Parent Teacher Organization

Most schools have a Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), which is an organization of parents and staff. Its role is to develop a close relationship between parents and the school to work together towards achieving the common goal of enabling each student to achieve his/her full potential. It empowers families to play their vital part in the education of their children.

Research evidence has clearly shown that a child’s education can be greatly enhanced by their parents’ involvement. A positive parent-teacher relationship contributes to children’s school success.

SJMIS is committed to promoting children’s health, well-being, and educational success through strong parent, family, and community involvement and wishes to establish an effective schoolwide PTO that will enable parents and teachers to participate actively in discussing school-wide issues of concern, and make recommendations to the policymakers.

How is the PTO organized?

Typically, all parents/caretakers and teachers are automatically members of the PTO. At SJMIS a committee is elected to run the PTO – usually consisting of the grade/class representatives. PTO representatives often act as a bridge between the school and the families and encourage other parents to participate in school-led events and activities. PTO committees usually meet twice a semester and set up smaller working groups to organize individual events.

The ‘Parent’ members of the PTO represent the parents as a whole, so communication is very important. Parents need to know what is going on at school and the school needs to know what parents think about various aspects of the organization and work together to address concerns.

FUNDRAISING

Most PTOs raise money through events. They often hold one main event each school year/semester – for example, a yard sale, read-aloud evenings, summer fair. PTO’s often look for new fundraising ideas that will benefit the students at the school. Funds raised by the PTO are intended to provide ‘extras’ not already provided by the school’s main income – often ‘fun things’ that make learning more interesting and exciting. The PTO committee together with the Executive Director and the Principal decide how to spend any funds raised.

How can I be involved in my PTO?

There are many different ways you can help with the PTO, whether you have lots of time to offer or not. Some of the roles are time-consuming, although also rewarding. If you can’t commit to a big job, look out for things you can do less frequently (e.g. running a stall at the summer fair, baking for a cake sale). You can always support PTO events by simply turning up.

#HAVE A VOICE IN YOUR CHILD’S EDUCATION

#PROMOTE THE SCHOOL

#HELP IMPROVE THE SCHOOL

#PARTNER WITH US TO HELP ALL STUDENTS

If you are interested in joining the SJMIS PTO, please contact your child’s homeroom teacher or send an email with your request to info@sjmis.ac.th.