There are so many ways to get involved… how will you volunteer?

We have a great school community of volunteers helping to support our teachers and students at Cornelius Elementary. Below is a description of committees at CES, and their chairperson(s) for the 2023-2024 school year. We are actively seeking volunteers for next year and need your help! Volunteering is a wonderful way to get involved at CES, and to meet new people. We will be happy to help you find a committee that works with your schedule and interests. Indicate your interest to find out more! 

Art Expo – Ashlei Holton (2023-2024 & 2024-2025)

Advocacy Fund – Amanda Knipp & Ashlei Holton (2023-2024 & 2024-2025)

The Advocacy Fund provides financial assistance to our students in need; this fund is administered by our School Counselor. The fund chairperson serves as the liason between the Executive Board, the Fund and the school counselors. This committee operates year-round.

Back to School Parent Event  – Shannon Ball (2023-2024) OPEN (2024-2025)

The CES PTO hosts a back-to-school event for parents/guardians each fall as we start the new year. This committee chair is responsible for securing a venue, proposing a theme, and creating a welcoming environment for our CES adults.

Book Fair – Allie Spencer (2023-2024 & 2024-2025)

CES holds one annual book fair in the spring. Many committee members work to make these events run smoothly for teachers and students. Volunteers help set up and break down book fairs, volunteer to help with class preview days, and volunteer during purchase days to help students find books and run the registers.

Celebrate the Arts– Tiffany Rhodes (2023-2024 & 2024-2025) and OPEN CO-CHAIR

This special event celebrates our students’ talents in art, music, dance, and more. Committee volunteers help before, during, and after the event by coordinating Talent Show, securing food vendors, securing event sponsors, and helping on the night of the event. This committee meets at the first of the year to prepare for the event in mid-March.

Community Night Events –  Ashlei Holton (2023-2024) OPEN (2024-2025)

This Coordinator works to organize a monthly event with local restaurants who generously agree to donate a portion of their sales from the evening back to the school. They also work to communicate these events with CES families.

Cougar DASH – Cheryl Parris (2023-2024 & 2024-2025)

Held in the fall, the Cougar DASH is our largest fundraiser. Students are asked to get pledges for the number of laps they run during the DASH, with ALL proceeds going directly to the school. Committee volunteers help before, during and after the event in many ways: seeking event sponsors and prize donations, securing equipment rentals, distributing pledge materials to the students, and volunteering during the event at water tables, marking laps for students, and of course, cheering them on!

Daughter Dance – Cheryl Parrish (2023-2024)

This Committee works to transform our school cafeteria into the year’s theme and create a night of fun. This committee does everything including decorations, hiring a DJ, selecting food, managing ticket sales, and coordinating volunteers for setup and clean-up.

Fifth Grade Liaison – OPEN (2024-2025)

The Liaison works closely with the 5th grade team to ensure the field trip to Washington, D.C. and the graduation experience are memorable for our students. They order class t-shirts, party sponsorship and coordinate event volunteers. This committee is active in the second half of the school year. 

Grants/ Sponsorship – OPEN (2024-2025)

This Committee’s responsibility is to research local business and corporation grants that match up with our school’s current needs. The Sponsorship arm of this committee will aid in this process by approaching local businesses for their support of identified projects, school events and fundraisers. Sponsorships help offset any costs associated with producing an event.

Grounds/Beautification – OPEN (2024-2025)

This committee works to keep the grounds beautiful and the school and surrounding area clean. Committee members assist by hosting Beautification Days, maintaining flowers at front of school and identifying potential improvements to the school. This committee is active year-round. 

Hospitality/Staff Appreciation – Jamilyn Liebler (2023-2024) OPEN (2024-2025)

This Committee works to ensure all teachers and staff members feel supported and appreciated throughout the year. We work to coordinate and facilitate Teacher Appreciation Week, the December Cookie Walk, provide snacks at monthly staff meetings and recognize teacher and staff birthdays.

Merchandise Coordinator – OPEN (2024-2025)

This team works to fill all orders placed through the CES PTO Online Stores. Orders are typically filled bi-weekly and delivered to teacher mailboxes to be passed along to students.

Popsicles on the Playground – Ashlei Holton (2023-2024) OPEN 2024-2025

This kindergarten families only event takes place each fall ahead of the new school year. The committee chair is responsible for set-up and clean-up of this short event to welcome our newest Cougars to CES.

Room Parent Coordinator – Bekah Wyman (2024-2025)

If you are interested in becoming a room parent, please be sure to check the box on your Parent Interest form. Room Parents are responsible for coordinating with parents on Teacher birthdays, Appreciation Week, PowerTime with a Purpose and holiday parties.

Silent Auction – OPEN (2024-2025)

This fundraiser is hosted for all Cornelius Elementary and community families. It’s a wonderful way for parents and staff to mingle in a fun environment, all while supporting the school. Committee volunteers help before, during and after the event by requesting silent auction donations, distributing flyers, event setup and clean-up. This committee works closely with the CES PTO Board and may be a virtual event for 2022-2023 school year. 

Son Event – Sarah Towe and Carrie Schroeder (2023-2024 & 2024-2025)

Each year CES hosts a Son Event. This committee works closely together to create a fun event, identify a date, send registration forms to students, collect RSVPs, collect ticket money, and distribute tickets before the event, to ensure a seamless event night. This committee is active in February – April. 

Yearbook – Beth van Dyk (2023-2024) OPEN (2024-2025)

Our Yearbook Committee works with our school’s vendor to produce our CES yearbook using the provided software. The committee works together to collect photos from parents and staff members, coordinate school club photos, conduct a Yearbook Cover Contest, handle yearbook sales, and lay out the yearbook with captions and names. This committee work can primarily be done from your home and is most active during the months of January – April.