Student Involvement

Put the “S” into your PTA

PTSA - Parent Student Teacher Association

 What is a PTSA?

It’s as simple as adding the “S” to your PTA. PTSA (Parent Teacher Student Association) is a partnership between parents and educators who strive to enhance student learning and enrich the lives of the students within the school. It is also a forum for parents to obtain knowledge and voice their opinions about what is happening in their school. The “S” includes our students, our children.  It makes them a part of what we do, it gives them a voice.

Why Join PTSA?

The number one reason to join the PTSA is to benefit all students.  In doing so, you also help your school. But there are many more advantages. Here are just a few:

Get Connected - There’s no better way to know what’s happening in your school.  You will develop a connection between parents, students and teachers. (As a member, you will receive informative emails that will keep you connected and informed!)

Discover Great Resources - The PTSA offers a variety of programs designed for parents as well as students.

Tap into a Network –  Parents want to know what you want and need to help you succeed in school and in life. By working together, you can help this happen.

 Watch Yourself Grow - By volunteering with your PTSA, you gain valuable experiences.  It’s an opportunity to put your skills and hobbies to good use for a good cause.  A great way to volunteer and give back to your community. (Sponsor a food or coat drive, hold a workshop on filling out college applications.

Speak Up - Because the PTSA is a forum for exchanging ideas, you are encouraged to make suggestions. PTSA can be a way for you to more effectively suggest change at your school.

Witness Improvement - By getting involved at your school you’ll be part of the solution, helping make positive changes. Local PTSAs play an important role in fundraising to provide enrichment programs, field trips, scholarships, curriculum-based programs and social events – all vital to a school’s success; in advocating for funds at a local and state level; by advocating for the health, safety and welfare of all students.

Be A Role Model - Set a good example for your peers by being involved yourself. By becoming a PTSA member, you’ll be demonstrating to your peers the importance you place on education.

Join Us Today - You will support local programs and advocacy efforts that will positively impact the quality of your education for the rest of your life. A PTSA membership is an investment in your future. Your membership fee not only supports our local programs and helps us reach out to our community, but also helps the Connecticut State PTA and the National PTA to speak on behalf of children for a better educational environment. Increased membership means a stronger voice will be heard by our state legislature. In order to accomplish this mission, PTSA needs you!

 How do we get our children involved?

Here are just a few ideas…

For the Elementary School PTSA…

Start a PTSA Kids Club – Host club meetings under the supervision of PTA parents during your PTSA monthly meetings. A great way to make PTA night a family night! Have children make posters for PTSA events, sponsor community programs like food and clothing drives.  A great way to get our children involved in giving back to their community.

Ask for their suggestions and opinions on what is going on in their school.  What kind of programs would they like to see? What movie should we show at movie night? What kind of family programs would you like to attend?  Let them be part of the decision-making.  Kids come up with some of the best ideas!

Give the kids their own membership cards- For joining the PTSA the kids can get their own membership cards offering free admission to bingo nights, free popcorn at an event, or front row seats at an enrichment program.  This shows that the PTSA appreciates the work they do and it’s gives them a sense of pride.

At the Middle and High School Level…

 Start a Student Representative Council- A special program for student members to encourage their active participation in PTSA. Students join your PTSA and receive mebership cards to your association.  They are dues paying members with voting privlidges.  Students could put out newsletters, create and maintain websites, and sponsor workshops for stundents.

 Student Representatives can sit on your PTSA Board- Create a board postion for a Student Representative Liason.  Students develop leadership skills, learn about the legislative process, increase their self-esteem, and contribute to the school.. 

 Adult members gain a new perspective for program development, as well as acquire a better understanding of the youth of today.

Check out PTSA Web Sites from other schools. We have some great PTSA’s with a lot of great ideas!  Just Google PTSA!

 We would love to hear how you get your students involved with your PTSA!  Please send  your  ideas and tips to connecticut.pta@snet.net.