PTA presidents from Baldwin’s five elementary schools have spent the past year working together more closely than ever — sharing resources, aligning on events, and presenting a unified front on district-wide concerns.
The effort began last summer when Sophea Sainsurin, Meadow Elementary School PTA co-president, suggested a casual meet-up with the other PTA presidents. The meetings soon expanded into a group chat that has served as a platform for collaboration and problem solving throughout the school year.
“We started with a simple meet-up, and from there we created a group chat that became an ongoing space for questions, feedback, and even venting when needed,” Sainsurin said. “It was about creating a sense of community between schools — and not just saying we support one another, but actually doing it in real time.”
The Baldwin School District runs five elementary schools: Meadow, Lenox, Steele, Plaza and Brookside.
Sainsurin shares the Meadow PTA leadership with Catherine Mercedes. Leading the Lenox Elementary PTA is Nicole Ricca, a four-year PTA officer who’s serving her second year as president. Courtney Watson is co-president at Steele Elementary, Sendy Jean Louis is president at Brookside Elementary and Jummy Salako serves as president at Plaza Elementary.
Ricca said the collaboration has significantly improved the way she approaches PTA leadership.
“Being PTA president is a big role, and it’s a lot to take on,” she said. “Knowing there are others in my shoes who understand the same challenges makes a huge difference. We’re learning from each other’s successes and missteps and supporting each other through it.”
As an example, Ricca pointed to the “Skate-a-thon” fundraiser, which was introduced by Brookside’s PTA. After learning how successful it had been there, Ricca gathered planning tips from the Brookside PTA president and introduced it at Lenox, where it became the school’s most successful fundraiser of the year.
“The kids earned incentives like glow sticks and ice cream sundaes, and it all ended with a glow party at United Skates,” she said. “It was a great celebration, and we wouldn’t have pulled it off without the shared idea.”
Sainsurin said the cross-school support has changed her entire view of PTA leadership.
“I no longer see this work as something I’m doing just for my school,” she said. “We’re exchanging ideas, learning from each other’s wins and mistakes, and showing up for one another. It’s made me more open-minded, more resourceful, and more focused on what we can achieve together.”
The group’s collaboration became especially important this past year as the district navigated the retirement of longtime Superintendent Shari Camhi. PTA leaders coordinated feedback on issues such as inconsistent heating in the school buildings, and differences in lunch programs.
“It was much more impactful to come together with unified feedback,” Sainsurin said. “Instead of it being, ‘Our school doesn’t have this,’ and ‘that school does,’ we approached the district with, ‘Here are concerns that are affecting all of our schools.’ That shifted the tone to one of partnership and progress.”
The PTA leaders have also been focused on redefining what the PTA represents.
“There’s still a misconception that it’s only for certain parents or that it’s all bake sales and bulletin boards,” Sainsurin said. “But we’re working to change that — to rebuild a sense of partnership between families and schools.”
She is pushing for a new district-wide tradition called Connect at the Park: United We Play, a collaborative event in which each elementary school would host an activity or game for families at Baldwin Park. This would occur in addition to the district's now long-standing tradition of "Unity Day," where every May, fifth graders from all five elementary schools head to the high school for a day of fun-fill activities and camaraderie to bond with one another before starting Baldwin Middle School the following school year.
“Instead of students entering middle school as five separate groups, they’ll already know each other and have shared memories,” she said. “That sense of unity matters.”
Ricca echoed that vision and hopes to revive a past idea of a district-wide “Day of Play” that brings students together across buildings.
“We’re making sure there are equitable opportunities for kids across the district,” she said. “We’re more aware of what other schools are doing, and that communication helps everyone.”
Both Sainsurin and Ricca encouraged other school communities to explore similar PTA partnerships.
“Don’t overthink it — just start,” Sainsurin said. “Keep the intention rooted in connection, not comparison. When PTA leaders model collaboration, it changes the energy — and parents start to see PTA as a vital part of building community.”
Ricca added: “You just need someone who’s willing to reach out and bring people together. That attitude is what builds this kind of teamwork.”
