-24) when we were desperate for someone to take the lead as VP of Events. When no one was nominated for the role on the night of our elections, she nominated herself from the floor! Though somewhat new to the school, she saw there was a need and her passion to serve others superseded her anxiety. She didn't just dip her toe into the PTA... she dove in head first! That year she tried to recruit others to help lead/chair events to no avail but instead of cancelling those events due to a lack of others being involved- she ran them pretty much single-handedly. She did this because she cared that our students had the same opportunities as the ones who came before and because she believed in the power of events to create the community that powers the PTA! That year she served as VP of Events on the Executive Board, Chair of Movie Night, Chair of the Family Dance, and Chair of the Talent Show. Not only did she fill these roles... she ran these events like a professional. She brought fresh ideas, a quiet ease, and order. The events were all well promoted, well staffed with volunteers who wanted to get involved, well attended by new families, and LOTS of fun!!

Machelle continued to Chair our beloved annual Talent Show for the next two years (2025 & 2026). Machelle made time to see this through because she knew it was so important to our school community. *Note: Machelle also received an award for Special Progam/Event for the Talent Show!

Not only has she taken on these important leadership roles over the years, Machelle consistently fills in to volunteer or donate for countless other class parties, donation drives, field days, etc. If something is going on at Chenoweth- Machelle is always there finding a way to be helpful, supportive, and involved. If you ask for her help, she is always there. Machelle Cox is is truly an Outstanding Volunteer in the 15th District PTA and is deserving of recognition!! THANK YOU, MACHELLE!! 💙

💛ANNA RUEFF: We can't say enough about how much Anna Rueff contributes to the Chenoweth community. Naturally, Anna's experience as a lawyer means she is the perfect Parliamentarian on this year's Executive Board. But when she joined the Board last year as Secretary, she was immediately recognized for how wise she is and how she thoughtfully approaches every conversation and conflict.

Anna is a vital member of the Executive Board, but more importantly, she is a valued, visible, dependable, and loved school volunteer. On any given day you can find Anna at school (often in her professional work attire) getting her hands dirty, wiping down tables, pushing the broom in the cafeteria, or setting up for (or cleaning up after) an event. Just last week we caught her backstage (in-between depositions!) dusting and reorganizing in preparation for the student Talent Show the next day! School fundraisers CHECK! Whether it's monitoring students running around the field to cash in on sponsor pledges or taking shifts going room to room every morning to collect cash and coins for our annual fall fundraiser, Anna is there. She solicits donors and participates on the online auction planning committee. She is a valued member of the SBDM and Executive Board Nomination Recruiting Committee. She has participated with School Dance, Talent Show, and Outdoor Classroom/Garden Clean-Ups. Anna is always on the front line at school events. She'll greet folks, sell
merch and concessions, push a mop, pull a w**d or plant a tree, and she is likely to also bring along a charcuterie board!

But I have to say my favorite Anna moment this year is how she showed up for our Family Culture Showcase in November. For this showcase, the PTA invites students and families to share their heritage or cultural traditions through a performance or by leading an activity at the event. This year Anna wanted to share a family tradition that has been passed down in her family for generations: knitting. So that evening, set among the colorful displays of treasures and treats from families representing their home countries of Russia, Ecuador, Israel, and more-right next to the origami station —Anna was there teaching kids how to finger knit. She brought her tea kettle, a little electric fireplace, and invited families to grab a seat and join her for a little cozy fireside chat.

Since Anna's daughter is graduating in May, this is our final year with Anna on the PTA Board. We'll miss seeing Anna as a volunteer and as a mom to all. But Chenoweth is a better place because of Anna and all the love she poured into it and every student that has walked its halls over the past six years. THANK YOU, ANNA!! YOU WILL BE DEARLY MISSED AND REMEMBERED! 💙

🎉Every single one of our volunteers is appreciated and we simply can't do all that we do without ALL OF YOU. Thank you to everyone who has shown up to help this year in all the ways- big and small- it is all valued and important to the work of the PTA! 🎉

05/19/2026

05/19/2026

A BLAST sure was had today!! ☀ Thank you to ALL of the amazing volunteers for helping make today so fun and special for our Chargers! Thank you to Ms. Welch and Ms. Gant for organizing another year of excitement and memory making as we begin to wrap up another school year. 😎
Photos from the day: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KYy62Z93A/
*Volunteers, feel free to add yours!

05/15/2026

Charger Community: Please sign up to volunteer for Charger Blast on Monday! We especially need more volunteers for the 11am-1pm slot for 3rd-5th grade. This is one of the most FUN-filled days of the year and we can't do it without your support!

VOLUNTEER AT CHARGER BLAST: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0449ACAA2BA6FE3-64056997-charger #/

We could also use help with some end of the year celebration tasks like putting up and taking down the "Congrats Chargers" letter signs (you want a photo op, right?), helping Jenny B wrap up the legacy path project, and taking down the stage curtains, etc. All tasks have flexible timing. Remember: many hands make light work! So if you have just an hour to spare, anything helps! Email [email protected] with any questions.

VOLUNTEER FOR END OF YEAR TASKS: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0449ACAA2BA6FE3-63967096-endofyear

Thank you! Teamwork makes the dream work!!

Volunteers are needed to help at Charger Blast Field Day 2026! Volunteers will be assigned a station to help classes with one of the many exciting activities or challenges. If you can work an entire 2-hour shift please sign up below. If you can only work part of the time your help is still greatly a...

05/15/2026

On Wednesday night, the PTA hosted our final meeting of the year. It was a lovely evening of reflection, celebration, and a bittersweet passing-of-the-torch. We also toasted a few dedicated and passionate friends that have gone above and beyond for the Chenoweth community during their tenure on the Executive Board.

Allison Schenkenfelder (President), Kenna McDonald (Treasurer), and Anna Rueff (Parliamentarian) have concluded their Chenoweth PTA chapter, but a new one begins with a newly elected President (yay! Johna Ebling!) and Executive Board for the 2026-27 school year. We’ll share more about Johna and the new (and returning) Board members soon!

So for now, please join us in thanking Allison, Kenna, and Anna for their many years of service and loving commitment to our students, families, teachers, and staff. We are all better off because of your hard work and big hearts. Thank you. ❤️

05/12/2026

The Chenoweth PTA had the pleasure of honoring Nurse Tammy at the 15th District Awards Banquet last week as the recipient of an Outstanding Nurse Award! 🩺❤️🩹

The input was much too long to post in its entirety but here is what some parents and staff members shared as part of her nomination:

💛"Nurse Tammy is a blessing to our Chenoweth Family. She is rockstar when it comes to keeping our kids well and meeting their individual medical needs. I personally witnessed her outstanding work and efforts during the month of February when there was a rise in the Flu amongst our students. She saw on average 50 students a day, most days skipping meals and bathroom breaks to ensure our children were properly triaged and given the adequate care they needed until they were relieved by their guardian. She is resilient!
She manages so many children with different medical needs on a daily basis such as diabetes, G-tubes, ADHD, asthma, food allergies, and the day to day needs that come with students in the building. She always has a smile and is present each day. My students love Nurse Tammy and feel safe with her.
She goes above and beyond to keep our students present and keep them from missing those important minutes that allow them to become strong in their educational abilities." -Taylor Baucom (Attendance Clerk & Chenoweth parent)

💙"Nurse Tammy is a total rockstar!! It takes a special kind of person to run toward the chaos with a thermometer in one hand and a calming word in the other. Nurse Tammy possesses a rare "sixth sense" for student needs. Whether it’s a student managing a chronic condition like type 1 diabetes or a child coming in with a "stomach ache" that is actually deep-seated anxiety, Tammy consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that students with complex medical needs have the accommodations they need to thrive in the classroom, not just survive the day.
What truly sets Tammy apart is her dedication to the adults in the building. Tammy is our "calm in the storm." From checking a teacher’s blood pressure during a stressful week to providing clear, level-headed guidance during medical emergencies, she is a vital safety net for us all. Thank you so much for nominating her, I can't think of anyone that deserves it more!" - Ms. Simms (Guidance Counselor & Chenoweth parent)

💛"Nurse Tammy is friendly, approachable, patient, and makes juggling administrative tasks look EFFORTLESS. Every time I am in the office, Tammy is busy dealing with something (usually) unpleasant... from bandaging cuts and tending to bumps and bruises, to taking the temperatures of students that have fallen victim to the latest stomach bug or strep or flu strain! She is tender and thoughtful, and I've been impressed at how she works with and speaks to some of our friends that visit the office regularly, especially some of our ECE students." -Chenoweth Parent

💙"I can't imagine this job without Nurse Tammy. Working in the elementary setting comes with all sorts of medical needs. From bumps and bruises to bee stings and allergies, Nurse Tammy DOES IT ALL, and she does it with a true servant's heart. She loves our students like they are her own and we are truly blessed to have her. I've never seen her wear a cape, but I'm pretty sure she's a superhero!" -Shannon Hall (Assistant Principal)

💛Nurse Tammy is an exceptional school nurse who serves our students with the utmost expertise, caring, compassion, patience, trust, and just the right amount of humor and tough love! She is beloved by students, parents, teachers, and staff across the board and is known to brighten the day of everyone she crosses paths with- even on the stressful ones!! We could not think of anyone more deserving of recognition for the Outstanding School Nurse Award than Nurse Tammy Gordon at Chenoweth Elementary School.

05/11/2026

Please give a warm welcome to our new SBDM Parent Representative, Kyle Piazza! Kyle was our only nominee this year so there was no need for an election.

Kyle has 2 students currently at Chenoweth, one who has already graduated and will be entering high school in the fall, and another who will be starting kindergarten next year! Kyle says, "I've spent my career in healthcare leading teams with a focus on collaboration and problem-solving to get things done. I'm interested in this role because I really want to support the school community and give back in a meaningful way." Thank you, Mr. Piazza, for serving in this important role in our school decision making and representing families and parents!