Families See a New Side to Schools Nationwide

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - February 3, 2010) - Schools across the country are connecting with students' greatest assets -- their parents, grandparents, family members, caregivers -- next week through National PTA® Take Your Family to School Week, February 7-13. The celebration emphasizes the value of parent and family engagement in the classroom with special events and activities.

This year, PTAs are hosting lunches with principals, tea with students, class visits, cultural diversity festivals, special theatrical performances, reading circles, safety night for parents, wellness fairs that focus on topics such as healthy eating and dental care, curriculum-based family contests, workshops on supporting students' academic and social success, and more. All to build stronger partnerships between schools and families.

"For over a century, PTA has brought families together to play a special role in their children's education as active participants in the school's community," said Charles J. "Chuck" Saylors, National PTA President. "Take Your Family to School Week is a special time of year for PTA because it celebrates family engagement and reinforces the positive link between parent involvement and student achievement."

To recognize the initiative schools are taking to promote family engagement, and to help thousands of students and families celebrate PTA Take Your Family to School Week, National PTA is awarding $1,897 to 32 PTA schools from 23 states across the country and one Department of Defense school overseas. In fact, National PTA representatives will visit several schools to personally present a "big check" and participate in activities. Take Your Family to School Week is held in February in honor of the date of PTA's founding -- February 17 -- while the $1,897 Awards pay tribute to the year PTA was founded -- 1897.

PTAs are receiving cash awards for planned activities that are innovative and inclusive, promote parent and family involvement in schools, emphasize the link between involvement and student achievement, and further PTA's mission. For the third consecutive year, the awards are sponsored by AXA Foundation, a Proud National Sponsor of PTA.

Contact National PTA Office or visit http://www.pta.org to find out what activities PTAs and schools in your community have planned for this special week.

About National PTA

National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.

About PTA® Take Your Family to School Week

Established in February 2005, National PTA® launched Take Your Family to School Week to provide schools a new way to invite families into the school for building positive partnerships with parents. PTA leaders work with principals and teachers to plan special events that will encourage parents to step away from their daily routines and into their children's school.

Take Your Family to School Week is supported by education and community leaders, including Secretary Margaret Spellings, U.S. Department of Education; the National School Boards Association; the National Association of Secondary School Principals; and the National Association of Elementary School Principals.

To view this release in a media-rich format, go to: http://www.pwrnewmedia.com/2010/pta_00203/index.html

Contact Information: Contacts: James Martinez Office: (312) 670-6782 Ext. 325 Cell: (773) 339-4533 La'Keisha Gray-Sewell Office: (312) 670-6782 Ext. 321 Cell: (312) 623-4560