Why Should You Join PTA?

Just as the name implies, an effective school Parent Teacher Association (PTA) contains both parents and teachers. Without a working relationship of both, PTA programs would become ineffective. Parents who wish to join their school’s PTA are offered benefits that will last a lifetime.

What are the Benefits of Joining PTA?

One important reason to join your son or daughter’s school PTA is to assist with much needed fundraising projects that further opportunities for your children and students to come. You can be a part of raising funds for school equipment and supplies, or perhaps a larger project, such as constructing a gym for the physical education department. Regardless of the size of the project, the PTA only works with the help of volunteers who are willing to give their time for the betterment of the school.

Although fundraising is of vital importance to the successfulness of PTA events, there are many other ways PTA membership benefits you. Children of active PTA parents seem to do better academically than those who do not have parental involvement. If your child is struggling in a particular area of his studies, a PTA parent is more likely to have the connections and resources to help.

PTA membership offers the support of other parents who have the same concerns, and simply want the best learning experience for their children. Parents meet other parents who can guide them in areas of volunteering that would be suitable for that parent’s skill or talent. As each parent participates in fundraising events as well as meetings, they bond and become associates, working with teachers to offer a safe, effective learning environment for all students.

Although PTA membership benefits the school as a whole, having the ability to closely monitor your own children and being actively engaged as a parent is the most rewarding of all PTA benefits. As each child eventually graduates and begins college, many of the relationships developed through PTA membership will continue.

The most important reason for PTA membership is to have a direct relationship with the teachers of your child’s school. Through PTA events you will be able to witness the dedication level of those who teach your children in a variety of ways:

• Are the teachers actively involved in PTA meetings?
• Are the teachers actively seeking alternatives to budgeting problems through fundraisers or school programs?
• Are the teachers concerned with the academic success of all students?
• Are the teachers making an effort to get to know the parents of each child and offering assistance where it is needed most?

Conclusion

The recent recession brought many issues to the front line, namely the budgeting problems in our school system. As teacher salaries dwindled, teaching our children the right way became a top priority. During this time, PTA memberships grew, as more and more parents saw the need for parental involvement. Through the efforts of those who were willing to devote their time and energy, as well as those who were willing to give monetary assistance, programs were able to continue and many students were able to attend schools throughout the nation in spite of the devastating effects the recession had created.
Join your school’s PTA and you’ll feel empowered to be a part of the decision-making process, as well as have a direct effect on the success of your child and the entire community.