PTAs, Schools Have 1,897 Reasons to Celebrate Take Your Family to School Week, February 11 – 17

PTA’s national office today announced it will award $1,897 to 16 PTA schools to help thousands of students and families celebrate PTA Take Your Family to School Week, February 11 — 17.

These PTAs are receiving cash awards to recognize Take Your Family to School Week activities they have planned that are innovative; inclusive; promote parent and family involvement in schools; emphasize the link between involvement and student achievement; and further PTA’s mission. Hundreds of PTAs submitted proposals describing different family activities they have planned, such as events with invited elected officials, school tours, and friendly parents vs. teachers game tournaments.

The PTA national organization is making these $1,897 awards in honor of the day and year PTA was founded (February 17, 1897). Now in its 110 year anniversary, PTA finds that our mission is more relevant than ever. Research has shown that family involvement equals higher student achievement, and PTA Take Your Family to School Week gives today’s parents and families the key to the door of their children’s school experience.

After much deliberation and evaluation, PTA national officers and staff chose schools (five urban, four rural, and six suburban) from 14 different U.S. states and one from a U.S. Department of Defense school in Germany! The envelope please…

Note: The $1,897 award-winning PTAs represent the following schools.

David G. Farragut Elementary School; Germany

Chickasaw School of Math and Science, Chickasaw, Alabama

McIntyre Middle School; Montgomery Alabama

Mary Deterding Elementary School; Carmichael, California

Lake City Community School; Lake City, Colorado

Matthew W. Gilbert Middle School; Jacksonville, Florida

Frederick Douglass High School; Atlanta, Georgia

Morgan Park High School; Chicago, Illinois

Saginaw High School; Saginaw, Michigan

Laurel Elementary School; Marshall, North Carolina

Foothill High School; Albuquerque, New Mexico

Drake Elementary School; Strongsville, Ohio

Whitehall Elementary School; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Gonzales Elementary School.; Gonzales; Texas

Fort Herriman Middle School; Herriman, Utah

Bailey Bridge Middle School; Midlothian, Virginia

Contact PTA’s national office to find out what activities PTAs and schools in your community have planned for Take Your Family to School Week.

Take Your Family to School Week is supported by education and community leaders, including Secretary Margaret Spellings, U.S. Department of Education; the National School Boards Association; the National Association of Secondary School Principals; and the National Association of Elementary School Principals:

“Strong family-school partnerships are vital to the effort to leave no child behind. I want to thank you for your participation in PTA Take Your Family to School Week. By participating in your school’s activities, you demonstrate your commitment to raise children of achievement, character, and conviction who will help to build the future of our Nation.” -Secretary Margaret Spellings, 2007

“Consistent family involvement is one of the greatest factors in ensuring that a child receives a quality education…Take Your Family to School Week is an excellent way to bridge the gap between schools, families, and communities. We encourage families nationwide to show their active support for education by connecting with their children’s teachers during Take Your Family to School Week.” -Dr. Gerald N. Tirozzi, National Association of Secondary School Principals, 2007

“Familial involvement is essential to the educational and social development of children… That is why an initiative such as this one [Take Your Family to School Week] is so important. Take Your Family to School Week provides schools with an avenue to invite families into the school so that they can participate in children’s education…” -Vincent L. Ferrandino, National Association of Elementary School Principals, 2007

About PTA

PTA comprises nearly 6 million parents and other concerned adults devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of parent involvement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that prides itself on being a powerful voice for children, a relevant resource for parents, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who is concerned with the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.

To view full electronic news release go to: http://onekit.enr-corp.com/1001172/index.html