What is the Parents Association (PA)?

The Parent Association (PA) plays an essential role in our school. We provide leadership and direction to parents seeking to become more involved with their children’s education and school community. The PA is a good place for parents to find out what’s happening at school. Through involvement in your PA, parents can learn how their school operates and discover a network of people committed to their children’s school. The PA is also a place where parents can voice questions and concerns regarding their children’s school experience.

Each PA develops its own bylaws, elects officers, and holds regular meetings.

Relevant Legislation: Under State Education Law, Section 2590, every New York City public school is required to form a Parent Association. All PA/PTA bylaws must comply with the current Chancellor’s Regulation A-660.

The PA also provides an important link between individual schools and the District Presidents Councils. These Councils handle issues affecting all schools in a District. They offer parents an additional opportunity to share ideas and information about schools, communities, and parenting.

How can I become a PA member?

As a parent, legally appointed guardian or a person with a parental relationship to a student who currently attends P.S.196, you are automatically a PA member. No membership form or process is necessary.

All members are eligible to join PA committees and run for office. PA elections are held in the spring.

How can I participate in the PA?

You are the PA, and we need your participation. All parents are encouraged to attend PA meetings. There are many committees and activities that depend on parental involvement to be successful. Please review this website for further details.

The greater your participation, the better our school can be!

When and where are PA meetings held?

Meetings are usually held on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 7:30pm on the school premises. A meeting agenda is sent home with the children a week before the meeting. It will also be available on this website and announced via the PA’s infomail at that time.

What if our family is new to the school and has never been involved in a PA before?

We all began in the same position. We welcome and encourage all families to participate in any capacity. It’s a fantastic way to get to know other parents and children, and a great way familiarize your family with the school.

I have an idea for a fundraiser. How do I submit it?

All ideas are welcome. We do request though that for events you have at least two or three other parents who can be committed to the fundraiser, as they do require a lot of work and we want to ensure it’s success. If it is a sign-up campaign, similar to our Target® and Stop & Shop© endeavors, there is no need for additional parents. Click here for more information.

Please use the “Contact Us” feature to submit your concept and be sure to include your child’s name and classroom.

Thank you.