National PTA Founders' Day

Bet you didn't know that today is National PTA Founders' Day? On this day in 1897 Phoebe Apperson Hearst and Alice McLellan Birney began their mission to see how teachers, parents and community members together can provide support, information and resources to the families of the school. I'm reminded of the ancient African proverb, it takes a village to raise child.

PTA (Parent Teachers Association) in schools are so valuable. I spent 8 years in the public schools, beginning as a classroom teacher, so I saw 1st hand how an active PTA provides such an asset to the school, while an inactive PTA is a real detriment. The schools really have such a great resource of parents who truly have a vested interest in the school. The parents who volunteer their time show a true commitment to their students.

Did you know that the National PTA has helped lead the way to...

• the creation of kindergarten classes,


• child labor laws,


• a public health service,


• hot lunch programs,


• a juvenile justice system,


• mandatory immunization

Are you involved? How?

Be a SMART MAMA and learn how you can be a more active member of the PTA!

I found much of the information above at www.PTA.org.