Monta Vista High School PTA

1. Staff Appreciation 0n May 8th: It was a huge success, and the tropical theme "Mid-day Mahalo Luncheon" was enjoyed by all! Kudos to VP hospitality, Pam Siu, who put in hours and hours of hard work!!! Thank you to the Japanese PTA, who graciously made all the scrumptious sushi. Also in our team were Cindy O'Leary, Marilyn Choi, Dana Stern, Nancy Cheadle, Lola Kashyap, Cecilia Wong, and Judy Alberts. Thanks to Steven's Creek 'Sylvan' for providing the drinks. Thanks to everyone who contributed. The staff sportingly wore the leis and loved the food and smoothies. The Caribbean blue colour scheme looked smashingly tropical. Even the weather contributed. :)

2. Council HSA Banquet: It was April, Diana (Goularte) and my pleasure to support and applaud our HSA and GO awardees at the council banquet on May 8th...though not all could attend we clapped really hard, and you were all there in spirit with us - thank you for all your incredible contribution...Cathy Gatley, Diane Bodwin, Linda Toda, Nancy Gilbert, Monica Libby and Corky Chew.

3. Sixth District Reflections Reception: We cheered excellence winner (to State), Kelly Woodruff for dance choreography; merit winners Andrew Tsun (music composition); Daniel Ki (photography) and Eileen Lu. (visual arts) Out of 500,000 entries nationwide, 65,000ish state-wide, 1500 county-wide, only 116 made it to the merit list, only 24 made it to state. Next year’s theme is “Beauty is…”

4. New Membership Drive: New emphasis on the importance of membership, with students also as members, new letter and line items to help various departments and causes, a special drive to have more staff members on the cards...

5. New Directory...details at next meeting. J

6. Senior Scholarships: Big thank you to chairperson Lola Kashyap, and also to Cecelia Wong, Alpana Shekhar and Srinivas Murthy.

7. Measure B passed: CUSD's local funding measure passes

8. PTA Convention: was a great success. Training. Tips. Inspiring speakers. Reflections awards. There were about 20 students members, 5 impressive student state board members. Bellarmine students volunteered, Redwood Middle students performed. Jack O' Connell and state secretary made a splash.

9. 'From First to Last' at Monta Vista on May 6th was a great success. Wasn't that evening utterly inspiring? Those who want to know more, get a copy of incredible Sandra's DVD, or want to know more about the "Burning Mum Rally" in Sacramento on June 23rd, and the kids' kazoo band...please contact Sharlene at "Sharlene Liu" <sharlene_liu@rocketmail.com>, This is one uniting, amazing cause!!!

10. Sixth District Leadership training on May 30th, Santa Clara County Office of Education, 8.30 am - 12 noon.

Link to Council PTA Link to 6^th district PTA

Link to StatePTA Link to National PTA

California PTA honored for advocacy

WASHINGTON, DC -- California State PTA was recognized for outstanding advocacy at the state, local, and individual levels at a National PTA legislative conference.

California State PTA won the Outstanding Advocacy Award for a state PTA.

The Legislation Team of the Capistrano Unified Council of PTSAs (CUCPTSA) won the Outstanding Advocacy Award for local efforts.

Kim Anderson, legislation chair of the CUCPTSA, received the Shirley Igo Advocate of the Year Award for an individual's contribution.

"I am deeply honored to represent the million volunteer members of the California State PTA who have earned this award," said Pam Brady, president of the California State PTA. "It is really the commitment and passion of each and every one of our members that has allowed us to raise a powerful collective voice on behalf of all children. This award gives us something wonderful to celebrate today. But, more importantly, it serves as inspiration to keep working together to make sure that all our children's hopes and dreams can shine brightly in the future."

The California State PTA's award recognized its "Flunk the Budget" campaign of last year. Thousands of PTA leaders and members visited legislators, wrote letters, participated in phone banks, and attended state and local rallies as part of the grass-roots effort to protect funding for education and other crucial children's programs. The campaign was credited with reducing the fiscal blow to children's programs in the state budget passed in September 2008.

The California State PTA has not abated in its advocacy efforts, including its latest campaign: "PTA's Economic Recovery Plan: Invest in Children."

FOR PARENTS OF SENIORS:GradTrak® by Graduation Images has an exciting offer for your graduates. They are offering students a $5 discount on any photo order over $25 when they register their email address prior to graduation. Web-link and web-button attached. www.gradimages.com

1. Hurray! We voted to become a PTSA: Parent-Teacher-Student-Association! A unified voice to suppport children and education.

2. VOLUNTEERING: Parents needed to support Career day for 2009-2010 year. E-mail sumanmitraganapathy@gmail.com.

Lastly it is not too early to sign up for this year's SANP (Senior All Night Party)

In order for this great event to go on, it takes 100's of volunteers and even if you do not have a senior it is a great opportunity to see what one of these looks like. The current senior class counts on parents from all the classes to help and when your child gets to be senior you will hope that the whole school comes to help you out. For more information (more emails to follow) please contact this year's volunteer coordinator at:

sanp.volunteercommittee@gmail.com

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May 2009 Newsletter

Message from the President – Suman Ganapathy

Hello Everyone,

As the year draws to a close, I’m thrilled to shout out a huge THANK YOU, to you - our fabulous parents, staff and students - for volunteering innumerable hours of your precious time, and for all your effort in making our PTA so successful this year.

This Year’s highlights: We have so much to applaud. We voted to become a PTSA (Parent-Teacher-Student Association) which is perfect for a high school!!! Students next year can now make a difference in children’s issues and education themselves, merely by becoming members, or even running programs (if they choose to), and have a say in PTA decisions, both in the school and the state. No meeting attendance necessary. J This year, over $14,000 in financial support was given towards (1) student community leadership program (2) Science Fair awards (3) library reference books (4) student literary magazine (5) sound system in the gym (6) Challenge Day (7) benches and shade Umbrellas (8) new teachers support, and (9) American Studies trip to the Southern states. We ran, supported, and/or sponsored (a) PSAT/SAT classes (b) Job Shadow Day (c) Reflections program (d) ”Every Fifteen Minutes” (e) Challenge Day (f) Bike/Walk to School Day (g) 3 great parent education seminars (h) ‘Running with the Bulls’ support (i) and tried new forms of communication too, among other programs.

HSA Awards: The PTA is proud to recognize our Monta Vista Honorary Service Awardees Nancy Gilbert, Corky Chew, Monica Libby and Linda Toda, and Golden Oak awardee (the highest PTA honor) volunteer extraordinaire, Cathy Gatley. These recipients have given countless hours in volunteer time to our school and community, and this is our way of thanking them for their dedication to our kids. Congratulations and thank you!!! We are so grateful!

Upcoming Volunteering Requests: Please do volunteer for the new 09-10 programs ASAP: Parent Link (welcoming new parents) and Career Day - we have begun working already. Email me at sumanmitraganapathy@gmail.com, or call me at (408) 863-0549.

We are pleased to announce the PTA Board for the 2009-2010 school year, and hope you will continue to support PTA once again in the coming year, especially in these difficult times.

Suman Ganapathy – President

Lisa Bates - Executive Vice President

Jill Nakamura - Secretary

Diane Polgar - Treasurer

Theresa Chen - Financial Secretary

Robin Andy - Auditor

Maureen Schneider - Historian

Valerie Hayes - Parliamentarian

Judy Wilson - 1st VP (Information)

Barbara Goldman - 2nd VP (Student Services)

Renuka Alladi 3rd VP (Communication)

Pam Siu 4th VP (Hospitality)

(The full list of positions will be published in the summer mailing)

Thank you once again, for all your hard work and effort in making Monta Vista a wonderful place. You have really made a difference!!! Wishing you a restful and happy summer.

Suman Ganapathy. J

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PTA OFFERS:

· A communication link between parents and the school

· Support for many school activities and organizations

· Opportunities for parents to get involved in Monta Vista

WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN THE PTA – TO:

· Build relationships with administrators, teachers, parents and students

· Increase your awareness of day to day activities at MV

· Have a voice in your community

· Hear about the state of the school from the principal

· Receive MV school directory

· Be one more positive voice for children and education everywhere

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!MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT