LWPTSA Council was excited to present our first You Rock! award of the year at our April 2024 membership meeting, to Samantha Smith Elementary PTSA for their chess club!
This before-school PTSA enrichment program was started at Smith Elementary this school year at the request of a Smith parent volunteer who loves chess, but loves coaching kids in chess even more. The establishment of Smith’s chess club was immediately met with great popularity, with the club growing to nearly 100 chess enthusiasts of ALL grades and ALL abilities and skill levels.
With support from other volunteers, rather than an external vendor, club coach Peter Zou leads the students in their chess sessions for an hour each Wednesday morning. Smith PTSA funded the new program by furnishing about 30 chess sets, but the achievements of the club—which includes wins at various competitions throughout the season—have been all due to the dedication of the students and volunteers.
As an added bonus, Smith PTSA has seen a boost in membership this year, thanks to the introduction of the chess club, as well as their drama and running clubs.
Congratulations, Samantha Smith PTSA! You rock! Learn more about LWPTSA Council’s You Rock! awards.
