On 3/25 (next Wednesday), we have a PTA general meeting in the library.  Our PTA is an integral component of our school community.  This organization is comprised of members who dedicate their time to making Almond an amazing place.  

In preparation for today’s message, I poked around the PTA website to learn a bit more about this great organization.  In doing so, the mission section caught my attention.  The “overall purpose of PTA is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.”  Among some of the values listed, one in particular stood out - “Inclusivity: We invite the stranger and welcome the newcomer. We value and seek input from as wide a spectrum of viewpoints and experiences as possible.”

Eleven members are volunteers that serve in a special capacity as Executive Board Members.  It has been a privilege to work with the existing board on a monthly basis.  As a result, some incredible events have brought us together as a community and beneficial resources are in the hands of our students and staff to propel learning.

At the upcoming meeting, the 2015-16 Almond PTA Executive Board slate will be voted upon.  

President-Margaret Barnett, Executive VP-Jon Meyer,  VP Technology-Leon Yao,  VP Membership-Jessica Chang, VP Communication-Sandrine Steciw, Secretary-Karen Border, Treasurer-Darrell Hoff, Financial Secretary-Lillian Stadler, Historian-Joe Chan, Parliamentarian-Luisa Smith, Auditor-Kristina Wolcott.

One particular name that might have caught your attention is one of our very own teachers, Mr. Chan.  He has been nominated in the role of Historian.  

I am very proud to be a part of a Parent Teacher Association that honors the aforementioned tenets through action.  On a monthly basis, Mr. Chan will join the round table discussions (even though it’s actually a rectangular conference table) regarding how the school and parent community are working together to support a variety of initiatives.  This mirrors two LASD practices that include teachers in building vision and goals:  the inclusion of a teacher representative (LATA president) at weekly Administrative Council meetings and involving parents, teachers, and administrators in district Curriculum Council meetings.

If you are a PTA member and you have never come to a PTA general meeting (or maybe just haven’t made it to one this year), come to this meeting and experience history in the making!

At the Principal Coffee that follows, I will share information about the SBAC assessments for 3rd - 6th graders coming in April.