Yup, I’m talking about the dreaded PTA. Or maybe it’s called Home and School at your child’s school (it is at mine). When Ethan started Kindergarten, I wanted to find ways to be involved in the school. As a former school district employee, I wanted to know what was going on in the schools. If there was a problem, I wanted to know and I wanted to be a part of the solution.
But PTA moms often get a bad rap as being busy, know-it-all housewives who just want any reason to throw a party or host a fundraiser. And let me tell you, it’s far from that. Sure, you may run into a few here and there. But trust me, we are all not like that.
There are plenty of benefits to both you and your child by you getting involved in their school. Keeping up to date with their teacher is simply not enough. There is a lot going on in the schools that you might not even realize. That it is until you join the PTA.
Ten Reasons Why You Should Get Involved in the PTA
1. Parent involvement in school is proven to make children much more successful in school. Going to school events is great, but working closely with teachers and administrators in the school helps tremendously on so many levels in making your child successful at school.
3. The PTA/PTO often offer parenting programs and other resources which may be beneficial to you, dealing with all of the struggles of being a parent. It can help in understanding a particular math program that is being used or just ways in dealing with being a single parent. So many resources are made available through your local PTA/PTO which can be such a great help.
4. Networking. Okay, so it’s not really a business transaction. Or is it? Building a rapport with the people whose job it is to provide your child with an education will make communicating with these people so much easier. You will know the administration and they will know you. You’ll know the parents. You’ll build relationships with people who can help you out when you really need it.
5. You will grow. By volunteering with your local parent group, you are putting your skills and hobbies to good use for a great cause. If you like to bake, volunteer to coordinate the bake sales. Maybe your have a knack at getting donations. Put your hobbies to good use!
6. Give yourself a voice. Are you concerned about the lunches being served in your school? Well, your parent group might be able to address this. You might find multiple other parents agree that the lunch selection is poor and you can work with this group of parents to improve school lunches, using your voice to invoke change.
7. You’ll be part of the solution. Being a part of your local parent/teacher group, you are raising money and making a difference in the lives of students. Your school has needs, whether it’s a new playground that is safe or a special computer program to help with learning. You get to help provide that for the children.
8. You are being a role model for your child. Being involved in the school you are showing your child how important education is to you. You are at the school by choice and showing your child that he or she should want to choose to be there as well.
9. Often times your local parent organization will offer special discounts to its members on things.
10. You’ll always be the first one to know what’s happening in the school. Your child comes home with fliers about an activity and you’ll already know about it. Anything that happens in the school you’ll know about, because you’re there.
So what are you waiting for? Are you going to get involved in your local parent/teacher group this year?
Stephanie Glover is a Collegeville, PA mom of two. This post was adopted from her blog, A Grande Life.
