Allied Agencies and Community Partners involvement ideas to inspire
from the winning entries
for My PTA/PTSA Awards
2008
HELPING HANDS: Corona-Norco PTA
Partner: Settlement House
Purpose: To assist those in need in the community.
Actions:
- Each of the council’s 43 units was asked to hold two canned food and clothing drives during the year.
- Each unit contributed $100 annually to support the Back to School Program, giving needy students new shoes and three outfits to begin the school year.
- The council coordinated a Health and Safety Fair that offered health screening, testing, and information from dozens of agencies.
2008
ATTITUDE SHIFT: South High PTSA, Torrance Council
Partner: “Rachel’s Challenge,” based on the writings and life of Rachel Joy Scott, the first student killed at Columbine High School in 1999.
Purpose: Motivating students to make a change in the way they treat others.
Actions:
- All students participated in a one-hour assembly with a speaker that personally knew Rachel and her family.
- The presentation included powerful video footage of the Columbine shooting and Rachel’s life.
2007
ARTS IN ACTION: Charles Helmers Elementary PTA, Santa Clarita Valley Council
The Project: CHORDS (Culture-Helmers-Origins-Rhythm-Discover-Sing).
The PTA:
- Developed a performing arts and cultural education program with the Los Angeles Music Center Education Department.
- The program provided every student in the school up to 12 weeks of specialized performing arts education from world-renowned artists.
2007
PAGE TURNER: West Covina PTA Council
The Project: Celebrate Reading annual event.
The council:
- Partnered with others in the community to bring authors and free books to students.
- Arranged with a local bookstore owner to bring 15 to 20 authors to participate.
- Gathered more than 2,000 free books for students.
2006
HELP FOR FAMILIES: Charles Helmers Elementary PTA, Santa Clarita Valley Council
The Project: “Helmers Helping Families” program.
The PTA:
- Partnered with the Santa Clarita Child and Family Center to support less-fortunate families.
- Adopted 43 at-risk families in the community.
- Created personal holiday packages for each family.
- Expanded the program by sending more than 2,000 books to Baxterville Elementary School in Louisiana, where the library was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
2006
MANY FACES: Pleasanton PTA Council
The Project: A citywide multicultural fair for families.
The Partners:
- City of Pleasanton
- School district
- Public library
- Amador Valley Adult & Community Education
- Axis Community Health
- Other local agencies, including the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club, assisted in promoting and advertising the event.
The Purposes:
- To showcase the growing diversity of the community with hand-on exhibits and activities.
- Provide information to new families about resources and services available from allied agencies, the city and other local services.
2005
DEFUSING VIOLENCE: Del Valle Council
The Project: The San Ramon Valley Coalition for Youth Safety & Development, formed in 1997 following a terrible act of violence against a student.
The Purpose: Helping youth grow to be caring, responsible and successful adults.
The Partners:
- City of San Ramon
- Town of Danville
- School district
- San Ramon and Danville Police Departments
- County supervisor’s office
- YMCA
- Community Against Substance Abuse (CASA)
The Action Steps:
- Spreading the Search Institute’s “40 Developmental Assets” model throughout the community.
- Each group promoted the model to their own membership.
2005
DEPENDENCE PREVENTION: Las Flores Middle School PTA, Capistrano Unified Council
The Project: A yearlong program of drug and alcohol abuse awareness.
The Partners:
- Sheriff’s department
- Paramedics
- Coroner’s office
- Chapman Medical Center
- Recovering teenage addicts
The Action Steps:
- Prioritized goals.
- Coordinated parent education nights.
- Arranged staff training.
- Brought in student assemblies focusing on the consequences of drug use and its far-reaching effects.
Success: Parents, staff, and students are more knowledgeable about the effects of drugs and the community resources available to them because of the PTA’s efforts.
2005
DEFUSING: Travis Ranch PTA, Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified Council
The Project: “Travis Ranch Pride Day”
The Purpose: To beautify the campus and create a sense of pride within the school community.
The Day’s Activities:
- City Council members joined school volunteers in sweeping, raking, weeding, and scrubbing.
- The fire department sent a fire engine.
- The emergency ambulance service sent an ambulance and trained medics to provide first aid as needed.
- Community partners and the City of Yorba Linda provided trees, mulch, and other supplies.
Success: Students now have a beautiful learning environment, and there’s been an 80% decrease in vandalism and graffiti on campus.
