# History

#### The 2001-2002 school year marks the 44th year for the Carrollton Early Childhood PTA. It was started April 15, 1958 when a group of about 20-30 Valwood patrons formed the Valwood Park Elementary Preschool PTA. The six founders were: Kathy Kearns, elected the first president; Sue Goodwin, Evelyn Derrick, Margaret Chronister, Mary Schecter and Betty Elliot. The official charter was received on August 4, 1958, making the 7th charter in this area. During the next school year, 1959-60, the Carrollton Council of Parents and Teachers was organized, as well as three other preschool Parent-Teacher Associations at Good Elementary, Farmers Branch Elementary, and Carrollton Elementary, making a total of 10 chartered PTA's in the Carrollton Council.

The Valwood Park Preschool PTA soon became a "community" organization, instead of being affiliated with a school, and was renamed Farmers Branch Preschool PTA. In 1968-69, it became the Carrolton-Farmers Branch Preschool PTA. It remained as such until 1986-87, when Farmers Branch and Carrollton amicably split and Kathy Cole and Debbie Thompson helped form a separate Farmers Branch Preschool PTA. The Carrollton Preschool PTA numbered 80 that year and has grown to a membership of over 140. In 1993, the name was changed to the Carrollton Early Childhood PTA to comply with the National PTA's mandate.

Carrollton Early Childhood PTA has received numerous state and district awards. In recent years, we have received ten state awards for Membership, including to Golden Apple Awards. We have also received Highest Honors from district for Membership, Youth Protection, Parent Education, Historian Book, Yearbook, Preschool Evaluation/Achievement, Drug and Alcohol Awareness, Council Attendance and State Membership. We are also a Dan Forth Award Finalist for the 1990-91 parent education.

We proudly participate in the District, State and National Congress of Parents and Teachers. Texas PTA has been in existence for over 80 years, and the national organization boasts its roots in 1897 when Phoebe Hearst and Alice Birney pioneered the start of the PTA.

Our scrapbooks from the last five years are available for the membership to look through, which chronicle the events of our organization. Examination of the clippings, photos and newsletters will show a common purpose in our desire to meet the PTA objectives.

Information submitted by Jhana Dudly, Past Historian
HOME