MEMBERSHIP

With schools facing challenges like shrinking budgets and lack of educational equity, PTA is more important than ever.  Your membership gives Polk students a voice! When our membership is vibrant and robust, our influence is powerful at the campus, district, state, and national levels.

Joining Polk PTA is a way to support your Panther's education, strengthen your school and community connections, and network with other parents, grandparents, educators and community members.

• PTA helps ensure schools have resources and support needed for every child to be successful

• PTA helps fund programs, activities and improvement that directly impact students' learning environments

• PTA keeps parents informed about school events, policies and opportunities

• PTA connects parents, teachers and community members and provides a network to share experiences, collaborate on various projects, and advocate for change

Why should I join PTA?

PTA offers all parents and caregivers the opportunity to be engaged in their child’s potential. Being a member of PTA means that you are part of a powerful association and action plan that is focused on programs and initiatives that strengthen your child’s education.

PTA membership and dues support your child by funding essential educational and curriculum needs; advocating on behalf of children and educators at the local, state and national levels; and building an inclusive school community for all families. Join PTA for your child because increasing our membership, even by one, makes it possible to provide important educational resources, speak up on important issues and create a stronger school community.

Where does my money go when I pay membership dues?

PTA dues directly support your child. PTA dues help fund essential school resources and curriculum needs. PTA dues support advocacy efforts at the local, state and national levels, impacting decisions affecting your child’s health, safety and quality of education. PTA dues support our work to strengthen connections between your family, your child’s classmates and their families, and teachers to build a thriving and inclusive community for everyone.

Does PTA membership require volunteering and attending meetings?

The only thing required of you to be a member of PTA is to pay the annual membership dues (one time fee of $10 for the year). Beyond that, however you choose to PTA is up to you. PTA offers all parents and caregivers the opportunity to be engaged in their child’s potential. From volunteering at Panther Den or the Book Fair, to participating in local, state and national advocacy efforts to holding PTA leadership roles – the level of involvement is up to you. There is no wrong way to PTA!

How much time do I have to commit to being a member of PTA?

Membership in PTA can involve as much or as little time as you have to offer. There is no wrong or right way to be involved – anything you can give, whether it’s time, skills, ideas or money, will support your child’s potential.

Isn’t PTA a social club for stay-at-home moms?

First and foremost, PTA is for every family who has a child at the school. PTA is for moms, dads, caregivers, grandparents, teachers and the broader community!

While some of the work done by PTA may appear purely social, these events are organized to strengthen the school community. It fosters relationships and friendships within our community, and it gives caregivers the opportunity to network and connect. It draws in local businesses and resources and strengthens community connections.

How does PTA ensure it represents every child and family at the school?

We encourage every family at Polk to become a PTA member to support the success of their Panther. We want a diverse membership base that reflects all of the families and needs of students at the school. PTA strengthens connections between your family, your child’s classmates and their families and teachers to build a thriving and inclusive community for everyone.

How does PTA impact my child?

· PTA provides schools access to experts, resources, trainings and dozens of nationally recognized educational enrichment programs that impact a child’s education

· PTA funds the nation's largest and longest running student arts program, Reflections®, which provides students access to arts, music, literature, dance, drama and visual arts.

· PTA’s national advocacy efforts have helped establish universal kindergarten and the National School Lunch Program, the juvenile justice system and anti-child labor laws.