About the Washington Grove PTA

The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) brings families, teachers, staff, and community members together to support every child at Washington Grove Elementary. We are an independent, volunteer-run nonprofit that works closely with the principal and teachers while remaining separate from MCPS.

Many activities that look like school-run events—including school dances and special celebrations—are created, sponsored, and hosted by the PTA, with help from the school. We also support the Book Fair, celebrate teachers and staff, strengthen communication, and bring families’ ideas and concerns into the conversation. Fundraising helps make this work possible, but building community and advocating for children are central to our purpose.

Parents, guardians, grandparents, teachers, staff, and community members are welcome. You do not need to be a student’s parent to care about Washington Grove or contribute to our school community.

The PTA’s work benefits the broader school community, including children whose families are not members. Joining helps sustain those activities and gives you opportunities to connect with other families, share ideas, participate in PTA decisions, and help shape our priorities.

Select Join on our website, complete your registration, and pay your annual dues. You can join at any point during the school year; there is no need to wait until fall. Membership is renewed each year.

If you need help registering or paying dues, contact the PTA so we can help you get started.

Annual membership options are $10 for teachers, $20 for families and community members, and $40 or more for Super Supporters, which includes WGES swag. Membership is renewed annually.

If dues are difficult for your family right now, please contact the PTA privately to ask about available options. We want families to feel welcome and connected regardless of their financial circumstances.

No. Joining does not commit you to volunteer, attend meetings, sell products, collect donations, or take on a board position. Your membership alone is a meaningful contribution.

You choose whether and how to give additional time. Come to meetings when you can, help with a single task, or simply support the PTA through your membership. Meeting notes are shared in the News section so you can stay informed when you cannot attend.

Membership dues help support PTA-sponsored events, student activities, teacher and staff appreciation, supplies, and the basic costs of running the PTA. A portion also supports our PTA affiliations.

Additional fundraising helps cover costs beyond what dues provide and allows families, community members, and businesses to contribute further. The current budget is the best place to see how funds are allocated this year.

PTA spending follows the organization’s budget and approval procedures. Members can participate in budget discussions and the votes provided for in our bylaws.

Contact the PTA to request the current budget and financial reports. Meetings are also an opportunity to ask questions about spending, learn about upcoming needs, and share your priorities.

Yes. Donations are another way to support PTA events, programs, and our school community, even if you cannot give your time. Use Donate on our website to contribute.

Donating and joining are separate steps. If you would also like to become a member and participate in membership decisions, complete the membership registration.

Businesses can contact the PTA about sponsorships, donated goods, professional services, or other partnerships that fit our school community’s needs. Tell us what you would like to offer so we can discuss a useful match for current programs or events.

Opportunities may include event planning, setup and cleanup, welcome tables, activity stations, Book Fair support, teacher appreciation, fundraising, communications, and behind-the-scenes preparation.

You can also volunteer your professional services or creative skills. Graphic design, website support, photography and video, translation, accounting, grant writing, marketing, music, dance, and event production are examples of expertise that can help. Tell us what you enjoy and what you can offer so we can match your skills with current needs.

Yes. You choose how much time to give, and even an hour at an event or one small task can help. Some roles take place in the evening; others involve planning or preparation you can do on your own schedule.

Remote tasks may include creating graphics, translating materials, updating information, or helping plan an event. You do not need daytime availability or a recurring commitment for every role. Let us know your schedule before signing up.

No. Many tasks simply require a willingness to help, and you do not need to join the board or a committee. Tell the organizer if you are new so they can explain the assignment and help you get started.

Many roles do not involve driving or transporting supplies, and some can be completed from home. Ask for a role without transportation responsibilities if that works best for you. Board and committee positions are options for people who want a larger commitment.

Please check with the organizer before signing up, including if your younger child does not attend Washington Grove. Whether siblings can come depends on the activity, location, school rules, and how much attention the assignment requires.

If siblings are welcome, you remain responsible for their supervision. Ask whether the role is suitable for bringing a child so you can plan ahead.

Yes. Teenagers can help with suitable PTA activities, and eligible opportunities can count toward MCPS Student Service Learning (SSL) hours.

Before volunteering, confirm with the organizer that the specific opportunity qualifies, what supervision is required, and how to complete and verify the paperwork. Do not assume every task automatically earns SSL hours.

Requirements depend on the assignment and applicable school rules. Before your shift, ask the organizer which MCPS training, screening, or other steps apply to your role and complete any required steps in advance.

Requirements may differ between ongoing school support and a one-time event, so check for the specific opportunity rather than assuming a previous assignment’s requirements apply.

Visit Volunteer on our website, watch PTA communications for opportunities, or contact us directly. Share your interests, availability, and any professional or creative skills you would like to contribute.

Confirm the task, timing, location, and any requirements with the organizer. If you later cannot make it, let them know as soon as possible so they can adjust coverage. We understand that work, illness, and family plans can change.

Meetings are a chance to hear updates, discuss upcoming activities, review PTA business, ask questions, and share ideas. When a membership vote is needed, eligible members help make the decision.

New families are welcome—you do not need an invitation, prior experience, or an existing connection. Introduce yourself and join the conversation. If you cannot attend, look for meeting notes in the News section of our website.

No. You do not need to be bilingual to belong or get involved. Our meetings, emails, and website are shared in English and Spanish so more families can participate.

Contact the PTA if you need language assistance or have questions about accessibility or other participation needs.

Visit Events on our website and follow PTA communications for updates. To help protect students’ safety, dates, times, and locations of PTA events are shared only with PTA families. Sign in with your email to see those details.

Check each event announcement for registration, cost, age guidelines, and supervision requirements. Contact the PTA if you need help accessing the information.

Check the meeting announcement or event description for details about children and siblings, and ask the organizer if anything is unclear. Arrangements vary by activity.

Ask whether childcare is available before making plans. If you are also volunteering, confirm separately that your assignment allows you to bring and supervise your child.

Costs and supervision requirements vary by event. Check the announcement for admission fees, registration, age guidelines, and whether a parent or guardian must stay.

Please do not assume an event includes childcare or allows drop-off. Confirm those arrangements with the organizer before attending.

Use Contact on our website or bring your idea to a PTA meeting. We welcome suggestions for events, programs, and ways to make participation easier for families. You can also ask about language assistance, accessibility, or other needs.

For concerns about your child’s classroom experience, start with their teacher or the appropriate school staff member. The PTA can help bring broader family perspectives into conversations with the school.