Daisy dressed as Wonder Woman for this one, and honestly, it fits. Christina Taylor, Nysmith's current PTO president, has spent 14 years here and served on more committees than anyone could easily count. 
Where It Started
Christina's very first volunteer role wasn't PTO president, it was the international committee, a natural fit given her own family's diverse cultural background. "I just got to start talking to other parents that were volunteering in the hallways between classes," she said. "I was like, wow, I'm getting a lot out of this myself, too."
That one committee turned into many more over the years. Asked to pick a favorite, she couldn't. "I love all of it, honestly," she said. "It's very hard to pick one."
Watching the Full Circle
Christina has had three children move through Nysmith. One graduated after going all the way through K-8. Another went on to high school and is now a freshman in college. One is still here, and she's not entirely sure what she'll do when that changes. "I've said it before, I don't know when she graduates what I'm going to do," she joked. "I'm going to have to substitute teach or something, just to get my Nysmith fix."
Being around that long means she's gotten to witness something most parents don't: full cycles, start to finish. "You see the kindergartners come in so excited and fresh and little and cute," she said, "and then you see these amazing, mature, thoughtful, kind eighth graders graduate. The graduation speeches touch my heart every year."
It's a reminder of just how much happens in those nine years. There was even a stretch of school history where the program stopped at sixth grade, out of concern for what the adolescent years might look like on campus. These days, that same age group fills the Silver Atrium during indoor recess. "It's loud," Christina laughed, "but it's a happy loud."
Her Advice for Getting Involved
Christina's advice to new families is simple: start small, and start somewhere.
"There really is something for everyone," she said. Between her three kids and a full-time job, she admits she's busy, but she still finds the time because of how much she personally gets out of it. For families who can't commit to showing up in person regularly, there are remote ways to help too, proofing materials, organizing behind the scenes, and more.
"I'd suggest, if you're a new family, just pick one or two things," she said. "You don't have to do it all in the beginning. Come with whatever piques your interest and check it out. I guarantee you'll make new friends."
A Campus Built on an Open Door
One detail Christina pointed out: Nysmith's classrooms line hallways full of windows, and families are welcome to walk through and see what's happening, as long as it's not during an active teacher conference. It's a small thing, but it reflects something bigger about the culture here.
"Everyone carries that culture," she said. "Everyone brings something unique to the table, and the more you can be a part of that, the more the kids have these wonderful experiences." She points to events like the Halloween Parade as proof. Her college freshman still talks about it. "I really believe a lot of what PTO does is create core memories."
What Working with the Administration Is Actually Like
As PTO president, Christina has a view behind the scenes most parents don't get. Asked about her experience with the administration, she didn't hesitate. "Everyone has been so kind to work with," she said. "We're all humans at the end of the day, right? And everyone does their best. Very collaborative, very open door."
Her daughter once asked her, only half-joking, why movie principals are always portrayed as the villain, and whether the real ones were like that too. Christina's answer: not here.
Why Getting Involved Matters
Christina's closing thought ties it all together. Beyond the events and the fundraising, she sees parent involvement as something that benefits the whole family, not just the school. "It validates, and your child will see you being interested in the school," she said. "That's a wonderful cycle to encourage."
Experience the Nysmith Difference
More stories from the Nysmith community are coming in future episodes of Doodle Caboodle. But nothing tells the story quite like seeing it in person. We invite you to schedule a tour and experience the Nysmith difference for yourself.
