I have to thank you for your support. C. Brooks you have some very valid suggestions. As far as numbers behind me I know that every parent in this group will stand with me and back me. I know that I could easily get support behind me , i just worry about it getting ugly. She has been principal three years and the old PTA left because they couldn't handle her control. I do get along great with her and I think there were alot of words said that im having a hard time with. Our school has changed so much this year, morale is so high because of our events...my son has two years left and I have one entering in the fall. I have to admit the school is probably the most caring in the district, and without a doubt our principal is the best. This is a well known fact throughout the district and school board. She truly puts the kids first. She did email me again and asked again about reconsidering...i know im being petty but im going to let her sit on it for a day or two. She needs to realize how important parents are to a school...
Iy's crazy how one person can do that to us and usually we are already married to them!
In my "world" the principal can't stand anyone on this year's board and is tickled I was elected Secretary for this next year with the other board member coming back. I will whole hearted tell you I am her favorite. A very doubled edged sword and a position I love to hate. By no means am I suggesting you to become hopelessly devoted to her but on the other hand there must be a reason why she picked you for the job. Either that or e-mail me and I have a soap that takes the words "sucker" off your forehead (I personnaly use it twice a day- dropping off and picking up!
I really need to keep an open mind as my kids are in a K-12 school. Unless we move, this is the best school I have found for our family and love it.
The best part about summer break is the chance to regroup, mend words spoken, talk things out, and set goals....together. You do need a team and that really should be up to you, hey how can she stop a kitchen table or a meeting at Mc Donalds? They say I'm a dreamer...sometimes I am the only one [img]smile.gif[/img] . I am glad to hear it's getting better, just don't let it get this bad again. Little things need to be taken care of BEFORE they become big...I have learned to the hard way too.
My principal and I have a great relationship. The more I read this board the more greatful I am for our principal, our staff, and what few burned out volunteers we have.
When I decided to step down as prez I told the principal I would stay if they couldn't find anyone to replace me, the ones that were good candidates flat out refused to take on the responsiblity. She told me that she could find some one if she had too. But they more than likely wouldn't have the passion I do about seeing the PTO succeed. I think my "passion" had scared alot of people off. I do tend to go overboard on projects. I am not all that organized, so they usually see me doing last minute things in a frenzy. But when it was all said and done it hit me. Of course I am replaceable. Just because someone doesn't do things exactly like me doesn't mean that our orginzation would fall apart. Our nominating committee had several turn downs and we finally trapped a Mom in the hall who argreed to take it. She works full time and will not be able to put in all the time I have but that doesn't mean she won't have fresh ideas.
As for your meeting, I think you should compose a list of what you and the other moms want for your orginization and tell her if she don't meet some of these demands then she'll have to take care of it herself next year. Make sure you've listed all the things you have done. Because if you have handled fundraisers and fun days then parents and students will come to expect that so they will more than likely be wanting to talk to her about that a lot! As far as the teachers. It would be nice if they would admit they were on your side and say they would like to work as a team but they may be scared of her reaction if they do admit that. I think I would talk to some of the staff you know so well and see if you could get any of them to speak up. If you get a large group of supporters she wouldn't be able to say no to you demands very easily. And she may realize she is not as powerful as she wants to be. Which could go either way.
About info not getting sent out; our last prez used to gripe about this a lot. So I finally figured out that the majority of our teachers send out folders on Fridays. So I had to be orginized enough to get dated materials ready to send out on the Thursday before the date. I usually put them in their mail boxes and some teachers send their folders out on Mondays. And if I have gotten behind or something last minute comes up then I go room to room at the end of the day and if I see that they are busy I put the papers in their backpacks, cubbies, or on the students desk.
Any way that's my thought on the subject, I hope you get everything worked out. And remember to take deep breaths because everyone from the teachers, volunteers, and students are ready for a break.
hi....I know I reacted out of pure anger but yet really feel at this time somewhere in the last few months the focus has disminshed because of over volunteering. She wants me to stay on and it has not been officially announce to anyone because she wants me to think it out.we have ameeting on wednesday. I don't feel like I can truly meet the needs without her support. She refuses to let me have any contact with teachers even as far as sending out a survey asking them what they want from us. I have had teachers ask me about joining certain commitees but she refuses that also.She actually almost cringes when she sees me talking with teachers...i am friends with some of them so much we go out every now and them, have been included with staff parties, etc. I dont hate any of them and do respect them. Its just afew bad apples who wont do anything...even on principal day they did not acknowledge her.I think with some staff members i have abetter relationship than her. They just think extra things are wrong. It is ahuge control thing with her, i love her dearly and we have what you would say is the biggest love hate relationship there is. I think on Friday we just totally lost it and it wasnt apretty sight us screaming at each other in the main office and we did move behind close doors but at that time it was a well known fact that we had a blow up. Every person who knows says it was in the making. I realize that the old PTA repuattion has alot to do with her wanting total control and me having to keep my feelings inside but I truly am having ahard time with that. During the whole IRs paperwork thing this year she never once even looked at the papers or offer to help(remember we have no officers except names because she likes it that way).For me to leave will make this group disband because no one has aclue what so ever...do i want that ?no But i dont know what will happen
Your right I didn't know the whole story, I still wish you would have taken this time to take a break and not throw your arms up.
What you don't know about me is my year as President was spent with teachers scared of the PTO because of actions of a former Prez, a VP on anti- depressants because of 9/11 (yes, really) and in/out of the hospital for three operations, no treasurer, no secretary and pregnant. Why am I still here? The friends I have made keep me going and the issues I overcame (some have taken this years Prez to iron out) have made everyone wiser. Our staff has been reminded, we have a PTO and they should hold up to the "T". Our group has been formed for only five years, also. It takes time. You know, some of the staff had no clue why I was at school- most of the time it was organizing events for their class!
For the meantime...once again, no I didn't have the whole story and all of us have a story, but for some crazy reason we want better for our kids so we keep coming back and try to help out each other.
one other note the principal came out and admitted to me last November that she was not honest about the way the teachers would react. I made a comment about it being very hard to get their support and she told me that she didnt tell me that before I started running the group because she knew I wouldnt take the position. tell me that's fair....she knew AHEAD of time how hard it would be....
