About three years ago, one of Cecilia Peche’s neighbors in Hometown Kyle asked her to coordinate the PTAs “Box Tops for Education” program, which raises upwards of $2,000 a year for the school.
Peche took on the job with zeal.
“I’ve gone dumpster diving at the Green Guy recycling place in San Marcos for box tops,” Peche said, then laughed at the memory. “My husband has photos of that.”
Getting involved at her kids’ school was a good distraction while her husband was deployed to Iraq with the U.S. Army Reserves.
The next year she became a homeroom parent, sharing all of the PTA information with parents and coordinating various activities such as parties.
Little did she know that she had begun her journey to becoming a regular volunteer and PTA president.
“I come in about every day now,” she said. “I didn’t realize how much work it would be,” Peche said of being the PTA president, but she was not complaining.
The parent-teacher organization coordinates the school’s fundraisers as well as other events on campus. The PTA volunteers, like Peche, help earn thousands of dollars for Kyle Elementary.
“We couldn’t do it without our PTAs,” Peche said.
She said there are at least 30 homeroom parents, plus more volunteers that come through district. Peche estimated that Kyle Elementary has about 100 volunteers, but more are still needed.
“There are so many jobs that a campus needs,” said Angie Mendez, director of community relations for Hays CISD. “Folks like Cecilia are super important,” she said.
Peche said the most fun part of volunteering is the children’s faces.
“They get so lit up and get so excited,” she said.
With the district’s push toward healthier life styles and battling obesity, Peche said her school’s fundraisers will be a little different this year.
“We’re doing an ‘Unfundraiser’ she said.
That means asking parents and the community to donate funds rather than purchasing something like candy or cookie dough.
“One hundred percent of the money raised will go straight to the school,” Peche said.
Kyle Elementary also has a carnival coming up on Nov. 3.
“We also want to do a fun run or 5K but we don’t want to get over committed,” Peche said.
Of her now near daily work at the school, Peche said she may come in for an hour or 90 minutes a day, but then there is more work at home with all the PTA coordination.
“It definitely is a part-time job,” she said. “Even though it’s unpaid. But it’s my job,” Peche said.
Kyle Elementary School volunteer Cecilia Peche gives about 15 hours a week to the school, including serving as PTA president. She does everything from making copies to sorting the mail to overseeing fundraisers. She has even gone dumpster diving for Box Tops.
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