PTAs and schools across the country to host family-focused events February 16-20

ALEXANDRIA, Va., (Feb. 11, 2015) — As part of PTA Take Your Family to School Week, an initiative of National PTA to strengthen family engagement in education, PTAs and schools nationwide will host a variety of events Feb. 16-20, 2015. The weeklong initiative is designed to encourage families to visit their children’s school and spotlight the importance of partnerships among parents, teachers and administrators to student success. The timing of the week honors the day PTA was founded: Feb. 17, 1897.  

“Ongoing research shows that when families are engaged and families and schools work together, students attend school more often, earn higher grades, have better social skills and show improved behavior. PTA Take Your Family to School Week is a reminder during the middle of the school year of the importance of family engagement in education and family-school partnerships,” said Otha Thornton, president of National PTA. “Whether participating in an event, celebrating student art or meeting with teachers about student progress, the purpose of the week is to provide families the opportunity to visit their child’s school, meet school staff and inspire them to stay involved in their child’s education all year round.” 

Throughout the week, PTAs and schools will host family-focused events incorporating the theme “Supporting Student Success” to address risks associated with high school drop-out rates. PTA Take Your Family to School Week is sponsored by the AXA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of AXA US. The AXA Foundation has been a proud National PTA sponsor since 2005.

“At AXA, our mission is to help provide financial security to families and business owners. Supporting access to education and student success is critical to starting people on the road to a more secure future," said Faith Frank, president of the AXA Foundation. “Programs like PTA Take Your Family to School Week help to galvanize attention on the important role families play in the lives of students and in school communities across the country.”

In recognition of their efforts to strengthen family engagement and build family-school partnerships, National PTA and the AXA Foundation awarded 50 local PTAs from across the country with $1,000 grants and event toolkits to support their participation in PTA Take Your Family to School Week. In addition to these PTAs, 150 other local PTAs also were selected to receive a toolkit. View an interactive map spotlighting the 50 PTAs recognized with a grant and toolkit as well as the 150 PTAs that received a toolkit. The map includes descriptions of events the PTAs will be conducting in conjunction with PTA Take Your Family to School Week.

PTA is the conscience of the country for children issues. Through advocacy, as well as family and community education, PTA has established programs and called for legislation in areas including early childhood education, health and wellness, school safety, juvenile justice and arts in education. PTA Take Your Family to School Week reinforces the association’s legacy and mission to promote children’s educational success and health and well-being through strong family engagement.

For more information about PTA 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 parent involvement 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.

About AXA Foundation

The AXA Foundation is the philanthropic arm of AXA US. The Foundation directs the company's philanthropic and volunteer activities, working to improve the quality of life in communities across the country where AXA has a presence. The AXA Foundation’s multifaceted signature program, AXA Achievement, supports the company’s strong commitment to Corporate Responsibility and AXA Group’s flagship theme of “Risk Research and Education,” by helping students and parents take the next step toward college. Since AXA Achievement launched in 2003, $24 million in scholarships has been awarded to more than 5,600 students nationwide. For more information, visit www.axa-achievement.com or AXA’s Facebook page.