In early 2001, with the assistance of DCN, DHS PTA successfully implemented a communication system using Internet technology for school-wide announcements and newsletter distribution via the PTA Listserver and the DHS PTA website, saving PTA thousands of dollars in printing and mailing costs.

Inspired partly by the efficiency of listserver communication and partly by the listserver organized independently by parents of the Class of 2003, DHS PTA also set up "Class Listservers" for grade-level-specific discussion among parents and guardians to complement the announcement-only PTA Listserver. Soon afterwards, the Class of 2003 parents decided to join PTA's efforts, switched from the commercial host to DCN, and aligned with DHS PTA's guidelines for listserver use. Since then, every grade level at DHS has a PTA-sponsored Class Listserver which serves the following goals:

• Community Building and Mutual Support. As an unmoderated listserver, it serves as a digital gathering place where parents can share ideas, experiences, and seek answers to common questions. This aspect of the listserver functions as an extension of the Survival Guide but in real time.
  
  
• Questions & Answers (Q&A) between parents and DHS. Many parents have similar questions as their students move up the grades. As a way to help the busy DHS personnel efficiently respond to as many parents' questions as possible, the listserver administrators assist them by facilitating Q&A via the Class Listservers. They organize the questions, eliminate repetitions, then e-mail DHS's responses to all subscribers in a timely manner.
  
  
• Student Communication. Although students are not subscribers, the listserver helps our students with their year-specific events throughout the year. With the assistance of the listserver administrator or class volunteer coordinator, students are able to place announcements and recruit volunteers for events such as Homecoming and class-sponsored dances.
  
  
• DHS Administration. It complements the school-wide announcement-only PTA Listserver and allows DHS to communicate with a specific year of parents/guardians, especially when time is of the essence. Administrators can reach out for volunteers for such needs as proctoring of exams, registration packet stuffing etc.
  
  

Implementation of Q&A via the Class Listservers reached a new level of success in early 2003 when Gail Heckemeyer (Class of 2006 Listserver Administrator) successfully solicited Counselor Courtenay Tessler's help in answering incoming sophomore parents' registration questions via the listserver. Its remarkable effectiveness convinced Counselor Tessler to graciously agree to expand the Q&A to other general school questions after the registration period. Thanks to their collaborative efforts and the subsequent enthusiastic support by the Counseling Office, each grade level at DHS now has a counselor liaison. When appropriate, DHS administrators and teachers also assist in answering parents' questions. Q&A archives are available on the PTA website.

The PTA Listserver Committee, under the capable leadership of the PTA Listserver Coordinator, past and present, and the dedication of outstanding parent volunteers serving as listserver administrators (see current list), has worked diligently on policy and guidelines to promote professional and effective use of the listservers. Comments and suggestions can be sent to Listserver Coordinator.