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Thursday, May 16, 1996 Page:
PTA in Crestwood and elsewhere is advocate for children’s education
Recent public comments in your community regarding the role of Parent
Teacher
Associations (PTAs) in schools cause concern to PTA membersSeldom have I
responded personally to editorials, but in this instance information regarding
the objectives of the PTA and its constituent organizations needs to be
clarified.
This June, PTA will begin a year-long celebration of its 100th anniversary.
Since its founding in 1897, PTA has encouraged parents, teachers and
community members to speak out on behalf of children.
The mission of the association remains constant: to encourage parent
involvement in all aspects of their children’s lives, including their health,
education and welfare; to assist parents in parenting skills with programs
offered by local PTAs; and to encourage parents and others to advocate on
behalf of children before governmental bodies and associations that make
decisions affecting children.
In the nearly 100-year history of the organization, PTAs have continued to
address child- and education-related issues before school boards, legislators,
and government agencies so that all children will benefit from these efforts.
Hundreds upon hundreds of volunteers throughout the commonwealth and the
nation work daily to improve public education and the uphold these ideals.
The primary means of fulfilling this mission statement are advocating and
communicating the needs of children before school faculty, administrators, and
the school superintendent. PTA officers are elected to represent the parents
in the school and most, like those in Crestwood, are successful in
communicating these needs to the local school district.
While parents and teachers might see the need for a full-time librarian as
a vital function in fulfilling a complete education for the children in any
school, some school board members might consider this request as part of a
mere “wish list.” This need, to parents and educators, is very real and should
be given serious consideration in local communities.
Crestwood parents have been very successful in sharing concerns for their
children with school administrators, a primary role of PTA. Parents come to
PTA concerned about the child and become involved in the school and the
community expressing concerns for all children.
These concerns are genuine and sincere.
Parents have a right as well as any other community member to address any
concern before school officials.
Parents know how they want their tax dollars spent.
Hopefully, the school board will solicit the aid of the parents and the
whole community to preserve and improve upon the public education system and
fill the void which the parents are feeling.
PTA will continue to advocate for what is right for every child. Whether we
agree or disagree, it is important we seek a common forum to talk.
Jeanne Stefanac
President
Pennsylvania Congress of Parents and
Teachers, Inc.
Branch of the National Congress of
Parents and Teachers
Harrisburg