The Litchfield Elementary School PTSA (Parent Teacher Student Association) shares the mission and purposes of the Arizona and National PTAs. We seek to follow these guidelines while maintaining a focus on our school and our community.

The mission of the PTSA is three-fold:

To support and speak on behalf of children and youth in the schools, and before governmental agencies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children;
To assist parents in developing skills they need to raise and protect their children; and
To encourage parent and public involvement in the public schools of this nation.

Purposes of the PTSA :

To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community and place of worship.
To raise the standards of home life.
To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth.
To bring into closer relation the home and the school, that parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education of children and youth.
To develop between educators and the general public such united efforts as will secure for all children and youth the highest advantages in physical, mental, social, and spiritual education.

What is a PTA?

The PTA (Parent Teacher Association) is a grass roots organization that brings parents and teachers together so they can work towards improving the lives and education of students. Over 6.5 million people belong to PTAs nationwide, making it the largest child-advocacy volunteer association. Simply, a PTA is a group of adults, both men and women, affiliated with a school that have organized to work to help children thrive and learn — whether that means fundraising for school supplies, educating parents, helping teachers, or fighting for legislation to ensure every child gets a high-quality education.

Is there a big time/monetary commitment?

Many parents are hesitant to join the PTSA because they fear it will cut into their already overscheduled lives and stretched budgets. Dues to join the LES PTSA are $5 a year per person. Meetings usually occur only one evening a month and members have the option to attend but are not required. As for additional volunteering requirements, you will probably be asked to help with fundraising efforts or assisting with events, but your involvement is ultimately up to you. It's important to keep in mind that a meaningful contribution to a PTSA project does not have to be time-consuming. You can volunteer for one event during the school year such as helping during health screening week, or with the fall carnival. Even if you don't have time to volunteer, you can help out with supplies or donate items for the PTSA to raise money during fundraising events — there are many ways to be involved.

What do PTSAs actually do?

Activities and roles vary from group to group, but you can probably expect to be involved with:

Fundraising: At meetings, members bring up things the school needs help buying, from art supplies to computers, and decide how to raise funds - from smaller endeavors like ice cream socials, to large-scale events like a fall carnival.

Teacher Appreciation: The PTSA takes charge of showing that teachers are valued through end-of-school luncheons, Teacher Appreciation Week events, finding classroom volunteers, and other morale builders.

Back-to-School Night: Most PTSAs run this important get-to-know your teacher’s event that allows all parents to find out more about what's in store for their children.

Parent Classes/Workshops/Seminars: LES offers Parent University which covers many aspects of raising our kids in an and getting them ready for an often challenging world.

Newsletters: Find out what's going on in your school and in your PTSA through its newsletter, and this website.

Why should I get involved?

Besides generally increasing your own child's odds of succeeding at school, there are myriad benefits to joining the PTSA.

You can get advice from other parents. Find out about the best babysitter in town, where the kid-friendly restaurants are, which field trips are the most fun to volunteer for, get recommendations for good pediatricians and tutors, and add your own knowledge to the pool.

You'll gain a greater understanding of broad educational issues. What's an IEP? How will the No Child Left Behind act affect your child's school? When will your child take standardized tests? Discover answers and discuss opinions on these questions and many other important matters.

You'll improve teacher morale. When teachers feel connected and appreciated by the community, they are more invested in their student’s performance and are happier and more enthusiastic about their work.
You'll be up-to-date on what's going on at school. Not only will you know when school events are happening, you'll also learn about new staff, student accomplishments, new rules, budgets, and changes in curriculum.

You'll help improve schools for all students. Research done by the PTSA and other groups shows that when the community gets involved in its schools, the schools get better. Not only will you be part of group that is committed to making your local school stronger and safer, but you will also join a national chorus that says that it is important that every child gets the chance to thrive at school and at home.

You can influence important decisions. You will get to vote on how PTSA-raised funds are allocated, suggest new projects, and voice your opinion on issues affecting your child, like how to create a drug-free community or what should be covered in school health programs. It is a great way to let administrators and politicians hear what you have to say about today's issues, from funding for the arts to national standards to preventing violence in schools.

How do I join?

That's the easiest part! Anyone can join the PTSA. You can download the form below. The membership fee is $6.00 per person and all students, parents, grandparents and extended family are welcome to join. Forms can be turned in to the front office or your child's teacher.