Wanted: Parents for New Bolingbrook High School PTA

Editor's note: The following is a press release from Valley View School District 365U. 

Armed with what Bolingbrook High School officials term a "renewed energy and positive attitude," BHS parents, teachers and administrators have launched an effort to form a Bolingbrook High School Parent-Teacher Association.

The group, which will get together Wednesday night to elect officers and to determine both a vision and structure, is still in its organizational stages and looking for parents and community members to sign up.

"If we're going to turn the tide in terms of our goal of helping our students reach their full academic potential, we must have parents involved," said BHS Principal Michael White. "Right now we have teachers and students actively involved in how that looks, but we have no avenue for parents to become intimately involved. By creating a PTA, we can bridge that gap, get rich ideas from our parents, and start implementing those ideas into our school's system."

"Parents are the most influential people in our students' lives," added BHS social worker Julie Mueller. "It's important for us to give our parents every opportunity to come in and see what we're doing and make suggestions."

Mueller said the PTA might fund student scholarships and teacher grants, sponsor events for students like author visits or a post prom activity, or perhaps serve as a focal point for school and community events like a fun run, Parent University or topic-specific forums.

"This is a booster club," she said. "But it's an academic booster club.

"Our teachers are eager to be a part of this," Mueller added. "We want them to be on PTA committees working hand-in-hand with our parents."

Wednesday's meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Small Cafeteria. Entry will be through door 17 on the school's south side.

Parents or community members with questions may contact Mueller at 630-679-3416.