The Glendale Council PTA (GCPTA) established in 1910, is a student advocacy organization representing the schools of the Glendale Unified School District. We oversee the activities of twenty-four school unit PTAs, providing training and ensuring effective communication through regular updates and monthly Council Board meetings.
The Board includes an Executive Committee of officers and the PTA Presidents of the units. Glendale Council PTA represents the units in the First District PTA, which governs PTAs from Pomona to Burbank. The California State PTA is divided into thirty-five geographical regions, each comprising multiple Councils, and is part of the National PTA, the nation's oldest and largest child advocacy association.
Mission
Our mission is to create a lasting, positive impact on all children and families within the Glendale Unified School District (GUSD).
We focus on collaboration, family engagement, and building a strong community to achieve this long-term goal.Priorities
Building a Strong Community: Unite our community around shared goals, fostering a supportive environment for all students and families.Promote and Support Students' Well-being: Support academic success and student well-being through diverse programs and activities. Provide parents resources in their child's academic journey from elementary through secondary education and beyond, including preparation for college and future endeavors.Strengthening Collaboration: Cultivate strong partnerships among parents, teachers, GUSD administration, and the community to enhance student learning experience.Family Involvement and Participation: Boost engagement in PTA events and meetings. Involve families in educational and extracurricular activities to support student well-being and academic success.
Strategic Objectives
Support & Empower Unit Leaders: Provide communication, training, and coaching for PTA unit presidents and board members.Objective: Host round-table discussions for leaders to share insights and positive news. Encourage unit representatives to share effective PTA involvement at Presidents and association meetings.Objective: Meet monthly with Superintendent Watson and her cabinet to discuss key issues.Promote & Increase Membership: Engage units in local, state, and national PTA membership campaigns.Objective: Support timely membership reporting, promote tools like TOTEM, and extend membership to community leaders through the ALL STAR program.Objective: Encourage school staff participation in PTAs.Advocacy & Leadership Development:Objective: Represent GCPTA on GUSD committees and at Board of Education meetings.Objective: Foster shared leadership through training, workshops, and conferences in collaboration with the First District PTA.Objective: Participate in the Legislative Conference at the state capitol and send unit and council delegates including high school students to advocate educational issues.Objective: Send delegates to the California State PTA and National PTA Conventions to ensure our voice is heard at all levels.
Join our local PTA!
Balboa Parent-Teacher Association, Inc.Benjamin Franklin Elementary School Parent-Teacher Association, Inc.Clark Magnet High School PTSACollege View SEPTA (not online, please contact the school to join)Crescenta Valley High PTSADunsmore Avenue Parent-Teacher Association, Inc.Eleanor J. Toll Parent-Teacher Association, Inc.Glendale High School PTSAGlendale Mark Keppel Elementary Parent-Teacher Association, Inc.Glenoaks Elementary Parent-Teacher Association, Inc.Herbert Hoover High School Parent-Teacher Association, Inc.John C. Fremont Parent-Teacher Association, Inc.John Muir Elementary PTALa Crescenta Elementary PTALincoln Parent-Teacher Association of La Crescenta, Inc.Monte Vista Elementary PTAMountain Avenue Elementary School PTARichardson D. White Parent-Teacher Association, Inc.Roosevelt Middle School PTSARosemont Middle School PTAThomas Jefferson Parent-Teacher Association, Inc.Valley View Elementary School, La Crescenta, Parent-Teachers Association, Inc.Verdugo Woodlands Parent-Teacher Association, Inc.Woodrow Wilson Middle School PTSA
All-Star Memberships
All-Star Members support all 24 GUSD PTA/PTSA units with one simple transaction! If you are interested in an All-Star membership, please print this form and mail with a check for $253, payable to Glendale Council PTA.
A Special Thanks to our 2024 - 2025 All-Star Members
Isabel Abramyan
VP of Special Events, Glendale Council PTA
Lerna Amiryans
Past President, Glendale Council PTA
Taline Arsenian
President, Glendale Teachers Association
Katrin Avanessians
Executive Vice President, Glendale Council PTA
Lea Awni
President, Glendale Council PTA
Dr. Kyle Bruich
Assistant Superintendent, GUSD
Dr. David Cole
VP Legislation & Advocacy, First District PTA
Dr. Chris Coulter
Executive Director, Secondary Education - Educational Services
Kathleen Cross
Clerk, GUSD Board of Education
Cori Egstad
VP of Membership, Glendale Council PTA
Hagop Eulmessekian
Director, Student Support Service, GUSD
Neda Farid-Farhoumand
Member, GUSD Board of Education
Jennifer Gonzales
Director, Nutrition & Operations Services, GUSD
Ingrid Gunnell
Member, GUSD Board of Education
Dr. Diana Hernandez
Principal, Cerritos Elementary School
Phyllis Ishisaka
Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, GUSD
Rebecca Johnson
Past President, Glendale Council PTA
Hagop Kassabian
Administrator, Planning, Development & Facilities, GUSD
Dr. Narek Kassabian
Director Human Resources, GUSD
Dr. Narineh Khemichian
Interim Director, Student Wellness, GUSD
Dr. Brian Landisi
Coordinator, Assessment & Accountability, GUSD
The Honorable Anthony Portantino
CA State Senator, 25th District
Dr. Deb Rinder
Executive Director, Special Education, GUSD
Shant Sahakian
President, GUSD Board of Education
Jay Schwartz
Director, Foothill SELPA, GUSD
Wendy Tateishi
VP of Membership, First District PTA
Dr. Tammy Taylor
Principal, College View School
Telly Tse
Member, GUSD Board of Education
Dr. Darneika Watson
Superintendent, GUSD
*As of 9/28/2024
Weโd love to hear from you! Reach out to the Council anytime to ask questions or learn about volunteer opportunities. Your involvement makes all the difference!
Lea Awni, Glendale Council PTA President
Become an All-Star Member and Support PTA!
The application form for graduating seniors for the 2025 FIRST DISTRICT PTA COMMEMORATIVE SCHOLARSHIP is live at https://pta1.org/scholarships/ :
The First District PTA Commemorative Scholarship Fund was established to commemorate First District PTA volunteers who were long-time, dedicated child advocates and whose tireless efforts contributed greatly to the benefit of students, parents, and schools within the geographic area of First District PTA.
Commemorative scholarships are awarded in the amount of $800 per winner. Each are awarded to acknowledge graduating high school students from member PTAs/PTSAs who have achievements, service, and involvement in the following areas:
โข COMMUNITY SERVICE: volunteerism within the PTA and other organizations
โข EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES: work experience, unforeseen life changes
โข LEADERSHIP: mentorship roles
โข SCHOOL RELATED ACTIVITIES: unitโs school site special interest groups or clubs for performing arts, sports, service, advocacy, or student government
โข EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: non-school site special interest groups or clubs for performing arts, sports, service, advocacy, or student government
DEADLINE: 5:00 p.m. Saturday, March 1, 2025
Submissions after the deadline will not be considered.
Council and high school PTAs/PTSAs must be in good standing with California State PTA. Winners will be announced at respective high school senior awards ceremonies.
The application is now available online at https://pta1.org/scholarships/. Please follow the instructions carefully and upload all requested documents.
In addition, Glendale Council PTA will award a $250 scholarship to one applicant from each high school PTA/PTSA.