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Schools

Parkview's PTSA Connects Campus and Community, Ensuring Academic Success

Group has more than 1,000 members.

Parkview High School has a penchant for success.

Recently, State Superintendent of Education Dr. John Barge presented the school with the Georgia School of Excellence Award for demonstrating high student achievement.

Much of this can be attributed to the school’s Parent Teacher Student Association. With 1,054 members, the Parkview PTSA is one of the largest and most active school associations in the county.

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 “We have such an involved community here in Lilburn,” said PTSA co-president Deidre Hill. “Membership has been fantastic despite hard economic times.”

The inclusion of students adds an element of direct campus involvement and responsibility that extends from the classroom to the Lilburn community.

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Last October, Parkview students and teachers came together to host a candidate forum prior to the November elections. The student-run event gave the community, particularly Parkview students, the opportunity to meet the candidates and take part in the election process.

Since then, Parkview has hosted congressman Rob Woodall and has sent a group of students to visit State Rep. B.J. Pak of Lilburn at the Georgia Capitol for the Georgia PTA’s Student Day at the Capitol.

The Parkview PTSA also manages the Miss Parkview pageant, hosts Senior Night in May to recognize outstanding seniors and awards students over $4,500 in scholarships. A group of 40 volunteers and committee chairs work to enhance the student experience. Their purpose, Hill said, is to promote the goals of the administration, school and Gwinnett County.

The PTSA generates initial membership during registration day. Nearly all of the members join within the first six weeks after the school year begins. Hill said that membership meetings are held throughout the year, but those first weeks of school are “the one time you have their ear.”

Membership costs $10. Hill said that $7.25 of that money automatically goes back to the school to support extracurricular activities and clubs, academic scholarships and, most importantly, teacher support.

An approved list of supplementary materials for teachers is created by the PTSA. “At the first of the year, teachers have the ability to ask for things to enhance the learning experience,” Hill said. That list could include a number of items like SMART boards, science lab supplies or books.

The PTSA also promotes the Parent Portal, Gwinnett County Public School’s online site that allows parents to track their student’s academic progress.

All together, the work of the Parkview PTSA contributes to the school’s high student achievement and a dedicated group of parents, teachers and administrators that enrich the campus environment.

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