Cool Spring Elementary School (CSES), Pole Green Elementary School (PGES), and Bell Creek Middle School (BCMS) have been named as 2020-2022 National PTA Schools of Excellence.
The Hanover schools are three of only 351 schools and PTAs in the U.S. to achieve this prestigious status this year. Additionally, they make up 10% of the Virginia schools to earn the coveted designation, which recognizes the commitment of schools and PTAs in building an inclusive and welcoming school community where all families contribute to enriching the educational experience and overall well-being for all students.
Ashley Soukup, the president of the Cool Spring Elementary School PTA, said the organization could not be more thrilled to receive the recognition.
“Year after year we are blessed with dedicated parents and families that wish to serve the staff and students of Cool Spring in the same manner that our school’s faculty and staff serve our students; with compassion, generosity, and a positive energy that promotes excitement for academic growth and learning,” she said. “It is an honor to be a member of such a wonderful PTA and we are proud to continue to serve Cool Spring in the spirit of this award!”
Said 2020-21 CSES Principal Amy Williams: “The CSES PTA demonstrates an unwavering commitment to our students, staff, and community. Their dedication, creativity, and leadership helped to keep our students and families engaged and supported through unprecedented times.”
Among other things, the CSES PTA was able to provide every student with individual manipulative kits for hands-on learning and all educators with Morning Meeting books to support social-emotional learning.
Pole Green Elementary School Principal Rhonda Voorhees was also proud of the school and PTA’s achievement, which they also received in 2019.
“Our PTA is a strong team who collaborates with our school to support all of our students in achieving academic goals, engages students and parents in family centered activities, and focuses to build our community to be a GREAT Gator team,” she said. “Thank you to our parents for your time and commitment to our school. We are truly thankful to call you GREAT Gators!”
Pole Green Elementary School PTA President Stephanie Beardslee added, "It is an honor to be recognized as a National PTA School of Excellence. We are fortunate to have such strong support and positive relationships with our parents, school, and community. Our commitment remains to enrich the lives of our students and families through learning and family centered activities. PGES PTA is committed to inclusion and welcoming of all families in our community. A special thank you to Mrs. Kristin Arnoldi for all of her work on this project. Great Gators Truly Accomplish Great Things and we are honored to be a part of this philosophy at our school.”
The Bell Creek Middle School PTA provided clothing and food needs for families throughout last school year as well as personal protective equipment kits for students, among other things.
“This recognition serves as a reflection of the PTA’s hard work and commitment to excellence in our school and community,” said BCMS Principal Dr. Quentin Ballard. “We are bulldog proud of the PTA officers, subcommittee chairs, parents, staff members, and community members who joined and supported the collective efforts of the PTA.”
“Receiving this award, in the most difficult PTA year many of us have ever known, means the world to us. We realized our mission and vision of working together for ALL Children and becoming Better Together,” said Pat Jordan, the immediate past president of the BCMS PTA. “I am grateful for the teamwork shown by our team as we pulled together to make all of this happen in the toughest PTA year I've ever known.”