WHO ELSE IS DOING THIS FOR PARENT GROUPS?

More Than $85,000 Awarded to Hurricane-Affected PTAs—Nearly 25,000 students in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas to benefit from National PTA grants

The National Parent Teacher Association awarded $89,230 in grants to PTAs and schools in six states affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. An estimated 24,900 students will benefit from the grants that have been awarded to PTAs in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.

National PTA's Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Disaster Relief Grants were awarded to hurricane-affected PTAs to fund educational activities and to purchase needed equipment or resources—from computers and school supplies for displaced children to desks and library books for damaged schools. The grants are designed to support PTAs in school communities that suffered tremendous physical damage from the storms, as well as to assist PTAs that are generously meeting the needs of displaced children in their communities.

"Everything we do is for children. Their safety, wellness, and education have always been top priorities," said Anna Weselak, president of National PTA. "We hope the grants will help rebuild and revitalize hurricane-affected schools and PTAs so that children can return to school and focus on learning and on building their dreams for the future."

Following the destruction of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, National PTA launched an online Adopt-a-PTA program. Adopt-a-PTA allowed PTA units from across the country to adopt units in disaster-stricken areas and assist units that absorbed displaced students. National PTA's website also featured a disaster relief information center and a special bulletin board that allowed PTAs to share ideas and stay connected.

That was nice work by the PTA. Saw that.

In response to your first question -- lots of people. The outpouring for Katrina victims has been so great.

In terms of grants to parent groups, I'd point to the Lowe's Toolbox for Education grant program. www.toolboxforeducation.com

Lowe's just last week mailed roughly $800,000 worth of checks to more than 175 parent groups across the country. So much good work supported. And it will happen again with even more $$ this spring, as another grant application cycle closes in a month or so. A good number of the first set of grants (and even more of the newest set of applications coming in) are from Katrina-affected parent groups.

Hope your groups will all apply: www.toolboxforeducation.com

Tim

[ 02-08-2006, 04:47 PM: Message edited by: Rockne ]

Our PTO just adopted 5 classrooms in the Katrina area as well through the adopt a classroom program. Just a way to help, but it was 2500 dollars flowing into those places that need it most.

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I don't think it is just PTA"s that are helping there are six schools in our district and they all held some kind of fundraiser/drive for Katrina victims. All around us schools also helped out, it doesn't seem to matter what kind of parent group the school has...for the record we are a PTO.

I agree, a lot of people did a lot but I definitely saw a difference in organization... The PTA boards had tons of postings and had organized within days on their site. Here there were a few random postings but they faded away. They were very organized in putting PTAs in touch with schools that needed help.. and no one had to apply for anything to get it.

You're right -- PTAs cared far more about the victims of Katrina than PTOs did. Thanks for letting us know.

Tim