Students excel when their parents play an active role in their education and one of the vital cogs in any school's machinery is the Parent Teachers Association (PTA). Just about every school has a PTA, successful schools have strong ones, and strong ones do much more than just raise funds.

The Royal Gazette spoke to two parents who are active in West Pembroke Primary School's PTA about the role of their organisation and why they chose to become involved.

Carla Zuill is West Pembroke PTA's outgoing president and she says anyone who "plays an active role in the life of a child at the school is welcome to join." And, in fact, the PTA is largely a case of the more the merrier and many hands make light work.

The PTA is made up of an elected executive committee and parent representatives for each class. There are also teacher representatives and a close liaison with the school's principal and administration.

"The executive meets to plan out the general agenda and then holds regular meetings for the whole school body," says Ms Zuill who served in her position for two years. "A PTA is also a registered charity and must do what's necessary to maintain that status."

Parent involvement is important on two levels, helping out with events and activities and participating in the communication process that helps the school succeed.

Ms Zuill is herself an alumni of West Pembroke which she says played an "extraordinary" role in her foundation, so she wanted to find a way to give back to the school that would now play a significant part in her daughter's development.

Likewise Lloyd Christopher, another alumni and the incoming PTA president at West Pembroke, says he got involved because he wanted to ensure the quality of his daughter's educational experience and to stay in touch with what's going on in her school.

"Whether it be academically, socially or athletically, the best way for me to ensure that was to be involved with the school," he explains.

He also explained that while fund-raising is a traditional and important function of a PTA that role is expanding into what he describes as the social issues facing the school and, indeed, Bermuda's wider community.

"I think that is a part of the responsibility of the PTA," says Mr. Christopher. "The school can also use us to disseminate information to the parents if they feel we are the best avenue to do so."

In fact, Ms Zuill says the PTA can be an important go-between for parents and the school but only if the PTA is strong and both sides trust each other.

"We've had situations where parents have felt more comfortable coming to the PTA as opposed to going to the principal," she recalls. "But they understood that we would go to the principal to try and address and alleviate those concerns.

"There's not always a way to find an agreement but there was at least a foundation of respect."

To build that strength and respect Ms Zuill says it take parents getting involved, attending meetings and supporting the initiatives of the PTA: "West Pembroke has always had a strong PTA because the parents do provide great support as do the teachers.

"The PTA is also strengthened by pulling from the variety of professional talents that parent's provide.

"For instance Lloyd (Mr. Christopher) has an accountancy background. When he was a parent representative, the executive could draw on his expertise."

Both PTAers were also at pains to emphasise that every little bit helps, and Mr. Christopher says even if a parent can only do one thing at one event, they should because that is a big help.

Parents who get involved can expect to find themselves helping out at the major fund-raising events and even providing cover at the school during periods when teachers have special meetings or activities. They can also expect to attend special events designed to enhance their participation and involvement.

Ms Zuill says her executive introduced a few innovative ideas to get parents involved including a particularly successful meeting held just for the men in the student's lives.

"I would say we had about 200 men attend," she says with pride. "It was facilitated by Pastor Ronnie Smith and was an opportunity for them to share their ideas and concerns. We had a lot of positive feedback, the men loved it."

Male involvement is one area that Ms Zuill said would be an improvement on West Pembroke's, and probably most, PTAs.

"It's traditionally seen as a mommy thing to do," she concedes. "But we need them in leadership positions because our young boys need to see the important role men play in society"

Mr. Christopher is certainly heeding that call.

Today's society, with its technological capabilities, has expanded avenues to keep PTAs in touch with their members. Several local PTAs have groups that can be joined on the popular social networking website Facebook. Meanwhile, the Department of Education website, www.moed.bm, has 'microsites' for each school and an area on those sites for the PTA to post schedules, pictures and other general information that helps parents stay involved.

After two years at the helm Ms Zuill says she is happy for the experience and has total faith in Mr. Christopher to maintain West Pembroke's proud tradition.

"I've seen that the PTA and the effort put in is for the betterment of not just my child but all the children," she explains. "And what I found really rewarding was when the children started recognising me, and when the kids would say 'hi' I knew they saw me as a part of their school life, a positive part."