What Do Parents Need to Know about PTA/PTSA, ASB and Booster Club?

What is this organization?

PTA/PTSA stands for Parent Teacher Association (PTA) or Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA). It is a volunteer organization at each school. There is a board of directors made up of elected volunteers (parents, teachers, and community members). It is an official non-profit organization, 501(c)3. Parents, teachers, and community members can volunteer with the PTA/PTSA.

ASB stands for Associated Student Body, which means it is a collection of all students in the school. ASB is the official representative of students at each school. The state requires ASB to exist to ensure student money is managed by and for students. The student body government at each school makes decisions for all activities, such as clubs and sports, that are outside of the classroom. There is an ASB student government with a staff advisor. Parents and community members typically do not volunteer with the ASB except for specific requests made by the staff advisor.

Booster Club is a group of volunteers who support sports, clubs, and activities at a high school. There is a board of directors made up of elected volunteers (parents and community members). It is an official nonprofit organization, 501(c)3. Parents and community members can volunteer with the Booster Club.

What does this organization do?

PTA/PTSA: Each school has a PTA/PTSA that supports the school in a variety of ways:

• Organizes programs to benefit students

• Plans events for students and families

• Coordinates volunteers for specific school events or programs

• Raises funds for additional resources at school

ASB: The ASB is responsible for making decisions regarding all student clubs and sports at middle and high schools. Their responsibilities include:

• Representing the student body

• Managing ASB funds for clubs and sports

• Raising funds for student clubs and sports

• Approving new clubs and activities

• Promoting school spirit

Booster Club: A Booster Club raises money specifically to support a high school’s sports teams, clubs, and activities.

What levels of school do I find this organization?

PTA/PTSA: Elementary Schools, Middle Schools, and High Schools. You can find PTA/PTSA at every school in the Issaquah School District. Although the programs, events, and fundraising change at each level, they are all committed to supporting the school, students, and staff. PTA/PTSA also has the advocacy and voting ability at the state/national level to engage in the legislative process.

ASB: Middle Schools and High Schools. You will find ASB only at the middle and high schools in the Issaquah School District. This is because elementary schools do not have sports teams or an organized club/activity system.

Booster Club: High Schools. You will find Booster Clubs only at high schools in the Issaquah School District. This is because sports and clubs are more competitive at this level, requiring additional funding for equipment, supplies, travel, etc.

Why do they raise funds? Do parents need to participate in fundraising?

PTA/PTSA: PTA/PTSAs raise funds to support a specific school. Each PTA/PTSA determines how the funds are spent. PTAs often provide funding for:

• Books

• Equipment

• Enrichment Programs

• Classroom Needs

• Art Docent Program

• Reflections Program

• Student Basic Needs/Community Outreach

• Community Events: Bingo Night, Winterfest, Cultural Night, Family Fun Night, Movie Night, Ice Cream Social, Art Night, etc. (either hosting or partnering with ASB)

ASB: The ASB raises funds to support the school’s activities, clubs, and sports teams. These can include:

• School Social Events

• Equipment

• Supplies

• Uniforms

• Sport Referees

• Club/Sport Registration Fees

Booster Club: The Booster Club raises funds to support the school’s activities, clubs, and sports teams beyond the basic funding provided by the school district. These can include:

• Equipment

• Supplies

• Team Gear/Uniforms

• Team Meals

• Facility Improvements/Renovation

• Club/Sport Registration Fees

• Travel Costs

Families are never required to participate in any fundraising events. It is your choice to participate.

Do I need to pay a fee for my child?

PTA/PTSA: PTA/PTSA’s events or programs at school do not require you to pay a fee for your child to participate in. Some PTAs host events outside the school (e.g., ice skating or pumpkin patch visits) that require an entrance fee.

ASB: Students in the school are automatically represented by ASB as limited members when enrolling in school. You only need to pay an ASB fee annually to get full membership if your child plans on participating in sports, clubs, or activities at the school. The full membership also provides discounts for students to sporting events (free admission at all sporting events at their home school), discounts on school performances, and other events. A full ASB membership costs $35 at the middle school level and $60 at the high school level. You can pay the ASB fee through the school’s online portal. If you cannot afford the ASB fee, contact your child’s office to ask about a fee waiver or scholarship.

Booster Clubs: You do not need to pay a fee to the Booster Club for your child to participate in sports, activities, or clubs. However, each school might have a separate fee charged directly by the school to participate.

Do I need to join?

PTA/PTSA: You are not required to join the PTA/PTSA at your child’s school. However, if you join, you can participate in various activities to support the school, students, and teachers. Joining PTA/PTSA also gives you a vote and a voice on various PTA/PTSA decisions. If you decide to join, each PTA charges a membership fee. If you cannot pay the fee and still want to join, you can contact your school’s PTA to request a fee waiver or scholarship. You can become a PTA/ PTSA member on the web page for the school’s PTA/PTSA, or you can fill out a paper form to join.

ASB: All students at each school are automatically enrolled in the school’s ASB as limited members. Students need to pay the ASB fee for full membership. Parents and community members cannot join.

Booster Club: You are not required to join the Booster Club at your child’s high school. However, if your child participates in a sport, club, or activity, the funding available for that specific group can sometimes depend on parent membership numbers. You might be asked to join the Booster Club to increase the funding provided to your student’s specific activity, club, or sport. You can join the Booster Club on the web page for the school’s Booster Club.

Can I volunteer with this organization?

PTA/PTSA: Yes! All school PTA/PTSAs love having parents and community volunteers! However, you will need to join the PTA to be allowed to volunteer with certain PTA programs or events. PTA membership is not required if you volunteer with a teacher in the classroom or in the library. ALL volunteers are required to complete the Issaquah School District Volunteer Application if you want to volunteer during school time.

ASB: There may be times when parent assistance is needed (chaperones for field trips, support with a banquet or recognition event). Please contact the ASB staff advisor if you want to support your child’s ASB.

Booster Club: Yes! Booster Clubs rely on parents and community volunteers! There are a variety of fundraising activities that require volunteer assistance. If your child participates in a sport, club, or activity that receives funds from the school’s Booster Club, each group might be required to guarantee a certain number of volunteer hours. You might be asked to volunteer to sell concessions (food and drinks) or spirit-wear clothing at sports events.

Who do I contact to find out more information?

PTA/PTSA: Each school PTA/PTSA should have its own website. Search your school PTA/PTSA website here: https:// www.isd411.org/get-involved/ptsa. Contact your school PTA/PTSA President or ask your child’s teacher or the office for more information on your school’s PTA/PTSA.

ASB: You can contact the office at your child’s school to find out more about ASB. You can also ask who the school’s ASB advisor is and the best way to contact them.

Booster Club:

Issaquah High School: www.ihsboosters.org

Liberty High School: www.libertyhighboosters.org

Skyline High School: https://skylineboosterclub.sportngin.com/