Little River Elementary School Honored by National PTA

Little River Elementary School has been named a winner of the National PTA School of Excellence award, the Cherokee County School District announced.

The two-year title recognizes successful partnerships between local PTAs and schools to make schools more welcoming to all families and to offer more opportunities for families to support students.

Little River, led by Principal Joni Adams, is among only 319 schools nationwide and only 16 schools from Georgia honored with this recognition. To be considered for this honor, a school and its PTA unit must commit to working together to set and meet year-long goals for improving family engagement.

The designations were earned through efforts over the past year by the PTA and school leadership. Last year’s PTA leadership team was made up of Co-Presidents Susan Byberg and Magida Habib-Gonzalez, Vice Presidents Kristina Gambino and Vivian Gaviria, Secretary Christina Albertus and Treasurer Kristin Winzeler.

The co-presidents, secretary and treasurer are continuing in the same roles this school year, joined by new Vice Presidents Kajal Zechariah and Jennifer Ugolick and Corresponding Secretary Kelsey Geist.

Last school year, the PTA board surveyed parents to identify needs for Little River families. From the survey results, several events emerged including a Coffee Talk with Principals, Multi-Cultural Night and summer break resources.

For the Coffee Talk, the school’s administration team provided early morning coffee and an opportunity for parents to hear about curriculum and assessments, positive behavior programs, building updates and school improvement plans.

The school’s first-ever Multi-Cultural Night gave families the opportunity to showcase their cultures. The PTA organized entertainment including Irish dancers, traditional taekwondo and multicultural food choices. The school’s staff led art activities celebrating different countries including African necklaces, Russian dolls and quilt patterns.

For the summer break resources, teachers worked with PTA volunteers to develop and distribute educational resources for parents to use over the summer break.

Adams said the survey was again sent to parents at the end of the school year “to ensure a strengthened partnership between the school and families.”