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Three Schools Earn National PTA Award
Posted Date: 10/02/25 (8:48 AM)
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Beaverdam Elementary School (BES), Chickahominy Middle School (CMS), and Elmont Elementary School (EES) have been named as 2024-2026 National PTA Schools of Excellence.
The Hanover schools are three of only 330 schools and PTAs in the U.S. to achieve this prestigious status this year. Additionally, they make up three of the 24 Virginia schools to earn the coveted designation, which recognizes the commitment of schools and PTAs in building partnerships between families and their school that are enriching the educational experience and overall well-being for all students.
All three schools were recognized at the September 9 Hanover County School Board meeting.
BES Principal Dr. Glynda Smith said she is “grateful for the continued work and support of our incredible PTA.”
“While we are small, we are mighty. The work through this award shows the commitment of learning what the needs of our students and community are, and finding innovative ways to meet them,” Dr. Smith said. “Our PTA brings our community together through various events, such as our Fall Festival, Family Den breakfasts that occur quarterly, Winterfest, and family learning nights, like STEM night! They also continue to evolve and find new ways to serve.”
With collaboration between BES and the school’s PTA, students also enjoyed student dances and participated in a fundraiser collecting items for a local food pantry.
Dr. Smith added: “Our PTA serves tirelessly and faithfully. I'm incredibly grateful for serving beside them to serve the Beaverdam community.”
Said Malinda Howell, BES PTA President: “It is such an honor to receive the National PTA School of Excellence again! Parents, teachers, community members all working in close collaboration has such a meaningful impact in our students' education. The National PTA says that ‘strong schools build strong communities, and strong communities build strong students’ and the families at Beaverdam Elementary are a prime example of that. Identifying additional opportunities for connection has allowed us to engage with not only the families of students, but also community members. This recognition proves the school-wide commitment to helping our students thrive. I look forward to continuing these relationships and am so thankful to everybody that helped make this possible for our children!”
CMS Principal Mark Beckett said he is “truly honored and proud that our school has been recognized as a PTA School of Excellence.”
“This award reflects the incredible collaboration between our dedicated staff, passionate families, and supportive PTA,” Mr. Beckett shared. “Together, we’ve built a strong partnership that prioritizes student success, family engagement, and a positive school culture. I want to thank every parent, teacher, and community member who helped us achieve this milestone.”
Lee Ann Harden, who served as the CMS PTA president during its School of Excellence campaign, said the PTA is honored to receive the designation.
“This recognition comes after we launched several new initiatives this year, including transition support programs and documents for incoming sixth graders and outgoing eighth graders, a program encouraging dads and male role models to volunteer every Wednesday at CMS, coffee hours where families can connect with PTA members, a mental health discussion panel on parenting in the digital age, and a fun after-school field day event for students to compete and socialize,” she said. “The School of Excellence program gives PTAs a chance to tackle the real challenges our families face. We couldn't have achieved this without the amazing collaboration between our students, families, staff, and PTA members working together. We are grateful for the continued support of the Charger community!”
EES Principal Amanda Sanders also said the school is honored to have earned the recognition.
“This PTA School of Excellence designation shows how deeply our small but mighty PTA is dedicated to Elmont—from kickoff cookouts and spirit nights to movie nights and supporting our teachers and staff—showing that when everyone contributes, our school becomes stronger, grounded, and ready for every child,” she said.
Said EES PTA President Blair Thomasson: “We are proud to have received the PTA School of Excellence recognition for our school. We have appreciated that this program has allowed us to set goals for building the strongest bond possible between our school, our students, our families and our community.”
The Hanover schools are three of only 330 schools and PTAs in the U.S. to achieve this prestigious status this year. Additionally, they make up three of the 24 Virginia schools to earn the coveted designation, which recognizes the commitment of schools and PTAs in building partnerships between families and their school that are enriching the educational experience and overall well-being for all students.
All three schools were recognized at the September 9 Hanover County School Board meeting.
BES Principal Dr. Glynda Smith said she is “grateful for the continued work and support of our incredible PTA.”
“While we are small, we are mighty. The work through this award shows the commitment of learning what the needs of our students and community are, and finding innovative ways to meet them,” Dr. Smith said. “Our PTA brings our community together through various events, such as our Fall Festival, Family Den breakfasts that occur quarterly, Winterfest, and family learning nights, like STEM night! They also continue to evolve and find new ways to serve.”
With collaboration between BES and the school’s PTA, students also enjoyed student dances and participated in a fundraiser collecting items for a local food pantry.
Dr. Smith added: “Our PTA serves tirelessly and faithfully. I'm incredibly grateful for serving beside them to serve the Beaverdam community.”
Said Malinda Howell, BES PTA President: “It is such an honor to receive the National PTA School of Excellence again! Parents, teachers, community members all working in close collaboration has such a meaningful impact in our students' education. The National PTA says that ‘strong schools build strong communities, and strong communities build strong students’ and the families at Beaverdam Elementary are a prime example of that. Identifying additional opportunities for connection has allowed us to engage with not only the families of students, but also community members. This recognition proves the school-wide commitment to helping our students thrive. I look forward to continuing these relationships and am so thankful to everybody that helped make this possible for our children!”
CMS Principal Mark Beckett said he is “truly honored and proud that our school has been recognized as a PTA School of Excellence.”
“This award reflects the incredible collaboration between our dedicated staff, passionate families, and supportive PTA,” Mr. Beckett shared. “Together, we’ve built a strong partnership that prioritizes student success, family engagement, and a positive school culture. I want to thank every parent, teacher, and community member who helped us achieve this milestone.”
Lee Ann Harden, who served as the CMS PTA president during its School of Excellence campaign, said the PTA is honored to receive the designation.
“This recognition comes after we launched several new initiatives this year, including transition support programs and documents for incoming sixth graders and outgoing eighth graders, a program encouraging dads and male role models to volunteer every Wednesday at CMS, coffee hours where families can connect with PTA members, a mental health discussion panel on parenting in the digital age, and a fun after-school field day event for students to compete and socialize,” she said. “The School of Excellence program gives PTAs a chance to tackle the real challenges our families face. We couldn't have achieved this without the amazing collaboration between our students, families, staff, and PTA members working together. We are grateful for the continued support of the Charger community!”
EES Principal Amanda Sanders also said the school is honored to have earned the recognition.
“This PTA School of Excellence designation shows how deeply our small but mighty PTA is dedicated to Elmont—from kickoff cookouts and spirit nights to movie nights and supporting our teachers and staff—showing that when everyone contributes, our school becomes stronger, grounded, and ready for every child,” she said.
Said EES PTA President Blair Thomasson: “We are proud to have received the PTA School of Excellence recognition for our school. We have appreciated that this program has allowed us to set goals for building the strongest bond possible between our school, our students, our families and our community.”