Dear Mills Families and Staff,

As the kids wrap up their finals, the Seniors get ready to graduate, and families are preparing for summer, I wanted to take a quick moment to write my very last note to all of you. 

What started out as an opportunity to be a parent volunteer (I was thinking - a few meetings, light fundraising, parent newsletters), turned into one of my most rewarding and memorable experiences. 

When Principal Duszynski and I had our first planning meeting about a decade ago, we wanted to center the work the PTO does around and about the Mills Community. A few things the PTO does well (and I am proud of):

• In-person and virtual wellness sessions
• Grade-specific learning sessions (e.g. preparing for junior year and college workshops for parents)
• Cookies and Cram for our students (hot cocoa and snacks during Winter Finals Week)
• Teacher Appreciation Treat Week hosted by our families by grade level
• Senior Leis 
• The PTO Grad Day Snack Shack

To all the Mills Admin, Staff, and Educators: 
I got the unique opportunity to get to know many of you on a personal level. There are many families who don’t know how you show up for our students every single day, even when they aren’t in front of you. I have advocated for equity alongside you at School Board meetings; I have seen you fight for resources for students who fall between the cracks; and I have personally witnessed the magic that happens when a student is inspired to learn more or try something new because of a teacher that went the extra mile to be kind and listen. 

Our support staff (from Ms. Landa in accounting and Ms. Dudley in attendance to our amazing Facilities crew) is there helping our students in ways that go beyond their day jobs to make sure our students are supported and safe on campus. 

We don’t say it enough as parents (in fact, many of you may only hear from us when something isn’t going as expected) - THANK YOU for the work you do and the heart you put into it.

Families:

See above and please thank your students’ teachers and counselors when you see them. Ask your students to thank Facilities when they see them. 

You have been my community for a very long time. We have been each other’s sounding board, thought partners, and fellow event organizers. Thank you for the work you all do. Mills is not Mills without all of you helping with the Mills Planning Committee, District Ad Hoc Committees, PTO, Athletic Boosters, Boba Bots, MMAG, and Drama. 

As parents and guardians, we constantly receive solicited and unsolicited advice. So as my final note as PTO President and a fellow high school parent, here’s some unsolicited advice (I promise it’ll be my last, even if I run into you at Trader Joe’s):

• We want our kids to be independent but never be afraid to advocate for them if you need to. 
• Even if we do advocate for our kids, sometimes it doesn’t fix anything. Or sometimes, it’s a situation where we cannot advocate for them. And the feeling sucks. All we can do is be there for them. 
• If you haven’t already, take the time to know what family and student resources exist at our school and District. You never know when they’ll come in handy. 
• Be a part of the Mills Community. Find your people - it’s the best way to get insider tips AND be with people who either know where you’re coming from, or who might have the same questions. 
• Be kind to yourself when you stumble as a parent and most importantly, find someone to check in with. In the moments I have allowed myself to be absolutely vulnerable to parents and staff I trust, I don’t always find answers but people allow themselves the same vulnerability and permission to be - it is when you get and give unconditional kindness in a world that desperately needs it. 



I cannot thank you all enough for allowing me the honor of serving you and our students. Congratulations to my fellow Senior Families and their students. 

Have a restful and safe summer, everyone, and don’t be a stranger!

Your outgoing PTO President,

Joy Pasamonte Henry

joypasamontehenry@gmail.com