President's Message, August 2026
Welcome back PTA and PTSA families and supporters! To those who are new to this space, welcome! For more than 8 years, I have been serving you as President of HCCPTA. As my PTA journey continues, won't you consider joining me?
The 2026–2027 school year is filled with an abundance of exciting opportunities which will contribute toward shaping education in Harford County! How we do that is largely dependent on what we choose to do, individually. How do you plan to engage this school year?
I joined the Forest Lakes Elementary School PTA when my oldest was in kindergarten (the 2011–2012 school year). Those 15 years have gone by so fast! Now my children have graduated or are preparing for graduation. As a matter of fact, my oldest son graduated from Havre de Grace High School last year and is joining his sister at UMBC! I am still an HCPS parent and remain deeply committed to the power of public education!
For those new to the PTA community, PTA is largely a misnomer. PTA members and advocates are far more representative than just someone in a "Parent" or "Teacher" role. Obviously, PTA includes both "Parents" and "Teachers," but it also includes students, guardians, caregivers, grandparents, community supporters, education advocates, and anyone who has a vested interest in our public school education. So, essentially, that means you!
PTA is 100% volunteer. PTA is community-focused. PTA is shared experiences with an understanding that common experiences differ from person to person. And when I say "PTA," that includes "PTSA." PTA and PTSA are both brands under National PTA.
National PTA was founded in 1897 as the National Congress of Mothers and began as a powerful voice for advocacy. Some of the accomplishments of the PTA include:
- The creation of a separate juvenile justice system
- The enactment of child labor laws
- The adoption of kindergarten into the public school system
- The creation of a federally funded school lunch program
As a member of PTA, you—parents, guardians, teachers, students, and community supporters—are a stakeholder in our public education system.
The Harford County Council of PTA is your one-stop Harford County PTA resource. We provide training, guidance, and advice to local units. We encourage participation within your individual school communities. And we are also looking for enthusiastic individuals to serve with us! We offer many opportunities to learn about PTA behind the scenes at your own pace and availability.
We are also in the process of refreshing our website, so please be patient as we build. Check in often for updates and resources to help you along your journey! Our calendar has all of our events for the year posted.
If you become a member this year, you will see a few messages from me via our Givebacks site. Don't be concerned—this is legitimate correspondence. If you are an officer, that communication will be slightly more frequent. It is my intent to keep all messages short, providing an overview of upcoming events and opportunities to be involved—if that's what you choose.
Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! I'm excited to be here with you!
Your fellow PTA advocate,
A. Renee DeBiase
President, Harford County Council of PTA
Updated August 11, 2026