PTA Presidents and Principals Kick Off Another Year of Partnership

It was a morning of celebrating family and school collaboration at the Center for Academic Achievement on Aug. 23.

Principals and PTA presidents from across the district gathered for the annual Shawnee Mission Area Council PTA Presidents and Principals Breakfast.

Superintendent Mike Fulton thanked the PTA Presidents for all of the countless hours they provide in support of Shawnee Mission students.

“We can’t thank you enough for that work,” Fulton said.

Fulton also spoke to the attendees about the district’s Strategic Plan, the objectives of the plan, and how school communities will be working to form their own version of the Strategic Plan to guide work moving forward.

The event also gave Presidents and Principals an opportunity to interact, make plans, connect with leaders from schools throughout Shawnee Mission, and hear updates from the following speakers:

Denise Sultz, who spoke as a representative of the SMAC Board, Kansas PTA, and the National PTA Board

Lori Stanziola, who spoke about the Reflections and Citizenship programs

Kim Hinkle, who spoke about the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation

Joan Leavens, who shared information about district sustainability and community engagement efforts

Brad Stratton, representing the Shawnee Mission Board of Education

Tyrone Bates, who spoke about diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts

John McKinney, who spoke about efforts to support student social-emotional learning

During the event, the crowd also took a few moments to applaud the schools recently honored as Schools of Excellence by National PTA.