"The JC Booth Middle School PTO demonstrated that parent groups can really make an impact when trouble arises at school," said Craig Bystrynski, PTO Today editor in chief. "They played akey role in minimizing the negative impact of the incidents on the school community. Beyond that, they are a vibrant and active group that makes a lasting difference for the students and the school."

The PTO Today Parent Group of the Year search, now in its fifth year, is sponsored by Educational Products Inc., and honors the parent groups that best represent the great work being done by parent groups throughout America.

The national award recipient received its awards on September 12 at their parent group meeting. Last year's national winner in the PTO Today Parent Group of the Year search was the Rosemont Ridge Middle School PTO of Oregon.

The annual Parent Group of the Year search was founded to recognize the vital work that school parent group leaders contribute each year. With school budgets facing increasing funding cuts across the country, the contribution of school parent groups are more important than ever:

. On average parent groups raise $22,700 per year per group.

. Recent research clearly shows the correlation between active parent involvement and school success (ie. higher test scores, increased funding).

PTO Today, Inc. is the only company dedicated exclusively to serving the entire parent group market with a full suite of products and services, all geared toward helping leaders serve their schools more effectively and run their groups more efficiently. PTO Today's products and programs include PTO Manager, the web-based software solution for parent groups and the School Family Night programs, evening events for parent groups to build parent involvement and foster their school community. PTO Today's flagship publication - PTO Today magazine is published six times a year. PTO Today magazine reaches parent leaders at more than 80,000 public and private elementary and middle schools across the country.

For more information on PTO Today, visit ptotoday.com .