On Friday, parents gathered to participate in this school year’s first Parent, Teacher and Student Association Summit on Rota.
“What did you do?” Education Commissioner Rita A. Sablan asked Manglona, the vice president of Rota’s PTSA, referring to the huge turnout.
“I think there is magic in what we do,” Manglona replied. “Rota parents are no longer shy,” she added.
She said more Rota parents are now participating in events and activities that promote student learning.
On Friday, they renewed their commitment to the school system and their children, said Dee Taimanao, Rota PTSA president.
Sablan told parents here that their role is critical and their participation should no longer be limited to attending meetings or joining fundraisers.
“What is it that you can do? What is it that we can do? You ask the question and we will both find answers,” she told them. “Your role is to support the school administrators and in other areas that directly affect our students, like accreditation which requires high parental involvement.”
Board of Education Vice Chairwoman D. Tanya King praised the Rota parents for the key role they play in public education.
“They are more educated — and they have become more educated through workshops provided not only by [the Public School] but by other agencies as well,” she said. “Today, I am very proud to say that our parents already know their rights and they know how to speak up of their rights.”
She added, “And as a community we love our children and that is why they are here,” referring to the 98 percent participation of Rota’s parents during Friday summit.
King said Rota’s parental involvement in school activities has been “incredible.”
