Join the PTO? Love it or hate it?Posted by: Tim Sullivan on Dec 04, 2008 in PTO, PTA, Parent Involvement |
All of us school parents have faced this dilemma, I imagine. Should I get involved with, how much should I get involved with or should I run away from the PTO or PTA at the kids' school?
Of course, here at schoolfamily.com, we think getting involved is the way to go (and doesn't have to be life-alteringly crazy), but I'm certainly open to other perspectives. Like these two competing takes from babble.com. First writer now hates the PTA after having served. Second writer has come to respect and enjoy the PTA after initial skepticism.
Of course, here at schoolfamily.com, we think getting involved is the way to go (and doesn't have to be life-alteringly crazy), but I'm certainly open to other perspectives. Like these two competing takes from babble.com. First writer now hates the PTA after having served. Second writer has come to respect and enjoy the PTA after initial skepticism.
Posted by - Julie on Nov. 15, 2010
I have been a PTO member for 5 years, since my oldest was in Kindergarten. This year I was voted in as President. I love it! I have had so many ideas over the past few years for events and activites that I would like to see at our school. It's great to be able to put some of those plans to work. I really don't think that parents in general realise what an important role the PTO plays in our school. For instance, we worked for two years to raise money for a sound system so we can actually hear the Principal when she talks to us in the gym. Instead of sounding like the teacher from Charlie Brown. We are trying to get shade for the playground and outdoor water fountains for the kids. We're on the Gulf coast and it gets HOT! But it's the smaller things that the school needs the most help. with. Like, our teachers have a limited amout of copies that they can print out, but they aren't allowed to ask parents to donate any supplies. If they run out, the kids have to write all the information down and pass the copy along to the next student. We have a few programs throughout the year (Veterans Day, Christmas, Kindergarten) that have been paid for by the teachers and a handfull of parents. This year PTO is making donations for each program. Even with having the funding, we wouldn't be able to have the programs and events that we do without the parents and grandparents who show up to help us. Have you ever been to an event at your childs school and complained that it was unorganized? I'm sure would have went alot smoother if two or three more people had stepped in to help out. We know that in most families both parents work and that you don't have much time to do extra things for the school, but it's amazing what a difference two or three hours a month would make. Oh! And you don't have to go out and sell that wrapping paper, cookie dough or all those candy bars. Skip the sales and send in $20 to your schools PTO. Or a case of copy paperPosted by - Kelly on Dec. 27, 2008
I only recently became involved with the PTO. I think most PTO's are largely misunderstood. They tend to be thought of as clique-y groups of moms out to run the school. But what I've found is quite the opposite, at least at my school. These parents work really hard with the few volunteers they have to help provide as many opportunities and extras as they can. It can be challenging to try to get some of the more established parents to change their ways. Persistence and initiative sometimes is the only way to get things going. Don't count your PTO out! Giving up will only lead to failure! A great team can do great things.