By Michael Motes

In an attempt to "bring our Catholic School parents together to discuss common goals as well as common problems, Sister Valentina Sheridan, Superintendent of Schools, has formed the Archdiocesan Parent Organization (APO).

The APO, Sister Valentina says, will work "toward a unity of purpose and direction, together with local parent groups."

The idea for the APO comes from the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) through its publication Catholic Parent Organizations Handbook, published in 1976. The project began in the Archdiocese of New York and is spreading throughout the country.

The NCEA publication cites the 1972 pastoral on education issued by the U. S. Bishops, "To Teach As Jesus Did," when stressing the need for an assembly of parents of parochial school students: "… a 'parent component' must be a part of many different Church-sponsored educational programs."

The initial planning for the APO began last summer when Sister Valentina contacted the principals of all Catholic schools in the archdiocese and requested the names of parents active in the various school organizations, such as the Home and School Association and PTA.

In contacting those recommended by the principals, Sister Valentina explained, "In recent years, several dioceses have established Diocesan Parents' Organizations for the purpose of strengthening the image of the Catholic schools, providing opportunities for parents to participate more effectively in the educational mission of the Church, and securing financial support from the state and other agencies."

The initial planning meeting for the organization was held last July. Illness, however, forced Sister Valentina to abandon the project for several months, and the "real" organizational meeting was held in February of this year, at which time Stephen M. Raeber, a Christ the King parishioner, accepted the position of temporary chairman.

"The initial meeting was beneficial in that it helped those attending to understand that, although there are some differences in parish organizations, all have similar goals as well as common problems," Raeber says. "An Archdiocesan Parent Organization would seem to be an ideal vehicle for exchanging thoughts and discussing ideas relevant to all parents with children in Catholic schools."

More planning sessions were held in March and May. At the former meeting, attorney Ronald Stallings discussed the pending legislation which would grant a tax credit to parents of children in private schools. The May meeting focused on guidelines for further growth of the organization and ideas for future programs. It was decided that Dr. Elinor R. Ford of Fordham University, author of the aforementioned NCEA Handbook, would be invited to address the APO next September.

To date, guidelines for the Organization fall into seven categories:

Communications: To establish an informational network and process to assist parents and member organizations in their knowledge and understanding of Catholic schools and related concerns.

Public Relations: To project and strengthen the image of the true nature of Catholic schools for the Church's own membership and for public understanding.

Moral Support: To encourage parents to send their children to Catholic schools, even at financial sacrifices, by reinforcing the need and benefit of religious-value-oriented education. In related fashion, to help schools clarify, improve and communicate the significance and value of the religious dimension and academic effectiveness of their educational programs.

Service: To provide opportunities for parents and others to participate more effectively in the educational mission of the Church.

Involvement Vehicle: To bring the Catholic presence of parents and laity into decision-making situations pertinent to their roles where Catholic schools would be affected.

Forum Of Interchange: To provide a forum wherein ideas, programs and resolutions of problems can be communicated for mutual benefit.

Cooperation With Other Agencies: To work cooperatively with existent statewide Catholic and other organizations in programs of common interest.

Although those attending the first meetings of the APO have represented schools in the metropolitan Atlanta area, Sister Valentina hopes that future meetings will be attended by at least two representatives of all Catholic schools in the Archdiocese.

"We are trying, through the APO, to establish a greater bondedness with those schools outside the Atlanta area," she said, "and are most anxious to obtain members of the Organization from the schools in Rome and Athens, plus as many active members from all schools as possible."

Sister Valentina has stated that "the family" will be the major thrust for the APO during the next school year. This will also be the theme for Catholic Schools week. A White House Conference on "The Family" has also been announced and she hopes to be able to attend this meeting.

Parents interested in the organization should contact Sister Valentina at (404) 881-6643 or write the Office of Catholic Schools, 756 West Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30308.