Meet Your New Brent PTA President
He lives around the corner from Brent, is a father of three, and runs his own local real estate business on Capitol Hill. Meet Jason Townsend, our new PTA President.
Q: If you could say one thing to Brent parents as we kick off the school year what would it be?
My message is that you are the PTA! Brent PTA isn't some exclusive group of people - we have lots of ideas and energy but we, like our school, are a work in progress. We welcome new ideas, people and participation. Whether you can help chaperone a field trip, help us raise money, or if have an expertise to lend us - we want you to volunteer as little or as much as you can. Log on to the Brent website and see where you can get involved.
Q: What are some examples of what the PTA does?
The Brent school ground improvements and greening are one of the most obvious examples. By that, I mean the playground, outdoor education space and landscaping improvements done over the last 5 years. Parents saw the need, raised the funds (over $1M) and put in the legwork to create a safe and stimulating outdoor space. We just finished the Urban Canyon on the east side of the school this summer thanks to the grant writing and efforts/labor of the Green Team. Running and subsidizing the After-School Enrichment Program is another great example of what we do.
The PTA also funds and support fields trips, important additional school supplies/equipment and whole learning programs. Our new Chinese program at Brent was due to Brent parents having the vision and getting the grants needed to set it up. Now every child at our school will have the opportunity to learn Mandarin. We are spearheading the development of the Brent Museum Studies program, and with PTA support, our new Music program teacher will start next month. If you look at the PTA budget plan, you will see that the majority of dollars we hope to raise this year go to projects and endeavors like these that support our students' educational needs and goals.
Q: Like most parents, you are busy with work and children, why did you put your hand up for President?
Well, I certainly have big shoes to fill! Past Presidents Denise Diggs and Daniel Holt did an amazing job. Both continue their involvement with Brent, and of course Denise was so indispensable that she is now on staff. I volunteered because I am passionate about improving public school options for all DC families, not just at the Elementary level, but also at the Middle and High School levels.
I grew up in Houston but I studied at Georgetown University and have lived in DC for 18 years. My family and I attend the Capitol Hill Baptist Church; so our roots are very much here. My twin brother Ryan also has kids here at Brent (I am the one with the glasses!).
Q: So apart from you, who runs the PTA?
You do! The PTA is made up of parents, teachers and community members. We all feed our ideas into an elected board of 18 representatives, which includes teacher rep Michelle Dinkes and Principal Young. In addition, there are many parents and others who get involved in our various committees--both formal and informal. As the elected President it is my job to communicate with the Brent community about what we are doing and harness the talents and participation of as many people as I can.
Q: What are your big goals for 2011-2012?
Communication is a big goal. We want to build the BrentElementary.org into a resource for parents and teachers and the whole community. Via the school site you will be able to connect with PTA and keep up to date with all its activities.
I am also a big fan of the communication and support that come from the Room Parents. Room parents are a huge and strategic help to busy parents by keeping them up to date with class and school activities, and are an equally great resource for the classroom teacher to communicate with parents.
The other big goal is of course fundraising. We raised a record $150,000 last year via our two big fundraisers--the Capital Campaign (which is our only direct request fundraiser targeting Brent families and the local community) and the annual Spring Gala event which includes a wine tasting and auction. This year we have an ambitious goal to raise $350,000 through donations and fees (fees include Enrichment classes), and we are going to be asking everyone to do what they can, no matter how small, to help us reach that goal.
Q: So is it just about writing a check?
No, although we welcome that of course! We want every parent to think about how they will contribute this year. Get your friends to buy tickets to the Spring Gala. Connect with local businesses, contacts or with future Brent parents and get them to donate to our Capital Campaign or give donations for our auction. For the Gala in particular we will need your time and energy.
In addition to our two big fundraisers we have other events throughout the year that we will keep you informed about. We always need parents skilled in writing grant applications. You can also buy from businesses who are loyalty partners of Brent, such as Harris Teeter and Safeway; collect your Box Tops. We are looking to add more loyalty neighborhood business partners this year, and we welcome your ideas and contacts!
Our budget is a plan that speaks to the vision and goals of how the PTA can serve the Brent students and community. By definition, budgets have expenses...and revenues. That's why we depend so much on fundraising and the dues/fees that parents pay for activities. That said, the PTA is an organic organization that thrives when parents identify needs and interests within the school and then roll up their sleeves to see how they can jump in creatively, strategically and practically to meet those needs. Money is a part of that, but so is collaboration and volunteering your TIME and TALENTS.
