About Us

The purpose of Somerset Elementary PTSA is to provide the best education in the best environment possible for our students. This is accomplished by parents, teachers, students and administrators working in close partnership toward this shared goal and by enthusiastically supporting our respective and collective efforts.

We are a professional, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dependent upon the generous financial support and unparalleled volunteerism of our members. The Somerset PTSA is part of the Washington State Parent Teacher Association, Bellevue PTSA Council 2.3, Region 2, Unit #0203080.

Our mission is to support the education, health, and welfare of our children. As part of the Washington State PTA, we are a nonprofit membership association bringing together the home, school, and community on behalf of our children. We influence legislation to promote better education in the school and improved safety on the way to school. We provide enrichment programs for children and parents through extracurricular activities and parenting classes. We make the school a better place to learn by purchasing, through funds that members donate, projectors, computers, curriculum aids, and playground equipment. In essence, we bridge the gaps in our children's educational, health, and welfare needs when federal and state budgets come up short.

To achieve this mission, our goals include, but are not limited to the following:

Support the education of our children. We offer education and grants for our teachers, curriculum and aids for our classrooms, and programs such as Read Naturally and Art Start for our children.

Promote community among Somerset's students, staff, and parents. We offer social activities throughout the year, a student directory, and Somerset Spirit Wear apparel.

Serve the surrounding Somerset community. We offer many ways of communicating school news to the surrounding community as well as service projects like community safety and vision/hearing screenings.

The Washington State PTA has an awards and recognition program whose purpose is to build pride and participation in, and an awareness of Washington State PTA programs; to give recognition for outstanding efforts; and motivate units and councils to provide quality service for and involvement of their members. Every year we recognize those Somerset Superstars who go above and beyond.

Golden Acorn Award

The Golden Acorn is awarded to an individual who has given outstanding services to all children in our school community. This individual has not only donated time to volunteer in his/her child’s class, but whose service went above and beyond.

• 2012: Michael Ketchum, Sandrine Gupta
• 2011: Francine Wiest
• 2010: Judy Mercer
• 2009: Betsy Canyard, Ellen Schoonover
• 2008: Kristin DeAlteriis, Lael Paul
• 2007: Kathy Franzel, Natasha Nimmo
• 2006: Esther Duitch, Muriel Mittelstrass

Crystal Apple Award

The Crystal Apple is awarded to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to volunteerism which benefited all children attending Somerset Elementary.

• 2012: Tammy Alford, Sangeeta Gogri, Danielle Holmes, Stephanie Kristen, Verna Yee
• 2011: Colleen Allison, “A” Black, Mechelle Cheng, David Garber
• 2010: Donna Lee, Cathy Menon, Sue Ung
• 2009: Audrey Scallon. Libby Miller, Joelle Campbell, Karen Ruby

Outstanding Educator

The Outstanding Educator is awarded to an individual who has gone beyond the normal expectations of his/her job to make the learning environment fun, beneficial, and challenging. An Outstanding Educator could be a teacher, assistant, custodian, bus driver, administrator, or a community member. The enthusiasm and diversity this educator brings to the classroom directly influences the success of his/her students.

• 2012: Anne Williamson
• 2011: Shana Bowen, Jennifer Seder
• 2010: Betty Hannaford, Stephanie Wright
• 2009: Homa Hassan
• 2008: Jean Lorch

Outstanding Advocate Award

The Outstanding Advocate is awarded to an individual whose continued and dedicated services to all children demonstrates the commitment to helping create strong policies relating to health, welfare, safety, and education of children and youth. An Outstanding Advocate could be a PTSA member, teacher, assistant, administrator, or community member.

• 2011: Debra Kumar

Unsung Hero

Every year the PTSA honors the many unsung heroes at Somerset Elementary School. We particularly want to recognize those who work exceptionally hard and do above and beyond what is expected of them. Unsung heroes can be parents, teachers, administrators, staff (secretaries, clerks, aides, and custodians), students, and community volunteers.

• 2012: Danny Lau, Melissa Slater, Melissa Stephens, Dusty Udris, Yale Wang, Melinda Workman, and our 3 custodians Lee Felder, Salomon Gebremedhin, and Scott Stenslend

Information on charitable solicitations and additional financial disclosure information on file can be obtained through the Washington Secretary of State at 1-800-332-4483.