I want to thank Dr. Ponds for his update tonight as well as his weekly updates. I was also very happy to hear from Ms. Morgan describing the differences we will be seeing in the remote learning plan for the fall.
Following are update for our PTAS and the PTAC:
All of our elementary school and middle school PTAs have been working to support their students, families, teachers and principals as we go back to all remote school. Although there was a lot of discussion about hybrid instruction, we knew that remote instruction was likely to be the reality for many families and so we have been striving to support that model.
Unfortunately our traditional PTA programs and activities such as ice cream socials, delivering school supplies and welcome breakfasts have all been upended. Instead our elementary and middle schools have all been working with their principals to provide support in new ways. Several PTAs are purchasing things like tents to support outdoor learning, or supply kits for families to enhance at-home learning. Others have been hosting online story times, organizing buddy systems to build community between families and students, and arranging meet-ups to introduce new students to their teachers.
The PTAs are reaching out in new and exciting ways. For example, PTAC recently hosted a “Welcome to Kindergarten” Zoom program featuring the PTA presidents from all the elementary schools. The event was designed to replace the traditional playground play-dates and ice cream socials. At Buzz Aldrin and other schools, the PTAs are using the National PTA’s MemberHub platform, which will enable families to easily connect online with others in their children’s classroom or house. And, in collaboration with Dr. Ponds, PTAC applied for a grant that, if we learn in 3 days that we got it, will help address the mental and emotional health needs of our K-2 families.
Although it has been something high school parents have requested over the years – there is no parent group at the high school. We are poised to start conversations with high school parents to learn their ideas about forming a group and recently had an initial conversation with Ms. Trigg-Scales about that project.
In addition to the activity of our school PTAs, the PTA Council and its committees have been hard at work on initiatives for the coming year. One of our largest committees is the Equity, Anti-Racism and Opportunity Gap committee, with about thirty members so far. That committee will work with schools and community leaders to address the continuing problem of white supremacy and racism in our schools. Most, if not all of the school PTAs have also been meeting with each other and with their principals to develop and implement anti-racism initiatives.
We are very proud of the hard work and community spirit displayed by all of our PTA volunteers during this difficult time. We are honored to work with Dr. Ponds and Sergio Gonzalez as our Board liaison. And we look forward to continued collaboration with all of our partners in the service of our schools and our children.