ALEXANDRIA, Va., (Feb. 15, 2016) — PTAs and schools across the country will host a variety of events and activities Feb. 15-19 to celebrate and strengthen family engagement in education as part of National PTA’s Take Your Family to School Week. The weeklong initiative is designed to encourage families to visit their children’s school and build partnerships among parents, teachers and administrators. Marked every year in February, the timing of the week honors the day PTA was founded: Feb. 17, 1897.  

“One of PTA’s founding principles is its dedication to engaging families in education and building family-school partnerships, as it is proven to make a difference for children, schools and communities,” said Laura Bay, president of National PTA. “Take Your Family to School Week is designed to spotlight the importance of family-school partnerships to student success and school improvement efforts and expand and enhance family engagement in schools across the country.”

More than 40 years of research shows—no matter a family’s income or socioeconomic background—when families are engaged and families and schools work together, students attend school more often, earn higher grades, have higher graduation rates, have better social skills and show improved behavior. Research also shows that family engagement is essential to school improvement efforts and helps communities grow stronger.

This year, Take Your Family to School Week will incorporate the theme “Rock Out With PTA: Supporting Your Rock Star.” Throughout the week, PTAs and schools will host events and activities for families focused on: 

• Empowering parents with effective ways to be engaged and support their children’s learning at home
• Increasing participation in arts and cultural exploration programs, which positively impact student success in the classroom and beyond
• Building safe, supportive and healthy environments in which all students can thrive and learn

“Take Your Family to School Week reinforces the National PTA’s legacy and mission to promote children’s educational success and health and well-being through strong family engagement and family-school partnerships,” said Nathan R. Monell, CAE, National PTA executive director. “The purpose of the week is to provide families the opportunity to visit their children’s school; connect with their children’s teachers, principal and other school staff; arm them with tools and resources to support their children’s success; and inspire them to stay involved in their children’s education to help them reach their full potential.” 

For more information about Take Your Family to School Week, visit PTA.org/TYFTSW.

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.