About the JSIS PTSA
The JSIS Parent Teacher Student Association is an important part of JSIS and your child's elementary school experience. JSIS PTSA is a non-profit association that amplifies the voices of our community by participating in advocacy through local, regional and national legislative sessions. It builds our community by organizing events and providing familIes with financial supports. It raises funds to enrich our curriculum and support a learning environment that sparks creativity, curiosity, and imagination. It also maintains open communication lines to keep parents well informed.
How We Use PTSA Funds
At JSIS we have one fundraiser each year: the "Students First" campaign. The operating budget for the JSIS PTSA is considered in the campaign, and is about 7% of the funds. The chart below shows how we use those funds.
64% supports school programs via language immersion materials, curriculum, classroom supplies, PE equipment, teacher expenses, and year-round staff appreciation.
19% works to amplify our voice advocating at the state and national levels, and support Race & Equity work.
11% funds events like Japan Night, La Fiesta, Monster Mash, and family socials that enrich our students' cultural education, and strengthen our sense of community.
6% pays for administrative expenses like insurance to keep our community events safe, and all channels of communication to keep us informed and connected.
The Board
The PTSA Board members meet monthly to discuss ideas, vote on expenditures, update on programming and initiatives, and work with the principal and teachers on issues that affect children and families at our school as well as the district and state level. The Board also hosts three annual General Meetings that explore various topics of interest to the community, and 3 Family Socials including the ice-skating winter social at the Kraken Community Iceplex. Board Members usually hold their position for 1 or 2 years. Time commitment varies by position.
President
Haleigh Gautreau
Haleigh is an avid skier, was amazing as our VP last year, and did lots of volunteering with PTSA advocacy and community engagement the year before that.
Vice President
Ashley Cappel
Ashley enjoys getting outside with her family, including skiing, boating, camping, paddling, hiking, biking, or whatever the season brings! They also love to root on their favorite sports teams, the Huskies and the Spartans! She was our secretary last year.
Secretary
Alicia Drucker
Alicia was born and raised Seattle, and lives in Fremont with her husband and 2 children. She joined JSIS last year after living in Spain, has volunteered at lots of our events, and has 1 kid in the Spanish program.
Treasurer
Matthew Mitchell
Matt grew up in Minnesota and did a wk-long road trip to Crater Lake and Redwoods this summer. He worked with our former treasurer Shizu towards the end of last year to prepare for this role. He has 2 kids in JSIS.
Assistant Treasurers
Jose Estrada / Richard Heller
Jose is from Nicaragua, grew up in Canada, and has already started collaborating with advocacy for our school. He has a kindergartener at JSIS this year.
Richard grew up in Canada, and loves adventure travel. He has a kindergartener at JSIS this year.
Appointed Directors
These positions are appointed by the Executive Board.
Communications
Taylor Rouse
So passionate about kids and education, she just ended her 10 yr career in dental to start a preschool in Ballard! She has a kindergartener.
Community Engagement
Emily Holm Tobin, Meghan Silver, Emma Taliercio, Tasha Thomas
Emily and Emma are enthusiastic parents new to the PTA. They join Tasha, who was part of our Comms teams last year, and Megan, who is on her 4th year of being a community lead in our PTSA.
Diversity / Equity / Inclusion Liason
Damon Kruger
Damon has been an important part of the R&E task force for several years, and is leading it again this year.
Fundraising
Ali Friedman
Amazing professional fundraiser by day, this is Ali's 3rd year leading our fundraiser but has been involved with it for 6 years! She has 2 kids in JSIS.
Legislative & DLI Advocacy
Nicole Salisbury, Megan Larkin, Sam Gutierrez
Nicole and Megan were our outstanding advocacy directors last year. They are joined by Sam, who is now on her 4th year here and has done a little bit of everything in our PTSA, from comms to president last year. Combined, they have 5 kids in JSIS.
Other Community Leaders
Without these parents, our community would not be what it is.
Intern Coordinators
Lisa Bowie, Paola Mizrahi, Yuko Watanabe, Megan Kiester, Kristina Weidert
Lost & Found
Brooks Tevan
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