niles elementary pta

Committee Chair

Ashley Alves

Event Date

Year Round

Committee Responsibilities

1. Identify Educational Needs

• Assess the needs and interests of parents through surveys, discussions, or input from school staff and PTA members.

• Identify key topics for parent education, such as child development, mental health, technology use, school curriculum, and parenting strategies.

• Stay informed on current educational trends, challenges, and resources that may benefit the parent community.

2. Plan Educational Programs & Workshops

• Organize parent education events, such as workshops, seminars, webinars, or guest speaker presentations on relevant topics.

• Schedule events throughout the school year, ensuring they align with the needs and interests of the parent community.

• Coordinate logistics for each event, including venue, time, format (in-person or virtual), and necessary materials.

3. Engage Experts & Guest Speakers

• Identify and invite experts, educators, or professionals in fields such as education, psychology, health, or technology to present to parents.

• Build relationships with local organizations, counselors, and community groups who can provide resources or speakers.

• Ensure that guest speakers are knowledgeable and able to provide practical, actionable advice for parents.

4. Promote Parent Education Events

• Create promotional materials, including flyers, emails, and social media posts, to advertise upcoming parent education events.

• Work with the PTA communications committee to ensure broad outreach to the school community.

• Collaborate with teachers and school staff to spread the word through classroom newsletters or announcements.

5. Coordinate Childcare or Transportation

• Arrange for childcare services during in-person parent education events to increase participation and accessibility for parents.

• Work with volunteers or local service providers to ensure safe and reliable childcare.

• Consider providing transportation options or coordinating carpooling for parents who may need assistance attending events.

6. Provide Resources & Materials

• Distribute informational materials, such as brochures, articles, or recommended readings, to complement parent education events.

• Curate online resources (e.g., videos, websites, articles) that parents can access anytime for additional learning.

• Ensure materials are accessible, translated into multiple languages if needed, and cater to diverse learning needs.

7. Foster Engagement & Discussions

• Encourage parent participation and create opportunities for discussion during and after events.

• Facilitate question-and-answer sessions or small group discussions to help parents apply what they’ve learned to their personal situations.

• Provide follow-up resources or discussion groups to keep parents engaged and allow for continued learning.

8. Collaborate with School & PTA Committees

• Work closely with school administrators, counselors, and teachers to ensure the parent education program aligns with school initiatives and policies.

• Collaborate with other PTA committees, such as the health and wellness committee, to integrate related topics and resources into parent education programs.

• Coordinate with the PTA board to align education topics with the overall goals of the school community.

9. Evaluate Program Effectiveness

• Gather feedback from parents after each event through surveys or informal discussions to evaluate the effectiveness of the program.

• Track attendance and engagement levels at events to identify popular topics and areas for improvement.

• Use feedback to adjust future programs and tailor topics to better meet the needs of the parent community.

10. Build a Parent Education Library

• Create a collection of resources (e.g., books, pamphlets, DVDs, or online materials) that parents can borrow or access throughout the year.

• Update the library regularly with new materials on parenting, child development, and education.

• Promote the availability of these resources to the parent community through newsletters or social media.

11. Diversity & Inclusion

• Ensure that educational events and resources are inclusive of the diverse backgrounds, cultures, and languages within the school community.

• Organize topics that address specific challenges faced by different groups, such as special needs, bilingual families, or non-traditional family structures.

• Provide interpreters or translated materials when necessary to make events accessible to all parents.

12. Support Parent Advocacy

• Educate parents on how they can advocate for their child’s educational needs, both within the school and in the community.

• Provide information on navigating the school system, understanding educational rights, and communicating effectively with teachers and administrators.

• Offer workshops or resources on important advocacy issues such as special education, IEPs, and 504 plans.

13. Partner with Community Organizations

• Build partnerships with local community organizations, non-profits, or businesses to offer additional resources or joint events.

• Coordinate with community experts to provide specialized training or workshops on topics like mental health, financial literacy, or college planning.

• Seek sponsorship or donations from local businesses to support parent education programs and materials.

14. Annual Review & Goal Setting

• Review the success of the parent education program at the end of the school year, evaluating which topics were most helpful and well-attended.

• Set goals for the next school year, including new topics, speakers, and formats to reach a broader audience.

• Provide a report to the PTA board detailing accomplishments, challenges, and plans for the future of the program.

15. Manage Budget & Resources

• Work with the PTA treasurer to create and manage a budget for parent education programs.

• Ensure funds are allocated for speaker fees, materials, venue rentals, and promotional efforts.

• Track expenses and stay within budget, seeking additional funding or sponsorships if necessary.

These responsibilities help the PTA Parent Education Committee create meaningful and impactful programs that empower parents with knowledge and resources to support their children's education and well-being.

Volunteer Opportunities