Who We Are
Almond PTA is part of the National PTA: the largest child advocacy organization in the country. We build community, support enrichment, and provide staff with resources to do their jobs well. We'd love for you to attend meetings and get involved — but there are no specific obligations when you join. Our goal is 100% participation.
2025 – 2026 Board Members
President Jess Shambora*
Treasurer Alex Linker**
Secretary Stephanie Ng**
Executive VP Lydia Buurma*
VP Technology Steve Langdon
VP Communications Sara Kiani
VP Membership Jenna Seufert**
Financial Secretary Pritica Hogg**
Parliamentarian Laura Gao*
Standing Committee Chairs
Historian Rushabh Doshi
Staff Appreciation Priyanka Ashar
Revenue Dharini Shukla
Room Parents Urvi Lee
*President is 3-year leadership arc serving one year as EVP, one as President, and final year as Parliamentarian
** Completing second year; not eligible for reelection in this role due to term limit
Interested in a leadership role? Learn about what each position involves.
2026 – 2027 Board-Elect
President Lydia Buurma
Treasurer David Menestrina
Secretary Kinnery Patel
Executive VP Dharini Shukla
VP Technology Steve Langdon
VP Communications Sara Kiani
VP Membership Celia Jaber
Financial Secretary Stephanie Ng
Parliamentarian Jess Shambora
Standing Committee Chairs
Historian Sonal Singh
Staff Appreciation Chelsea Doiguchi
Revenue Could be you!
Room Parents Urvi Lee
2025 – 2026 Committee Chairs
New Families Ambassador Elnaz Morad
After School Activities Denise Padilla
Almond Singers Mahintha Chandramouli
Drama Program Helen Schindler Vallaeys
Eagle Flyers Luis Costa
Book Fair Ginny Leung
Walk-a-thon Lydia Buurma
Read-a-thon & Auction Debra Linker
Family Science Night Bobby Ng & Melissa Neal
Spelling Bee Sonal Singh
Illuminate LASD Laura Hsieh
Junior Olympics Carrie Zeisler
Green Team/Walk-or-Roll Day Kinnery Patel
Field Day Tim Hannon
Helping Hands Nancy Zhang
Hot Lunch Becky Grow
Back to School Online System Laura Gao
Yearbook Shikha Agrawal
Teacher Innovation Grants Brian Jackson
6th Grade Events Angela Gaffney
If you are interested in volunteering please click here or reach out to info@almondpta.org.
Contact info is not listed here to protect volunteer privacy.
Please visit Classroom Parent if you need to reach a board member or committee lead.
Membership
Annual membership is $15 per person or $30 per family. Only members may vote on how PTA funds are spent.
If cost is a concern, please reach out to us at info@almondpta.org or contact the PTA Secretary directly. We want every family to feel welcome regardless of their ability to contribute financially.
Meetings
General PTA meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of September, October, January, February, March, and May. Meetings are open to everyone and are a great way to stay informed — only members may vote. Meetings may be moved for school holidays — check the calendar for specific dates and times.
Board meetings are held online on the second Wednesday of each month.
PTA Funds
A few of the things Almond PTA administers. We are grateful for your support!
Community Events: Ice Cream Social, Family Science Night, Field Day, Parent and Student Assemblies, and more
Almond Singers and the Musical
Ticketed Community parties: GLOW, All in for Almond! Poker Party, Little Black Dress
Teacher and Principal’s Discretionary Funds
Teacher Innovation Grants
After school supervision between the kinder and final bells.
Why Join
To Get Involved: Parent involvement is the greatest predictor of student success!
To Advocate for Our Children: PTA’s voice is heard locally and nationally!
To Stay Connected: There’s no better way to know what’s happening at our school!
To Be Counted: Only members vote and have a say on PTA programs, funding, and more!
To Witness Improvement: Be part of the solution, helping to make positive changes!
To Ensure Our Students Have What They Need: Our PTA funds technology purchases, art programs, classroom materials and more!
Almond Elementary PTA Goals 2025-2026
Each year, the Almond Elementary PTA provides volunteer and financial support for activities, programs, and supplies that directly benefit our students, staff, and school. The Almond PTA takes particular pride in assisting teachers and staff. Our goals for the 2025-2026 School Year include support of the following:
1. Individualized Learning
Support principal and teachers in meeting the needs of academic and instructional goals, including teacher training and curriculum materials.
Help Almond stay on the cutting edge in terms of testing and small group/individualized instruction plans (within and across grade levels).
2. Teachers and Staff
Maintain the number of Teacher Innovation Grants
Maintain teacher expense reimbursements to amount for maximum number of students
Maintain staff appreciation budget and activities
3. Diversity & Inclusivity
Promote inclusion of families of various cultural backgrounds in existing or new community building events.
Promote cultural celebrations and awareness through school assemblies, ordering library and classroom books that support cultural understanding, and encouraging teachers to include cultural diversity in lesson planning
4. Technology
Provide funds to support updates and advances in technology for use in curriculum beyond what the district provides.
5. Communication & Community
Serve as a link between school staff and families through a variety of tools, including Thursday Word, room parents, ClassroomParent, marquee sign, etc.
Maintain a separate Almond PTA website to raise awareness and understanding of Almond PTA goals and programs.
Continue to support enrichment programs (Art Docent, Living Classroom, drama, and music).
Continue to host community building and fundraising events such as the Ice Cream Social, Walk-a-thon, Walk or Wheel Day, Book Fair, Family Science Night, STEM Expo, and Field Day.
Support specific grade activities like grade-level field trips, assemblies, and 6th grade activities and promotion.
Continue partnering with LAEF and LASD to advocate for all LASD students.