[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 74 (Wednesday, June 10, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1090]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO FOOTHILL PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 10, 1998

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, one of the things that makes America great 
is the dedication and commitment of many individuals throughout our 
country who participate in organizations to promote the well being of 
their community. The Foothill Parent Teacher Association is one of 
those commendable organizations.
  The Foothill PTA represents Foothill Elementary School located in 
Corona, California. In order to provide an environment of quality 
programs and a high level of parental involvement, the Home-School 
Communications project was implemented. One of the purposes of this 
program is to provide weekly communication between home and school. 
Once a week each student is sent home with a packet of information, 
which the parent signs off on when received, allowing continual 
communication between home and school. The Foothill PTA also sends out 
a newsletter every month, which includes a calender of upcoming events 
and encourages parents and students to participate. Finally, the 
program offers up-to-date information to all parents by providing a 24-
hour PTA Information Hot Line and a PTA web page on the Internet. It is 
important to acknowledge that the Home-School Communications project 
would not be possible without the volunteers who actively participate 
in the PTA.
  This outstanding program should be applauded for the positive results 
it has brought to Foothill Elementary School. Since the commencement of 
the Home-School Communications project there has been an overall 
increase in parental involvement in school activities. There has been 
99 percent participation at parent-teacher conferences and an increase 
of 110 percent in PTA membership, and it has brought a sense of 
togetherness and satisfaction to the parents, teachers, and office 
staff. There also has been an increase in attendance at school events, 
including the Halloween Carnival and the First Annual Reflections 
Awards Night.
  All this effort and dedication by the members of the PTA has not gone 
unrecognized. The Foothill PTA received the California State PTA 
Advocates for Children Award in 1995 and the Outstanding Unit for 
California and Creative Membership Awards in 1997. In 1998, the 
Foothill PTA won Outstanding Unit for California and National PTA 
Outstanding Unit. Also, the Foothill PTA has been recognized as an 
Outstanding Unit at the council level for the last 4 years.
  I want to thank the Foothill PTA for all their hard work and 
dedication to the children in our community. I am proud to have an 
organization like the Foothill PTA in my district. I encourage Foothill 
PTA members to continue with their involvement and wish them the best 
in their future endeavors.

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