[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 58 (Tuesday, April 21, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E915]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING OUTSTANDING PARENT SUPPORT FOR SCHOOLS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 21, 2009

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
and pay tribute to the contributions of Parent Teacher Associations 
(PTA) and Parent Teacher Student Associations (PTSA) in Northern 
Virginia. These associations serve a critical role in helping to 
provide the best possible educational environment for our students.
  Schools located throughout Northern Virginia are consistently 
recognized as being among the very best in our country. I strongly 
believe one factor in the excellent education received by our students 
is the high level of involvement and encouragement provided by parents 
through PTAs and PTSAs. Parent volunteers exist in a number of 
capacities within each school ranging from providing planning and 
implementation help for social events to helping ensure that teachers 
have the classroom resources they need to succeed.
  The Northern Virginia District PTA represents a region with more than 
220 schools. Maintaining a healthy and strong organization is an 
important part of allowing these groups to have the greatest possible 
impact on the students they serve. To encourage such strength, it is 
important to note the individual PTAs that excel in this mission.
  I am pleased to present the following recognitions for 2008-2009 
school year:
  PTA Schools of Excellence designations have been awarded to the Lake 
Anne Elementary School PTA and Lake Braddock Secondary School PTSA.
  The PTAs at Mantua Elementary School and Oakton Elementary School 
were acknowledged by the National Parent Teacher Association for their 
outstanding participation in Take Your Family to School Week.
  Eight schools have achieved a PTA membership level exceeding one 
member per student attending the school. Those associations are 
Chesterbrook Elementary PTA, Falls Church Elementary PTA, Flint Hill 
Elementary PTA, Haycock Elementary PTA, Langley High School PTSA, 
Nottingham Elementary PTA, Waynewood Elementary PTA, and Wolftrap 
Elementary PTA. All members involved should recognize that these 
remarkably high levels of parental involvement suggest a strong 
commitment to ensure a quality public education within our school 
systems.
  The growth and expansion of PTAs is an important part of sustaining 
the impact of the associations. The Virginia PTA provided a charter for 
the Quander Road School PTSA in Alexandria. Kelly Greenwood, who serves 
as President of Quander Road School PTSA, and the school's principal, 
William Files, should be commended for their efforts to engage parents 
to participate in this association's founding.
  Of particular note are the contributions of three individuals to 
their respective schools' PTAs: Kristen Arseneau, of Terra Centre 
Elementary School PTA, was awarded the District Outstanding Achievement 
Award;
  Sue Bernstein, of Hollin Meadows Elementary PTA, has been named 
District Volunteer of the Year for Primary Schools;
  Robin Harris, of George C. Marshall High School PTSA, was named 
District Volunteer of the Year for Secondary Schools.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me in recognizing the 
outstanding achievements of these individuals and the organizations 
with which they work. Dedicated involvement from so many parents 
reflects a strong commitment to public education and community service 
that students in our schools are fortunate to experience. I offer my 
strong support for these organizations and their dedicated volunteers.

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