Parent/Teacher Organization

The St. Vincent de Paul School PTO is comprised of parents and alumni committed to building community involvement for our school families.

Research indicates that children whose parents are involved in their education and school will earn better grades and higher test scores. This involvement shows children that parents are deeply invested in their daily school life. At SVdP, it goes a step further and involves alumni, a true testament to their desire to pay it forward. The PTO will keep you more informed and will help you establish strong relationships with other families. A few research projects even suggest volunteering can even promote a longer life. The question changes from ‘why serve’ to ‘why not serve’.

Each SVdP family is a member of the PTO through annual dues assessment. There are five officers – President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Officer at Large. Each officer serves a 1-year term and it is expected that the Vice-President will serves as President the following year. The President also serves as a non-voting member of the School Board.

Cathy Towle
President
bctowle@cox.net

Cathy is a mother of two children, Greyson (1 year old) and Alexis (Kindergarten), as well as an alumnus ofSVdP. She has been married to Billy Towle for 14 years and both are originally from the area. Cathy works for Walmart and in her free time enjoys as much time with family and friends as possible. Their time is typically spent outside, swimming, dancing, hosting parties, traveling, and golfing.

Jennifer Burtis
Vice President
jenniferbburtis@yahoo.com

Jennifer, and husband Rich, have been SVdP school and church members for 12 years. They have four children. Jack (3rd grade), Sophie (7th), Olivia (10th at OCA), and Nicholas (11th at BHS). Jennifer is a stay-at-home mom, and highly engaged in supporting and volunteering at the school. Jennifer’s hobbies are reading, baking, carting her children around NWA, and spending time with family and friends.

Sondra Oliphant
Treasurer
oliphant2002@gmail.com

Sondra’s family has been a part of SVdP for nearly 3 years. Her husband, John, owns his own business and she retired from Walmart in 2015 after 24 years. Sondra and John have a son, Carson (5th grade), and a daughter, Allison (7th grade). Sondra enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, reading, watching movies and traveling. She also leads our Catholic Schools Week events.

Beth Lunde
epkonop@gmail.com

Beth is a Wisconsin native, melting in the Arkansas summer! She, and husband Matt, have been married 10 years and have lived in NWA for the last eight. They have three kids: Annabelle (2nd grade) and twins Lula and Timmy (Kindergarten next year), as well as dogs Graupel and Newton. Beth previously was a meteorologist for the National Weather Service, worked at Sam’s Club, and now stays home with their kids. Beth loves running –racing anything from a 5K to marathons. This year she is our Jr. High Cross Country coach and 5K lead.

Shannon Kelly
shannon-kelly@cox.net

Shannon is mother of three children – Renee (7th grade), Sean (5th grade) and Paige who graduated from 8th grade at SVdP last year. This will be Shannon and Brian’s fifth year with kids attending SVdP School. They moved to NWA from New Orleans 21 years ago. Shannon is a registered nurse and currently helps at the Sunshine School and Development Center as needed. She is our lead for Trunk or Treat.