Treasurer for Parents of Plasencia Math and Science Magnet Center

Our Belief

Parents of Plasencia, otherwise known as POP, is a parent organization that supports the ongoing needs of our students in the Plasencia Math and Science Magnet Center. As an organization, we believe that our students can achieve success through a supportive, nurturing and rigorous academic curriculum. We intend for all students to develop a positive attitude toward an interest in science and math, focus on problem solving, number sense, and computation as a means to mathematical success, participate in science experiences that are appropriate to their stages of cognitive development and these experiences will serve as a foundation for more advanced ideas that prepare them for life in a complex scientific and technological world, will use technology as an instructional tool to support the curriculum, experience the Arts as an essential part of a complete education, and develop self-discipline and responsibility. Finally, we believe that all students have the right to learn without interference from others.  

Treasurer Duties

As a 3rd year treasurer for POP, I am dedicated to working with the President, fellow treasurer, Magnet coordinator, parent representatives, and teachers to develop fundraisers that will be used to allow students opportuniites to experience hands on learning and field trips to support their studies and the integration of math, science, technology, and the arts into their curriculum. By working together, we have been able to increase the amount of funds we have raised by over 100% over the last three years. In so doing, we have been able to send students on field trips to Sacramento, San Juan Capistrano, Long Beach Aquarium, Natural History Museum, Los Angeles Zoo, UCLA, and High Trails Science Camp in Big Bear, California.

In a coordinated effort we work together to allocate funds that we have raised in a variety of ways to meet the learning needs of all students. As a treasurer, I oversee checks that are written, how deposits are handled, the reporting of financial information, that filings have been submitted with local, state, and federal taxing agencies, and review expenditures on a regular basis.

Fundraising Activities

Our fundraisers this year have included Innisbrook Holiday Gifts, Helen Grace Chocolates, Jog-A-Thon, Holiday Basket Raffle, Box Tops, Concession Stands, Photo Booths, Recycle Drives, Silent Auction, Rummage Sale, T-Shirt Sale, Tote Bag Sale, Movie Night, Monthly Direct Donations, and Avon.

We have a website that can be accessed at http://plasenciamsc-lausd-ca.schoolloop.com/ for updates and further details.

My Changing Identity as a Leader for Justice

As treasurer of POP, I have learned about the importance of involving parents in decision making and extracurricular planning. Without the parents' input, support, and hard work, we would never have been able to expand our fundraising capabilities the way we have or our ability to provide numerous instructional field trips for our students.

As a leader, my enthusiasm for involving parents in the democratic process of school management has grown tremendously. I also have learned that at times it is important as a leader to lead from behind because if you do you give parents the space to assert their voices and ideas and take the school somewhere new. By leading from behind at times it also increased my awareness of the hierarchal context of school and school systems. Through awareness, I could work on breaking those contexts down or minimizing their polarizing affect on parents.

The challenges this year as a leader have been related to a change in our school leadership as our principal of three and a half years left the school and although we were ready to carry on with all of our fundraising plans and expanded learning experiences, the first interim principal brought everything to a halt. We had to wait it out and stop all of our plans until a new interim principal was brought in. At that point, we resumed our fundraising efforts and outside instructional learning experiences. In this case, I learned that a leader has to be very flexible. I also learned that different administrators interpret district policies in different ways.

What contributed to my growth as a leader?

This year I had the pleasure of being present for a talk by a parent leader from South LA named Mary Johnson. She increased my awareness of what parents often view as the "top down" approach to leadership. She confirmed for me that in this project it was acceptable to lead from behind because it allowed parents to take leadership. By asserting a quiet, confirming demeanor I was showing my respect to parents and allowing them to become integrated in the school leadership experience.

What are my next steps in my curriculum leadership journey?

Next year, I plan on continuing my journey of leading from behind, as I support parents in their leadership capabilities. I will continue to make myself available for parents to help with leadership guidance and oversee the monitoring and distribution of funds. I will offer any organizational support that I can and also take an inventory of parent needs in hopes of working with parents and the community to get parents and families the resources that they feel they need to become stronger leaders.

CPSEL Standards

This project addressed the following California Professional Standards for educational Leaders:

4:2, 6:2, 6:3

For specific standards and how they have been addressed through the project click on the link below.

CPSELs Treasurer for Parents of Plasencia Math and Science Magnet.docx