PTA Rocks! was the theme for the Founders Day Celebration
On Wednesday, February 8, I joined more than 450 school administrators, principals, teachers, school board members, superintendents and Parent Teacher Association (PTA) leaders from around San Diego County to celebrate the founding of the PTA and its rich history of accomplishment.
The annual Founders Day Celebration honors PTA’s founders as well as past and present PTA leaders. It was founded by Alice McLellan Birney and Phoebe Apperson Hearst in Washington, DC, on February 17, 1897. The Founders Day observance has continued through the change of organization names in 1925 to the National Congress of Parents and Teachers, and later uniting with the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers in 1970, to become the modern day, National PTA.
This year’s Ninth District PTA Annual Meeting/Founders Day Celebration Brunch was held at the Scottish Rite Center. In attendance and representing Foothills Secondary Council PTA (servicing all GUHSD PTSAs) was President Cathy Roth. Immediate past Foothills President, Karen Fleck, presided over the meeting as the 2011-13 Ninth District PTA President. We appreciate their continued service on behalf of our youth.
Ninth District Arts Education Chair Cathy Roth presents Ron Jessee with PTA's Honorary Service Award as Karen Fleck looks on
Karen Fleck is the current West Hills High School PTSA President and Cathy Roth is also the Ninth District Arts Education Chair. She presented an Honorary Service Award to Ron Jessee, a former employee of the Grossmont District, who began his educational career in 1975 as a theatre, dance and music teacher. From 1996 – 2001, Ron served as the Assistant Principal of Monte Vista and Grossmont High Schools. He is presently the Coordinator of Visual and Performing Arts for the County Office of Education.
The five San Diego County Teachers of the Year were also honored for their commitment to academic excellence and the annual PTA Reflections Art Contest winners were announced.
L: West Hills High School Principal Paul Dautremont, Monte Vista PTSA President Sylvia Lopez, and Monte Vista Principal Randy Montesanto
The event underscores the dedication and commitment that the members of our school PTAs offer to us. Their parent involvement and presence is making a difference at our high schools. PTSA volunteers help with student registration packets, work concession sales, man the football game ticket booths, help with school dances, sit on WASC committees, coordinate school newsletters and work school cleanup days. Contributions that PTSAs are making to our school community include sponsoring: teacher supply drives, multicultural days, SAT test prep classes, assemblies, scholarship programs, job training programs, parent ed nights, self defense classes, and safe grad nights.
PTSA collaborates with the community as well by hosting e-Waste collections and supporting the efforts of the GUHSD Parent Involvement Committee’s Parent Ed nights.
GUHSD Trustee Dick Hoy, West Hills PTSA President Karen Fleck, Superintedent Swenson and Foothills Secondary Council PTA President Cathy Roth
Although not a fundraising organization, our PTSAs often assist financially with programs that support the PTA mission. For example, with the support from a Ninth District PTA grant presented at the Founders Day event, Granite Hills PTSA hosted a Distracted Teen Driving/Texting While Driving prevention program for its students.
Parents, if you are not a member of your school PTSA, I encourage you to get involved. Please look for the PTSA membership form in your registration packet for Fall 2013. PTSA membership costs about the same as two cups of coffee, and for your small investment, students and your community will receive much in return. Membership forms are also located in your school office and on your school or PTSA website. Please join today.
My thanks to the extensive Foothills Council PTSA network of parents and community members who are working exclusively to improve the educational experience and well-being of all our students.
Superintendent Ralf Swenson
