Glendale Council PTA Honors Eight at Founders’ Day Event
For Immediate Release: February 24, 2023
Contact: Lerna Shirinian, (818) 409-0400
Glendale Council PTA Honors Eight at Founders’ Day Event
Glendale, CA – The Glendale Council PTA honored Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – Burbank) and seven amazing public school supporters on Founders’ Day. Portantino received the Elected Official Honorary Service Award for his leadership on policies that improve learning outcomes for children and for his long-standing support of K-12 public education. In addition to Portantino, GUSD Administrative Secretary Christine Giannamore and the Eveleigh Restaurant received the Very Special Person Award. GUSD Parent Katrin Avanessians and Crescenta Valley High Science Teacher Orenda Tuason received the Honorary Service Award, and Hoover High School Spanish Teacher Rosendo Rojas received the Outstanding Teacher Award. GUSD Human Resources Director Dr. Kyle Bruich received the Outstanding Administrator Award and Retired GUSD Administrator Stephen Williams was given the Golden Oak Service Award.
“I want to congratulate all of the wonderful school supporters who received awards. They are making a positive difference for the health and wellbeing of our children and everyone who supports public education deserves our appreciation. I am proud to be a PTA member and to be in a position to advocate for children,” stated Senator Portantino. “I am grateful to the Glendale Council PTA members for their hard work, advocacy and dedication to our children. I’ve said it for years, if you want something done right, go to the PTA and ask for help. This is a tremendous institution and I am deeply appreciative of this honor.”
Senator Portantino has been a lifelong advocate of K-12 public school education. Since being elected to office, he has championed policies that place student wellbeing and success at the forefront of California’s legislative agenda – including later start times for high schools. This year, the Senator’s legislative agenda includes proposals for expanding behavioral health services in schools, mental health education and training for students and teachers, screening for risk of dyslexia, addressing language barriers for IEP students, and improving emergency safety procedures for students with special needs. He has also advocated for establishing a dishwasher grant program for K-12 schools to address the state’s single-use trash and waste crisis – an idea initiated and championed by the GUSD and Glendale environmentalists.
"Glendale Council PTA is excited to honor Senator Anthony Portantino with our Elected Official Honorary Service Award for his outstanding policy work and legislation that positively impacts the lives of all children,” stated Lerna Amiryans, Glendale Council PTA President. “Senator Portantino has been a strong partner of Glendale Council PTA, supporting our advocacy efforts and local initiatives, including SB 328 and SB 1255. Anthony is also a proud Glendale Council PTA All-Star member, supporting all 24 Glendale Unified School District PTA/PTSA units."
Senator Portantino is a product of public schools as the father of two public school educated daughters, is a long-time PTA member, and an All Star member of every GUSD School PTA. Glendale Council PTA serves and represents the schools of the Glendale Unified School District. GCPTA serves as the governing body that oversees the activities of twenty-four school unit PTAs and serves the Units in their pursuit of PTA programs by providing training and facilitating the flow of information from PTA. Senator Portantino has collaborated on many initiatives with local PTAs, First District PTA and the California PTA.
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