SAN FRANCISCO — Visitacion Valley Middle School has about 300 students and no PTA. So the teachers built something else.
It is called Friends of Viz Valley. Every board member is a teacher or a staff member at the school. Music teacher Lauren Schwartz led the effort after about nine months of teachers talking through what to do.
Why not a PTA
A PTA needs a president, a secretary, a treasurer and 15 members. At a school where more than eight in 10 students come from low-income families, parents are stretched for time and money. A nonprofit can run with a single board member and fewer rules.
What the money does
Lauren Schwartz raised $3,000 by sharing the group’s website. About $800 of it went to a Latin Heritage Month celebration. Board members each asked about 10 friends to give.
The first-year goals are simple. Celebrate every heritage month. Take the students on a big field trip. Lauren Schwartz said the point is to make every kid feel special.
The group is waiting on its official nonprofit status from the IRS, expected early next year.
How to help
The group’s website is friendsofvvms.org.
Support 82 years of Black Bay Area journalism. Every story, editorial and Community Voice piece — $20 a year.
