“Each one of us can make a difference. Together we make change.” – Barbara Mikulski
The Journey of Rebuilding Gledhill Elementary PTA (31st District)
PTA membership is not just a title – it is a journey that calls for community, collaboration, and creativity. This month we are thrilled to highlight Gledhill Elementary PTA. Their incredible members came together to relaunch their PTA for the 2024-2025 school year. Diligently they worked to overcome several challenges, focusing their efforts on re-creating the basic foundation for their PTA. Part of that foundation was updating their TOTEM account and registering their PTA with the Registry of Charities and Fundraisers.
“We are learning as each deadline approaches and preparing notes for future PTAs to continue this wonderful opportunity for our school, parents, and community,” said Gledhill Elementary PTA Secretary, Mrs. Ana Carmina Ilagan.
Rebuilding their PTA took work and a commitment to the children and families of Gledhill Elementary. We applaud the PTA leaders and members for their commitment to their school community.
Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary Hosts NASA Moon Tree Ceremony & Education Day (Fourth District)
Congratulations to Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary School for being recognized as a 2024 NASA Moon Tree Steward! This school, along with several K-12 schools, major universities, and governors, received “moon seeds” from NASA’s Artemis I Mission that traveled to the moon twice, then splashed back onto Earth. The “moon seeds,” named for its giant Sequoia seeds, were collected by NASA and sent to the US Forest Service to be grown into saplings.
On October 14, Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary School held a Moon Tree Ceremony and Educational Day, where their students had the opportunity to plant the giant Sequoia. But it didn’t end there; this extraordinary experience also brought together NASA scientists, JPL engineers, US Forest Service representatives, and educational leaders who shared valuable insights and hands-on demonstrations with their students. The enthusiastic students also enjoyed a week of galactic activities including an interactive Mars Portable Planetarium, student performances, space-themed art, astronaut ice cream, and a surprise visit from notable children’s book author Sue Fliess (author of Zoologists on the Train and Astronauts on the Space Station).
Thank you to Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary School PTA for supporting this remarkable event that celebrated the power of teamwork, inclusivity, and the positive impact of parents, educators, and communities working together to benefit education.
Read more about the 2024 NASA Moon Tree Stewards and the tree planting ceremony on national news outlets including AP News, NBC Los Angeles, Patch, and SBS News.
Many thanks to our PTAs who positively impact the lives of children and families in their schools and communities!
Ready to spotlight the work of your PTA? Submit a PTA Success Story Submission Form to share your PTA’s highlight so you can be included in our next PTA Highlights of the Month.