The PTG is a forum for sharing ideas and concerns. The group's objectives are to promote communication between parents, teachers, and administrative staff; to promote cooperation between parents and the school board; to promote understanding and goodwill between CMIS and the community at large; and to promote and actively support the educational programs of CMIS. The PTG also fundraises to support school programs and activities, and annually rewards a deserving senior student with a scholarship.
All parents and guardians of CMIS students, administrative and teaching staff are automatically members of the PTG. Officers are elected every year by those present at the May meeting. If you want to take an active role in the school by influencing policies, organizing events, and getting to know other parents, please come to the monthly meetings which are held on the first Tuesday of every month from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. Please see the weekly newsletter for current information on meetings and other PTG events.
Visit PTG Blog for more information.
The PTG Leadership and Committee Heads for 2012-2013 are as follows:
Anne Sheahan:
Anne has been in Thailand with her husband, David, since 1990. While David teaches at a seminary, Anne fills a variety of roles. Her favorites usually have something to do with people and food. Six years ago they moved to Chiang Mai and into the CMIS community with their sons, Mark(2010), Philip(2012), and Tom(2014). She has been an active member of the CMIS PTG and the CMIS Booster Club.
Supani Patradhamkul Preferred name: Nam
”I was born ,raised and educated in Bangkok. I moved to Chiangmai almost 16 years ago . My husband is also Thai ,PRC alumni , he is doing his own family business in Chiangmai while I am taking care of my 4 children . All my children transferred from NIS(Nakornpayap International school) last year, after I sent them to that school for 9 years. This is our second year here in CMIS. My eldest son ,Perth is in 9th grade . Pear ,daughter, she's in 8th grade. Punch ,daughter, 6th grade and Po , son, in 4th grade. I have my education background in Engineering and Business administration. I worked in a Japanese car company in Bangkok for 10 years and quit after I married. I 'm happy to help supporting PTG activities because I believe that it also helps supporting my children's learning too.”
Cathy Gravitis:
“Hi! My name is Cathy Gravitis, and I'm an Aussie (Australian) Registered Nurse. I've been married to my husband Paul, a scientist and Pastor for 22 years. We have two wonderful daughters, Emma the actress who is 14 and in 9th Grade, and Melissa the read-a-holic who is 12 and in 6th Grade. Together as a family we have lived in Thailand for 10 years. 2 years in Bangkok learning the Thai language, and the past 8 years we have been in Chiang Mai and a part of this wonderfully unique CMIS community. In Chiang Mai, I am involved in a whole range of community development projects, which I love! My desire for the CMIS PTG is that we would provide a safe and supportive place for parents and teachers to raise issues and propose initiatives that will invite strong team work, will better our school, and give our children the best possible educational support. I see the importance of, and relish the language and cross cultural challenges that we face as a PTG, of helping our parents from many diverse countries to understand their existing identity as important PTG members, and supporting them in tapping into their gifts and abilities that will in turn, enrich our school and the educational experience of all of our children.”
Rachael Bosma & Peter Bosma: Home country; Brisbane, Australia
They have been in Thailand and a part of the CMIS community for 10months.
Rachael: “My work in my home country was working with Special needs children at Citipointe Private School, helping them to transition into a 'normal' school setting.”
Peter: “My work in Australia was in Management with Australia Post, the government postal service. I worked in this field for 17 years before coming to Chiang Mai.”
The Bosma’s have 4 children of their own - JB Bosma yr10, Nathan Bosma yr6, Leanna Bosma yr3 and Shalese Bosma yr1. They also have 4 other children in their care. They work with OMF, running the Saeng Pratheep Dorm. “We are proudly assigned soley as a CMIS dorm from this year, so we are very excited to be able to put all our focus on being a part of the school community. We are 'babies' in terms of learning how CMIS oparates, but we love meeting new parents and helping as we can with school activities. We were a part of similar parent groups in Australia with our schools there, and know the importance of groups like the PTG. ”
Ying Hansa:
“My name is Weera-anong Hansa. It's easier to just call me "Ying". I've lived in Chiangmai since I was 2 years old until I graduated from Nursing School Chiangmai University. I, then, moved to the States in 1996 after I was married. I've been living in the U.S. for 15 years until my husband passed away in 2010. I, then, decided to move back to Chiangmai in January 2011. My two daughters started school at CMIS in January 2011. Catherine is now in grade 6B and Eileen is in grade 4A. I was also active in a PTA in a private school in Colorado where my daughters had previously attended. I understand how important the PTG is for the school and for our children. That's why I want to be here and will try my best to help.”
Hunter Hoff:
“I am married to Mary Byrd. We have two children, Caleb in grade 11 and Hannah in grade 8. Prior to moving to Thailand, we lived in Virginia, USA. Our time in Thailand began in Bangkok where we spent a year learning language and culture. The next 12 years we lived in Songkhla province where I was the administrator of an educational center. Since moving to Chiang Mai over 2 years ago, I have served as a special teacher at Payap University. In our two years at CMIS, I have coached U14 volleyball and girls basketball .”
