05/18/2026
A fond farewell…
As we enter our last few days of the school year I wanted to take a moment as your outgoing PTA president to share a few thoughts...
7 years ago my family moved 4 miles from one side of Duluth to the other so my rising kindergartener could be zoned for Chattahoochee Elementary. I had researched and read and knew in my heart this is where my daughter needed to be. What would take me by surprise - is just how much I needed to be here as well.
I knew I wanted to be involved in my daughter’s school. I quickly joined the PTA and volunteered where I could. What I didn’t expect was stepping into leadership roles within PTA.
The more I learned about PTA, the more I got involved. I learned a working mom could still show up. I learned I believed in the PTA mission- to engage and empower families and communities to advocate for all children, to support a quality education, and to provide a nurturing environment for every child.
When people ask me why I joined PTA and why I added this layer to a busy life, my answer was always simple - Maggie.
I wanted to be involved in my daughter’s life and her school.
The community and friends I made during our years at Chattahoochee will stay with me forever.
As my daughter finishes 5th grade and I close the Chattahoochee chapter of my life , I want to thank all the people who invested in her and our family. Chattahoochee started as just a school, but the community I found here are things that won’t fade away.
Chattahoochee is an incredibly special place. I am so thankful to have been a part of this community and that my daughter had so many amazing years here.
To all our wildcat parents current and future- I encourage you to volunteer. You don’t have to be PTA President to show up. So many things that happen in our schools happen because of volunteers. We NEED more parents willing to help. The difference we can make in our children’s school is palpable. Our educators work so unbelievably hard. It is an honor to show up for them and help where we can.
For me, this is goodbye to Chattahoochee- but not goodbye to PTA. I’m honored to be slated and nominated for election for a role with our Gwinnett County Area 2 PTA council.
Always a wildcat! With a proud and grateful heart,
Leigh Phillips
Your outgoing PTA Co-President
