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Student Involvement

Student involvement ideas to inspire from the winning entries for My PTA/PTSA Awards

2008
ECO FRIENDSHIP: South High PTSA, Torrance Council

A PTSA joined with a campus student environmentalist group. The organization: The South High School L.I.F.E. Team (Landfill Improvement for the Environment)

The Issue: Outdoor air pollution problems coming from landfill emissions and other stationary sources.

The Goals:

  • Create community awareness.
  • Educate students, faculty, and parents about air pollution and the potential local health effects.

Success: The PTSA continues to support student efforts in researching solutions for a cleaner environment and advocacy for environmental causes with the sanitation district and elected officials.

2007
EQUAL PARTNERS: Bridgeport Elementary School PTA, Santa Clarita Valley Council

The Goal: Raising the PTA’s effectiveness through student leadership and participation.

  • Older students serve in the planning process for PTA activities.
  • All students are invited to participate.
  • Activities with student involvement include: Boo Bash, Family Fun Nights (three or more times a year), Reflections, Diversity Week, Holidays Around the World, Health Week, Family Dance, Red Ribbon Week, Talent Show, and Field Day.

Success: Student involvement is a huge part of Bridgeport activities year-round.

2007
STEPPING UP: Corona Norco PTA Council

The Goal: Student involvement at all levels.

  • Student involvement was encouraged at school sites, the council level and in the community on a variety of committees and on the school board.
  • Red Ribbon Week had a student chair and the committee membership was more than 50 percent students.
  • More than 200 students assisted in the Community Health and Safety Fair and the Medical Camp, doing everything from set-up to clean-up.

2006
STUDENTS ON BOARD: Hillside Middle School PTSA, Simi Valley Council

The Goal: Student leadership and growth.

  • Ten student served as PTSA Board members.
  • Most events had students leading, hosting or directing.
  • Student leaders redirected the focus of Red Ribbon Week to stress skills for parents of teens, such as teaching students healthy responses when faced with drugs, alcohol, or tobacco.
  • Parent leaders directly asked students to get involved and paired them with adult mentors.

Success: The plan worked two ways: Students learned responsibility and gained confidence seeing their opinions were valued; and parents learned students can take responsibility, have good ideas, and be an important asset to the PTA organization.

2005
ECO FRIENDSHIP: Santa Clarita Valley Council

The Focus: “Putting It All Together,” a program of cooperation and outreach.

  • Held a roundtable discussion with local students about PTA and about volunteerism.
  • Included middle school students and students in leadership roles in the elementary schools.
  • Chartered the council’s high school PTSA.
  • Encouraged greater interaction of PTAs and student councils in the elementary schools.

2005
INVITED IN: Corona-Norco Council

The Goal: Active students.

  • Students presented creative ways to decorate their schools for Red Ribbon Week.
  • A student representative wrote articles and attended monthly community UNITY meetings to keep the need of students at the forefront.
  • Student involvement encouraged at all of the council PTSAs.

    • 2005
    LOOKING AHEAD: Carr Elementary PTA, Torrance Council

    The Goal: Develop young leaders.

    The Plan: Include students in PTA activities – not merely by paying dues and becoming members, but by learning to volunteer and serve their school community.

    • The PTA became a PTSA.
    • Students made plans for their involvement in PTA activities.
    • Students helped lead events, including Red Ribbon Week, the “Carr-nival”, and a jog-a-thon.

    Success: Students were a contributing part of the organization, and their voices were heard.

    2008
    PLAY PAYS OFF: Julien Elementary PTA, Turlock Council

    The Start: The PTA project wanted student input on the purchase of playground equipment.

    The Organization: Named for the school mascot, the PTA created the COLTS – Council of Legislative, Trustworthy Students.

    COLTS:
    • Met using an agenda and a loose interpretation of Roberts Rules of Order, for a taste of formal meeting experience.
    • Served as student ambassadors to campus visitors.
    • Disseminated information to their classrooms.
    • Discussed solutions to campus issues with positive results.