Forest
View Elementary PTA in Everett is only 6 years old and they are this year’s
Outstanding Local Unit of the Year. They will represent PTAs from Washington
State at the National PTA Convention in Cincinnati next month.
“The
Forest View Elementary PTA was lucky to have a really strong foundation laid
for us by the original board of directors in 2007 that came from several
different schools and PTAs,” said Forest View PTA president, Laura Peterson. “Working
from that foundation and with their mentorship, we have continued to grow our membership
and strengthen our programs each year through the help of our generous families
and volunteers.”
Forest
View PTA enjoys a good relationship with school staff and administration. Staff
participation at their PTA events makes it even more enjoyable for the
students. Some of their free events include a PTA-sponsored “back to school”
carnival each year in September, a school-wide science day that includes a
science based assembly for all the students and multiple paid and volunteer
presenters for all the various grades, a family health and safety night that
included local vendors, an international dessert night that included a Native
American Potlatch ceremony and a buffet of international desserts donated by
parents.
They
also hold a variety of other events with a nominal admission fee, including a
school dance, bingo, gingerbread house night. They fund their PTA budget with
an annual Fun Run in October and usually have enough extra funds to contribute
toward to the school for technology, playground equipment, and IXL (electronic
math program for all the students). Forest View PTA also uses its resources to
support the arts by sponsoring an art docent program in the classroom and participating
in the NPTA Reflections Program.
They
were awarded first place in PTAs Taking Significant Action program for an
exceptional program involving special education students. The PTA focused on
adapting their big events to make them more accessible for special needs
students. Forest View PTA held mini-events like carnival, gingerbread night and
dance in the special education classrooms during school so these students got
to participate in the fun as well. Additionally, they provide reserved seating
for families with special needs at their before-school parent events and early
entry to Bingo.
Forest
View PTA was also recognized as an Honor Unit and received the Standards of
Excellence award, reaching the gold level distinction for each of these
achievements. They also received first place awards in website and communications
categories. Congratulations, Forest View Elementary PTA!
