School is back in session, you’ve made it through Meet and Greets, Open Houses, Back to School Picnics and the stress of the first few weeks of homework. Your child has a new lunch box and backpack or a new set of binders and money on their lunch account. Activities have started back up and you’ve written checks for everything from a cheer uniform to an instrument rental to yearbooks and so on and so on. Have you written a check yet though for your PTA membership?
Every year, I hear someone say “why should I join PTA?” Let me tell you why! First of all, PTA stands for Parent Teacher Association. It is a group of parents, teachers, community members, cafeteria workers, grandparents, aunts and uncles, students and so many more individuals working towards the goal of advocating for our children and improving their lives. PTA today continues the tradition started 100 years ago, wishing for every child to be represented by one voice.
By joining your child’s PTA, regardless of their grade or age, you can benefit greatly and provide your child and other children with additional opportunities for growth throughout the school year. Here are a few highlights of PTA Member Benefits:
>Get Connected and Discover Great Resources. PTAs often have websites and/or newsletters that keep you apprised of things going on in school, including ways you can volunteer and programs being offered to benefit the family unit, not just the children. Some schools have “Lunch and Learn” programs for parents while others do “Parent Education Nights.” Take advantage of these opportunities! Connect with other parents and use the resources offered to learn about today’s youth and the challenges they face.
>Speak up and Watch Yourself Grow. PTA is a forum where your ideas are welcomed and encouraged. Positive change in a school can be the result of a sometimes simple idea. Also, by sharing ideas and volunteering at your child’s school, you will be able to put your hobbies and skills to use in a positive way for not only your child, but for the benefit of all children in the school and at times even the community.
>Witness Improvement. You are a part of the solution by being involved in your child’s school and as such, you will be able to witness improvement first hand. Your child’s PTA offers educational, social and family programs aimed towards bettering the lives of children. By joining PTA and volunteering, you will be able to see just how the programs PTA provides have a positive impact in your child’s school. PTA sponsored programs can allow children to explore other countries, experiment with healthy eating and exercise, explore science in different and unique ways and offer many other opportunities that these children may not otherwise have.
>Be a part of a larger voice. At its core, PTA is an advocacy organization. We are dedicated to providing a voice for our children so that they might have better opportunities in school. This is especially important this year as we face an important choice on our November ballot – Opportunity School District. Watch, listen, and join with us this fall as we fight against OSD in Georgia!
If the opportunities listed above do not appeal to you, let me tell you about other benefits. PTA is known as a powerful voice in the community and as such, we are able to partner with local businesses willing to offer discounts to our members. Businesses offering benefits to our members this year include Chick-Fil-A, Aspens, Papa Johns, Sparkles, Omega Learning, Orange Theory, Common Quarter, Spotless Cleaning, Get in Shape for Women, My Friend’s Place, Three 13, Experimac, Women’s Premier Fitness & Spa and Highland Family Chiropractic. The community definitely supports East Cobb County Council of PTAs and the members!
So, now that I’ve given you a multitude of reasons why you should join PTA, please consider them the next time you are in your child’s school. Help PTA continue to be a powerful voice for our children. Help us make a positive change in the schools and impact the lives of EVERY child in East Cobb County.
By Heather Held, Membership Chair, East Cobb County Council of PTAs. Heather Held serves as the Membership Chair for East Cobb County Council of PTAs as well as the Membership Chair for District 9 PTA. Heather also advocates for children in her role as the Administrative and Development Coordinator for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. She resides in Lansdowne subdivision with her husband Chris and daughter Annabelle, a senior at Wheeler HS.
This article originally appeared in the EAST COBBER September 2016 issue.
