Meet this year’s PTO presidents
Debbie Castleberry
Vestavia Hills High School
My husband, Stephen, and I are the proud parents of three boys and I am also a very proud VHHS alum.
We have a new principal and 2,000 students. We have a beautiful concession stand in the process of being built as well as a brand-new press box. We have a totally new registration process and we will soon have a new look to our Rebel mascot. We are moving from two annual fundraisers to one brand-new one. We will have a new format for our newsletter and more information on our website than ever before. We also have lots of new topics and speakers for our Parent Awareness meetings.
While our sense of pride and community starts early in our elementary schools, it peaks at the high school. There are amazing opportunities everywhere you look from athletics, band and choir to academic groups like We the People, Debate and Scholars Bowl.
Cindy Cherry
Pizitz Middle School
I am married to Greg Cherry and we have four boys in the Vestavia school system this year. In addition to my involvement with the Pizitz PTO, I have also been an active part of the PTOs at both West and Central Elementary Schools.
In response to registration going completely online, we moved our supply sale online. Parents have an opportunity to purchase supplies during registration and those supplies are waiting on their student the first day of school. Also, during each Open House and at home sporting events, students can shop a large selection of Pizitz logo T-shirts, socks, water bottles, lunch boxes and car magnets at an on-site spirit shop. And as always, we will continue to assist the faculty in honoring the veterans from our community during our Living History Day.
Pizitz is special to our students because you feel like part of the Pizitz family when you walk through the front door. The PTO is very excited to welcome our newest family member this year, our new Principal Meredith Hanson.
Suzanne Perino
Liberty Park Middle School
Three years ago, my husband and I moved to Vestavia Hills from Long Island, New York. We have two children at VHHS and one child at LPMS.
This year, LPMS PTO will host Enrichment/Career Day on March 23. On this day, our students have the opportunity to meet with a variety of professionals from our community and learn about their prospective careers. If you are passionate about your career and want to share a little bit about it with our students, please email us at libertyparkpto@gmail.com.
LPMS PTO is extremely fortunate to have the love and support of its community. Families are always happy to volunteer their time and resources. Their generosity of time and talent is what makes LPMS special.
Christy Nelson
Vestavia Hills Elementary Central
I am married to Jonathan Nelson and we have two children. We have lived in Vestavia for 13 years.
We are excited about the upcoming school year at Central this year. The school has a new Makerspace and Robotics program that the PTO has helped fund. We also have two new 3-D printers that will help support student projects. An exciting new change is that the school has given the computer lab a facelift. The new name is “Central Park” and there will be new curriculum to excite and motivate students to be creative thinkers. Lastly, the PTO assisted in the funding of a new pavilion at the lower playground.
Central is special because there is truly a family feeling within the faculty, staff and administration. The students are able to learn in a safe, nurturing and caring environment. We also have the involvement and support of so many parents.
Jennifer Lynch
Vestavia Hills Elementary West
My husband, Russ, and I have two girls, Sara Kate and Ella. We moved to Vestavia eight years ago because of the excellent school system.
West has three awesome fundraising events that are happening this year. Our “Gifts and Gift Wrap” fundraiser kicks off in September (9/9-9/30). We have a new vendor, so we are looking forward to much more than just gift wrap this year. The kids’ favorite event of the year is Carnival. This year’s theme is “Under the Big Top,” and it will be held Thursday, October 22, 4-7 p.m . The parents’ favorite event is our Auction, “Bids and Bites.” Auction is a parents’ night out occasion that will be held Friday, February 5, 6-9 p.m.
West is special for so many reasons: the family-like atmosphere, the collaboration among the administration, teachers, and parents working toward the same goal of preparing our kids for future success in all areas.
Merryl Cooper
Vestavia Hills Elementary East
My husband, Jason, and I have three children, Camille, Emily and Taylor. I am a 1990 graduate of VHHS and an active member of Vestavia Hills Baptist Church.
One of my favorite special events sponsored by the PTO is the collaborative effort between Caring and Sharing Week — where students bring snack items to donate — and Santa Shop Day where the students then pack the items donated to make snack packs for children in the Birmingham area. The service project supports East’s Core Values of Kindness, Responsibility, Honesty, and Service.
Faculty, staff and administrators at East seem to truly love their job and believe in the promise of children. It’s that spirit that builds a strong sense of community for families.
Kathy Henderson
Liberty Park Elementary School
I grew up in the Decatur School System but married a Birmingham native, which brought us back here. We have an 11-year-old son and a 9-year-old girl and have lived in Liberty Park for over 11 years.
We are especially excited about a new project that will be funded with our fall fundraiser, a STEM Innovation Lab, which will include projects utilizing unique tools such as conductive paints, sewing machines, computer design, 3-D printing, recyclables and snap circuits. It’s a great opportunity for students to use their creativity, exercise their team-building skills, and really push their problem-solving abilities.
Several things make VHELP special: our family-friendly location, engaged parents, forward-thinking principal, always helpful staff, but most importantly our teachers. Even if we offer the highest level of technology or equipment in the school, nothing can engage, interest or love a student like a great teacher.
Jenny Lysinger
Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights
I have two boys who attend Cahaba Heights Elementary and play for Vestavia Hills Soccer Club.
The PTO is looking forward to our 2nd Annual Art Show in the spring called “Taste of the Heights.” VHECH families come and view their children’s art work beautifully displayed throughout the school while enjoying yummy samples from our local restaurants. Academically, our teachers have worked together this summer to produce a school-wide enrichment challenge called “Mind Boggling Mission,” which will incorporate thinking skills, math, science and technology.
VHECH is blessed to have a local community that supports our school! We still have a small-town community feel and that is what makes us special and unique!