Schools Spotlight: 'Meaningful' Programs Supported by Manchester PTA

The Manchester Township Parent Teacher Association, a nonprofit volunteer organization that serves as PTA for all five district schools, strives to educate, inform and support parents and students of the district. 

According to the PTA website, the goals of the PTA are “to promote the welfare of children and be an advocate for children in the home, the school and the community and provide support to the schools of Manchester Township at every level.”

“The PTA has brought numerous educational programs to Whiting School including assemblies related to classroom learning and character education. In addition, they helped to organize our child ID program,” said Marge Stevens, principal of Whiting Elementary.

The PTA “raises funds to provide meaningful  and educational programs in the district during the school year, as well as fund the arts, DARE, scholarships, Scholastic Book Fairs, provides grants to teachers, and have a proactive 'Get Out The Vote' committee,” said Sheryl Claus, PTA President.

Stevens called the recent Scholastic Book Fair held by the PTA at Whiting Elementary “a fabulous event.”

Stevens added, “The PTA runs workshops for parents. They are available for the parents in any way shape and form, and they really support the kids.”

Funding is provided “at both the middle school and high school levels for the Band and Drama Clubs, and several assemblies as well, such as the recent 'Road to Freedom' for Black History Month at the Middle School or the recent 'Brain Show' at the high school, which was a game show quiz for the entire school,” Claus said.

“At the elementary level, we bring authors, educational science and math programs, but at the high school level we really only support the scholarships which only affects four or five students each year. However this year, the 'Brain Show' was a great program that we could have to include all of the high school students,” said Cheri Brister, PTA High School Vice-President.

Other assemblies that the PTA supports are The Traveling Lantern Theater, which puts on the shows “Ben Franklin”, “Mozart” and “A Christmas Carol”.  The PTA also arranges for two walk-in interactive displays — “The Globe” and “Planetarium”, and a bug museum, Insectropolis, to visit district schools during the year.

Last month, the PTA held Candy Bar Bingo at the Middle School cafeteria. The event brought together many students, parents and teachers for a night of fun. 

Claus said that she was happy with the turnout.

"This was our first Candy Bar Bingo, but it was such a success that we hope to have it as a yearly event,” she said.

Stevens said that she is greatful for the PTA’s support.

“The PTA donates money to our school. This year they are donating about $2000 and we are going to be buying dictionaries for our younger children,” she said.

Claus said that it is important to have participation and feedback so the organization distributes a quarterly newsletter, has a mailbox in every school for staff and community input and a P.O. box in Lakehurst (Manchester PTA, P.O. Box 367, Lakehurst, NJ 08733).

The PTA also shares information with Lee Bruzaitis, Public Information Officer of the district, the Manchester Township Educational Foundation, the Manchester Township Education Association, and several local newspapers. 

The key to a successful organization is to keep as many people informed as possible because, Claus said.

"To paraphrase Lincoln, people are only as informed as they make their mind up to be."

For more information or to become a member, visit the Manchester PTA website at www.manchesterpta.org.