PTAs help supplement schools' declining budgets
Author: Wendy Leung , Staff Writer
RANCHO CUCAMONGA - As an organization that has existed since 1897, the role of the PTA has evolved with the times.
As budget cuts continue to affect public schools in every corner of the state, and as the importance of parental involvement in the education system become increasingly obvious, this is for sure - the PTA is not a group of mothers getting together to socialize and plan leisure activities.
"I used to think that the PTA was a bunch of moms who don't work and drink tea together," said Adriana Argueta, PTA president at Hermosa Elementary School. "Nowadays, with the state budget cuts, key programs are no longer funded. That's where the PTAs step in."
The PTA was originally formed as an advocacy group for children in local schools. Involved parents who led fundraising efforts had the intention to bring supplemental programs to enrich the student experience. Field trips, school assemblies and crazy hair days are typical activities with the PTA stamp.
But deep budget cuts have made PTA contributions go toward programs that were once considered basic.
According to a 2008 survey conducted by the California State PTA, one in five PTAs have been asked to help fund traffic and safety monitors and campus clean-up initiatives.
About one in 20 PTAS have been asked to help fund essentials such as school counselors, school nurses, mental health counselors and substitute teachers.
Oftentimes, when times are tough, arts and physical education bear the brunt of cutbacks.
When the music program was at risk of being eliminated at Jasper Elementary, the PTA stepped in by offering $6,000 a year to pay for a part-time music teacher. It also funded projectors, tricycles for kindergartners and an annual carnival, one of the biggest events of the year.
"I had no idea how much the PTA does behind the scenes," said Amber Jaeckel, a Jasper PTA vice president. "A lot of things that happen at the school couldn't happen without the dedication of the PTA."
The PTA searches far and wide for money. Membership drives is one funding source but they also sell cookies, plan events for sponsorships and when all else fails, pound the pavement.
Last school year, the Alta Loma School District - a 10-school district that includes Jasper and Hermosa - received more than $135,000 from the PTA. The funds went toward reading initiatives, music instruments, library books and other programs.
Parents help out at the high school level as well, often in the form of booster clubs. Oftentimes, athletics, bands, drama productions and other arts programs wouldn't survive without these support groups.
Rancho Cucamonga High School, whose football team won the CIF-Southern Section Central Division championship last year, relies heavily on the schoolwide and football booster teams. They help pay coach salaries, equipment, transportation costs and even a lawn mower.
"They go head over heels raising as much money for athletics as they can," Principal Kern Oduro said. "These are parents who just work so hard beating the street so kids can have a good time."
Without a booster club, big trips would be out of the question.
This year, the marching band boosters club at Etiwanda High School has the daunting task of raising money to help fund a trip to London that could cost more than $500,000. The band was recently invited to perform in the 2011 New Year's parade in London. About 200 people, including students and parents, are expected to attend.
The PTA's role is also changing as the academic standards grow more rigorous. School officials said non-academic components of a well-rounded education often get pushed aside.
Anti-drug initiatives such as Red Ribbon Week and physical activities such as jog-a-thons exist because of thriving PTAs.
"Teachers are so overwhelmed with math, English and science, they really don't have the resources to teach the other side of how to be a successful student," Argueta said. "Lessons such as staying healthy and doing volunteer work is just as important as being in front of a book everyday."
If students get these lessons - or books, trips to London, musical instruments - it's because the moms and dads of the PTA are busy fundraising and not just drinking tea.
wendy.leung@inlandnewspapers.com
(909) 483-9376
As budget cuts continue to affect public schools in every corner of the state, and as the importance of parental involvement in the education system become increasingly obvious, this is for sure - the PTA is not a group of mothers getting together to socialize and plan leisure activities.
"I used to think that the PTA was a bunch of moms who don't work and drink tea together," said Adriana Argueta, PTA president at Hermosa Elementary School. "Nowadays, with the state budget cuts, key programs are no longer funded. That's where the PTAs step in."
The PTA was originally formed as an advocacy group for children in local schools. Involved parents who led fundraising efforts had the intention to bring supplemental programs to enrich the student experience. Field trips, school assemblies and crazy hair days are typical activities with the PTA stamp.
But deep budget cuts have made PTA contributions go toward programs that were once considered basic.
According to a 2008 survey conducted by the California State PTA, one in five PTAs have been asked to help fund traffic and safety monitors and campus clean-up initiatives.
About one in 20 PTAS have been asked to help fund essentials such as school counselors, school nurses, mental health counselors and substitute teachers.
Oftentimes, when times are tough, arts and physical education bear the brunt of cutbacks.
When the music program was at risk of being eliminated at Jasper Elementary, the PTA stepped in by offering $6,000 a year to pay for a part-time music teacher. It also funded projectors, tricycles for kindergartners and an annual carnival, one of the biggest events of the year.
"I had no idea how much the PTA does behind the scenes," said Amber Jaeckel, a Jasper PTA vice president. "A lot of things that happen at the school couldn't happen without the dedication of the PTA."
The PTA searches far and wide for money. Membership drives is one funding source but they also sell cookies, plan events for sponsorships and when all else fails, pound the pavement.
Last school year, the Alta Loma School District - a 10-school district that includes Jasper and Hermosa - received more than $135,000 from the PTA. The funds went toward reading initiatives, music instruments, library books and other programs.
Parents help out at the high school level as well, often in the form of booster clubs. Oftentimes, athletics, bands, drama productions and other arts programs wouldn't survive without these support groups.
Rancho Cucamonga High School, whose football team won the CIF-Southern Section Central Division championship last year, relies heavily on the schoolwide and football booster teams. They help pay coach salaries, equipment, transportation costs and even a lawn mower.
"They go head over heels raising as much money for athletics as they can," Principal Kern Oduro said. "These are parents who just work so hard beating the street so kids can have a good time."
Without a booster club, big trips would be out of the question.
This year, the marching band boosters club at Etiwanda High School has the daunting task of raising money to help fund a trip to London that could cost more than $500,000. The band was recently invited to perform in the 2011 New Year's parade in London. About 200 people, including students and parents, are expected to attend.
The PTA's role is also changing as the academic standards grow more rigorous. School officials said non-academic components of a well-rounded education often get pushed aside.
Anti-drug initiatives such as Red Ribbon Week and physical activities such as jog-a-thons exist because of thriving PTAs.
"Teachers are so overwhelmed with math, English and science, they really don't have the resources to teach the other side of how to be a successful student," Argueta said. "Lessons such as staying healthy and doing volunteer work is just as important as being in front of a book everyday."
If students get these lessons - or books, trips to London, musical instruments - it's because the moms and dads of the PTA are busy fundraising and not just drinking tea.
wendy.leung@inlandnewspapers.com
(909) 483-9376
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