PTA & PTO Websites 125 Ideas on Content for Your Website A PUBLICATION OF MEMBERSHIP TOOLKIT
GETTING STARTED Websites are always under construction. Good websites are dynamic & always being updated with quality content and easy to navigate. Who Works on the Site? If possible, separate the responsibilities of managing content from website design. Ask board members, school administrators, and teachers to help provide content. Your Environmental Chairman can write the article for a page on Environmental activities in your community. Teachers may have lists of websites to help parents and students with homework. If your responsible for updating your website and you have limited time each month to work on your site, make sure to set up a schedule with deadlines for content and update submissions.
Content Content is the most important component on a parent organization website. If you are starting a new website or giving your current website an overhaul, start with a plan on what content to include. Many times board members forget that information that is common for them may not be known by every parent. For example, where do you park when you volunteer? Not sure where to begin? We have 125 ideas to help you get started.
YOUR PTA or PTO Start with information about your organization The Parent Organization The organization s name Your mission Your goals for the year Meeting dates and locations Forms Past newsletter You would be surprised how many parent organizations don t include a name or contact information on their website Oops The Board The best way to encourage parents to become involved with your board is to show them who you are and what you do. Letter from your PTA/PTO President List of board members with contact information List of committee members Pictures of your board. Let parents know that your organization is made up of volunteers who are just like them. Open positions on your board. Responsibilities for the open position and who to contact for more information or if they are interested.
Awards & Accomplishments Let your parents and community know all of the good things, awards, and recognition that your PTA/PTO has earned. Membership awards Recognition from your school district Awards from your council or state organization Affiliated Organizations Links and information for affiliated organizations. Councils State PTA National PTA Calendar Either link to calendars or include your own with the following information. PTA/PTO meetings District dates School events Parent- teacher conference dates
Members Only Website Page Minutes, bylaws, and other materials that are exclusively for the benefit of your members should only be posted on website pages that are restricted to member s only. Restricted Webpages Financial reports Bylaws Meeting Minutes Secure Online School Directory Meetings Dates and locations for general membership meetings Dates and locations for committee meetings Who to contact for questions about meetings Program Information Dates of all upcoming programs What happens at the program? Who is invited to the programs?
In addition to information about your organization, here are ideas for additional content. Why Join? MEMBERSHIP Why should parents join your PTA or PTO? Make it simple and remember that parents who are new to your school may not understand the value of joining. Who benefits when parents join? The students? Teachers? How to sign- up to be a member How are membership dues spent? Benefits of membership What joining does NOT mean Discounts available to members Do parents think that joining the PTA means they are also signing up to volunteer?
Sign Up Why Volunteer VOLUNTEERING Capture volunteer interest Sign Up for events and volunteer opportunities Why do you need parent volunteers? Opportunities for volunteering in the school. Opportunities for volunteering at home. How to Volunteer Steps for completing background checks. How to sign- up to volunteer. Instructions on how to enter the building when arriving to volunteer. Where do you park? Do you need your ID?
Volunteer Recognition Say thanks to volunteers who help with events or special projects. Volunteer of the month, include a picture. Pictures showing volunteering activities. Choose pictures that include a diversity of volunteers and include volunteers having fun Volunteer Quotes & Graphics Need a Volunteer Quote or Graphic for your website? Check out our favorites and download for free DOWNLOAD NOW >>
PARENT ENGAGEMENT One of the most important things your parent organization can do for the children in your school is to help parents become involved in the education of their children. Parents have different opportunities and time available to spend helping their children with school, volunteering, and engaging with their school community. The parent organization can provide resources and information for all levels of parent engagement. Your website can serve as the go- to- place for parents to learn more about how to become engaged parents. Success is Parent Engagement Ideas for Your PTA/PTO Website
Parenting Resources Information to Help Parents On. Bullying Healthy Kids Special Needs Healthy Eating Stress & Kids Parenting classes Steroids Alcohol & Drugs Parents are often intimidated to ask questions they think everyone else already knows the answer to Parent organization websites can serve as the go-to place for parents looking for information. Use your website to provide parents with a list of resources, a directory of information. Ask teachers and parents for ideas on what to include.
Parenting Resources Parent to Parent Guides In high school these are the BEST resources for parents. Information parents want to know but don t know who to ask. Written by parents for parents Topics Can Include: College Application tips Annual school activities Graduation Homecoming Week traditions After School Resources & Enrichment Enrichment Opportunities - Ask parents and faculty recommendations for their favorite activities and create a directory for all parents. Tutors Athletic programs (competitive and recreational) Dance & The Arts Science programs Summer camps & activities
Academics & Homework Help Academic Milestones. A list of expectations for students by grade level. Ask your Principal or Lead Teachers for these. Math Many parents feel overwhelmed with the new math curriculum. Ask teachers for grade appropriate resources, websites, and games for parents and students. Reading Lists. Ask your Librarian for a list of age- appropriate books for children. This is especially helpful for summer months. Attendance Works. Why does it matter if students are in school or on school on- time? Don t assume that all parents understand the importance. Administrators should set clear expectations and be specific on why attendance matters. Spelling & Vocabulary lists appropriate for grade level
Communications Communication is critical for parent engagement. Share with your parents all of the ways your school and organization communicate and how to get connected with each. PTA/PTO enewsletter School enews District enews Facebook Twitter How to access your online directory
YOUR SCHOOL The Basics Address and phone number School hours Calendar link to your district s calendar School lunch menu or link to your district s menu Important phone numbers Front office Attendance line Link for parents to make a lunch payment Bus schedule Parent Portal - to check grades & absences Student Accomplishments Student awards Student accomplishments Club award and recognitions Sports & fine arts competitions
Teachers & Staff List of the teachers and staff in your building Pictures of your school administrators Principal s Page. What information would your principal like to share with parents? Don t forget to include a picture so parents know who this important person is when they see her on campus. Teacher Favorites a list of each teacher s favorite things. A great resource for parents who would like to purchase holiday and year end gifts. Publish the list of your Teacher s Favorite things on website pages that are restricted to member s only. Membership Toolkit information form to collect your Faculty s Favorite Things.
A Letter From the Principal If your Principal is willing, ask her to write a letter for parents and families. Ideas on what can be included that parents may find of value. Welcome families & focus on the importance of teamwork between families and school staff Encourage parents to support your PTA/PTO Information about your own education past and present Education philosophy and how it impacts the school s mission Celebrate past successes Share something about you and your family The Statistics Parents need to know how well your school is doing and what areas need improvement. If your district publishes information regarding test scores and attendance rates, include these on your website. Test scores Attendance rates
FUNDRAISING A Year of Fundraising Fundraising is typically not included in your organization s goals but for many it is a vital way to support your school. Let your families and community know how they can contribute. How will monies raised be spent Online donations Box Tops, what to collect and how to turn them in. Grocery store incentive programs Target incentive program Spirit nights at local restaurants Add a button on your fund raising page that makes it easy for parents to Donate Now
COMMUNITY ACTIVITES Community Resources Local libraries Free activities and events for the family The Arts For PTAs, information on the PTA Reflections program List of local art museums and galleries with links to their websites for more information Legislative Information Dates for upcoming elections How to register to vote
COMMUNITY SPONSORS A great way to raise funds for your parent organization is to ask businesses and families to sponsor your PTA/PTO. Be transparent in the process of soliciting sponsors and be sure to understand the difference between a sponsor and an endorsement. Endorsements or commercial advertising are not permitted for a non- profit. How to become a sponsor Sponsor page Disclaimers The mention of any business or service in this publication [or website] does not imply endorsement by the PTA. PTA does not endorse or recommend any of the sponsors.
WHAT SHOULD NOT BE ON YOUR PTA or PTO WEBSITE Opinions or articles that are critical of another organization or an individual. Pictures and names of students without permission to publish this information on your website. Pictures that are copyrighted that you do not have permission to publish. Advertisements (which are different than Sponsors) Be careful about using images you find on other websites. Many of these are copyrighted.
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