This is one of my favorite times of the year. We’re conducting our annual Parent Group of the Year search, where we offer cash prizes to groups just for telling us your story. 

Parent Group of the Year is about sharing the cool things that parent groups across the country do. We know that you don’t get a lot of day-to-day recognition for all the ways you help your school and grow the school community. This is our way of saying thanks, and also pointing out the important contributions parent groups make to schools and education. But please enter soon; the deadline is June 1. 

When you send us your story, please keep these in mind:

1. Your group doesn't have to be the greatest, most organized PTO or PTA on earth to be recognized. Lots of our Parent Group of the Year winners have been from very typical groups with all of the ordinary challenges you likely face. But everyone has a success or story that fits. We'd love for you to enter the search.

2. There are real benefits to entering. Besides the chance to win great prizes, there’s something really positive that happens when leaders take the time to remember the great work they’ve done. After a long year, your accomplishments merit attention way more than any of your misses. It does wonders for motivation.

I strongly encourage you to take this opportunity now to brag a little (or a lot) about your group’s accomplishments this year. You deserve to.