The Washington County School District held an open session on December 9, 2024, where various topics related to school activities and community involvement were discussed. The meeting highlighted the significant contributions of Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) across several elementary and secondary schools in the district.

The session began with a report from the Arrowhead PTA president, who shared that their recent two-week readathon fundraiser, themed "School of Rock," raised an impressive $10,000. The PTA also organized a "Beat the Street" assembly and a "Walk and Bike to School Day," featuring a bicycle obstacle course facilitated by the Southwest Health Department. Additionally, they created a new decodable take-home library for younger students and hosted a school-wide Halloween carnival, which replaced individual classroom parties, fostering community spirit.

Sunset Elementary's PTA reported a successful turnout for their Reflections art contest and a fundraiser in collaboration with SWIG. They also introduced a unique incentive program where students could earn "horseshoes" to spend at a school store, promoting engagement and participation.

Paradise Canyon Elementary PTA echoed similar sentiments with their own Halloween carnival, which encouraged parental involvement and student interaction across classes. Their readathon fundraiser, themed around Harry Potter, raised $9,000. They also organized a Christmas store, allowing students to purchase gifts for their families at a nominal cost, emphasizing the spirit of giving.

At the secondary school level, PTAs from Lover Ridge, Snow Canyon, Bridal, and High School focused on teacher appreciation initiatives, providing meals during parent-teacher conferences and birthday gifts for staff. Snow Canyon Middle School notably had 130 entries in the Reflections contest, showcasing student creativity.

The meeting also addressed the collaborative efforts of PTAs from elementary to high school in planning Red and White Ribbon Week, which promotes drug safety and online awareness. This year's theme, "Let's Talk About It," encouraged families to discuss important topics such as substance use and healthy living. The PTAs are also making strides to ensure communication reaches all families by providing materials in both English and Spanish.

Overall, the meeting underscored the vital role of PTAs in enhancing school culture and community engagement, with various initiatives aimed at fostering student well-being and parental involvement. The district looks forward to continuing these efforts in the upcoming year.