PTA

Do the schools, public or private, have PTAs?

yes they do. Now, how much involved and invested is the majority.....that's another story.

I believe that the National PTA president or someone to that effect was recently in the territory.

That's good to know! I have been involved with PTA in local chapters and at council level for several years. I currently live in TX, and we have one of the best state PTAs in the country. 🙂 Parent involvement and parent education is key in educating our kids.

The private schools typically have a PTO - Parent Teacher Organization. You would have to ask the question of the school which you are interested... at The Good Hope School we have an active PTO.

What made y'all choose PTO over PTA?

I think it may be PTSA in the public schools.

Some areas call them Parent Teacher Association, some Parent Teacher Organization. Some add the word "student" to either. No particular reason.

Actually, PTA is a huge national organization http://www.pta.org/ that on a national and state level is very influential in affecting the politics of education. It also supplies a great deal of support to local branches.

Many school parent groups, choose not to affiliate with the PTA. I'm not sure if they are forbidden from using the name Parent Teacher Association, but you'll often find them using PTO, PFA or other similar names/acronyms. They save on affiliation costs, or dues, but lose the support a big organization can offer. On the other hand, they do not have to support the big organization in its workings, either.

I do know that PTSA is used by the national PTA for high school organizations that allow and encourage student membership.

As both a parent and teacher I've been involved with both kinds of organizations, and find that no matter what its affiliation, a parent organization is a valuable partner in the education of children. I applaud any parent who gets involved in her/his child's school.

A group can not use PTA unless they are officially part of the National PTA. PTSAs are allowed at the High School level, and student membership is encouraged, as well as student involvement on the board. Most states have a PTA chapter as well. Then from the state level it breaks down into areas, and from there to Councils, and from there to local chapters (which are the individual school campuses). Being affiliated with an official non-profit, who has navigated the waters of IRS, tax, banking, organization bylaws, structure, etc. for you is a HUGE benefit to an organization. I'm always somewhat mystified as to why group try to go it on their own, when PTA has laid out such fabulous resources and blueprints for you. That's why I asked why PTO over PTA.
🙂

A quick look at National PTA website shows nothing associated within the islands. 🙁