CA families celebrate Faculty & Staff Appreciation Week with hundreds of heartfelt signs.

A view of our community from the front row

As we near the end of the school year and consider the year that this has been, I am grateful for having had a view of our community from the front row. Throughout our COVID year, I had a front-row seat to witness the thoughtful, visionary, selfless leadership of our school, the amazing team of Parent Association leaders keeping our community connected, and a strong school community that is generous, caring, and supportive.

At the beginning of this year, a group of faculty was asked what they loved about Colorado Academy. Some of the responses can be confirmed by a visit to our website: “a beautiful campus;” “the diverse opportunities.” But some of their responses can only be experienced by those in our community: “supportive families,” “joyful partnerships,” a school that is “always changing,” “a caring community,” “a thoughtful approach to everything,” and “transformational experiences.” These are the true riches of being a part of the CA community—getting to experience nurturing and the encouragement to grow. No one can blame us for being ready to get past the pandemic; and, in our hurry, we assume that we want to return to our previous “normal.” Our school, however, calls us to want more for our kids, to want and expect that their education will prepare them to thrive, serve, and lead in the world that is coming. Once again, being a part of this school and its community pushes me to think bigger—for my kids and for our world. This school culture is unique and valuable, worth preserving and passing on.

The Passing of the Gavel

I was honored to serve you, with you, this year.

The PA Gavel

One of the great things about the Parent Association at Colorado Academy is how we have succession planning built into our structure; and leadership transition, into our programming. Our incoming President Kellie Prall has served our parent community as President-Elect this year, and as PA Treasurer for the three years before that. She has helped establish and improve many PA processes during those years and has been actively involved in almost every one of our events and activities. She has also had children in all three divisions and understands the inner workings of our school. Most importantly, Kellie loves our school. I have been so lucky to get to work with her this year, and I have the highest respect for her wisdom and leadership. As I “pass the gavel” to Kellie, I invite you to join me in welcoming her and the incredible team of parents that makes up the incoming Executive Committee. You will find the members of the incoming Executive Committee listed below.

Also listed below are our Class Leads, our Committee Chairs, and our 2020-2021 Executive Committee, all of whom have shown me this year how to live out dedication, service, and community-building. Not individually listed, but no less appreciated, are all of our parent volunteers who helped us this year with PA fundraisers, CA Cares, the Classroom Monitors program, faculty and staff appreciation efforts, Admission Zoom sessions and tours, Appreciation Week activities, and those who have signed up to help at Commencement. You are what makes our community vibrant and resilient, and anything the PA takes on can only happen because of you. Thank you for helping us this year, with your good cheer and your good ideas.

One of the things that I tell prospective parents when they visit CA is that ours is a community that “roots” for other people’s kids. In that vein, if you know a graduating Senior this year, I invite you to send them a note—let them know that they have dealt with more than most of us had at their age, and that you value them and are cheering them on. We are their community.

With gratitude for our shared journey,

Alice Rydberg
CA Parent Association


Colorado Academy Parent Association:

2020-2021 CA Parent Association Executive Committee

PositionName
PresidentAlice Rydberg
President ElectKellie Prall
Vice President-USJeanne Coleman
Brenda Alexander
Vice President-MSAnn Reidy
Yama Foreman
Vice President-LSAlyssa Clarke
Meg Braun
SecretaryGina Kennedy
TreasurerAmy Martin
Communications CoordinatorsAllyson Jacoby
Heather Spruell
Volunteer& Outreach Coordinator Jenny Wolkon
Community Appreciation CoordinatorMarte Timmers
PA Gifting ChairLyndsey Farncombe

2020-2021 CA Parent Association Class Leads

GradeTeacher / DeanClass Lead Name
Lower School
Pre-KindergartenCottageDusty Fitzgerald
Pre-KindergartenCasitaLyndsey Farncombe
KindergartenOwensHeather Pollard
Patterson Amanda Wall
WestChristina Joymon
First GradeGiarussoMarie White
InghamErin Salazar
OllettErin Davis
Second GradeLundeenHelen Weekes
McCoyVanessa Homuth
RobinsonCaity Barton
Third GradeElkinsKelly Snyder
LeeuwenburgTanya Hicks
StoneLissa Cullen
Fourth Grade BrownJenna Burstein
HertigMelinda Robinson
Kolson-JacksonCourtney Ringham
Fifth GradeGranthamMorgan Hersch
OhlyClaire O'Laughlin
WachtelLindsay Miller
Middle School
Sixth Grade-Priya Burkett
Seventh Grade-Nancy Kimball
Eighth Grade-Eileen McCoy
Upper School
FreshmanMeg HillCatherine Rollhaus
Laurie Smith
SophomoreEmily PerezDianna May
Amy McPheeters
JuniorSteve HammerSharon Cravitz
Stacy McHugh
SeniorGabe BernsteinSara Carpenter
Libby Dietrich

2020-2021 CA Parent Association Committee Chairs

CommitteeName
Alive at 25Carolyn Wachuta
Laura Agelopoulos
AP Exam ProctorsAllison Perkins
Liz Walker
Arts AroundEmily Mrig
Lesley Argent
Rosemarie Wipfelder-Kumpe
Arts FestivalBethany Glesser
Amy Martin
Book FairDusty Fitzgerald
Alexa Braun
CA CaresJami Acker
Angie Mielke
Cookie FestBrooke Beasley
Robin Cook
Faculty & Staff AppreciationMarte Timmers
LS - Stephanie Abar
LS - Jenny Gannon
MS - Mary Hagen
MS - Marni Myers
US - Molly Blake
US - Alexandra Weeks
Giant Relay- Parent TeamDan Carson
Holiday MartAmy Stettner
Nancy Kimball
Homecoming CommitteeTricia Vath
Whitney Ladd
Lifetouch School PhotographsLindsay Miller
Mustang Spirit ClubAnne Storjohann
NominatingJill Rakowski
Parent ActivitiesGregory Richardson
Parent Ambassador CoordinatorsAllyson Jacoby - LS
Liz Oertel - MS
Heidi Wolfe - US
Passive FundraisingAlexandra Band
Greer Ryan
Taste of CA: A Virtual Celebration of CulturesChristina Joymon
Meghan Geisler
Think & DriveCindy O'Donnell
Jeanne Coleman
Brenda Alexander
Trevor Brown PortraitsMaggie Shapiro
Used Book Sale - Coming Back in 2022Maggie Shapiro
Holly Garnsey
Volunteer & OutreachJenny Wolkon
Welcome to CA CommitteeCandice Gottlieb
Elisabeth Noyes
Wreath & GarlandVanessa Homuth
Dana Gordon

2021-22 CA Parent Association Executive Committee

PositionName
PresidentKellie Prall
President ElectJenny Wolkon
Vice President-USBrenda Alexander
Marte Timmers
Vice President-MSYama Foreman
Lindsay Miller
Vice President-LSMeg Braun
Christina Joymon
SecretaryGina Kennedy
TreasurerAmy Martin
Communications CoordinatorsHeather Spruell
Sarah West
Volunteer& Outreach Coordinator Lyndsey Farncombe
Community Appreciation CoordinatorReena Majmudar
PA Gifting ChairVanessa Homuth