Dates To Remember May 15 Officer Lists due to Texas PTA (Yes, you’re probably late. So you should probably get this done ASAP...) June High school commencements: 4 5:30 p.m. Memorial Pathway Academy 8 p.m. Rowlett High School 5 5 p.m. Sachse High School 8:30 p.m. South Garland High School 6 8 a.m. Garland High School 12 noon Naaman Forest High School 4 p.m. North Garland High School 8 p.m. Lakeview Centennial High School 25-28 National PTA Convention Charlotte, North Carolina July 17-19 Summer Leadership Seminar Hilton Anatole Dallas, TX • June 2015 2014-15 Wrap-up Nearly 540 PTA volunteers and district staff attended the annual Spring Luncheon in the Culwell Center Arena on Friday, May 15. Awards were presented to a number of local PTAs for their contributions to the students of Garland ISD over the past year. Rodney Rowan was officially sworn into office as the first male president of the GISD Council of PTAs. Rodney is a local real estate agent and community volunteer. He and his wife Jill are the proud parents of Cameron, a student at Watson Technology Center for Math & Science. Lisa Hjelm, a Liberty Grove Elementary School parent, who has just completed her second term as PTA President there, continues as Vice President - Programs for Council. Debbie Crosby, a Rowlett High School parent and President of that PTSA, continues as Council Secretary. Sharon Wainscott, who just finished third term as Council President, is now Council Treasurer. e 2015-16 officers were inducted by Past President Suellen Atteberry. e 2015-16 GISD Council Board officers from left: Sharon Wainscott - treasurer, Debbie Crosby - secretary, Lisa Hjelm - 2nd Vice President, Programs, and Rodney Rowan - President See Wrap-up, page 2
Transcript
Dates To RememberMay 15 Officer Lists due to Texas PTA
(Yes, you’re probably late. So you should probably get this done ASAP...)
JuneHigh school commencements:4 5:30 p.m.
Memorial Pathway Academy 8 p.m.
Rowlett High School5 5 p.m.
Sachse High School 8:30 p.m. South Garland High School
6 8 a.m. Garland High School 12 noon Naaman Forest High School 4 p.m. North Garland High School 8 p.m. Lakeview Centennial High School
25-28 National PTA Convention Charlotte, North Carolina
July17-19 Summer Leadership Seminar
Hilton Anatole Dallas, TX
• June 2015
2014-15 Wrap-upNearly 540 PTA volunteers and
district staff attended the annual Spring Luncheon in the Culwell Center Arena on Friday, May 15.
Awards were presented to a number of local PTAs for their contributions to the students of Garland ISD over the past year.
Rodney Rowan was officially sworn into office as the first male president of the GISD Council of PTAs. Rodney is a local real estate agent and community volunteer. He and his wife Jill are the proud parents of Cameron, a student at Watson Technology Center for Math & Science.
Lisa Hjelm, a Liberty Grove Elementary School parent, who has just completed her second term as PTA President there, continues as Vice President - Programs for Council. Debbie Crosby, a Rowlett High School parent and President of that PTSA, continues as Council Secretary. Sharon Wainscott, who just finished third term as Council President, is now Council Treasurer. The 2015-16 officers were inducted by Past President Suellen Atteberry.
The 2015-16 GISD Council Board officers from left: Sharon Wainscott - treasurer, Debbie Crosby - secretary, Lisa Hjelm - 2nd Vice President, Programs, and Rodney Rowan - President
See Wrap-up, page 2
Table of Contents:Topic PageCalendar of Events ...................1Council Board contacts ............3Council Recruiting ...................3LAUNCH ................................2Membership ......................... 6-7Outstanding PTA ................. 4-5Parent Education .............. 11-12Principals of the Year ................8Reflections ................................2Scholarship ...............................8Volunteers ........................... 9-10Wrap-up ............................... 1-2
Council Talks - the newsletter of the GISD Council of PTAs page 2
Wrap-Upcontinued from page 1
In mid-July, the 2015-16 Council board members will be attending the Texas PTA Summer Leadership Seminar at the Hilton Anatole hotel in Dallas. They hope that lots of local PTA members will be joining them. Registration can be easily done online or if preferred, by mail or fax. If your principal or assistant principal is interested in attending with your PTA, a free registration is available for one campus administrator at each school. Visit the Texas PTA website for more information.
Judy Kriehn, (Soon to be former) District Liaison, [email protected]
the huge variety of seminars available, touching on topics that really piqued my interest! I went to a cooking seminar, parliamentary procedure seminars, finance seminars, and more.
I’m not a parliamentarian, a treasurer, or a PTA President. So why would those topics interest me?
Because my community activities extend outside of PTA. I used my newfound parliamentary knowledge as President of the Quilter’s Guild of Dallas. I’ve continued to apply principles I learned at Launch to other activities.Networking
PTA is everywhere. It is in communities with a lot of poverty, it is in affluent areas. PTA members come from all walks of life. At Launch you’ll learn the challenges that your PTA faces are shared by others. Find out what they are doing that you could implement.
Just GO. You won’t regret it!
Makayla Mathis, a student at the Watson Technology Center, pictured here with her proud parents, won an Award of Merit at the state level for her dance composition that she entered in the annual Reflections competition.
Congratulations, Kiana Sanderson!
Kiana, a student at the Classical Center at Brandenburg, earned an Award of Excellence in the 2014-15 Reflections competition at the national level for her dance composition.
What is “LAUNCH”?This is a big statewide Summer
Leadership Seminar offered by the Texas PTA. It used to be held in Austin annually, but for the past couple of years has become a travelling event. This year, it comes here to the Dallas area, taking place at the Anatole Hotel near downtown.Why should you make plans to go?
I’ve been on the Council Board for 15 years. But year-after-year, I avoided going to this like the plague, because I figured it would just be a big rah-rah session. But when it came to Dallas, I decided to scope it out.
Join TEAM RODNEY!Rodney Rowan, President-Elect for the Garland ISD Council of PTAs is
looking for volunteers to join the Council Board for 2015-16.There is one elected office that remains open - Vice President- Aide. This
job primarily entails organizing leadership training sessions for Council, such as scheduling sessions of Foundations, which is the introduction to PTA (PTA 101, if you will) class that all new PTA Board members are required to take (local and council). The VP-Aide also coordinates the annual “Principal of the Year” awards prior to the Spring Luncheon, and other organizational tasks that help the Council President focus on leading Council. Other positions available include:• 1st Vice President - Aide• Arts in Education• Communications• Directory• Historian• Hospitality & Resources
• Outstanding PTA• Parent Education• Parliamentarian• Volunteers• Local PTA Liaisons/Coordinators
There is sure to be something that taps into your interests/skillsets.The Council Board meets monthly, typically on the fourth Tuesday evening of
the month. We do not meet during the month of December, and the November meeting is often shifted to a date earlier in the month due to the holiday season.
The outgoing/incoming Board meeting is planned for Tuesday, May 19 (yeah, we know. That’s a “third Tuesday.”)
New Board members are treated to a free dinner - courtesy of the outgoing Board. That’s right Virginia. Free dinner. What better reason to join Team Rodney? Give Rodney a holler: phone/text 972.278.0404 or email [email protected]
Council Talks - the newsletter of the GISD Council of PTAs page 3
GISD Family Engagement Facilitator, Dr. Pat Mullins, retired after 23 years in the district. Here, she is with former staff members: (L-R) Denise Spell, Blanche Johnson, Pat and Meg Elmore (right). Not pictured is Linda Stiles.
Middle School Outstanding PTA of the YearJackson Technology Center for Math & Science
At Jackson Technology Center the theme for this year was “Go Big!” For the students the PTA sponsored 5 dances, a Just Say Yes assembly and the student run “Friday Snack Shack”. For the parents, During Red Ribbon week the PTA gave flyers and ribbons to every parent and student at the football games. They also implemented the Watch DOGS program. Caring for the teachers and staff included a surprise teacher lounge makeover, back to school breakfast, a popcorn bar in the fall and a yogurt breakfast bar in the spring. They also hosted the annual fun run.
• President-Missy Karnes Principal-David Dunphy
See Outstanding PTA, continued on page 5
Council Talks - the newsletter of the GISD Council of PTAs page 4
Outstanding PTA
Local PTA programming that took place in April or May, 2015 as well as programming to be conducted over the summer months are all eligible for
Outstanding PTA entries in September 2015.Forms will be available on the Council website:
www.gisdpta.org/Forms.html
Elementary Outstanding PTA of the Year
Dorsey Elementary SchoolDorsey’s theme for this year was
“Passport to Success”. August began with a student designed t-shirt and slogan. There was a Parisian Inspired Breakfast for teachers and staff. Dorsey shared the news of receiving the National PTA School of Excellence Recognition at their Family Fun Night in September. As their “All Aboard” membership drive continued they celebrated with a skating party. There was a Polar Express PTA Membership Party in the cafeteria for “the first grade
who had S’more PTA Memberships than any other grade at Dorsey”. In October they honored their custodians with snacks, smiley face balloons and notes of appreciation. They kicked off their Reflections contest with: the World would be a better place if…there were Limeaides in the teacher’s workroom. They began Teepee Tellers. There was a giant authentic teepee where student could sit outside of and listen to stories and experience a time of the past.
They also held a day of drumming and a Veteran’s Day program. For the teachers there were fortune cookie birthday goodies on their birthday and “These are a few of my favorite things holiday party”. There was a Media Madness parent education program and students traveled around the world through art at their Art Night. There was a Kindness Project, Zooniversity and an environmental night. The last couple of months of school will be busy with a Carnival, Buddy Day, Hawaiian Falls Dorsey Day and End of the year Pizza Day. • President-Laura Watkins,
Principal-Debbie Chisholm
Elementary Honorable Mentions• Liberty Grove Elementary
President-Lisa Hjelm, Principal-Elisa Wittrock
• Keeley Elementary School President-Malesa Rose, Principal-Dr. Penny Campbell
GISD Council of PTAs Facebook Fan page!
Next time you’re online, look up the Garland ISD Council of PTAs on Facebook, and “like” us!
Council Talks - the newsletter of the GISD Council of PTAs page 5
Outstanding PTAContinued from page 4
High School Outstanding PTA of the Year
Garland High SchoolGarland High School was a recipient of the National PTA School of
Excellence. They began the year with welcoming freshman students to “Fish Camp”. The next day they had a Freshman Parent Brunch. The next week was the Staff breakfast membership drive. In September they had their parking space auction. In November they hosted their annual College Preparedness Forum. In February they hosted their 1st ever “Dinner with the Principal”. Next they held a Soccer Ball. This month they will award over $3000 in scholarships to the Class of 2015, $1000 in teacher scholarship money and $1000 to enrich their campus. • President-Denise Spell
Principal-Atticus Wisener
GISD Trustee Linda Griffin is an active PTA volunteer. Here she visits with Parsons Prekindergarten School principal, James Howard.
Superintendent Bob Morrison brought greetings and thanks from the Garland ISD to the PTA volunteers present.
The newest member of the GISD Board of Trustees, Robert Selders Jr., received a warm welcome from luncheon guests.
Council Talks - the newsletter of the GISD Council of PTAs page 6
President Sharon Wainscott surprises Alan Smith with a Texas Life Membership from the GISD Council. Mr. Smith is retiring from GISD after 23 years as Risk Manager, and from the Council PTA, most recently as Legislative Chairman.
Special Service AwardsTexas Life MembershipAlan Smith
Alan is currently the Risk Manager for GISD and has worked for the district for 21 years. He is a past president of Texas Chapter Public Risk Managers Association. He is a past board member of the Executive Board of Directors for Texas Safety Association and a member of the Texas Association of School Business Officials.
In 1999, Alan was selected as the Risk Manager of the Year by Texas Chapter PRIMA. In 2013 his department was awarded the National PRIMA Texas Service Award. The Garland Association of Elementary Principals award his department the Exemplary Department for 2012 and 2013.
Alan has served on Council for several years and chaired the following Council Committees Legislative, Youth Protection and volunteers.
He is married to June and together they raised one son, Robert. Alan will be retiring from GISD and Council this year.
Texas Extended Service AwardDr. Wendy Eldredge
Dr. Eldredge has worked 23 years in Texas Education, 13 years with GISD. She has a reputation as a champion of “the power of PTA,” knowing that an active PTA provides a school with a strong parent support network for the school.
She started her tenure with GISD in July 2001 as Assistant Principal of Herfurth Elementary. In June of 2003, she became Coordinator of Elementary Curriculum (grades 3-5), a position she held for two years.
In July 2005, she accepted a position as Principal of the Classical Center at Vial Elementary, where she was awarded a Texas Life Membership on May 7, 2007.
Four years later, she was named Principal of Abbett Elementary., and continued in this position until Dr. Morrison’s reorganization plans created the new position of Area Director. In June 2013, Wendy became one of the first administrators to serve in this role, taking responsibility for the schools in the South Garland High School network - aka Area 2.(note: Dr. Eldredge was unable to attend the Spring Luncheon. Her award will be formally presented at a later date.)
Membership Awards for Campus PTAsHighest increase percentage• Small Elementary ...............................Sewell Elementary• Large Elementary ................................Davis Elementary• Middle School ............................Hudson Middle School• High School ....................... South Garland High School
Highest Actual Increase• Large Elementary ....................... Armstrong Elementary• Small Elementary ...............................Roach Elementary• Middle School ............................Hudson Middle School• High School ....................... South Garland High School
Council Talks - the newsletter of the GISD Council of PTAs page 7
In spring of 2014, the Council Board created a new award to honor long-time campus volunteers.
The first honoree was Melba Rector, who began volunteering at Back Elementary School when her grandchildren were students at the school. While the kids have long since moved on to college and beyond, she continues to volunteer at Back, teaching the students about her favorite hobby - gardening.
A travelling plaque was created to be displayed at the campus of the most recent recipient, and Mrs. Rector received a commemorative certificate of her own.
In spring of 2015, the Assistant Principal at Pearson Elementary
School, Ken Stavinoha, nominated an inspiring volunteer from his campus.
Jerry Rice began his tenure at the school as a WATCH D.O.G.S. volunteer. D.O.G.S. is an acronym for Dads of Great Students, but is not limited to only dads - it includes any male role models that wish to be part of the program. Jerry signed up as a grandfather to a Pearson student. (Notice a trend? Yay for grandparents!)
Like Melba, when his grandchildren moved on, Jerry stuck around, as he enjoyed the interactions
with the students, and knew that his presence at the school made a difference. Mr. Stavinoha described him as key volunteer at the school, encouraging other men to join the WATCH D.O.G.S. team.
Sadly, Mr. Rice passed away recently, leaving a big hole in the hearts of the students and staff at the campus. However, this award was presented to him posthumously in honor of his commitment and legacy.
His wife and daughter were present to accept the award in his memory.
Pearson Assistant Principal, Ken Stavinoha (left-front), shows Jo Rice and Debbie Rice (right) the travelling plaque that honors recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Volunteer Award. President Sharon Wainscott and incoming President Rodney Rowan look on.
Jerry Rice’s daughter, Debbie Rice, Pearson AP, Ken Stavinoha, and Jerry’s widow, Jo Rice proudly display the award.
Guests enjoyed the spread catered by Dickey’s BBQ of Wylie.
Council Talks - the newsletter of the GISD Council of PTAs page 8
Each year, local PTA units around the district contribute to the PTA Scholarship fund. At this time, scholarships are presented to students planning to enter the teaching profession. Graduating seniors from each of the high schools with active PTA or PTSA units are invited to apply.
This year, seven deserving seniors received scholarships from the GISD Council of PTAs at their Senior Awards Day ceremonies.
They include:• Garland High School .....................................................Alexis Mondragon• Lakeview Centennial High School ................................ Estephane Trevino• Naaman Forest High School ..................................................Ryan Seekins• North Garland High School .......................................... Monica Martinez• Rowlett High School ......................................................... Jensen Durham• Sachse High School ............................................................ Taylor Limberg• South Garland High School ................................................. Luz Oseguera
The size of the scholarships presented depends entirely on the funds collected by Council PTA. If you would like to honor someone special, consider a contribution to the PTA Scholarship fund. The 2015-16 Scholarship Chairman is Jody Luna. You can reach her via email at [email protected].
Principals of the YearElementary Principal of the Year Secondary Principal of the Year
Debbie Chisolm Dorsey Elementary School
Don Hernandez Houston Middle School
Hillside Academy PTA members celebrate the end of the school year.
Council Talks - the newsletter of the GISD Council of PTAs page 9
Outstanding Volunteer ProgramThis award honors individual PTAs for their year-round volunteer efforts to support their campus.
Elementary Outstanding Volunteer Program:Keeley Elementary School• PTA President: Malesa Rose
Principal: Dr. Penny CampbellSpecial events include• Decorating the school for Porch Party and manning the booths to allow for a
smooth first day• Conducting fundraisers• Promoting Watch Dogs• Organizing every imaginable “Day” to encourage students and Teachers• Daily working to free the Teachers to teach• Directing traffic in the morning – EVERY MORNING, no matter the
Secondary Outstanding Volunteer Program:Garland High School• PTA President: Denise Spell
Principal: Atticus Weisner• Works hard to engage parents• Fundraises to assist students, teachers, and the campus• MANY booster clubs• Consistently the high school reporting the most number of volunteer hours
each school yearThere is something special about Garland High School – the campus and the
traditions. But the goal of every volunteer hour is to encourage student success.
South Garland High School PTSA members were in the house!
Council Talks - the newsletter of the GISD Council of PTAs page 10
Outstanding Individual Volunteer AwardThis award honors an outstanding individual at a campus for their ongoing volunteer commitment to Garland ISD students.
Outstanding Individual Volunteer - Small ElementaryLarry Black, Back ElementaryAs a grandfather of a fifth grader, Mr. Black has volunteered countless hours • in the library• running copies, laminating, cutting
out materials for teachers• but the biggest impact has been
working with kids – whether reading to Pre-K students or helping 5th graders with fractions
If Back chose one word to describe Mr. Black it would be “flexible” – he volunteers for any job that will help students.
Honorable Mentions:• Jenny Graves
Hillside Academy for Excellence• Maria Del Carmen Camacho
Centerville Elementary
Outstanding Individual Volunteer – Large Elementary Melly Thompson, Keeley ElementaryEvery campus should have a volunteer like Melly Thompson because she probably volunteers more hours than most people work in a day. She makes herself available to anyone, for any project, for any day, at any time.• Making instructional materials• Helping with lunch and clinic duty• Tutoring
• Making t-shirts• ANY activity for the PTAHaving Melly on campus is comparable to having a teacher’s aide minus the salary
Honorable Mention:• Heather Bryant
Beaver Technology Center for Math & Science
Outstanding Individual Volunteer – SecondaryDenise Spell, Garland High School• Served Garland PTSA as treasurer
and president• Served class booster clubs• Served cheerleading booster club• Even though she has daughters,
Denise has served for 2 years as president of the GHS football team
• Past-president of the Garland ISD BEST Foundation
Denise is a parent to be respected, emulated, and admired. She has been involved in all of these activities to make the educational experience a better one for her daughters and all GISD students
Council Talks - the newsletter of the GISD Council of PTAs page 11
Outstanding Parent EducatorThis award honors an individual who has helped the school conduct a parent education program.
Outstanding Parent Educator Award – Small ElementaryJanessa Brewer, Hillside Academy for ExcellenceJanessa Brewer tirelessly devoted her time and effort into getting parents involved, promoting and coordinating unique events, and bringing awareness to programs that help nurture all families.• She found ways to enliven PTA meetings – like inviting the Container Store
to teach parents how to organize their lives to give them more time with their families.
• Increased communications through different mediums• Brings information from the district back to Hillside parents so they are well
informedJanessa has 2 children of her own plus 460 other children and wants to provide meaningful experiences for ALL children and parents to help them feel a part of the Hillside family
Outstanding Parent Educator Award – Large ElementaryLaura Watkins, Dorsey Elementary SchoolAny task that needs to be completed to• Student success• Teacher comfort• Parents’ peace of mind – Laura tackles tirelessly.She epitomizes the person who lives life with the belief “It is up to me to leave our world a little better than I found it.”
She has the uncanny knack of being able to look at situations through many eyes and forsee how it will be perceived by all participants. Teachers and parents willingly volunteer to be a part of anything Laura has planned for the campus knowing that the outcome will make people leave knowing that they are cared about.
Laura helps to make Dorsey a place where everyone wants to be
Hillside Academy for Excellence Lyles Middle School Rowlett Elementary School
Council Talks - the newsletter of the GISD Council of PTAs page 12
Outstanding Parent Education ProgramThis award honors the year-round partnership efforts between the PTA and the campus to build a successful parent
education/involvement program.
Elementary Winner Keeley Elementary PTA• PTA President: Malesa Rose
Principal: Dr. Penny CampbellKeeley’s goal was to build a school rich with parent involvement, community support and academic success.
Through an assortment of events, every parent was given multiple options to get involved.The parent involvement plan consisted of three categories:• Parent Educations classes – from
Kindergarten Power Hour to Transition to 6th grade parent education
• Events for Families to Attend – from Family Picnic Night in October to Field Day in May
Elementary level Communications award winners
PTA Communications Award
• Parent/Child Activities and Community Service – from Hope in Hands canned food and sock and mitten collectionsKeeley PTA has planned a year of
events to be all inclusive, regardless of parents’ work schedules. Our school has been blessed with parents who
want to participate in their children’s education, and have taken advantage of the frequent opportunities provided by PTA to get involved. Honorable Mention • Beaver Math, Science, and
Technology Center PTA PTA President: Kassandra Hart Principal: Jason Adams
2015 is the first year that the Council PTA is honoring the most effective all-around PTA communications efforts. As you probably know, what’s good for PTA parents is good for ALL parents.
The judges commented that overall, newsletters and other communications benefit from the use of photos and other graphic elements to break up text. They also encourage inclusion of more district news in addition to the campus news (the district Twitter feed provides a number of tidbits to draw from.) Be judicious with use of borders. When stories are short, a ton of boxes can make the page resemble the classified section of the paper, and harder to read.
Outstanding Communications Award, Elementary DivisionBeaver Technology Center for Math and Science
The judges LOVED the communications efforts from this
See Communications, page 13
Therefore, in many cases, the home-school communications reflect a good deal of the efforts to keep parents informed about ALL news and information relating to their child’s school; not just PTA-related news.
Council Talks - the newsletter of the GISD Council of PTAs page 13
CommunicationsContinued from page 12
school. Their newsletter is bright, colorful and – in keeping with the Technology-driven aspect of the school-technology oriented with QR codes and hashtags incorporated throughout.
There are two versions published – one in English and one in Spanish.
The judges noted that the comic-book style layout made reading the stories and bits of information fun. Time spent doing the layout and design is very evident, and there was good use of photos.Elementary Honorable Mentions:• Dorsey Elementary School• Hillside Academy for Excellence• Back Elementary School• Liberty Grove Elementary School• Kimberlin Academy for Excellence
Outstanding Communications Award – Secondary DivisionAustin Academy for ExcellenceAustin offers updates to parents in
a variety of formats, ranging from a classic printed newsletter to the PTA website to their PTA facebook page.
The newsletter is published three times each year, and includes all sorts of information, beginning with messages from the principal and the PTA President, progressing to Reflections contest activities, volunteer opportunities at the school, student contests, contact information for Board members, and a calendar of school events.
The website is maintained by a loyal PTA volunteer, and includes PTA board position information, a calendar of events, and information relating to upcoming events.
The Facebook presence extends not only to the PTA facebook page, but branches out to posting on the Austin Academy Moms group and the grade-
level Facebook groups, to ensure that the message remains consistent across the board. Secondary Honorable Mention:
Webb Middle School
Secondary Communications winner
This year, we are taking the National PTA Convention & Expo to Charlotte, N.C.—the Queen City, International Gateway to the South and home of the NASCAR Hall of Fame!
Be there June 25-28 to network with more than 1,000 PTA members, leaders and partners from across the country who support growth in education.
Hear from keynote speakers and thought leaders, including Olympian Shannon Miller and Educator Dr. Steve Perry.
And…this year, you can:Participate in enhanced leadership
forums and trending topics in bettering the lives of every child in education, health and safety.
Learn best practices and innovative approaches to empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.
Experiment at The Fresh 20 Demo Stage and discover great apps and strategies now available to all the local PTAs.
This convention is about you. Learn, engage, network and celebrate… all that education means for you and your families, your students and your communities. Invite your friends, too!
We need your voice and perspective in our mission to move PTA forward and provide a high-quality education for every child.
