PTO Today, a leading source of information and support for parent organizations across the United States, has launched 1 Hour for Schools, a nationwide volunteer initiative designed to encourage parents and caregivers to contribute just one hour of their time to their local schools.

Volunteers play an essential role in helping schools provide activities and experiences that benefit students, teachers, and families. From book fairs and field days to family gatherings, enrichment activities, school assemblies, and teacher appreciation events, many programs depend heavily on parent volunteers. However, schools are increasingly struggling to find enough people to fill these roles.

Research conducted by PTO Today found that 54% of PTO and PTA leaders surveyed have had to reduce or cancel school activities because they did not have enough volunteers, while 82% depend on fewer than 10 active volunteers to keep their organizations running.

The volunteers who do participate often devote substantial amounts of time. According to the research, 66% of PTO and PTA volunteers contribute approximately 360 hours during the school year. The findings also point to a gap in participation, with 74% of respondents identifying fathers as the most underrepresented group among school volunteers.

The new 1 Hour for Schools campaign seeks to address these challenges by encouraging parents and caregivers nationwide to pledge a combined one million hours of volunteer service. The initiative is built around a simple message: even a single hour can contribute to a stronger and more connected school community.

“Schools across the country are telling us the same thing: they need more volunteers, but they don't need superheroes—they just need more people willing to give a little of their time,” said Charles Field, CEO of School Family Media, the parent company of PTO Today. “That's exactly why we created 1 Hour for Schools. We want to show parents and caregivers that even one hour can make a meaningful difference for their child's school.”

Beyond helping schools operate programs and events, volunteering can also provide parents with an opportunity to become more connected to their communities. Participating in school activities can help parents meet other families, establish friendships, develop relationships with teachers, and become more engaged in their children's educational environment.

Research also indicates that volunteering can contribute to a greater sense of belonging. For parents and caregivers balancing careers, family obligations, and busy schedules, making a small time commitment can be an accessible way to become more involved without taking on a major ongoing responsibility.

A PTO leader from Michigan emphasized the value of participation, regardless of the amount of time involved. The leader noted that parents and caregivers do not need extensive free time or specialized abilities to contribute. Simply being present and participating can help create memorable experiences for students, provide valuable support to school employees, and demonstrate to children that building a strong school community is a shared responsibility.

Parents and caregivers can participate in 1 Hour for Schools through September 30 by pledging to volunteer at their child's school in whatever capacity fits their schedule. Each pledge also gives participating schools a chance to win $3,500 to invest in their school community.

The campaign's overarching objective is to reach one million pledged volunteer hours from parents and caregivers nationwide, demonstrating how small individual contributions can collectively make a substantial difference in schools and the communities they serve.

Click here to take the pledge.

As society advances alongside rapid developments in artificial intelligence (AI), computational thinking is increasingly being recognized as a key skill for future career success.

Understanding computational thinking
Computational thinking is a structured approach to problem-solving. It focuses on breaking complex problems into smaller, more manageable parts, identifying patterns, and designing clear, step-by-step solutions—similar to the logic used in computer programming. This way of thinking includes skills such as logical reasoning, abstraction, and algorithmic planning.

Although AI tools can assist with problem-solving and even generate code, they do not eliminate the need for computational thinking. In fact, as AI becomes more prevalent, these skills become even more essential.

Experts from TCS Ignite My Future—a professional development initiative by Tata Consultancy Services—emphasize that computational thinking plays a vital role in student success beyond graduation. They highlight how these skills strengthen critical thinking, increase confidence in tackling challenges, and help young people adapt to a fast-changing, technology-focused world. While Ignite My Future supports educators by offering free resources to integrate computational thinking into classrooms and core subjects, families can also nurture these abilities at home.

Why computational thinking matters
“Building a workforce prepared for AI is a top priority across industries, and students and young professionals with strong computational thinking skills will have a significant advantage in the future job market,” explains Kelli Recher, Global Innovation Lead for TCS Ignite My Future. “Teaching these skills early equips the next generation to use AI responsibly, solve real-world problems, and actively influence how technology evolves.”

Research shows that competition in technology-related careers is intensifying, prompting educational institutions worldwide to rethink how computer science is taught in the age of AI.
Countries such as China, Finland, and South Korea have already begun integrating AI into education to enhance learning. Globally, partnerships and forums are bringing together universities, researchers, and policymakers to define effective strategies for teaching and governing AI. In the United States, initiatives led by the White House Task Force on AI Education are working to improve AI literacy among students and educators, while similar national efforts are emerging in other parts of the world.

No expertise required
Recognizing that parents are often busy and may not view themselves as educators in technical subjects, TCS Ignite My Future encourages families to introduce computational thinking through everyday experiences. Simple activities can make a big impact, such as:

No matter what career a child hopes to pursue—whether in medicine, science, education, business, the arts, or beyond—computational thinking can foster creativity, improve problem-solving, and encourage responsible and thoughtful use of technology.

Click here to know more about Ignite My Future.