What is the Difference Between the 天美视频 Education Foundation and the PTN/PTO/PTA Groups?

  • What is the Difference Between the 天美视频 Education Foundation and the PTN/PTO/PTA Groups?

    What are the differences between the Parent Teacher Networks/Organizations (PTN/PTO) and the Education Foundation and why do we need two separate organizations to perform one job? It is true that the Education Foundation and PTN/PTO share a common goal – the betterment of our students’ education. Both organizations are critical to our students’ academic success, but each has a separate focus, and they are governed differently. 

    PTN/PTO’s provides an environment that invites parents and families to become involved in the education process. They fund extra-curricular activities such as family nights, field trips, special events, classroom supplies, teacher appreciation programs, and academic support programs.

    Education Foundations fund programs and resources for students across the entire district. The Foundation’s goal is to raise the money necessary to provide our students with the most exceptional education possible. This typically translates to purchasing elements of education that the district and the state are unable to provide, be it technology, supplemental curriculum or valuable student services.

    One of the main differences between a PTN/PTO and a Foundation is the Foundation's ability for long-range planning. The PTN/PTO budget may only focus on the current year’s needs. The Foundation can carry over funds from year to year which allows for saving for larger projects for more costly programs. 

    There are also instances where the Foundation and PTN/PTO objectives overlap, and they can enter funding ventures jointly. However, these two organizations are governed differently with respect to how they raise and spend money. PTN/PTO are organizations bound by strict by-laws which dictate how their funds get distributed for programs. Foundations, on the other hand, can pursue as much fundraising as necessary to achieve their stated goals. Funding decisions are guided by the Foundation Board, as representatives of the district with teacher and administrative input. Decisions can be made, or changed, as the Foundation sees fit.

    Both organizations need your support!