Students continuously enjoy financial support, volunteer work, and myriad events that help to enhance their education experience. However, they rarely give credit to the organization that is behind much of this.

The Langley PTSA is the driving force behind so much of what makes Langley High School the positive learning environment it is. Specifically, PTSA stands for the Parent Teacher Student Association, but it is part of a bigger entity, including the Fairfax County Council of PTA’S, the Virginia PTA, and the National PTA. According to president Ms. Betsy Shomaker, it “strives to be the voice for the students, a resource for families and the staff, and an advocate for the education and welfare of all the students.”

These parent volunteers sponsor programs such as Ethics Day, Back to School events, Reflections, and parent and student enrichment programs. They’ve offered helping hands in the health clinic and library and have put together the staff breakfast and lunches as a thank you to all the teachers at Langley. The PTSA has even, through the Professional Development Fund, given teachers money to attend conferences or training, as well as to address classroom needs. We have them to thank for the fetal pigs most of us dissected as freshman.

No matter how much they accomplish, though, there are always more issues there are devoting their time to.

“Earlier this year, we supported Principal Ragone on his position against cameras in the cafeteria. Currently, we are working on getting healthier food in the cafeteria. With the renovation fast approaching, the PTSA will likely be getting involved with this as well,” said Shomaker.

“Basically,” she explained, “the role of the PTSA is to share information on the issues and events at Langley that affect the parents and students, and to support those events with parent donated funds and volunteer hours.”

This is no small task, and students are encouraged to step in whenever they can, even if it just means sharing their ideas.

“The PTSA would love to hear from students,” said Shomaker. “Any ideas you might have that the PTSA could assist with, or things you think the PTSA should be working on. Students are a big part of this organization.”

With all the issues Langley deals with, it’s comforting to there is a dedicated organization like the PTSA to help out. If you want to get involved, contact Ms. Shomaker at [email protected]