All you need is one motivated person to make a positive change

It just takes one parent. That’s the message from the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) website. One just needs to find the right parent to take the lead and then apparently it’s a piece of cake. Right?

Back in the day, maybe it was about cupcake sales and event planning, but now PTAs can be a source of support for families, teachers and students especially when schools are facing challenges. PTAs can raise funds for everything from fieldtrips to classroom equipment to school programs.

But when a community and its families are struggling and one adds a cultural divide, finding that one parent may not be so easy.

“I didn’t know what PTA was,” said Castle Park Elementary parent Eunice Alvarez. “I’d hear ‘Become a member, it’s good for the kids. It’s only six dollars.’ But all I kept thinking was, what if I’m not a good member? What if I don’t do it right?”

Castle Park Elementary had been without a PTA for some time. Last year, two parents began its formation, but according to Alvarez she was the only one who ultimately joined. This summer with the support of Chula Vista Promise Neighborhood (CVPromise) parent workshops conversations about PTA grew.

Flor Aldi, whose daughter Frida is a fourth grader at Castle Park Elementary, was part of the initial discussions.
“We met with Promises to learn more about what a PTA does and why it’s important,” said Aldi who grew up in Mexico. “Parent organizations were very different where I went to school. I really was uneasy about this responsibility but I understood it was for the best of the children. That’s what made me change my mind. Let’s work for the betterment of the kids. “

Ultimately, eight parents including Aldi and Alvarez took the lead in growing Castle Park Elementary PTA. Now, just a little more than three months into the school year, membership is at 60.

“I see the same uneasiness I had when we started asking parents and they start running away,” said Aldi.

“It’s like this membership implies a large commitment that I would have to be available all the time. But I now know

it’s not that way, so I have been able to help parents understand that.”

Alvarez says that the more events they hold on campus the more parents want to get involved. Their first event was a movie night and they were able to raise a little bit of money. Those funds then were donated to support a school family whose parent was killed in a motorcycle accident.

Both Alvarez and Aldi reference the strength of the group. They say that it’s working because they are united, organized and committed. They also have lots of support from Castle Park Elementary School Principal Alicia Moreno.
Of the various goals they have, there are two that top the list: raising funds to help with sixth grade camp and fieldtrips for students.

“We want to help with buses,” said Alvarez. “Our kids don’t go on fieldtrips. We want to help.”

Alvarez and Aldi also say that their involvement has created a change for their own children and their involvement in their education.

“I feel like I’m doing not only something good for my daughter but for everyone,” said Aldi. “It’s a really good feeling.”

“When someone is not involved in school, you don’t see first hand all the great things that are happening,” said Alvarez. “My son is so proud to see me at school helping. I see more confidence in him too.”

CVPromise is coordinated by South Bay Community Services and is proud to partner with Castle Park Elementary, Castle Park Middle, Castle Park High School, Hilltop Middle and Hilltop High School to bring new opportunities and pathways of success for their students and families. For more information, please visit CVPromise.org or call 619-422-5005.