Tina Donahoo
Over the years, the Parent Teacher Student Alliance (PTSA) has tried to create a cohesive community at Austin High School between teachers, parents, and students by advocating for greater expansion of programs, creating an equal playing field for all students, and helping students excel in partnership with their teachers in their classes. However, this partnership can often be demanding as all individuals involved hope to get their voices heard and make obvious progress in our school. By splitting Austin High School into four academies, similar to four different schools for underclassmen, the PTSA has made strides in supporting all grades and departments, as well as keeping people involved and connected as a community. Events like Staff Pampering Day, and initiatives like AHS Custodian Holiday Fund, work to help everyone on campus, and future budget allocations hopefully seen later this year will continue to perpetuate the growing involvement and community seen at Austin High.
The PTSA has always focused on the students and the success that they derive from them. This focus continues in the 2025-2026 school year, with various learning opportunities provided free to all students on campus. Mrs. Stacy Gardner, The Austin High School PTSA President for the 2024-2025 school year, said, “There are two main ways the PTSA supports students. One is by offering students programs like the Student Lunch & Learns. We provide lunch and discuss issues affecting students.” These Lunch and Learns are often organized for specific academies, allowing greater community between academies and providing needed lessons and mentors to students interested in the topic. For the all-academy lunch and learns this year, the topics will be defeating cyberbullying, fentanyl awareness, and planning for what’s next after high school. Mrs. Gardner also stated, “The second [way] is raising money for the Austin Excellence Fund. Those grants are funded to directly impact students in the classroom.” Grants provided by the Austin Excellence Fund and other foundations focus directly on the students and their needs and work with teachers to provide materials to accelerate classroom learning. These funds aren’t just for show, with the PTSA raising over $300,000 to provide Austin High teachers and students with the necessary equipment, materials, books, and much more. The PTSA also established the Inclusion Committee on the board to provide a voice to the often-overlooked Special Education program. Further, through collaboration with the City of Austin and Austin Independent School District (AISD), the PTSA finally improved the ongoing parking problem present at Austin High, assuring greater action to be expected in the coming year.
But how can parents, teachers, and even students get involved with the PTSA? Mrs. Gardner commented, “We have so many different volunteer opportunities at AHS. Volunteers can help in the attendance office or serve on committees for different functions as well as opportunities to provide support for teacher appreciation days. The best thing to do is visit our website to join the PTSA and fill out a volunteer interest form.” Even if you can’t make in-person contributions, online opportunities can be just as fulfilling and beneficial. “Access to information is the best benefit. Members of the PTSA are updated with important information in a newsletter. A membership to Austin High’s PTSA also includes membership to TX PTA which includes benefits like discounts for certain services.” Because of the demand by Texas for parental involvement in school districts, the state offers potential benefits, even offering discounts for places like Six Flags or Universal! The PTSA is meant to promote previously ignored voices, which is why they’re committed to making all members welcome. “Communication is key to making people feel valued. We have multiple avenues to inform and collaborate with PTSA members, either through the Maroon Update or our social media page. I personally send updates and emails to the General Assembly every 9 weeks. And when any parent, student, or teacher reaches out to me for any reason, I always make sure if I cannot answer the question or address the problem, I point them in the right direction of someone who can.” The PTSA also has a Facebook page where they keep parents and teachers updated on the program’s progress, ensuring they stay responsible for action.
Fundraising is a key mission of the PTSA, which will only grow more relevant in the coming academic year. The Austin Excellence Fund is the main target, who provide teachers grants and designated donations, which are for things like teacher and staff appreciation, grounds beautification and enhancements, additional funds for the special education program, and the endowment fund which provides scholarships to AHS students. According to Mrs. Gardner, the grants “help us make up deficiencies from the district budget shortfalls and enhance learning for our students.” The use of these funds is also heavily moderated to prevent any potential deceit or harm. “In April we formed a budget committee which includes the Academy Vice Presidents (VPs), The Inclusion/Advocacy VP, and the VP of Ways & Means. It is collaborative, and every [monetary] decision is voted on by the whole executive board and then presented to the General Assembly for review and a vote. We have by-laws and standing rules that are approved and enforced by the Texas PTA.” After raising the money needed to boost our school’s success, it is finally time to decide where the funds go. “We raise money for the Austin Excellence Fund in the Spring and allocate those funds the following fall. Teachers will fill out a grant request and a committee much like the budget committee with VPs from all academies and inclusion will be able to review and decide if the grants are approved or not.” To contribute your share in making Austin High School better, join the PTSA for The All In for Austin High event on April 12, 2025.
The PTSA’s goals can’t happen on their own. With the upcoming 89th Texas Legislature, more awareness and support to increase funding, teacher and staff shortages, school safety, and keeping local money in local schools will be on the minds of all PTSA members and legislators. “We need the community to contact their local representatives to show support”, advises Mrs. Gardner. The Rally Day for all public schools in Texas is on February 24, 2025. While the coronavirus temporarily stunted this growth, the PTSA hopes to continue the trend of increasing membership at Austin High. It can be challenging for students and families to support the PTSA due to extracurricular activities like clubs and organizations, but the PTSA represents all students across Austin High making involvement with it important for those who can. The PTSA works with local businesses like Taco Deli, Milk & Honey, and even Tiff’s Treats to host events and show appreciation for our faculty throughout the year. The coming school year should be no different.
The PTSA’s ambitions for the coming school year are high, with the organization hoping to continue the high donation and membership trend seen in the previous years and new support projects for needed school supplies and donation drives. However, for these goals to happen, the PTSA needs students’ and families’ help, along with teachers, allowing for greater voices from different backgrounds who can get needed legislation passed or actions to be taken. Your involvement allows your goals to be heard, whether it’s expanding the parking for students and teachers or promoting greater involvement for all parts of Austin High.
JOIN THE PTSA
