Thanx for the responses. In our school, if teachers need something that the school does not have, they can submit requests to our group. We grant requests for teachers up to $300 per year. A big number, we think! We have staff appreciation lunches for them, xmas gifts, and end of year gifts; and still, they do not participate. How many more incentives do you need? Teachers work hard, but where else can you work 6 1/2 hours a day and get paid as well as they do. Asking them to stay an extra 45 minutes isn't gonna kill them! After all, it is the kids that are missing out. So, if it is all about the kids, then what is the problem?

We have even discussed NOT doing staff luncheons anymore, since they do not support us. Half of our group wants to eliminate it, as money could be better spent on other supplies and such, the other half reluctantly still wants to have it. The act is wearing thin on the parents now. How much longer do we go on with this crap?

Gee Daddio--if I didn't know any better I'd think you were at MY school! You don't live in northern NJ by any chance do you? Welcome to the boards--too bad you couldn't be coming under happier conditions!

I SO believe that the principal sets the tone for the school--because let's face it-THEY DO. With ours we initially gave her the benefit of the doubt. Take a gander at some of my topics and you can see where we've gone from there. If it IS just a matter of learning the ropes, then cut her some slack, and diplomatically explain yourselves and your position. We did, and wow--that's when we found out that this was NOT about getting acclimated. Let's just say our principal is NOT receptive to even the suggestion that "her" teachers are anything but gung-ho employees and all for the kids. It's making a bunch of us MENTAL, because we see how much other schools in our district are supported by their administration, and we are bummed to the max. I render an update to our superintendent and BOE on the activities of my group, and let's just say this has now become a topic on occasion. I was hesitant to do this--no one wants to be seen as that Know-it-all with a big mouth, but when I do speak my mind I make sure I succinctly place forth criticism and provide examples on how even little things, due to their accumulative affect, can make or break situations.

We have one teacher as a member--AND she PARTICIPATES. The others, I'm sad to say, leave a lot to be desired--most don't even support the PTA, and they we are really good to them. ESPECIALLY in our K-5 (we're a K-8). The majority have been there since Nixon, and tenure has rendered them BEYOND lazy, and unfortunately this goes for curriculum as well.

It all goes hand in hand. Unfortunately most of the parents I deal with, while in agreeance, are too lazy themselves to respond. My group is not THE parent group (yet--I'd LOVE to change that), but an offshoot currently raising funds for a playground. I tried working with our PTA concerning this, but the PTA itself and the board members are too entrenched in the political makeup to be willing to do anything. One thing I would love to do is call a meeting of ALL THE STAFF, including the administration, and ask out right why they think participation is less than stellar. Who knows--maybe they have a vaild reason. If no valid answer is forthcoming, I'd love to see what they suggest to get things better.

Keep fighting the good fight!

We do that also and they help out big time now. But we also did that then and still nothing. We feed them all the time..special breakfasts, Give them 100 bucks for classroom supplies, we even cover their lunch and recess duty for christmas and teacher appriciation week. They get presents on their birthday, if they are out sick they get a gift certificate to a resturant.....we are good to them, but imo its still follows the same lines

I really believe the principal sets the tone of the school. Then the teachers act accordingly.

We do not bribe our teachers, but we are very good to them. During the course of the year we feed them twice, we get new books for their classrooms, and at the end of the year we give them vouchers to buy things for their classrooms. In return they are very good to us.

lol I'm sorry I can't help laugh...this was the same at our school. See it works just like the kids you have to give them incentives (as bad as that sounds cause they are full grown adults) We have a Market Day program and assign a grade level to help set up after school. The teachers that show get 50bucks to apply to school supplies. We'll go out and buy some other items for classroom and say if you show up at this event you get this, you get that.

Don't get me wrong I completely understand they have hard jobs and are busy and probably worn out by the end of the day but it's not too much in the scheme of things to show up at an event for the kids benefits. It's so sad to bribe but sometimes if thats all that works you gotta do it.

At our school, teachers just do not want to do anything!!! Some will do the after-school clubs, but that is because they get paid for it. Other schools in our area have Literacy and Math Days, Talent Shows, Student council, Family Math Nights, etc., but at our school, nothing!! They refuse to get involved. The principal does not help, as she is brand new and has absolutely no backbone. She is having difficulty learning the job and leadership qualities are poor. To her defense, she is "on the job training". She was thrown into the fire 2 weeks before school started with no training.

How do we get teachers more involved with school functions? Our parent group cannot do everything, there are certain things that should be done by faculty. Send some help and ideas are way please!!