We’re looking for two parents to fill two positions on our school’s leadership team for the 2021-2022 school year. Please vote no later than May 12!

What is the Parent Role on a Building Leadership Team?

• To participate meaningfully as an equal member of the school Leadership Team in all aspects of decision making and to represent the perspective of all families as it applies to the work of the Team. 
• To participate in school efforts to encourage and maintain family involvement directly related to student learning and success
• To support and assist the school in developing and maintaining active family-school-community partnerships.

Voting Link

Nominees

Parent 1:  Lauren Bankston

My name is Lauren Bankston and I am writing regarding my interest in being on the leadership team. My family and I moved to Oak Ridge roughly three years ago. My son, is currently in 6th grade at Northwest Middle School, my oldest daughter is in 4th grade and my youngest is in 1st grade. 

Last year I was on the 5th-grade graduation committee, unfortunately, there wasn't much we were able to do due to the pandemic. I was also Ms. Boggess's class parent and co-class parent for kindergarten. Currently, I am a preschool teacher at Mt. Pisgah Weekday School. 

Prior to moving to North Carolina, the following are highlights of my local involvement experience:

• Held key Board of Director position at a local private nursery school in Rockaway, New Jersey
• Dennis B. O’Brien (DBO) PTA Corresponding secretary located in Rockaway, New Jersey
• Chair of the yearbook at DBO
• Girl Scout Leader for Daisy Troop at DBO – 3 years
• Teacher assistant at local private nursery school in Rockaway, New Jersey

I would like to represent the parent perspective because I believe my diverse past employment and career experience coupled with my personal experience being a parent with three kids in the Guilford County school system will allow me to view many issues from various viewpoints.  I have a passion for bettering the future of our communities by donating my time to support local events and organizations. I have a tremendous love for children and place a high standard on both learning and activities that support personal growth and development. 

Parent 2:  Melissa Duncan

In the 2021-2022 year, I will be the mother of a 2nd-grader and a Kindergartener at Oak Ridge. I am a lawyer in Greensboro, and I serve as an assistant dean at Elon Law School. I am familiar with and involved in the local community. We have lived in Oak Ridge since 2016. 

My oldest child experienced 3/4 of his kindergarten year in person before the pandemic began in March 2020, and has been a virtual learner for first grade. We'll be back in person at Oak Ridge for the '21-'22 year, and I will bring the perspective of a family who has been directly involved in both in-person and virtual learning. I've also experienced pandemic-related decision-making in my professional work at the law school, and understand and appreciate the needs of students, families, and teachers as they relate to student learning and success. 

If elected to represent fellow Oak Ridge families on the Leadership Team, I will be committed to representing the perspective of all families as it applies to the work of the Team, will participate in school efforts to encourage and maintain family involvement related to student learning and success, and will support and assist the school in developing and maintaining community relationships. 

I would be honored to serve in this role for the 2021-2022 school year. 

Parent 3:  Shannon Depp

I’m Shannon Depp. My family moved to Oak Ridge 5 years ago. My husband, Lex, and I have 4 boys. One is a junior at NWHS, one is in 6th grade at NWMS and the youngest two are at ORE in Second grade and Kindergarten. I think I would be an asset to the team as I am involved throughout our community in many different areas. I believe I can bring good ideas and feedback to impact our school and community in a positive manner.

Parent 4:  Alison Perkins

Good afternoon my name is Alison Perkins. My daughter will be a rising second grader this fall at Oak Ridge Elementary. She is currently in rolled in Guilford eLearning  Virtual Academy, (though started kindergarten and Oak Ridge Elementary). I am one of the parents also on the leadership team at that location. I found it to be very insightful being able to be a part of that group, especially in the days and times of Covid and how parenting, and helping to educate our kids has taken on a whole new meaning. I work in healthcare at the cancer center at Wesley Long campus in Greensboro. As a working parent, it’s often difficult to participate and be represented in groups such as this. Even if I’m not chosen, having somebody on such a team who brings this kind of perspective would be invaluable. Thank you for your consideration!