As everyone knows, the Pittsburgh Pirates are a great baseball team!  But, they would not be a great team if they did not work together.  The same is true for any PTA organization. 

Sunset Valley Elementary’s PTA is similar to the Pittsburgh Pirates for the fact that if we did not work as a team, we would not be successful in supporting the teachers and students.  Our PTA is comprised of many team members (PTA Board Members, Committee Chairpersons, Volunteers, Teachers, Parents, etc.) who work together throughout the year.  With the help of Sunset Valley PTA’s volunteers, we are able to sponsor many exciting events for the students.  Some of the events are educational, and of course some of the events are just plain fun. 

One of the events in particular, is a newer program which was created by 2 of our great volunteers.  This program, the Ultimate Math Challenge, promotes the fun behind math skills.  The development of this program began with the “first team members”.  Two PTA Chairpersons created various stations where the students are able to get involved (hands on) in various types of math.  Some of the stations incorporate math by letting the students pretend they are travel agents, pizza makers, concession stand cashiers, postal workers, etc.  As the program was being developed, ideas were passed by the “second team member,” Sunset Valley’s Principal, to be sure they were on the right path.  Once this was accomplished, our “third team members”, a few teachers, previewed some of the questions to be sure they were grade appropriate.  The teachers were also responsible for teaching the students the material that is covered during the challenge. 

                Once the program was set up, the Chairpersons then needed volunteers to help run the math stations during the program.  That is where the “fourth team members” comes into play.  Parent volunteers come in throughout the day to help work at each station and help students with the activities. 

                And of course, we can’t forget the most important “team members” of all – the students themselves.  Throughout this event, the students are the ones who are putting their best foot forward while applying the math skills they have learned in their classrooms to the various math stations.

                Like the Pittsburgh Pirates, by teamwork, Sunset Valley’s PTA was able to turn the Ultimate Math Challenge event into a huge success for the PTA, the teachers, the school, and most importantly, the students.