Lake Washington PTSA Council Award Recipents 2012

Lake Washington PTSA Council presented eleven awards at Founders' Day this year in recognition of some very special volunteers and programs that make a difference in our schools and our community.

Certificate of Special Recognition: Kathy Fries
Community Service Award: Marlene Vacknitz
Certificate of Special Service: Julie Haase
Certificate of Special Service: Kelly Trace
Community Outreach Award: Pantry Packs
Community Outreach Award: Health Point, Redmond
Golden Acorn: Janitzia Pizarro (not pictured)
Outstanding Educator Award: Louise Elston
Outstanding Service Award: Victoria Findley
Outstanding Advocate Award: Jason Rothkowitz
Honorary Life Membership Award: Dr. Chip Kimball (not pictured)

Answers to Common Questions about the Annual LWPTSA Founders' Day Celebration

What is it?

Each year, the Lake Washington PTSA council recognizes our founders by hosting a luncheon to celebrate the anniversary of the National Congress of Parents and Teachers. During our luncheon we recognize the achievements of PTA and our community. Our luncheon program features performances by some of our Reflections winners, council awards and a keynote speaker.

Who is invited to this event?

Local unit officers of the LWPTSA Council along with district administrators, school principals, secretaries, past Council presidents, honored volunteers and community members are invited to share this special time with us. Following is some information that may be helpful to you as an officer of a local PTSA unit.

Do I have to attend? What is my role as a president?

It is the local unit’s responsibility to invite honored guests to Founders Day. School Principals are required to attend this event, as one of the many ways in which they support PTSA. Many unit Presidents invite their school Principal, a Secretary, a staff member and 2-3 members from their Board.  A total of 6 reservations are guaranteed although some units may invite fewer and some will ask to be wait-listed for more attendees. Many units include the estimated cost of the Founders Day luncheon in their PTSA budget. It is typical that the unit will pay for all guests to attend although units with budget constraints may certainly ask some guests to pay for their luncheon.

When, where and how much?

This luncheon is held in February, and for the past several years has been held at the Sahalee Club in Sammamish. The luncheon is held from 11:30-1:30pm. Check in is at 11:00am. Ticket prices last year were $29 per person and paid for by the local units when sending in reservation forms. We will post this year's prices as soon as they are available. It is the Council's goal to keep the cost as competitive as possible and still provide a good lunch at a nice location.

We look forward to sharing this special day with you!

Our Founders

On February 17, 1897, the hopes and dreams of Alice McLellan Birney and Phoebe Apperson Hearst became a reality. It was on this date that the National Congress of Mothers had its first convention.

Co-Founders Birney and Hearst expected at the most 200 attendees at this convention. Instead, 2,000 women and men came from across the nation to discuss the nation's future and the need for all caring adults to mobilize and to act on behalf of children, forcing organizers to move the convention to a larger facility --- and even then, dozens of people had to be turned away. Thus, the National PTA was formed, soon followed by the Washington State PTA in 1905.

Better schools, healthier children, stronger families. These are goals that can be heard at a PTA meeting today, just as they were heard at the first PTA meeting in 1897. Though the world has changed, the mission of the PTA has remained the same for over a century; to serve the needs of children.