Tower Barracks
GES and GES PTA recognized nationally as a School of Excellence
GRAFENWOEHR, Germany — National PTA has recognized Grafenwoehr Elementary School and Grafenwoehr Elementary School PTA as a 2020-2022 School of Excellence for their accomplishments in building a strong, effective family-school partnership that is enriching the educational experience and overall well-being for all students.
Photo Credit: Charissa Olson / Grafenwoehr Elementary School PAO
“We are thrilled to honor the accomplishments of Grafenwoehr Elementary School and Grafenwoehr Elementary School PTA,” said Anna King, president of National PTA. “Their efforts have made a positive impact for all students, families and their school, which has been and continues to be more important than ever, especially given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.” National PTA’s School of Excellence program is a year-long comGES and GES PTA was recognized by the National PTA as a School of Excellence for 2020 – 2022. The banner of mitment to improving family-school the achievement proudly hangs outside the school, Sept. 21, 2021. partnerships. Throughout the year, PTAs and schools collect feedback from their school communities to create and implement plans of action to make a difference ting classrooms ready with COVID mitigation in place. The 589th for every child. Through the School of Excellence program, PTAs Brigade Support Battalion also provided GES support getting and families become key partners in decision-making and school classrooms set up for the new school year, and they welcomed improvement efforts. The program opens the lines of communithe teachers and staff back to school with a luncheon. In additication and critical thinking within school communities to make on, the PTA focused on family engagement by hosting quarterly data-drive decisions that yield positive, long-term results. virtual Bingo nights and two virtual STEM nights to create stronger family-school partnerships. “It has been especially critical to have open lines of commu“Encouraging parent-student engagement is one of the best nication, strong family-school partnerships and families as ways we have helped to create a positive learning environment key partners in decision-making process during the COVID-19 at GES. Solid family relationships not only enhance academic pandemic. We must continue to keep these practices going in performance, but also have a positive influence on student atthe new school year to address learning gaps experienced dutitude and behavior. The programs and activities the GES PTA ring the pandemic and support students’ social and emotional provide help parents achieve the satisfaction of contributing to needs,” said Nathan R. Monell, CAE, National PTA executive ditheir children’s education and future,” said Andi Schwartz, Prerector. “National PTA’s School of Excellence program can help strengthen or rebuild family-school partnerships while we consident of GES PTA. tinue to recover from the effects of COVID-19 and ensure stuTo celebrate their achievements, National PTA presented GES dents, families and schools have what they need to thrive.” and GES PTA with a certificate and a National PTA School of Excellence banner to hang in their school. For more information GES and GES PTA are one of only 351 PTAs and schools nationabout the National PTA School of Excellence program, visit PTA. wide to be designated a 2020-2022 School of Excellence. GES org/Excellence. focused on building their community partnership with the 589th Brigade Support Battalion over the past year with everything | by Charissa Olson, from holiday goodies provided by the student council to getGrafenwoehr Elementary School PAO Bavarian Times | 14
