CRMA PTA PRESENTS:

 

Dear Friends of Coral Reef Montessori: CRMA PTA is starting our new fundraising drive. We are excited to offer Equal Exchange: organic, fairly traded coffees, teas, chocolates, and healthy snacks!

All students should have brought home by now, their brochure and order envelope. Help us raise money for our school. (specific fundraising purpose, such as a new computer lab, playground equipment, technology, etc.).

Our school earns 38% of each Equal Exchange sale! This easy and delicious fundraiser works to help us in more ways than one: not only are we raising money for CRMA PTA but Equal Exchange buy directly from small-scale farmer cooperatives and pays these farmers higher in order to enable them to develop in remote parts of Africa, Asia and Latin America. While we get delicious tasting treats, we also benefit our school and the farmers whose products we are selling.

Today we are sending home a catalog and information to start taking orders. Please help support us by asking your family, friends, neighbors and colleagues to buy something. If you work in an office, please bring the catalogue there. They may be grateful for having such a simple way to do so much good!

Orders are due _Monday, November 30th. Hand in the envelope with all of your orders listed and with the check in it. Make checks payable to: (CRMA PTA) Together we can make this the most successful fundraiser yet, raising money and building future global citizens!

Thank you for your support, The Members of CRMA PTA

GREEN AND GARDEN MEETING

The green team is continuously working around the ground, please join us in supporting this awesome effort to teach our kids to grow their own food and take care of the environment.

 

Adriana Perez (President), native Miamian, has spent the last decade managing grants programs at Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, presenting concerts and shows at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami Dade County, putting on plays at the Coconut Grove Playhouse, and managing Broadway shows for major producing offices in New York City. She holds a MFA degree in Theatre Management and Producing from Columbia University and a BA degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Florida. The most important production of her life is her daughter Christina, who is now in her second year at CRMA in Mrs. Black’s Pre-k 4 class. She couldn’t do it without her supportive husband Alberto and her parents, Christina’s amazing abuelitos!


Susan Homyk (Vice President of Extra Curricular Activities), was born and raised in South Boston, MA and in 1997 relocated to Miami with her husband. After receiving a BS in Education, she started working in a private Montessori school, where she became hooked on the Montessori Method, and for the first year while living in Miami, served as a substitute teacher at various schools until her oldest son was born. Since Peter’s birth ten years ago she has been a stay-at-home mom who volunteers regularly at school and church. About two years ago, Susan and her husband Randy went to Russia to adopt two brothers, Vladimir (now 8) and Daniel (now 4). It has been a great joy to add them to the family. At the start of the 2008/09 school year, all three boys were enrolled in CRMA, which allowed her to accept the job of managing the After Care program at CRMA funded by the Children’s Trust. Also, it has allowed her be able to promote the garden program for the entire school. 2009/10 will make 5 years for the Homyk family at CRMA.

Miriam Encalada (Vice President of Membership and Volunteer Hours), obtained her Pharmacy Technician Certification in 1998. She continued her studies to finish an Associate Degree in 2004; she also obtained the FCCC (Florida Child Care Certification) in 2007. In addition, she acquired the Substitute Teacher Certificate in 2008. Her next goal is to finish a BS in Exceptional Education. She is been married to Rodrigo for 11 years. She has 3 wonderful children, Victoria (8th grade), Rodrigo (4th grade) and Gabriela (3rd grade) who attend CRMA. She is been actively working as a volunteer parent since 2003. She is part of the PTA for the second year. Being part of the CRMA staff has been a great learning experience.


Anna R. Pelligra (Co-Vice President of Fundraising and Hospitality & Special Events), was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and has been living in Miami since the age of nine. A registered nurse at Miami Children’s Hospital for the past 11 ½ years, she has spent 11 years in the pediatric ICU with four years in management. In March 2009, she left the ICU and now works as a staff nurse in all areas of nursing. She received her BSN and MSN in the family nurse practitioner program from Barry University. Before becoming a nurse, she worked for 12 years at Outback Steakhouse as a bartender, payroll administrator and assistant manager. Two things she would like to share with you: being a pediatric ICU nurse has changed her perspective in life and her most precious accomplishment is her daughter Ella, who is in Ms. Black’s class.

Rosemary Smith Hoel M.S., L.M.H.C., C.A.P. (Co-Vice President of Fundraising and Hospitality & Special Events), is the Senior Vice President at Fellowship House, a behavioral health program for adults with severe and persistent mental illness. She has a Masters of Science Degree in Counselor Education from Florida International University. She is also a Licensed Mental Heath Counselor and a Certified Addictions Professional. Rosemary was born and raised in Miami where she lives with her husband Robert and four year old son Bobby, who is now in his second year at CRMA in Ms. Black’s class. They are expecting their second child, a daughter, in late August.


Stephanie Woolley-Larrea (Vice President of Marketing and Communications), has been a MDCPS teacher since 1994. She has a BA in English Literature and a MFA in Creative Writing. She is Nationally Board Certified in Early Adolescence/English Language Arts and is a National Leader for the College Board. She recently completed her AMS Montessori Credential for Secondary and enjoys being a middle school teacher at CRMA. What makes the drive to school better each day is spending it with her three CRMA first graders.

Jose J Ayala (Treasurer), was born and raised in New York but has been living in Miami for the past 20 years. He has worked for the Medley Police Department in Miami-Dade County since 1993. He loves to discuss (or debate) police-related issues. Although he loves his career, nothing brings him more joy than spending time with him family, immediate and extended.

Ana Gomez (Recording Secretary), was born in Rio Piedra, Puerto Rico, and has been living in Miami since the age of two. She has wanted to teach since she was a kindergartener, watching her own teacher work so gracefully with her and her classmates. She began her teaching experience in a Montessori classroom 21 years ago at Montessori Children’s House and then Killian Montessori. Her son and daughter both have had Montessori education, and her daughter graduated from Coral Reef Montessori Academy Charter School last year. She earned her Master’s Degree in Montessori Education for ages 6-12 at Barry University. Shortly after, she was hired at Pine Villa’s Title One Montessori program teaching 1-3 grades where she worked for four years, during which time she completed her 3-6 Montessori training. Twelve years ago, Coral Reef Montessori Academy Charter School hired her as one of the 3-6 Montessori directresses. She feels privileged and excited to be a part of the CRMA family.

Carol Lang Hunnewell (Corresponding Secretary), was born and raised in Miami, FL. and traveled a lot while growing up. She attended Coral Reef Elementary, Southwood Middle School, Palmetto Senior High and Miami Dade College. After high school, she worked with a boat company and was later hired full-time with Miami Senior High in 1990 to work as assistant to the Principal’s secretary and treasurer. In 1996, she transferred to the Federal Bureau of Prisons because she was expecting her first baby and needed to be closer to home. She worked there until being injured in training in 1997. Since then, she has been home and volunteering with the girls in everything they do. Her family’s love of the water keeps them busy with the girls in swim teams and on the boat. She has a wonderful husband, Mark, and two girls Nicole (12) and Mandy Jo (9).

Adriana Black (member-at-large/teacher representative), graduated from Florida State University with a BS in political science and a double minor in women’s studies and philosophy. She discovered a small Montessori school in Northampton, MA and after substituting for on year, she earned her Master’s degree in Montessori Early Childhood Education from the College of St. Catherine’s in Minnesota. After this, she was able to become part of a team of teachers to start up the first magnet Montessori school in Massachusetts. She relocated to South Florida, her hometown, in 2000 and joined the staff of CRMA in 2002, and has since enrolled her two young daughters in the school.

Monica Encinas (member-at-large/teacher representative), was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and has been living in Miami since the age of 12. For the past eight years she has worked at Coral Reef Montessori as a VPK Teacher and Assistant. She served as PTA president for two years, PTA Vice President for two years and is currently an active member of PTA. Monica has an AA and AS on Early Childhood Education and is currently seeking a BS in Exceptional Education (1 semester away!) She has been married for 19 years, has three boys and one princess (two are Montessori Pk3 - 8th grade graduates and are now in high school) and two grandkids. She believes in the Montessori Education 100% and is the number one fan of Coral Reef Montessori Academy!

Florida PTA
1747 Orlando Central Parkway
Orlando Florida 32809