I’m Stepping Down, Now It’s Your Turn To Step Up

I am stepping down as PTA President.  I do so with a heavy heart, as over this past school year I have enjoyed working with the administrators, staff, and faculty at Glasgow, as well as with many of you who have volunteered or engaged with the school or the PTA.  

Through my work and experience with the school, I have witnessed strong and capable leadership, a commitment to excellence in education, a vision of global learning, effective implementation of the International Baccalaureate philosophy, and tireless advocacy for our students.  

Through my work with all of you – those of you who served on the PTA’s Executive Board, or headed a PTA committee, those who volunteered at PTA-sponsored events like Pizza Bingo or Hoop It Up Night, those who generously contributed to the Back to School or Holiday Breakfasts, the Give Thanks By Giving To Others gift card drive, or the direct donation campaign, those who went on a class field trip or came to the Walk to Help the Homeless – I have been humbled and inspired.  Not only was your willingness to step up and contribute your time, energy, and resources to our school and our students valued, it was necessary.  Your involvement with the school and the PTA matters.  It is significant, it is important to the success of our school and your student, and it directly contributes to a positive and cooperative community culture.  

If you haven’t attended, volunteered at, or supported any of the events or activities at Glasgow this year, I ask you to ask yourself, “why not”?  I’ve heard all the complaints about the school and the PTA.  The school’s administrators are not responsive to criticisms, they don’t listen to complaints, and they don’t communicate effectively.  The PTA is “powerless”, and they don’t “do anything”.  Many of these complaints seem to come from people who have never attended a PTA meeting, or volunteered at a PTA event, or spent any time in the school building during the day when students are being educated.  I’ve done all of these things, and I can tell you that I strenuously object to these characterizations of our school and the PTA.  Any organization or institution is only as good as the people involved.  If you have concerns about the “culture” at Glasgow – change it.  Complaining from without and never engaging from within certainly does not contribute to a positive culture.  

So, now that the time has come for me to step down, it time for someone else to step up.  Glasgow needs a PTA president for the 2012-13 school year.  Will you be the one to step up, to get (or stay) involved, to engage with the school and the PTA in order to make a positive contribution to your school and your student?   The administrators, staff, and faculty at Glasgow deserve our respect, our gratitude, and our support.  Our students deserve for you to be involved and engaged in their academic and social lives during these important middle years.  So, one last plea . . . Step Up!

With thanks for your support this past year, and hope that the PTA will continue to directly support and improve the quality of education at Glasgow next year,

Jill Beres

PTA President