Frequently Asked Questions on PTSA What is the PTA? The Parent Teacher Association is a non-profit organization that advocates for the betterment of children and youth. PTA is a national organization, with levels down to the local school unit. Each level advocates programs and establishes policies to support children and youth. The local unit, Thornton Jr. High PTSA, is an organization made up of parents, teachers, and students from our school. The members work directly with Thornton Jr. High to help support the school with programs and initiatives for the betterment of the student body. Reporting Levels Thornton Jr. High PTSA à Fremont Council PTA à Peralta District PTA à California PTAàNational PTA How does the money raised from membership and fundraising by Thornton Jr. High PTSA used?
The PTSA organizes and funds many activities throughout the year, like Jr. High dances, the spring staff appreciation lunch, 8th grade promotion activities, and a college scholarship for Thornton Jr. High alumni. PTSA also sponsors some fun activities for students like Fruit Smoothie Day and Root Beer Float Day. Fundraising proceeds are donated to Thornton Jr. High School to support programs and projects that help enrich our children’s school experience, including the drama program, the music program, and tutoring activities, as well as to purchase supplies like food and water for disaster preparedness. A portion of membership dues goes towards administration expenses and insurance costs. We also contribute a percentage of our dues to the Fremont Council PTA and above. Why join the Thornton Jr. High PTSA? When you become a member of the Thornton Jr. High PTSA, you are automatically a member of the levels above, meaning the State and National PTAs. The number of members carries weight when advocating state or national legislation related to education and children. So every vote and every member makes a difference. Thornton students who join the PTSA get to pick a special prize from three choices: a book cover, a pass for free snacks at dances, or a pass to cut lunch lines. In addition, by becoming a member of the Thornton PTSA, each student member receives a special discount during Root Beer Float Day and Fruit Smoothie Day. The National PTA has teamed up with vendors like Barnes and Noble, Southwest Airlines, and Liberty Mutual to provide additional incentives for becoming part of the PTA organization.
How can you become a member?
You can become a member by contributing $10.00 per person to the Thornton Jr. High PTSA. Membership envelopes are distributed before MAZE Days and are also available in the front office during the school year. You can also print and fill this PTSA membership form and drop it at the front office.
What is a PTSA member required to do? As a member of the Thornton Jr. High PTSA, you can attend all PTSA meetings, participate in elections, influence what activities are organized for the school, and vote on any PTSA related issue. You need to be a PTSA member for your vote to count. By paying the $10 membership fee you are showing your support for Thornton Jr. High PTSA and all the levels above to the National PTA. There are no special requirements to be a PTSA member. You are encouraged and welcome to attend the monthly PTSA meetings or to volunteer at PTSA sponsored activities, but are not required to do so.
PLEASE BECOME A MEMBER OF THE THORNTON JR. HIGH PTSA AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL LIFE! Be a Thunderbolt and Charge up our PTSA! |