Over the summer, PTSA planned many events and organized programs for the school year, PTSA president Manuela Silveira said. In the summer mailer packet PTSA sent out, information detailing their initiatives were listed, Silveira said.
“[The summer mailer] is a packet of information about what PTSA is, what it does and how the funds and grants are allocated throughout the year,” Silveria said. “Community members get an idea about what to expect and what programs we run. [They] are also encouraged to donate and renew their membership.”
One of the events PTSA has scheduled is job shadow day, Silveira said. Through this event, Silveira said students get an opportunity to experience the daily life of a person whose career they might be interested in.
To successfully implement job shadow day, Silveira said much thought has been put into accommodating students’ schedules, as the event is scheduled on the day of the Oct. 14 SAT.
“Since the testing is going to happen in the morning, we’re working with hosts to have those visiting opportunities happen in the afternoon,” Silveira said. “That way students have the opportunity to make the visits and be able to sit for the test.”
To help students and teachers in the classroom, principal Denae Nurnberg said PTSA has met with her several times this year to discuss important funding opportunities.
“The school band needed some new instruments, so [PTSA] supported that,” Nurnberg said. “One of our teachers requested an iPad in order to do some more collaborative student work, and so they’re supporting that request. They’ve supported students who come to school hungry, so we have a pantry in the office for students who might have food insecurity at home.”
PTSA’s main goal is to benefit students through funding the school and establishing programs, which is why it is necessary that parents join, PTSA vice president of student programs Preethi Ramaiya said.
“[PTSA’s] entire mission is to support the community, whether its student programs or funding for clubs,” Ramaiya said “Parents would love to support [students] and that connection is built through the PTSA.”
In addition to parents, Silveira said she urges students to join or donate to the PTSA, encouraging them to become active members to further PTSA’s impact on the community.
“The S in PTSA is for students. We would love to have our student membership grow and take into consideration the student voice as we create and plan out these programs,” Silveira said. “The more we collect, the more programs we’re able to support, and the more we’re able to have students and teachers be able to fulfill their plans.”
