Newtown High School ‘Reorganizing’ PTSA

By Larissa Lytwyn

After a more than two-year absence, Newtown High School’s Parent/Teacher/Student Association (PTSA) embarks on a new beginning on Tuesday, March 23, from 7:30 to 8:30 am at Newtown High School.

Those attending will have a complimentary continental breakfast provided by the school’s culinary service.

“We are hoping that a morning meeting will increase attendance for parents dropping their kids off at school,” said PTSA president Janis Solheim.

A second meeting is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, May 5, at 7 pm at Newtown High School.

Ms Solheim explained that the PTSA struggled to remain active during the late 1990s. In addition to the pressures of working parents and the increased autonomy of high school aged students, Ms Solheim believes that at the high school level, parents become more involved with their children’s specific activities instead of in the school as a whole.

“A lot of parents will become involved in sports or drama because their children are active in it,” she said, “but I don’t think parents understood how valuable the larger PTSA could be in helping them understand [high school] issues and policies.”

Despite information available on the high school’s website and student handbooks, many parents, remain largely unaware of its policies regarding issues including bullying and substance abuse.

Ms Solheim hopes that the rejuvenated PTSA will help educate parents on these issues.

Parents interested in further information may contact Ms Solheim at 426-4822.

To RSVP for the March 23 meeting, contact Newtown High School at 426-7676.