Fletcher PTA “Completes The Cycle” In Family-School Partnership
Completing the cycle.
That’s how M.J. Fletcher Elementary School Principal Amanda Sischo views the role of a Parent Teacher Association.
“PTA completes the cycle,” Sischo said. “It allows our families to participate in events and gives us the opportunity to interact and engage with not just students — but also their families.”
At Fletcher, Sischo is fortunate for an organization of school families who are motivated and mobilized for an exciting 2024-25 school year ahead.
Getting involved in school has always been a priority in PTA President Sarah Shelters’ family.
“Growing up, my mom was really involved in the PTA at my school so I kind of had a front row seat to watch her volunteer and I saw how much fun she had with the other parents and how much joy it brought the teachers and staff having an active PTA at the school,” Shelters said. “I always knew that if I had children, someday I would want to be involved the same way.”
After two years serving in the organization as both a member and as secretary, she was elected president this fall.
“Since getting involved with PTA, especially this last year, I think the biggest thing I have learned is just how much our school community really cares about our kids and how important communication is,” Shelters said. “There are so many incredible things that happen within that building throughout the school day that I think most parents and guardians have no idea about.
PTA has really given me a wonderful opportunity to sort of be nosey in a way and ask questions and share information that I think makes more parents and family members want to get involved and ask, ‘how can I help?'”
Pivotal to that has been soliciting engagement among parents in whatever way is most convenient to them.
“At Fletcher, we now have monthly meetings that can be attended in person or virtually through Zoom where you can ask questions and share thoughts and ideas; there are opportunities to volunteer for school-wide events and teacher/student appreciation pop-ups; and there are fundraising opportunities to raise money that we use to enhance our students’ educational experiences,” Shelters said.
The result has been a growing number of engaged and dedicated parent volunteers, including Vice President Mary Yarber and Secretary Nancy Wolfe.
“For my first three years as principal, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it was mostly just me and another parent working on PTA-related projects,” Sischo said. “Now, we have a full slate of officers and additional members.”
“We are so fortunate at Fletcher to have a supportive administration and staff who go above and beyond in supporting our PTA,” Shelters added. “I think one of the reasons we’ve been successful in growing our group’s interest over the past few years is by really meeting people where they are: We now offer our monthly meetings in person or over Zoom, we’ve tried to increase our communications through email, our Facebook Page and TalkingPoints, and we’ve tried to plan ahead as best we can so that if we do need volunteers for an event we’ve given plenty of notice and given them specific tasks.”
Throughout the school year, the PTA supports the annual “Trunk-Or-Treat” event, crafting kits for students around the holidays, and incentive prizes for good attendance. They also welcomed staff back with a breakfast during opening days in late August and is also helping to support new playground equipment the school hopes to unveil in the Summer of 2025. Shelters is also hoping to build the organization’s capacity to bring back other activities to help support the students at Fletcher.
“We’re hoping to bring back several Popcorn Days for the students throughout the year, as well as new ways to show our appreciation for school staff,” she said. “One of the comments we’ve received from parents is that they are interested in more family engagement opportunities, whether those are school-wide or by grade level. It is definitely something we will be looking into throughout the year.”
No matter how you get involved, Shelters encourages families to consider getting engaged with their school building by joining their respective PTA/PTO.
“We all really want the same thing – to help our kids be successful in their education,” she said. “By having a strong PTA or PTO, we’re really building a stronger school community. Getting involved is a great way for families to learn more about their school and be an active participant in their student’s educational journey.”
Fletcher’s PTA is still seeking a treasurer, Shelters said. Anyone in the school community with a financial/accounting background is encouraged to contact her at mjfletcherpta@gmail.com or find them on Facebook at “M.J. Fletcher Elementary PTA.”