The Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) or Parent Teacher Student Associations (PTSAs) at Fort Meade schools will have their first meeting for the academic school year next month. Almost all of the PTAs/PTSAs will be working to increase parental involvement this year and a few will investigate whether parents support the future implementation of a school uniform policy.

Linda Redwine Bell, school liaison officer for Fort Meade, said PTAs are volunteer organizations that advocate for children and parents. PTAs are made up of parents and teachers, while PTSAs are made up of parents, teachers and students. She said PTA members often advise principals on school matters and they also represent parents at Board of Education and other meetings. Some PTAs help schools hold special events and also raise funds for schools.

The following is a listing of Fort Meade schools and their upcoming PTA meetings.

Pershing Hill Elementary School

The PTA will meet at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 13 in the school's cafeteria. The organization's goals are to increase its parent membership from 60 percent to 80 percent; increase cultural arts and enrichment activities at the school; increase school spirit; and improve communication between the PTA and teachers. The PTA president is Nan Lawless. For more information, call 410-222-6519.

West Meade Elementary School

The PTA will meet from 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 13 in the school auditorium. The organization meets the second Tuesday of every month. A president has not yet been elected. For more information, call 410-222-6545.

Manor View Elementary School

The PTA will meet at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 14 in the school's cafeteria. The PTA president is Lori Short. For more information, call 410-222-6504.

Meade Heights at Seven Oaks Elementary School

The PTA will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 11 in the school's Media Center. The organization's goals are to increase and diversify its membership to reflect the student body and to provide more resources for parents. The organization is considering offering financial management seminars and a resource library for parents. The PTA president is Monica Barnhart. For more information, call 410-222-6509.

MacArthur Middle Elementary School

The PTSA will meet at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 18 before the school's open house. Lisa Madson, the organization's president, will introduce the PTSA board members at the event. The PTSA's goals are to increase parental involvement and research the possibility of a school uniform policy. The PTA's general meetings are held on the third Monday of every month. For more information, call 410-674-0032.

Meade Middle School

The PTSA will meet at 7 p.m. Sept. 19 on the school's Back To School Night in the school's cafeteria. The organization's goals are to encourage more parents to take an active role in their child's education and to expand the PTSA's Reflection Program. The Reflection Program celebrates individual student's accomplishments in the arts, such as poetry, writing, drawing, animation and video production. The PTSA's general meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month. The acting PTSA president is Jan Hammett. For more information, call 410-674-2355.

Meade High School

The PTSA will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 12 in the school's Media Center. The organization's goals are to increase parental involvement, foster academic excellence and to improve communication between parents and the school. The PTSA will also look into the option of a school uniform policy. The PTSA's general meetings are held the second Tuesday of every other month. The PTSA president is Maj. Otha Thornton. For more information, call 410-674-7710.