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Presidents Point! - PTA Beyond the Bake Sale
Throughout the years, the PTA’s main focus has never changed--we are
a strong volunteer organization with our children’s success firmly
in our sights. They are the “bottom line” so to speak. Let’s think
back to when we were in school. When most of us were little, our
Mothers stayed home. They were the leaders of the PTA and the
volunteers. They held bake sales as fundraisers and they were always
at the school doing something. Probably for the most of us, when we
entered our first child into school, we assumed things hadn’t
changed. Boy was I in for a shock! With today’s financial stresses
and strains and changes in family dynamics, it is a luxury to have
one parent at home full time. The bake sale is rare because most
working parents just don’t have the time to make a homemade meal for
their family, much less a cake for someone else! Because of this,
PTA adapted to new schedules and developed fundraisers for working
families.
The need for the PTA hasn’t changed. With over 500 kids and more
than 50 staff members, there are always opportunities for parents to
be involved in their child’s school. However, when a parent asks me
what they can do to help their child’s school PTA, the answer varies
with each parent’s schedule and capabilities, each PTA event and the
time of year. There is definitely something that everyone can do.
Almost all parents work outside of the home in some capacity and the
PTA has and will always be able to adapt for that. The computer and
internet have made all of the jobs on the PTA “user friendly”.
Things are now able to be done after hours and on weekends, when in
the past only those that were not working were able to do them. We
are fortunate that many more McKamy Dads have become involved in the
PTA and are now volunteering as we have diverse opportunities for
everyone. It is no longer just a “Mom thing,” because Mom is working
too and Dads have stepped up to the plate.
If you have been wondering what you could do because you are too
busy, you may be relieved to find out every else one is busy too.
Being involved doesn’t mean a life-long or even daylong commitment.
It may mean helping to make a few decisions, sending an email or
attending a meeting. At McKamy, we have a tremendous PTA that
focuses their time on enriching the lives of the students, parents
and teachers. With everyone contributing a little of their time to
the PTA, we can balance that with our family time too. Parenting
your child comes with no instructions except to be involved in their
life and well being, nurture them so they can grow, and help out
whenever necessary. In many ways this is the same instructions for
the PTA.
Being involved is as easy as 1 – 2 – 3! 1) Fill out a volunteer back
ground check form – available from your teacher or the office. 2)
Turn it into your child’s teacher or the office. 3) Ask your child’s
teacher if you may be of assistance to them or contact our volunteer
coordinator April Trahan (972)418-0518/trahanx5@verizon.net or any
PTA member to be listed as a contact for the next volunteer event.
You may also complete a Volunteer Interest form and turn it into
your child’s teacher listing specific areas that you have interest
in helping out. You will be a welcome addition to our PTA family.
Thank you for all of your time and commitment to the PTA and to our
wonderful school. We are blessed to have parents and teachers who
are focused on the children and committed to helping them succeed..
Wishing you a blessed holiday!
Lynda Bentley
McKamy PTA President
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