PTA looks to grow in 2013-2014

Members of the East Meadow School District’s Parent Teacher Associations work year round to advocate for children. The PTA Council — a coalition of the district’s nine school PTAs and SEPTA — raises thousands of dollars annually during its Founders Day Dinner and the money is used to fund dozens of scholarships to graduating seniors at W.T. Clarke and East Meadow high schools.

East Meadow is one of 16 PTA regions in Nassau County. Regional PTA representatives combine to form state PTAs, who subsequently combine to form a National PTA, making the association the largest child advocacy organization in America. Every November, East Meadow PTA representatives travel upstate to the New York State PTA Convention, where hundreds of regional PTA members work to draft legislation to submit to lawmakers that promotes child safety and education.

The PTA’s success is a direct result of the tireless dedication from its members, which total more than 2,500 across the district. But its membership declined last year, said PTA Council President Tracy Allred-Pulice, and officials are urging community members to join for the 2013-2014 school year. “We’re the largest advocacy group for children,” said Allred-Pulice. “The greater numbers we have, the larger or voice is.”

While new members are encouraged to actively participate in the organization’s many initiatives, PTA officials also want the community to know that residents can play a significant role simply by joining — even if they never attend a meeting. “Of course we would love to have everyone be a part of this on a hand-on basis,” said Donna La Scala, the PTA Council’s first vice president and chairperson of public relations and legislation. “But we know that everybody’s time is very valuable.

“If they don’t have the time to devote to any on-site activities, that’s OK,” La Scala continued. “That’s not a requirement.”

A PTA membership costs between $7 and $10, depending on the school, and part of the money is used for East Meadow’s local initiatives. The rest is sent to the state. “The funds that we raise…” La Scala said,” allows [the state PTA] to continue to do all of their advocacy work across the entire state.”