I've often written about connections between school and community. Today, I would like to offer information about another important link in a child's education: the parent-teacher organization. This group provides many ways for communication and mutual support. I recently spoke with our APT president, Jane Manning about how Moravia's parent-teacher organization works and how our APT contributes to Moravia's students.

APT helps with many different activities throughout our school year, including our open houses and school pictures. Parent volunteers assist with two book fairs held each year, providing assistance for students who can purchase inexpensive books. They provide free breakfasts for students taking the New York state tests in January, February and March. They give between $50 and $100 toward the cost of various field trips. APT used to give each graduating sixth-grade student a small memento, but now gives $100 to their class as they go to seventh grade and begins a class account. Moravia's APT helps some students who have a financial need with incidental costs for particular classes. For example, the cosmetology classes at BOCES require purchasing a few items that will help the student with their career. APT also sponsors a Family Bingo, when many different activities are provided for everyone, of all ages, in the family.

Our APT gives three or four scholarships each year to three or four seniors who demonstrate attributes that show selfless service and caring to others. Certainly, these are qualities that describe these terrific parents who are committed to building this educational support for our students.

There are more than 30 people who volunteer for various activities throughout the year. Ten people generally attend all the business meetings and are considered the core of the group. Manning feels that this is an ideal way to use the resources the parents offer. Not everyone can be involved for every event. People feel free to volunteer occasionally, knowing that their help is appreciated and they are not expected to come to everything or attend every business meeting.

They operate all these activities with a budget of about $2,500. Most (about $2,000) of this money is raised by collecting the “Box Tops for Education” found on various products and brought in by the students throughout the year. Other APT fundraisers include a Holiday Cookie Kit sale during November and December and assisting with gate admissions during the annual Labor Day Car Show held at Fillmore Glen. There are no dues collected, allowing parents to participate without financial burden.

Jane Manning realizes occasionally parents will come to the APT with concerns that they want solved. The APT can be a conduit for communicating those concerns to the administration, but cannot solve those complaints itself. Jane also feels that it's important to keep the tone of the group positive, working together with the school for the benefit of the students. Her career as a guidance counselor has provided her with excellent communication skills and a working knowledge of how school districts must operate.

Consider that not all parent teacher organizations are set up the same. In many other school districts, fundraisers are held at the elementary school that give their parent teacher thousands of dollars to fund large projects each year, as well as supporting many class and grade events to enrich their children's educational experience.

Moravia Central School has a parent teacher organization that is an outstanding link between school and home. If you have an interest in supporting your school parent teacher organization, please don't hesitate to contact your school district.

It's a great way to meet other active parents and a great way to model serving your community for your own family.

Pat Kinney is an art teacher at Millard Fillmore Elementary School in Moravia.