Back to school, back to the PTA
Being a member of the PTA/PTO doesn't mean you have to "live" at your child's school. All the stereotypes of PTA moms and dads have them running nonstop from classroom to lunchroom, sewing costumes, blowing recess whistles and staying up all night baking cupcakes for spirit day. Don't be deterred. Just like any other volunteer organization, the more who join, the less there is to do for each one.
If you WANT to all but pitch a tent by the car loop outside the main entrance, well, more power to you! But you can be involved for as few as 30 minutes a month, if that is all you have time for. At our school, 30 minutes in the lunch room helping to open milk cartons and yogurt tubes is extremely appreciated.
Are you a runner/walker? I bet you could take an hour to join the kids in their walk-a-thon. How about 15 minutes every so often to read aloud in the classroom? Are you one that needs a break from the kids during the day? Treasurers are always looking for help with money collection/counting and keeping the books. My point is...there really is something for everyone when it comes to doing something easy and in your comfort zone to help your child's school.
What I really love about being a PTA member (this year on the board!) is what my child thinks about it. He loves knowing I am in the building, even if I'm not in his classroom. Plus, he gets a "backstage pass" to just about any event I am helping to set up. Finally, he knows I care about his school and what goes on there, which makes him more likely to care about it too. I'm setting a good example of volunteerism and team work.
I encourage parents to join their children's school's PTA. It'll only cost you $4 or $5 for the year, and if you don't have that, they'll probably take you anyway. Don't be intimidated. The people are friendly and supportive and always appreciate the extra help
April Scarlett is a freelance writer. Find her and links to all her work on Facebook as ASW-April Scarlett Writes or on Twitter @ajscarlett.
Comments
pj
Mon, Sep 13, 2010 : 2:16 p.m.
@VISHa- Go to the meetings, bring your friends for strength. You should bring your friends anyway, the more voices/ideas the better! Be the change you wish to see in your child's education!
April Scarlett
Mon, Sep 13, 2010 : 2 p.m.
@Happy Puppy, couldn't have said it better myself! Thank you!
Happy Puppy
Mon, Sep 13, 2010 : 1:57 p.m.
I am currently the president of our school's PTO and have been once before in the last 8 years of school. We are always begging for new people to volunteer and be on the board (prez, VP, Sec, etc) and very rarely do we get completely new people that have never been involved before and that is what leads people to think PTO/PTAs are clique-y. When push comes to shove and you want people to devote time and energy to running the PTO/PTA, must people can't run away fast enough. So if you really want to get involved, just do it and don't worry about cliques - we are adults, not high school students. Most working parents do not have the time to exclude people who aren't their friends. Join, volunteer, give the PTO/PTA new ideas if you have them - I guarantee 99% of them will appreciate it immensely.
April Scarlett
Mon, Sep 13, 2010 : 1:50 p.m.
Great comments all! I am writing of my experiences. As a member, we are ALWAYS so appreciative of new people and welcome them with open arms. It is unfortunate to hear it is not like that everywhere. I agree with Ed by looking for another way in, or maybe start with the teacher as a contact to get involved in something that the PTA doesn't handle. Teachers do a lot on their own. Also, at least at our school, teachers DEFINITELY want parents in the classroom, especially to read during March Is Reading Month. As parent helpers in our school, we are asked to help give spelling tests, read in groups, help with math, as well as the usual social activity helpers. Each of these activities range from 20 minutes to an hour of a parent's time. It is true, in middle and high school, there is much more opportunity to help behind the scenes, than in individual classrooms. And, as far as background checks go...once you are cleared, you are cleared for your child's entire academic career. It's not too personal of a form, and worth it, in my opinion, when you think of security. Great discussion!
ViSHa
Mon, Sep 13, 2010 : 1:25 p.m.
what if you want to volunteer for PTO and your school's current PTO is a clique of friends who have no interest in new people or new ideas? i'm curious if that is just par for the course or if there really are PTO's who are interested in trying new things and sharing new ideas?
AMOC
Mon, Sep 13, 2010 : 12:47 p.m.
Yes, it's great to be involved with your child's education, and studies show that kids whose parents are involved do better in school and in life. But too many PTA/PTO groups and school administrations I've encountered seem to be interested in parents only as a source of money or free menial labor for the school. The article suggested parents reading to a class for 15 minutes every week. Most teachers will not permit this because parents aren't trained to deliver the "guided reading" curriculum. Similarly, many teachers don't want parents in their classroom or interacting directly with students, especially the teachers in middle school and high school. If and when the teachers will allow it, the parent has to undergo a background check first, which cuts way down on spontaneous offers of assistance. Since my (now older than elementary) kids' athletic talents don't run to school sports, and I won't run fund raisers, there seems to be zero role for me in the PTO/PTA at their schools. So I support the Academic Games and Science Olympiad programs. I volunteer to speak at career days, etc. (I am a female engineer) and to support the FIRST Robotics or Lego League teams; so far their particular schools have not participated in these competitions, although many in this area do.
Beth
Mon, Sep 13, 2010 : noon
Great article! Yes, schools can ALWAYS use volunteers, whatever kind of time and skills you have to give. And it means SO much to your children to know you're involved in their school! You'll meet other parents, get to know the teachers and staff, and feel like a valued part of the school community. I'd add that not all PTA/ PTO/ Parent Council/ etc. groups charge parent dues - my children's Ann Arbor elementary does not, for example.