President's Message

Hello everyone!  My name is Inge Gedo and I am the president of your Fairfax High School (FHS) Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA).  The mission of the PTSA is to support and speak on behalf of the students and parents in the school and school system, and as necessary even in the community and before government bodies or other organizations that make decisions affecting our children so that each child has the opportunity for achieving excellence and the opportunity to reach their full potential.  It is my goal, therefore, that the PTSA will help keep parents informed and involved in the Fairfax High School community.  Many studies have proven that students whose parents are involved at the high school level do better academically, socially and in athletic endeavors.  We hope you’ll join us in helping our children succeed at all levels.

The PTSA is a key communication link between the parents and school.  In high school the PTSA is not about fundraising!  The various sports and clubs raise their own funds through booster clubs.  That frees up the PTSA to concentrate its energy on other issues.

Last year the PTSA had a huge volunteer group working to support teachers, staff and students.  Some of the activities that the PTSA supported last year were recognition events celebrating students’ academic successes and appreciation events for teachers and staff.  The PTSA supported programs to enrich student’s education.  PTSA volunteers also helped out with support at Rebel Roundup, Career Day, proctored AP exams, held the All Night Graduation Party for the Class of 2010, helped with vision screening for 10th graders, shelved library books and assisted the staff in the Career Center, Student Services and Main Office, and more!  There will be other unique opportunities this year, possibly tutoring, judging for the science fair, etc.  No matter what your interest area or amount of time you have available, we look forward to having every parent join us in some capacity this year!

The PTSA has operated on a yearly budget of about $20,000.  We spend only what we make, and ask for only what will help contribute to the programs and activities that can help enrich the students’ Fairfax HS environment.  Much of our revenue comes from membership dues.  You will soon be receiving an emailing or mailing which includes information about how you can become a member of the PTSA.  Please take the first step towards supporting your PTSA by having each adult in your family sign up.  In addition, there is the “S” in PTSA, which means students can be full voting members of the organization.  This year, we have significantly discounted student membership rates and encourage FHS students to join as well.  Please look for the membership form on the website or contact a PTSA officer for a copy. 

The other sources of PTSA revenues to support programs has come from FHS Directory sales and donations.  Directories can be ordered and donations can be made via the PTSA membership form as well.  With so many companies in the area also providing matching gifts for any donations their employees or family members make, I would encourage each member of the Fairfax HS community with this option will take advantage of this matching gift program to support the PTSA efforts as well. 

The PTSA has regular meetings every month that are open to all.  Except for our first meeting, the meetings are generally scheduled on the second or third Monday of each month, working around the various Monday holidays, and typically held in the FHS Career Center or the FHS Library.  Our first meeting will be on Tuesday, September 21 from 7-8 pm in the Fairfax High School Career Center.  You will have a chance to meet our principal, Dave Goldfarb, and senior members of the school administration.  Because each PTSA meeting is attended by the Principal and at least two teachers it is a great place to hear about upcoming events at school and to get questions answered.  Everyone has questions!  Those of us on the PTSA Board are here to help you find answers to those questions.  Mark your calendar and plan to attend our first meeting.  If you have topics you would like to hear about at a future meeting, please let me know as well.  If you look on the PTSA calendar, you will find the full schedule of  monthly meeting dates and locations.  I hope to see you at many or all of them. 

Please contact me at inge.gedo@yahoo.com or 703-815-6618 if you have any questions about our PTSA.  I will be happy to hear from you!