Our Mission
The New Kent Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization exists to support the education, social, extracurricular, and community of the students, faculty, staff, administrators at NKES. Our mission is to help every student, family, teacher, and staff member understand how valued they are as a member of the NKES community. We work to create the kind of school community where teachers and administrators can do their best work—and so can our children.
Our Goals
These days schools are asked to provide more with less; so we step in to help bridge that gap and provide resources they need. We help create additional learning opportunities for children. The PTO has provided educational hardware and software purchases, classroom supplies, play ground equipment, and other important items for our students and school. We are able to do this through the support and generosity of our families during our fundraising events like the Fall Festival, Book Fair, Holiday Shop, Coin Wars, Yearbook Sales and your Membership Payments.
And we strive to build the kind of supportive, caring atmosphere that makes school fun. Our goal through hosting events like Bingo for Books is to give families an opportunity to come in and have the opportunity to socialize and meet other families. We also host events like the Reptile Man and student assemblies to encourage academic growth of our students. We partner with the school to provide events like Field Day and 5th Grade celebration as well.
Through the help of NKES families, the NKES PTO has been able to support the NKES community for decades. We look forward to continuing that tradition with you. We all have a common bond. We care about creating the best possible educational experience for our children. We are neighbors and friends. Join us!
Meet the PTO Board
2022-2023
Lauren Paone
President
I am a mom to two wonderful girls, ages 6 and 4 but before committing to the “mom life,” I was a third-grade teacher in Florida and then an Elementary Technology Specialist in Massachusetts. Not only do I understand what it’s like to be a teacher but I understand the logistics of a school on the staff’s side as I went back to college and received my masters in Educational Leadership. To say I’m excited to be back in a school helping wherever I am needed is an understatement! This year I am ready to rock and roll as the PTO's new president! We had such an amazing year last year and I plan to keep the momentum going! Our PTO team is ready to create a memorable year not only for our students but for our staff as well.
Brittany Gutierrez
Treasurer
This will be my second year involved with the PTO. I do however have a degree in Accounting to help support my role as Treasurer. I am excited to work with a wonderful group of parents to ensure the school year is fabulous. I have three New Kent students, one in 11th, one in 5th, and one in 2nd, along with a baby boy who will be a river otter before we know it! I am an accountant by trade and love working with numbers. I currently work from home which allows for more time with my girls. On a personal note, I am an avid scrapbooker, travel lover, LOVE sign frequenter, and I enjoy traveling and finding new places with my kiddos. I was born and raised in Williamsburg, graduated from Bruton, and have lived in Alaska as well as Ohio. I look forward to serving with the board to make this school year ROCK!
Caroline Tavai
Vice President
I have been part of the PTO for the past three years, and I’m honored to be your Vice President alongside some other amazing parents! It's so exciting and fun to see the smiles on our students faces when we are able to provide them with an extra special experience, and also our teachers and staff when we get to spoil them or help provide them with extra resources for their classroom. Our River Otter family's are like no other, and the support we receive for our students, teachers and staff is fantastic! I'm thankful that my daughter is able to attend such a wonderful school like NKES!
April Sabel
Secretary