PTA, PTO, PTG – no matter what letters you use, or what name you give it, few groups are more important to the school community than the ones that include parents, teachers, and administrators.

“Our PTG group ‘graduated’ last year which left a gap in a parent-run PTG until October of 2015,” Arlington Principal Michelle David said.

That is where Mandie Porreca comes into play.

“I’m new to the school. My daughter is in the second grade,” she said. “The time that I’ve spent there this year, I’ve gotten to know a lot of the teachers, and they all really care about these kids unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. We have some really great teachers and parents. I’m proud to represent Arlington and humbled that they appointed me the [PTG] president.”

Porreca has already increased attendance at PTG meetings simply by providing a Spanish interpreter and free childcare.

“Our interpreter is fifth-grade teacher Suzanne DaSilva, who graciously and generously gives her time to help. We use high school students who need community service hours for the childcare. I will do whatever I can to assure that parents can attend the meetings and not feel they cannot come due to a language or childcare situation,” Porreca said.

“I was approached by the school secretary [Michele Bergantino] who asked if I wanted to get involved. They needed parents to step up and help. She knew I had had PTG experience and thought I would be a good fit for the group,” she added.

The PTG already has held several fundraisers for the school, including a pasta challenge, pizza party, holiday shop, and a special yearbook coloring challenge for the two “graduating” classes of fifth- and sixth-graders.

Porreca sends all PTG fliers out double-sided with English and Spanish.

“We are literally starting from scratch, using some old tried-and-true ideas, and also looking to what is new and different. That is what will keep people coming back, and hopefully, more and more involved in their child’s school,” Porreca said.

One specific program she is very excited about is something that neither Arlington nor any other elementary school in Cranston has ever done before. They are partnering with Savers for a clothing and household items collection drive.

“Having this drive means a lot to us, as it allows us to give back as well as to receive, which is something that Arlington has always tried to accomplish,” Porreca said. “We will be set up outside the school every Saturday for the month of April and driving the donations over to Savers in Providence. They are paying us 20 cents a pound for the donations. My goal is to raise $1,000 for this program.”

“Parent involvement, through the PTG and at other events, is imperative to ensuring the home/school connection is positive and promotes student learning. This PTG is very enthusiastic and thinks outside the box. They are willing to try new avenues to bring more families in to our school. They are also reaching out to the greater community for support and ideas. If they continue in this way I expect, we will have greater family and community involvement at Arlington,” David said.

Since taking over in October, Porreca and her team have quadrupled the money in the PTG’s account.

“I am so proud of our accomplishments, but more than that I am proud and grateful to all the parents and teachers who are getting involved. They see the changes their help has made, and it is wonderful,” Porreca said.