Funding for our public schools is dwindling; these cuts make it difficult for the teachers and administrators to run our schools. Our schools rely more on participation from parents and the surrounding community.
A shining example of school spirit among parents is exemplified at Nottingham Elementary School in Arlington, Virginia. Nottingham parents are 100% involved in the PTA (Parent Teacher Association). The PTA and parents make use of their funds available by holding several fund-raisers each year.
These events not only benefit the children currently attending the school, it ensures that the quality of education will always be there.
Nottingham kicks off its year with a school wide Book Fair sponsored by Scholastic Books. Scholastic provides the books and gives a percentage of the sales to the school. The parents provide their time to set up and run the book fair. At Nottingham, this is a two-day event.
The folks at Nottingham and the PTA don't stop there they have an annual Sock Hop dance for the kids, complete with a DJ, soda fountain and a small dinner menu. They charge an admission fee for the family and sell the food and drink. The parents work hard to find area businesses to either donate their services or provide it at a lower cost. This has proven to be a favorite with the children, providing them with a chance to step back in time when poodle skirts, ponytails, leather jackets and slicked back hair were the fad. Not only do they dress up; they learn the different dances of the era, the twist, the mashed potato, and the stroll. Parent and child have fun at this event. Nottingham is also involved in a grocery receipts program that runs from September to April. This is an easy way for parents to participate. In past years the actual receipts were sent to school and volunteers counted them. This year participation was simplified, a sign up sheet was sent home with the students at the beginning of the year. The parents signed the sheet with their information and could sign up other family members who shop at the participating grocery store. Nottingham's Student Council (SCA) is involved in fundraising for the school as well; they collect the box tops from General Mills Cereals. The SCA has a large box in the main hallway for the parents or students to hold all the collected box tops. When the program is over (usually at the end of March) the SCA counts the box tops and redeems them for school use. The PTA and parents end the year with the annual Nottingham May Festival held on the first Saturday in May rain or shine. The May festival is more than an annual event it's a tradition dating back to 1953. Not only the students and parents come to this event, the surrounding community comes out in support as well. There's something for everyone at this event from arts and crafts, games, raffles, and food. Nottingham Elementary School is a wonderful example of how the PTA and parental involvement can help improve our children's learning environment. If you want more for your child's school start with the PTA, find out how you can help. There's something for everyone.
reprinted by permission of Linda Dupie.

BIO-Linda is a mom, wife, writer and the editor of a web site for young writers called Rainy Day Corner (http://rainydaycorner.com/) and is the Content Manager of a new web site for young writers called http://www.youngwritersnook.com/. She writes on a variety of subjects including parenting issues. HomePage http://www.geocities.com/ldwriter_2000/index.htm