The National PTA recognized state and local chapters for their efforts to strengthen family-school partnerships during its annual convention in Cincinnati last week.
The Northrop High School PTSA in Fort Wayne, Ind., was awarded the 2013 Phoebe Apperson Hearst Outstanding Family-School Partnership Award. The Northrop PTSA was chosen because it extends itself virtually by creating more access to school information through weekly emails and an active Facebook page. The group also held successful college and career fairs, a meet-and-greet with the school’s principal, and an extracurricular fair.
“We partner with several groups at our school to get information out to parents, students, and staff,” said Kathie Greene, Northrop High School PTSA’s co-president, in her acceptance speech. "[Our weekly] email is the starting point for getting members, volunteers, donations, and community involvement, and it works.”
Receiving 2013 Phoebe Apperson Hearst Family-School Partnership Awards of Merit were:
- Rainbow Elementary PTA in Madison, Ala.
- Paseo Hills PTSA in Phoenix
- Douglas L. Jamerson Elementary PTA in St. Petersburg, Fla.
- Milton High School PTSA in Milton, Ga.
The National PTA also presented the 2013 Jan Harp Domene Diversity and Inclusion Award to the 33rd District PTA in Lakewood, Calif., and the Ohio State PTA. They were recognized for their efforts in valuing the differences and similarities in people.
See our full coverage of parent-empowerment issues.