Why PTA Meetings Matter

PTA meetings seem easy to ignore. They have small attendance and don't seem to impact your child's education. However, there is more to them than you realize. 

What is PTA? The Parent Teacher Association is a national, non-profit organization served by local affiliates. We not only have power at the school level but also in Washington, D.C. The PTA was founded over 100 years ago and currently has over six million members.

Why are there dues? Not only do the membership dues help pay for the needs of our local schools, they also fuel the lobbying efforts to support the needs of all students nationwide. 

But why join? To put it bluntly, "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem." Attending a PTA meeting is one way to get involved in your child's school. The PTA is not just moms who love bake sales. The PTA is a group of volunteers with the common goal to serve our students and support our district through ever increasing budget constraints. Being involved gives parents a voice about funding, programs, whatever concerns YOU. The PTA supports communication between school officials, teachers, and parents.

What's in it for my child? Did your child at Intermediate mention seeing an orchestra last week? That program was paid for by the PTA. Besides bringing unique experiences and programs to our students, being involved shows children that parents are willing to be advocates on their behalf. It teaches our children how to respectfully voice concerns and bring about change. Seeing parents involved is a great way to teach a pro-active lifestyle through positive role-modeling.

You asked and we listened. In the past, PTA meetings have been held during the day. It's a new year with new families. Many requested an evening meeting for those working parents. This Thursday, 10/19, is your chance. You can attend either at 9:30a.m. at the Educational Support Center (1105 N. Hunt Club Rd, Gurnee) or 6:30p.m. at the Intermediate School Multi-Purpose Room (1115 N. Hunt Club Rd, Gurnee). We hope to see you there.

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