PTSO Motions to Fund Students’ Requests

The PTSO made a motion to fund for author Amy Reed’s travel fees, new table tennis tables, materials for the new courtyard, and four new couches in the entrance.

Courtesy of Lilly Khalkho

The PTSO agreed to fund travel fees for a speaker at English teacher Jessica Berg’s women’s summit that will be held on Mar. 26. “It was so amazing to have [the PTSO’s] support,” Berg said. “I was on cloud nine.”

Karis Adnan, Smrithi Balakumar, Aarohi Motwani, and Sruthi Sakala
February 2, 2022

On Jan. 12, the PTSO held their January meeting virtually to discuss and approve various funding requests. The meeting consisted of updates on the courtyard survey results and a motion to fund the travels of author Amy Reed, writer of  “The Nowhere Girls” and “Beautiful,” who will speak at English teacher Jessica Berg’s “Rise to Summit” in March. In addition, they made a motion to fund new table tennis tables and four new couches for the lobby.

The environmental club and its sponsor, science teacher Michael Clear, are co-leading the effort to design the courtyard along with the PTSO. The club has requested students and teachers to provide input regarding how the new space should be used. According to the survey, teachers and students both want the courtyard to be a stress free mental health area. The main goal of the courtyard project is that it is a student driven and collaborative effort between various departments. For example, Technical Education students will create garden beds, science and CTE will grow food, and CTE might cook items and/or sell them for scholarships. The courtyard is set to be complete by early spring.  

Following the discussion of the courtyard survey, English teacher Jessica Berg spoke about hosting a women empowerment event called “Rise To Summit,” which has the main goal of engaging and empowering students to take note of issues affecting the community, connecting with mentors, and forming networks through which they can get involved. A variety of speakers will attend the event including author Amy Reed; upon Berg’s request, the PTSO agreed to fund Reed’s travel and accommodation fees. 

Additionally, history teacher Joshua Dobbs requested two tennis tables for the Table Tennis Club and their upcoming community club tournament. These tennis tables will also be used by the P.E. department. 

Finally, the PTSO will fund the purchase of four new couches in the main hallway at the entrance of the school for students to eat away from the crowd of the lunchroom.

The next PTSO meeting will be held on Feb. 2.