Kennedy Academy PTO leader urges South Bend Community School Corp. to deepen parent partnerships

Andrea Powells Poggizer, a parent of two students at Kennedy Academy and the school's PTO president who also serves as a district PTO liaison, told the South Bend Community School Corp. meeting that stronger partnerships between the district and PTOs are vital to student success.

"When the district intentionally partners with parents through PTOs, it builds trust, strengthens communication, and creates a shared sense of responsibility for student success," Poggizer said. She said parents want to support learning but also "wanna feel heard and valued," and that PTOs help families feel connected and informed.

Poggizer described her district role as a PTO liaison focused on "strengthen[ing] the partnership between families, schools, and the district by elevating parent voice and supporting PTOs as meaningful partners in our school communities." She said PTOs "bring families together, support educators, and help school meet needs that go beyond the classroom," and argued that turning district priorities into school-level action amplifies parent voices.

Her remarks emphasized practical benefits: better communication, stronger relationships among parents and staff, and a culture of belonging she said leads to stronger outcomes for students. Poggizer framed the PTO role as both supportive to educators and instrumental in translating district goals into on-the-ground initiatives.

An unnamed meeting moderator closed public remarks by thanking "all the parents, teachers, and administrators, and community members for being here today," noting that community participation helps students feel supported and do their best in school. The remarks concluded and the meeting proceeded to other agenda items.