Five Quick Questions with Rachael LeMasters

The president of the Parents’ Association (PA) wants all parents and guardians to know they have a place at the School

Please introduce yourself.

My name is Rachael LeMasters. My son, Nate, is in seventh grade and daughter, Sloane, in fourth grade. My husband Robb and I moved to Charlottesville in July, 2020 from Connecticut.

Why did you choose to join the St. Anne’sBelfield community?

We could tell this was a school that valued excellence but didn’t push children to fit into a predetermined box. Our family has high expectations academically, but we also want our children to experience a broad range of activities. We came from a very robust public school and we wanted a school that would provide academics, arts, athletics, extracurriculars, and make going to school fun. I feel so lucky that at St. Anne’s, our children have joined the choir, Bronze Key Ambassadors, the Middle School play, school sports, and Mathletes! There are so many opportunities for them to develop skills, interests, and a sense of belonging. At Thanksgiving this year, my son said he was thankful for St. Anne’s-Belfield, so I know my kids are in the right place!

What do you hope to achieve in your time as president of the Parents’ Association?

My primary goal for the Parents’ Association is making sure that every parent and guardian knows that they can participate in the work of the PA no matter how much time they have to give or how new they are to St. Anne’s.

I also want to build back the events that bring parents together — coffees, dinners, book clubs. (If you have an idea, I’d love to hear it!)

Can you provide examples of different ways parents/guardians with varying availability and time can get involved?

For anyone who wants to participate occasionally without an upfront commitment, there are always last-minute chances through your classroom, grade level, the library, Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day, etc.

My first year at St. Anne’s, I volunteered to be a Grade Level Rep (GLR) for the fifth grade. It was a great job for a new person because I was forced to connect with other families and the teachers in the grade. Contrary to what people might think, GLR is not a huge time commitment. I sent emails to the teachers and to the grade sharing information and made sure we had volunteers for anything the teachers asked for. Someone could definitely work full time and still be a GLR!

For parents and guardians who have no time during the week, there are evening volunteer opportunities at the concession stand for sports games and plays, or chaperoning dances. And for those of you who can’t commit to ongoing roles but could block off a day, field trips are back and chaperones are needed! What’s your favorite part about being a member of the St. Anne’s community?

Whenever I walk into the school I feel a sense of real happiness. The children are skipping down the hall, the staff are smiling, everyone has time to say hello. When we are out in the community my children recognize other children and say hello. We all feel so lucky to be here!

Alley-oop! Varsity basketball games got a youthful boost this season. During halftime, Virginia Basketball Academy (VABA) players from the St. Anne’s-Belfield Lower School took the court to play six- to eight-minute games. The idea was a collaboration between Director of Athletics Seth Kushkin, the basketball program coaches, and St. Anne’s parents who coach VABA teams.