"What is Building Successful Partnerships?
_Involved parents help involve parents _

Why host a BSP Event? Parent involvement is the #1 predictor of student success, yet many parents do not know what 'parental involvement' really means or feel comfortable in a 'partnership' with the teacher or school. Offering your parents and community an opportunity to attend a BSP presentation or workshop is the first step in 'building the partnership' that will guarantee success for your students. 

Event Synopsis:  A BSP presentation can be tailored to meet your goals for a specific group.  Available in a summarized overview or as a full-length workshop, presenters use overheads and interactive exercises to help participants understand the value of the partnership between home and school.  The presentation incorporates the National Standards for Parent/Family Involvement developed by the National PTA.

Criteria for hosting a BSP Event: 
A minimum number of ten (10) participants are required to schedule a BSP event.  The VAPTA Parental Involvement Committee Chairperson will assign a BSP Presenter(s)/Program Coordinator upon your request for a BSP event. The Program Coordinator will discuss your specificr requirements or desires when scheduling your event.

Things to Consider When Planning a BSP event:

Who is your intended audience?

When are they readily available?  Days, evenings, weekends?

How much time do they have available to attend?

What can you offer in conjuction with the presentation to guarantee attendance?

Is your intended audience comfortable in the school environment or is an alternative site more preferable?  Church, Community Center,
Office Building, Fire House?

Available Presenters:  The Virginia PTA BSP Workshop Presenters are parents and grandparents trained to help other parents become involved in their children's education. Currently the VA PTA has 32 workshop presenters:

Blue Ridge
Carol Brash, Past Board Member

Central Virginia
Lois Cumashot, Past President (1997-1999) VA PTA 
Stella Edwards, Current Board Member
Dorothy Graves, Past Board Membe
Deborah Levenson-Bruner, Past Board Member
Verena McCall, Past Board Member
Rena White, Past Board Member

Northern Virginia
Dottie Andrews, Past Board Member
Patricia Franck, Current Board Member
Melissa Granley, Past Farifax County Council Member
Robin Hamby, Past Farifax County Council Member
Abbe Hensley, Past Fairfax County Council Member
Bill Levy, Current VA PTA Treasurer
Jan McKeever, Past President (2001-03) of PTA
Terri McLean, Past Board Member
Michele Menapace, Current VA PTA Secretary
Ramona Morrow, Past President (2003-5) of VA PTA
Dan Phillips, Current Board Member

Southeastern (Tidewater area) Virginia 
Marion Akins, Current Board Member
Phyllis Ayers, Current Board Member
Denise Bowman-Scott, Current Board Member
Dianne Florence - Current VA PTA President
Sue Glasco, Past President (1999-2001) of VA PTA
Barbara Justis, Past Board Member
Melissa McQuarrie, Past Virginia Beach Council Member
Alice Mountjoy, Past Board Member
Melissa Nehrbass, Current VA PTA President-Elect Member  
Kathy Snider, Past Board Member
Mary Snyder, Past Board Member

Southside Virginia 
Michelle Happs, Past Board Member

Southwest Virginia 
Jack Mooney, Past Board Member 
Katie Slusher, Past Board Member

Scheduling a BSP Event:  If you are interested in hosting a BSP event, send an email to info@vapta.org SUBJECT: Scheduling a BSP Event. Include your name, PTA & School name, location, daytime phone number and desired date of the event. A PTA Representative will contact you.

Presenter Training and Certification: No training opportunity is identified at this time, however, if you would like more information about becoming a presenter, contact the Program Coordinator.