Why join the PTA?

It's that time of year again when it feels like everyone has their hand out. You feel like you just keep writing checks to your schools, fall sports clubs, tutors etc...  Then, you get the email to join PTA and by the way, will you donate some money to us too? Many people think, I pay my taxes for public schooling, why do I need to join the PTA and pay them money too?

There is more to the PTA than board meetings. I could tell you about the values of PTA and their mission statement but in the end what really matters is how does this help me? How does this help my child? Specifically, what does the PTA do for my family?

Well, if your child goes to Downing Middle School, the PTA does a lot of things that you might not see at first glance.

That social your child went to and had the time of his/her life at? Yep, sponsored by the PTA! He/she may have learned how to do the Worm or the Robot but they also hung out with their friends, met new ones and had a great time after school in a “non school” atmosphere. The PTA paid for all the food, decorations, DJ etc...  Yes, there was a small entrance fee to help cover the costs but that is mainly because we don’t have enough money in the budget to cover the whole thing.

The programs that are put on for your children at Downing about drug awareness (BMX bike event), sex education, anti-bullying,.. all paid for by the PTA.

The awesome blinds in the cafeteria that help keep the sun out of the kids' eyes, lounge furniture in the library, storage unit, Apple TVs for classrooms and teaching supplies (and this was just last year!)? Yep, you guessed it — paid for by the PTA. At the end of the year, any money that does not need to be carried over to the next year is spent on teacher requests.

The PTA makes sure your children's teachers feel appreciated. They go way out of their way to have breakfasts, lunches, slushy days, sweet treats and more for the teachers on a monthly basis.

The PTA coordinates all the volunteers at your school so that we can have Socials, Book Fairs, Programs, student directories, community support events, lunch room helpers, teacher appreciation events. Almost everything that happens at the school that requires volunteers your PTA members are coordinating or doing it themselves.

We are your voice at State and National level in support of your children’s school experience and environment. But without you we can’t continue to do these things for the students. So, be your kids’ biggest fan and join the PTA today.

Tracy Case
Downing PTA Publicity Chair