Research indicates that parents who get involved in their child’s
education help them earn higher grades and stay in school.
Further studies show that schools improve when parents
take an active role. The best way to participate is to join your
school’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA) or Parent Teacher
Organization (PTO).
PTA and PTO are grassroots organizations that bring parents in
direct communication with teachers and administrators to be involved
in the education of students. On local, state, and national levels,
the organizations often advocate for children’s issues
with the government.
Parents can become involved in some of these
events:
- Fundraising
events such as carnivals and campus stores, and the sales
of promotional
items like tee shirts
- Book
Fairs
- Teacher
Appreciation events and other morale boosters for staff
- Back-to-School
Nights
- Scholarships
funds for children
- School
beautification projects
- Parent
classes, workshops, and seminars offering practical advice
to parents
- Newsletters
to keep in touch with other parents on scheduled events,
achievements, and announcements
Besides generally
increasing your own child’s odds of succeeding in school,
there are many reasons for getting involved in these organizations,
such as:
- Getting advice from other parents.
Exchange practical information such as babysitters, good
pediatricians,
tutoring services, etc.
- Gaining a greater understanding of broad
educational issues, discuss options, and discover solutions
to campus
challenges.
- Improving teacher morale. When teachers
feel connected and appreciated, they are more enthusiastic
about
their work.
- Being informed on campus issues such as
budgets, curriculum, etc.
- Helping to improve the school for all students,
making the school stronger and the students prouder and
more
confident.
- Influencing important decisions. You will
get a vote on how funds raised are spent and a voice in what programs
your campus participates such as drug-free programs, health
programs, and violence prevention workshops.
The best part is that
anyone can join the local PTAs and PTOs. Mary
Velasquez, the Bonham PTO President, says, “What was
surprising to me was the new trend that came this year.
Not only do we have parents who are members, but many grandparents
signed up, as well, and they are very involved with the PTO.”
Campuses often hold membership drives at
the beginning of the school year for the full advantage
of involvement. But
all
the San Marcos CISD campuses agree that members are welcomed
throughout the school year. Contact your child’s
local campus parent to join. It is all about children’s
welfare.
Here is a list of the campus contacts for
more information about specific school groups.
Campus
Contacts 2007-2008 |
Bonham
Early Childhood Center
Nichol Jones, PTO President
878-2903
Jessica Rivera, PTO President
665-3670
|
Meets 1st Tuesday |
Bowie Elementary
Amanda Rios, PTO Presidents
557-0608
|
|
Crockett Elementary
Amy Mitchell, PTO President
ammitchell@seton.org
396-5091 |
Meets 1st Tuesday at 7:00pm |
De Zavala Elementary
Laura Longoria
392-4355 |
|
Travis
Elementary
Dennis & Sharla Gutierrez, PTO Presidents
738-1206
Craig & Nancy Banning, PTO Presidents
787-1266
|
Meets 2nd Tuesday at 5:30pm |
Hernandez Intermediate
Debbie Bryan, PTO President
754-3916 |
Meets 1st Tuesday |
Goodnight
Jr. High
Birdy Almanzar, PTO President
birdyfly189@yahoo.com
754-0100
|
Meets 1st Wednesday at 5:30pm |
Miller Jr. High
Patricia Smith, PTO President
pjsmith@grandecom.net
353-2928 |
|
San
Marcos High School
Lisa Kuntz
|
|
-or-
Contact the front office at your campus for more information. |
|
|
