Wake County PTA Council

As school begins, parents across Wake County collectively wish the best for their students. We all want our children to succeed in school, but what can we really do to ensure our success? How can we positively influence the educational process and help them get the right start to life?

National PTA says that family involvement is the key to student success. But what does family involvement mean? What does it look like? How can we possibly get involved, especially when we’re working so hard just to keep our heads above water?

For every family, involvement means something different:

For some, involvement means having a parent in the child’s classroom on a regular basis, assisting the classroom teacher in class projects and events, and chaperoning field trips.
For some, involvement means making sure the child shows up on time for school every day, having eaten a good breakfast and bringing all the appropriate materials, so that the child is prepared to learn.
For some, involvement means including calm times at home in the evening so that children can unwind and prepare for the coming school day.
For some, involvement means just spending time every day discussing what’s going on in school and in the child’s life, offering support and encouragement.
For some, involvement means reading together on a nightly basis.
And for some, involvement means all of the above and more.

The real point is that every family will find their own ways of getting involved. But we ALL have the responsibility to do that. We ALL have the responsibility to support and encourage our students.

If you are looking for ways to specifically get plugged into your child’s education, please do not hesitate to contact your school’s PTA/PTSA president. He/She can help you find ways to get involved. Even if you can only offer 30 minutes of time, you can be part of the solution, part of the positive community of volunteers that are making a real difference in the lives of the children at every school in Wake County. If you don’t know how to contact your PTA President, contact your school’s main office and they will direct you as to contact information.

Thanks for all you do for the children,
Sarah Martin
Wake PTA Council President, 2008-2009