By Edwin J. Viera, New York News Connection
For Volunteer Appreciation Week, New York State Parent Teacher Association volunteers are being recognized alongside parent advocates in other states.
New York State PTA volunteers lobbied and rallied for all students to have free school meals once wide-reaching pandemic programs ended in 2022. The new version was implemented in the 2025 to 2026 budget. Data show it has reduced costs for families by around $165 per month while directly addressing food insecurity.
Yvonne Johnson, president of the National PTA, said volunteers make schools a place where students can thrive.
“They work hard advocating for and providing critical resources, tools, and information to support children, families, and school communities, and they make sure they are safe, healthy, and have what they need,” Johnson outlined. “They really are the voice for families.”
In the course of the National PTA’s 129-year history, Johnson noted the organization and its many volunteers have been active in making schools safer. Along with advocating for online safety and promoting healthy lifestyles, the group remains active in guaranteeing a student’s education is well-rounded, despite federal cuts to education programs.
Looking ahead, the National PTA is searching for ways to keep schools and students safe in the face of school shootings. So far, there have been 10 school shootings in 2026, according to Education Week’s school shooting tracker. Johnson stressed addressing the tragedies is a number one policy priority.
“That’s all about making sure we have common sense gun laws and that we are making sure kids feel safe and supported in school,” Johnson emphasized. “That’s a really big thing for us. And PTA makes sure we, the parent or the family, has a seat at the table when decisions are being made.”
She added people often think PTAs are mainly about supporting events and raising money. While it is true, Johnson underscored they are the nation’s oldest child advocacy organization and their organizing has been instrumental in passing policies to improve public schools.
