WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — As parents get their children ready and out the door for another busy school day, the memories of two and three years ago feel much more distant than reality. The flashbacks are of children who started first period in their living rooms, as school buildings sat empty, collecting dust as the world shut down for COVID-19.
The window to the past is a sharp contrast to the present, when children are shoulder to shoulder again, learning collaboratively, engaging with their teachers face to face. Behind the scenes, Triad "Parent Teacher Associations" (PTAs) are trying to recover from a hiatus in involvement and funding.
"We're absolutely trying to make up for lost time. With membership, we... just want you to come in and do whatever you can. Donate what you can, and donate your time. We're just going to keep building until we can get it to as big as we can get it," said Winston-Salem Forsyth Co. Schools Brunson Elementary PTA president Camille Harvey.
Harvey said she always wanted to be involved in her son's school, and PTA was the perfect outlet. Her small but active group puts on events, like teacher recognition lunches and class parties, and she sees the payoff through her son and his classmates.
"I believe it bridges the gap between home and school and make sure the kids know parents are involved in their education and also that it can be fun at school. We can have fun events, and they (students) can have a social life here, too," she emphasized.
Harvey said her PTA is preparing to submit entries for a national competition called Reflections.
If you're interested in joining a PTA, contact your child's or grandchild's school. PTAs operate as non-profits, required to file Form 990s with the IRS. Every group of three or more local PTA units can apply to be a PTA council in a school district. To find one near you, check out NCPTA.org.