2009-2010 Phoebe Apperson Hearst Family-School Partnership Award Recipients

Outstanding Family-School Partnership Award
Presented to one PTA for all-around achievement of the National Standards

Kate Waller Barrett Elementary PTA, Arlington, VA
Nina Austin, President

Barrett Elementary has long recognized the connection between family involvement and student success.   For 15 years, Barrett has implemented Project Interaction, a school-wide initiative that connects family involvement to the instructional program.  Some of the programs conducted through this initiative include offering learning activities, such as family library nights and the Friday Volunteers program, for students and families that seek to increase understanding of the school’s racial, cultural, and language diversity. 

Barrett PTA leads the Barrett Buddies program to help new parents get connected and provided the funding to purchase simultaneous translation equipment to facilitate communication between parents and the school.  Barrett PTA also coordinates and afterschool enrichment program and offers scholarships to students in need to ensure opportunities for as many students as possible.  Because of the high number of Spanish speaking families in the school, the school and the PTA ensure that all important information for parents is provided in English and Spanish.  One of the newer programs created to support student success is the Roving Readers Program which organizes parents, grandparents and community members that reflect the diversity of the school to serve as guest readers in classrooms.  Volunteers are encouraged to use this opportunity to share stories from their culture, race or background in an effort to strengthen cultural awareness among students, family members and teachers. 

In an effort to strengthen parents’ ability to be better advocates for their children and other children, Barrett provides a series of parent education sessions on a number of topics including Understanding How the School System Works and How to Be An Effective Advocate.  Barrett PTA provides childcare during these sessions so that more parents can attend.  KW Barrett Elementary, in partnership with the PTA, family members, and community volunteers from places of worship, civic organizations and businesses, has truly created a successful family-school partnership where everyone is committed to working together so that every student can be successful in school.

Family-School Partnership Award of Excellence
Presented to six PTAs, each representing the best in one of the six National Standards

• Standard 1—Welcoming All Families into the School Community: Chattahoochee High School PTSA, Alpharetta, GA 
• Standard 2—Communicating Effectively: Olivewood Elementary School PTA, Lake Forest, CA
• Standard 3—Supporting Student Success: Chapel Trail Elementary School PTA, Pembroke Pines, FL
• Standard 4—Speaking Up for Every Child: Seven Oaks Elementary School PTA, Eagle, ID
• Standard 5—Sharing Power: Harmony Elementary School PTA, Goshen, GA
• Standard 6—Collaborating with Community: Northeast Elementary School PTA, Evergreen Park, IL

Family-School Partnership Award of Merit