Vista Murrieta High's PTAs best in state

By: JENNIFER KABBANY - Staff Writer | Friday, May 4, 2007 10:28 PM PDT ∞

MURRIETA -- At a time when many high school PTAs across the state are struggling to maintain a strong and relevant presence on campuses, one local group is showing how it's done.

Vista Murrieta High School's Parent-Teacher-Student Association has been dubbed by the California State PTA as this year's "outstanding unit," the group's top award.

The high school beat out all the other middle and elementary schools across the state that applied for the award, the latter of which historically and consistently have the most active members.

"In elementary, parents are excited about their child being in school. They want to be involved," said Nancy Norton, president of the Vista Murrieta PTSA. "In middle school it's like, 'OK, Mom, don't come to school.' In high school, it's a totally different ballgame. You have got to reach out and find something people want to get involved in."

Vista Murrieta High's 30-member group edged out the 165 other applicants by excelling in six categories, including outreach, student involvement and partnerships. The group is scheduled to receive the award at a ceremony at the statewide PTA convention in Sacramento on Sunday.

"I was overwhelmed, I was really, truly overwhelmed," Norton said of the award. "I know what we do, and we do a really great job -- but we are a new school."

Vista Murrieta High opened in August 2003. With the school being relatively new, hypothetically it would need time to build up its programs -- but not Vista Murrieta High's PTSA case, she said.

It's also rare for a high school to earn the "outstanding" label, she added.

Norton's application cited many examples of how the group is making a difference on campus.

Under membership creativity, she noted how PTSA members worked to find new volunteers by visiting long registration lines to make personal, one-on-one connections.

"We felt we needed to have contact with parents and students in person," Norton wrote in her application for the award. "There, we were able to explain a lot of the programs we have to offer."

One of the ways youth outreach is accomplished through the PTSA is by helping the school's teens and the city's senior citizens learn mutual respect and enjoy each others' company, she said. To that end, the "Golden Broncos" program was created and continues to thrive, she said.

Retirees are driven to sporting and musical events at the school. They are then admitted for free and provided refreshments. Students also hang out with the seniors at the events, making conversation and creating friendships, Norton said.

That program also illustrates the partnerships the PTSA has with the school and the Murrieta Valley Unified School District, she said, referring to another category for the award. The district office provides busing, and the school gives free admission and donates small gift items to the seniors.

The application also touched on: the PTSA's extensive Red Ribbon Week efforts; its highly successful blood drive through a joint effort with the school's Associated Student Body group; and its efforts to support campus employees by conducting a "welcome back breakfast" at the start of school and an "appreciation luncheon" at the year's end.

Not mentioned in the application is the group's successful fundraising this year.

The PTSA raised about $20,000 through fundraising as well as from donations, Norton said. That money will go toward scholarships, sending students to the convention to attend workshops and brainstorm ideas, and buying books for the school's library, among other efforts, she said.

About $10,000 is also going to the school for a yet-to-be-determined beautification project.

"Our PTSA is on our campus every day of the week, they are a highly visible group," Principal Darren Daniel said. "They ... gain involvement from all facets, be it the community of seniors, the reflections program for kids, offering opportunities for recognitions. ... They are a great group of service-minded people who are here for kids."

Vista Murrieta High School Junior Todd Smith, 17, a member of the group, said he believes many students don't realize the positive effects the group has on the campus. He said he hopes the award prompts more students and parents to get involved.

Board President Kris Thomasian, also a member of the PTSA, said it is unusual for a high school to have such a large and enthusiastic group, and she hopes it's a tradition that continues.

"We have a lot of parents and students involved, and they have just come up with some very creative and exciting activities to support the school and our families and the community," she said.

-- Contact staff writer Jennifer Kabbany at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2625, or jkabbany@californian.com.