There are several organizations that provide parents with opportunities to be involved in their children’s education outside of the home. Two organizations that are often confused with each other since their responsibilities appear to be similar are, the Parent Teacher Association, PTA and the School Community Council, SCC.  While the PTA’s main goal is “to bring into closer relation the home and the school, that parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education of children and youth”, the School Community Council’s, main responsibility is to provide a forum for community discussion of school-related concerns.  Both organizations coordinate fundraising activities that go back to the school to further children’s educational opportunities.  In addition the SCC works to develop a Comprehensive School Improvement Plan, School Land Trust Program, and Local School Traffic Safety Routing plan.  Below are some of the main responsibilities of both organizations that highlight their mission and goals to provide students with a wealth of educational opportunities and parents with the opportunity to be a part of that process at the school level.

PTA Responsibilities:

1. To coordinate the fundraising activities of the local school.
2. Community Involvement such as Cub Buddies, Spirit Days, and Birthday Table
3. Family Enrichment such as Family Week and Movie Night.
4. Health issues such as maturation programs.
5. Safety and Welfare (Red Ribbon Week).
6. Education, which includes programs such as Literacy Night, Early Morning Reading,                 Book Fairs, and sponsoring Fieldtrips.

SCC Responsibilities:

1. The development of the Comprehensive School Improvement Plan, CSIP.           
2. The development and implementation of the Professional Staff Development plan.
3. The development of the local School Traffic Safety Routing plan.
4. To provide a forum for community discussion of school-related concerns.
5. To coordinate the fundraising activities of the local school.