THE MISSION OF THE DONALD L. RHEEM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PTA FOLLOWS THE MISSION OF THE NATIONAL PTA ORGANIZATION. THE PTA WAS FOUNDED IN 1897 DURING A TIME WHEN CHILDREN WORKED IN FACTORIES, MINES AND IN THE STREETS. CO-FOUNDER ALICE MCLENNAN BIRNEY HELPED DRIVE THE PROGRAM NATIONWIDE WITH THE PHILOSOPHY "LET US HAVE NO MORE CROAKING AS TO WHAT CANNOT BE DONE; LET US SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE, AND ABOVE ALL SEE THAT IT IS DONE." TODAY'S PTA MISSION IS (1) TO PROMOTE THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN AT HOME, SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY AND PACE OR WORSHIP, (2) TO RAISE THE STANDARDS OF HOME LIFE, (3) TO SECURE ADEQUATE LAWS FOR THE CARE AND PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH, (4) TO BRING INTO CLOSER RELATION THE HOME AND THE SCHOOL THAT PARENTS AND TEACHERS MAY COOPERATE INTELLEGENTLY IN THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN, AND (5) TO DEVELOP BETWEEN EDUCATORS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SUCH UNITED EFFORTS AS WILL SECURE FOR ALL CHILDREN THE HIGHEST ADVANTAGES IN PHYSICAL, MENTAL, SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL EDUCATION.