Minerva Park Middle School has official PTSA

Minerva Park Middle School has formally launched its Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) following its charter meeting on Aug. 10.

During the meeting, attendees approved bylaws and six volunteers were elected to the board by nominating committee members Alisha DeHaven, Lisa Koci and Wilhelmina Conger. The newly-elected board for the 2023-24 school year includes:

• Melissa Titan, President  
• April Laufer, Vice President
• Erin Stoever, Recording Secretary
• Brittany Landers, Communications Secretary
• Tracy Dalton, Treasurer 
• Tiffany Cooper, WPC Delegate

This event also marked the start of what planning team and board members consider a chance to enact their vision, focusing on three key areas: Community, Opportunity and Inclusivity.

“Everyone is welcome here and everyone is deserving of feeling included,” Titan said. “When we lead with these beliefs, we have the potential to be invaluable assets and integral parts of each and every child’s journey…in addition to our school’s success.” 

Titan charged the group with thinking of how they can spark positive change that could create a ripple effect in the Greater Westerville community. 

“How can our engagement impact school culture?” she asked. “How can all our perspectives be listened to and validated, in order to create long-lasting change?” 

Among those in attendance at the charter meeting: Ryan Hilperts, president of the Westerville Parent Council; and special guests Tony Rett, vice president of Field Services for the Ohio PTA and Nicole Lesnick, president-elect for the Ohio PTA.

“It was exciting to experience the enthusiasm shown by students, staff, and parents as we officially chartered our Minerva Park Middle School PTSA,” Principal Dr. Garrett Carter said. “This group will undoubtedly work to support our school community in ways that allows us to P.R.O.W.L. and achieve our goals for the 2023-24 school year.” 

P.R.O.W.L. stands for: Perform our best, Respect ourselves and school community, Own it (responsibilities, behaviors, goals), Withstand our challenges and Learn with curiosity. 

Learn more about the Minerva Park Middle School Parent Teacher Student Association, including how to join, attend a meeting or donate to their cause by visiting here.