Why Join the PTSA?

Why Become a Member of Wilder PTSA

Joining our PTSA isn't just another way to raise funds. It's a way to support your child's education in many countless ways. Wilder PTSA strives to enhance student learning and enrich the lives of students within our school.  We coordinate, fund, and support many programs that benefit all our children. By joining, you also automatically become part of the largest child advocacy association in the state because your membership fees support not only your child, but every child, on local, state, and national levels. Joining the PTSA does NOT mean you are signing up to volunteer! Volunteering, while very much appreciated, is a completely separate program.

• Individual Adult - $25
• Family - $35
• Staff - $15

As a member you will receive:

• Access to our Wilder School Directory (stay connected!)
• Many discounts to local and national retailers
• Access to volunteer with Wilder PTSA enrichment programs
• ​Voting rights at membership meetings
• Discounts on consumer products such as Seattle Symphony, Great Wolf Lodge, FedEx, car rentals, and more. Visit Member Discounts (wastatepta.org) for more details

Here are just some examples of how Wilder's PTSA fulfills the mission in our community:

• Providing enrichment programs for children -- Wilder PTSA offers a wide array of enrichment opportunities including Art Enrichment, Math Enrichment, STEM Fair, and many more!
• Organizing community building events - Each year Wilder PTSA brings families together at events such as the Fall Carnival, Arts & Culture Nights, Movie Night, and the Spring Dance.
• Providing parenting classes -- Wilder PTSA provides parenting education in conjunction with their meetings, including such topics as Child Safety on the Internet.
• Facilitate Parent Communication - Wilder PTSA provides weekly newsletters and the Wilder PTSA web site, as well as Facebook posts to keep you updated.
• Influencing local legislation on behalf of children -- PTSA advocates for local issues that affect the children in our community. In the past, some individual PTSAs have advocated for mandating bicycle helmet usage in their community, for increased pedestrian safety laws, and for safer yard maintenance at school by eliminating the use of pesticides, to name a few.
• Making the school a better place to learn - PTSAs all over Washington State have purchased and donated computers, playground equipment, and volunteered countless hours in the classroom and in conjunction with programs and activities.

What is the Washington State PTA?
Wilder's PTSA unit is a member of the Washington State PTA. The State PTA is the common thread that links nearly 900 local PTSA units throughout the state. This thread is what gives PTA clout and prestige to influence state laws, policies and attitudes affecting your children.

The State PTA also provides local PTSA units and members with services, material, and information to enable parents to protect and nurture their children in their schools and your communities. Specifically, some of the services provided by the Washington State PTA include: a daily representation in Olympia and at regulatory agencies where decisions are being made that will affect your children; leadership training; a website (www.wastatePTA.org) with parenting resources and quality leadership materials.

What is the National PTSA?
National PTA is the largest volunteer child advocacy organization in the United States. PTA is a leader in reminding our nation of its obligations to children. National PTA has nearly 6.5 million members nationwide.

The mission of National PTA is threefold:

• To support and speak on behalf of children and youth in the schools, in the community, and before governmental bodies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children.
• To assist parents in developing the skills they need to raise and protect their children; and
• To encourage parent and public involvement in the public schools of this nation.