Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

 

What is PTA?

PTA is an acronym for the Parent Teacher Association. The rationale of this organization is to serve as a powerful voice for children. Membership is open to anyone who believes in the mission:

  • To support and speak on behalf of children and youth in the schools, in the community, and before governmental bodies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children;
  • To assist parents in developing the skills they need to raise and protect their children;
  • To encourage parent and public involvement in the public schools of this nation.

The Purposes of the PTA are:

  • To promote the welfare of the children and youth in home, school, community, and place of worship.
  • To raise the standards of home life.
  • To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth.
  • To bring into closer relation the home and the school, that parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education of children and youth.
  • To develop between educators and the general public such united efforts as will secure for all children and youth the highest advantages in physical, mental, social, and spiritual education.

The number one reason to join the PTA is to benefit your child and in doing so you also help your child’s school. Some of the benefits of the PTA are:

  • Variety of programs offered to parents and students
  • Great networking opportunities for parents, teachers and other professionals
  • Parents can gain valuable volunteering experiences through opportunities (fundraisers, activity days & etc.) that allow them to showcase their talents and hobbies
  • By getting involved in the PTA, parents can be a part of the solution and decision making in reference to positive changes in the school and community
  • As parents, you will demonstrate to your child the importance you place on education

Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)

 

What is PTO?

PTO Today, Inc. is a national service company focused exclusively on the work of K-8 school parent-teacher groups like PTOs, PTAs, HSAs and the like. Founded in 1999 by a former teacher and school administrator, the company has continually added more products and services over the years — all designed to help parent-teacher group leaders help their schools as effectively as possible.

PTO (not affiliated with PTA) generally represents the thousands of groups that choose to remain independent of the PTA. These are most often single-school groups that operate under their own bylaws and largely concern themselves with the goings-on at their building or in their town only.