Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

PTA revived at DC



After more than 30 years, the Dassel-Cokato community is working together for the revival of a PTA.

“Every child. One voice” is the national PTA’s motto and now DC has decided it could no longer be inactive, but instead must be proactive in the schools, according to steering committee member Mari Pokornowski.

An informational meeting is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 28 at the Performing Arts Center.

DC PTA will allow community members and parents to address certain issues to the schools in a positive and constructive manner, Pokornowski said.

There have been talks throughout the past years, but no action had been taken until the recent failed levy and the superintendent position being vacated.

Currently there are 35 to 40 members since the committees beginning in mid-January and several volunteer positions are available.

Unlike the PTOs which primarily focus on fund raising, the PTA has various avenues in which community members can be involved.

For example, volunteers can participate in creating newsletters, organizing educational forums and providing legislative updates for PTA meetings.

Since January, the DC PTA has provided informational meetings along with the state PTA to the school board and administration.

Last month, the DC PTA organized Cokato Elementary’s book fair and sold $2,500 in books. The proceeds went for books in the school’s media center. It has been asked to permanently organize the project.

The DC PTA have also attended parent advisory council meetings to communicate with the members of both elementary schools and the middle school.

Recently, it has supported and articulated the importance of the open meeting policy and has attended school board meetings and superintendent interviews.

It applied and was accepted for state PTA membership and are working on a non-profit status along with other administrative tasks.

The goal of the PTA is to promote and build a collaborative effort so the schools can be as healthy and productive as they can, Pokornowski stated.

They want to provide a unified and powerful voice for children’s education, including health and safety, she said.

The DC PTA encourages all members of the community who are interested in advocating children’s needs and issues to be involved with the schools.

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