Mandarin High PTSA has a
rich history and during 2008-2009 continues to add another stepping stone to
our foundation of successful programs for family, school and community. The
primary goals for PTSA this year were focusing on increased parent outreach
through our programs, increasing legislative involvement and continuing to
maintain and build our membership to make Mandarin High the best school for
our children.
Parents, students,
community and faculty show support simply by joining PTSA every year. Our
PTSA is one of the largest PTSAs in the state of Florida with over 1400
members from which we draw our volunteer base and provides two thirds of the
income for our budget.
Parental support is vital
to the overall success of each individual student as well as the entire
Mandarin school community. PTSA chose parent outreach programs as a central
focus this year to assist parents by providing informative tools in support
of their efforts. PTSA took a holistic approach providing programs that deal
with some of the social challenges facing teens today. Our Empowering
Parents and Internet Safety programs offered information and
discussion about talking and listening to your children and the threat of
predators on the internet.
Our year got off to a great
start when the hard work and dedication of our volunteers, faculty and staff
were recognized by the Duval County School Board as the ONLY Five Star High
School award winner. Now the rest of the district knows that we are “Nulli
Secundus”.
Mandarin High PTSA student
and parent volunteers worked side-by-side during school wide events for
3000+ students. These events include: August Student Orientation Week, Open
House Events, Homecoming week events and ticket sales, October Red Ribbon
Week, November Beautification Day, February Senior Coves Prom, and March
Prom events and ticket sales.
Communication is the key to increased involvement. Monthly
school newsletter articles, the school marquee, the PTSA bulletin board and
the MHS web site are all used to keep parents up-to-date on events happening
at school. PTSA also provided pertinent legislative updates and contact
information in order to lobby our county, state, and federal representatives
effectively on behalf of our children. The Mandarin High PTSA and the MHS
website team coordinated this unique way for the Mandarin Community to
interact with our school. The community forum that is open to the entire
Mandarin family: parents, teachers, students and interested observers. We
invite everyone to visit the forum to post comments, questions or
suggestions about anything concerning our great school. The link to the
site is:
http://www.duvalschools.org/mhs/communityforum/
To promote unity and support with our school faculty
and staff, PTSA traditionally presents these appreciation events every year:
Welcome Back Membership Luncheon during the first week of pre-planning,
Holiday Desserts in December, and Appreciation Luncheon in May. We also
recognize our Principal, Teacher of the Year, Employee of the Year, and
Volunteers of the Year by inviting them to be our guests at the DCCPTA
Presidents' and Principals' Luncheon.
Through the generosity of community financial and in
kind donations, PTSA continues our focus on building relationships by
event-related appreciation. These events were the yearly school Open House
and the district’s BEACON Volunteer assistance program which helps prepare
seniors to apply for college financial aid. The August Open House Cafe
provided faculty and staff with a sandwiches and salad with all the
trimmings; the BEACON Volunteers were treated to Continental Breakfast &
Lunch each day of the 3 day event.
Mandarin High PTSA board is
proud of the active student participation at our monthly meetings. We also
enjoy the attendance of faculty representatives and MHS administrators at
every board meeting. To make PTSA the best it can be, our board members
receive up-to-date information and leadership training by attending DCCPTA
Open Meetings and county workshops. PTSA attends monthly MHS School Advisory
Council to stay abreast of school activities.
Mandarin High PTSA
continues to rise to challenges old and new for the 2008-09 school year.
Our Parents, Teachers, Students, and Administration
remain committed to enriching the high school experience for all of our
children.
We are always looking for
new faces and fresh ideas. If you interested in getting more involved in
your students high school life let me know we would love to have you join
our team.
