Parent teacher groups fund school spirit, but lack volunteers

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CEDAR RAPIDS — Funding transportation for field trips, providing meals for teachers during parent-teacher conferences and hosting school carnivals are just a few of the ways “small but mighty” parent teacher groups support their schools.

Parent teacher groups at schools in the Cedar Rapids Community School District raise thousands annually, spending it by funding schoolwide celebrations, classroom materials and more in an effort to foster community for students and staff.

Finding volunteers to organize events, however, is increasingly challenging. Some parent teacher groups had to be resuscitated after the pandemic.

“The more energy you give into a school, they turn around and give toward st