About PTA
PTA and Families for Stevenson Booster Association (FFS) are Stevenson’s parent volunteer groups. These two groups work hand in hand to provide the much needed support our school requires due to continuing State Budget cuts in education.
There is no need choose which parent group to be involved in… The FFS and PTA share meetings, information and volunteers. By working together, we are having a positive impact on our children’s education!
Want to know more? Come to our monthly meetings which are held on the second Thursday of each month. You’ll get to hear first hand what is going on at school, as well as meet other parents!
Stevenson’s PTA is actively committed to making our school a better place.
Click here to visit California State’s PTA website to find out more about this great organization.
Tiffany with Scotty & Niko
President, Tiffany Bakas
R.L. Stevenson has been a “second home” for me since my son Niko started Kindergarten 5 years ago. I first began volunteering in the classroom which was so much fun. I have to say that my career in PTA (LOL) started when I was visiting the bathroom during a PTA meeting….Yes, you read that right. I was actually helping my then 3 year old son in the bathroom during a PTA meeting. I had been to most of the meeting and there was only 10 minutes’ left of discussion. I thought I could make a break for it! However upon my return I was receiving “congratulations” for running as the 1st VP. ” WHAT!” I shrieked! “What do you mean?” I asked everyone around me. This is crazy I thought… I had been asked a few days back if I would be the membership person. “Somebody who sends out a few envelopes-NO BIGGY” I was told. I said “I would think on it” and here we are a few days later I was running as 1st VP. The moral of this story is DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES LEAVE IN THE MIDDLE OF A PTA MEETING! Haha, really it was the best thing that could have happened to me. I did work harder than I thought THAT YEAR. But, along the way I met fabulous, passionate people who I am proud to call my friends! My son Niko is now in the 5th grade and my other son Scotty is in the 2nd grade. I was happy to step up and become the PTA president. This year I want to stay true to PTAs mission- Children’s Advocacy. Because we have such a fabulous Booster Club PTA doesn’t have to do tons of fundraising. We can truly do what we are supposed to do- support and speak for our children. In addition I would like to provide parenting classes for our parents. This will help children’s home life and build a stronger community of families here at Stevenson. I look forward to working amongst fellow PTA presidents and providing each other with ideas and supporting one another.
Exec. VP, Leeanne Matusek
Kari, Jacob and Dylan
1st VP, Kari Conahan
Kari is a mother of 3, Jacob 7, Dylan 4 and Paige 2. In the summer of 2009 she gave up her career to be home with her children. She knew she always wanted to be a part of her children’s school but she had no idea what she was embarking on.
“I am truly amazed at what both the PTA and Families for Stevenson Booster Association strive to provide ALL our children.
It is a far cry from what I remember as a child. Until I got involved I never realized the amount of time, energy, and creativity each parent puts forth to make extraordinary things happen for all our kids. To be apart of such a profound group of individuals is such a gift.”
2nd VP, Emma Clarkson
Coming from England, Emma wasn’t sure what she would find, sending her daughter Madeline to school in a new town and a new country.
She was thankful to find such a great school with so many friendly, welcoming parents and teachers who made it easy to get involved – perhaps a little too easy! From the first days designing the school website, she has gradually become more and more involved in both FFS and PTA, editing the newsletter, organising Talent Show and fundraising for PTA and FFS.
Membership Chair, Felicia Cain
Treasurer, Lori Durbin
Renée and kids
Recording Secretary, Renee Kregler
Renée has lived in Burbank since 1978 and came to Stevenson Elementary when her daughter Jackie entered the third grade. The following year, she joined the PTA as the 2nd Vice President. In 2008/2009, she took on the role of Treasurer for Families for Stevenson which she is continuing this year, as well as serving as PTA Auditor.
Last year, Renée was also involved as a Room Representative for her son’s kindergarten class and participated on many Stevenson event committees including Breakfast with Dads and Stevenson Rocks.
“Volunteering has always been a part of my life,” said Renée. “My mother taught me the importance of getting involved in the community at a young age and this commitment is something I hope to pass on to my kids.”
“I encourage everyone to become involved with Stevenson Elementary through PTA and FFS,” stated Renée. “With everyone’s busy schedules these days, this is a great way to make a direct impact on your children’s educational experience.”
Historian, Bernadette Galaviz
Being a Mom of three..Diego(10), Analina(7),and Elias(6), Bernadette had limited her volunteer time to field trips and small class activities when her eldest one started Stevenson. Little did she know that one of her closest mom friend, who was more involved in PTA, started “planting the seed” in her to have an active role in becoming more involved in school fundraisers,PTA meetings,and class activities. Her mom friend always said “you’ll be my silent partner.” Yeah right, not so silent anymore!
As Historian, she records PTA involvement through PTA Meetings, School Fundraisers and Newsletter/Calender Keepsakes for current and future PTA members to reflect on and embrace. Also, as one of the Volunteer Coordinators for Boo Bash and Stevenson Rocks, she enjoys organizing and coordinating with parents and student volunteers in all aspects of the events.
Financial Secretary, Janine Dowers
Janine Dowers has 3 kids in Stevenson this year; Caroline in 4th, Elijah in 2nd, and Riley in Kindergarten! Though 2010-11 is her 1st year as a PTA board member, she has been involved with volunteering since Caroline was a Kinder at another school. Since joining Stevenson she has volunteered at most events including the Boo Bash, Talent Show, Stevenson Rocks (and so has her husband John), and most recently the Garden in the back of the school yard.
“I remember my mom always baking things for the Booster club when I was in school and I never really realized how much she did until I became a parent. I grew up in a public school in the Midwest and to be living in the middle of L.A. and have such a wonderful public school and parents that make up the PTA and Families For Stevenson (FFS) – I could not have asked for a better experience! I love the fact my kids see their parents volunteering and… my kids enjoy all the “committee meetings” so they can play with their friends. ”
Parliamentarian, Gareth Simpson
Auditor Jennifer Coscia