​​​​Parent-Teacher Organizations​​

​​Parent-teacher organizations in Catholic elementary schools are important: they promote parent/guardian support for the school program, increase mutual understanding between the school and parents/guardians, build a sense of school community, and assist in the financial support of the school.  Parent-teacher or parent organizations are required to follow archdiocesan and school policies and procedures.

General

Parent-teacher organizations:

• Are advisory in nature

• Have no legal status apart from the school and therefore may not be separately incorporated or register with any  governmental agency -- e.g., apply for tax-exempt (501)(c)(3) status
  

• May not create any social media accounts separate from the school or using the name of the school
  

• May not sign contracts
  

• May not open a bank account that is not managed by the school -- see Chapter 6.2.5​
  

• Function in accordance with written bylaws that comply with archdiocesan policy that govern the structure and operation of such an organization

• Are subject to all Department of Catholic Schools​ regulations and policies
  

​Membership

The membership of the parent organization shall include the pastor of the parish or his designee, principal, parents/guardians of currently enrolled students, and religious and lay faculty (if the organization is a parent-teacher organization). The pastor and principal shall have the right to approve officers and other members of the executive committee during the nomination process. The pastor or his designee and the principal shall be ex officio members of the executive committee of the organization.

See the Parent-Teacher Organization: Bylaws and the Roles and Responsibilities (sample).​

6-29-2022, 7-30-2026