Why Become a Member? - McKinley & PACS PTA

Our PTA is for everyone who cares about McKinley and PACS students. Membership is $10 per person, and sponsored memberships are available for any family who needs one. We are an inclusive community and value participation from all families.

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Becoming a member of PTA means that you are part of an association focused on programs and initiatives that strengthen each child’s education and the family–school partnership. We invite you to join PTA for your child because increasing our membership, even by one, helps us provide critical educational resources, speak up on important issues, and create a stronger school community.

What does being a PTA member mean?

Membership is what gives you a vote at PTA meetings, guiding which programs we plan and how our funds get spent. When our PTA achieves broad membership, we are better able to hear from many voices and support our whole community.

As a PTA member, you also benefit from some great discounts, locally and nationally (check your member dashboard after you join). And that’s it! Membership does not require you to volunteer or go to meetings.

But if you do choose to go a step further and volunteer to help with events—or join a committee, or even join our board—you set a fine example for our students to follow, and greatly encourage our students, teachers and staff.

What are my dues used for?

Membership dues are what keep us in good standing as an official PTA unit and help cover the costs of operating a well-run PTA. Your dues also include your share of California State PTA and National PTA dues, adding your voice to advocacy for children at the state and national levels.

We keep our membership dues low in order to encourage wide participation across our school community. Larger program costs come from our fundraisers, such as Jog-a-thon. Fundraising is not the purpose of PTA, it’s a means to accomplish goals for our school. Your dues and your vote as a member help ensure that the money we raise has maximum impact for all of our children.

What kinds of things does this PTA do?

Check out our PTA Accomplishments page for an extensive list of the activities and school support our PTA has provided over the years. Here’s just a taste:

Education

We fund supplies for every classroom at McKinley and PACS, as well as for educational support staff. Our support has allowed our children to enjoy a high-quality PE program while giving teachers much-needed planning time. Our field trip funds ensure that students in all grades continue to enjoy rich, experiential learning even as district budgets tighten. We coordinate after-school enrichment offerings, support our school library, and help engage students in our school garden. And we fund and coordinate our beloved Performing Arts program, where 1st–8th graders create fabulous musical theater each spring.

Community

We plan Winterfest, organize our annual Holiday Giving program, and fund Field Day on the last day of school. We provide popsicles at Meet Your Teacher, sell spirit wear at school events, and make sure every student and staff member gets a free McKinley or PACS t-shirt at our annual Jog-a-thon. From teacher appreciation to book swaps, family movie nights, picnics, and more, we’re always looking for new ways to strengthen our community. We bet you have even better ideas, and we can’t wait to hear them!

Family-Engagement and Advocacy

Our meetings have served as a forum to hear from district leaders about planning for bond funded school improvements, and from community leaders about safe routes to school. We have discussed news from School Board meetings and banded together to make our voices heard to guide positive change. There’s always more to be done, and your support can make it happen.

Frequently Asked Questions:

No! Membership is an easy way to show your support for your child, their fellow students, teachers, staff, administration and families in our community. There is no obligation to volunteer or give additional time or money.

However, if you haven’t been to one of our monthly meetings before, we invite you to give it a try! We know families in our community are busy, so we always provide an option to tune in remotely. You’ll hear fun updates from students, teachers, and our principal about what’s happening in our schools and have opportunities to use your voice and your vote.

No! First and foremost, PTA is for anyone who cares about McKinley and PACS students. PTA is for moms, dads, caregivers, grandparents, teachers, staff, administration, and the broader community!

While some of the work done by PTA may appear social—including planning beloved family events like Winterfest—much of our work focuses on identifying what students, families, and teachers feel are our community’s greatest needs and then working to fund or advocate for those priorities. Through our local efforts and the efforts of our parent organizations, we have impact on major decisions affecting each child’s health, safety and quality of education.

We encourage every McKinley and PACS family to become a PTA member to support the success of their child. We want a diverse membership base that reflects all of the families and needs of students at our schools. PTA strengthens connections between your family, your child’s classmates, and their families and teachers to build a thriving and inclusive community for everyone.

Need more encouragement?

Benefit Your Child. In doing so, you also help your school.
Get Connected. There’s no better way to know what’s happening in your school.
Tap Into A Network. PTA functions are opportunities to meet other parents and teachers, building rapport and discussing issues that are on your mind. It gives you a forum to share ideas, concerns and experiences.
Watch Yourself Grow. By volunteering with your PTA, you put your skills and hobbies to use for a noble cause: your child and all children in the community.
Speak Up. PTA can be a way for you to effectively suggest change at your child’s school.
Witness Improvement. By getting involved at your child’s school you’ll be part of the solution, helping make positive changes.
Be A Role Model. By becoming a PTA member, you’ll be demonstrating to your child the importance you place on education.

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