Wow--what a bummer! Our school is in the same boat, and our principal staunchly denied that there is a problem in this arena, which is why I started dialog with the superintendent and BOE.

It was not only startling, but somewhat depressing to see how very little these people know about what goes on "behind the scenes" in our schools. The BOE is comprised of people who once had children in the system--none are former educators. They're interested in the welfare of our schools, but sadly their being voted into their positions was more a popularity contest for a position that could be used as a vanity piece and less about qualifications or being willing to take action. Other than stamping papers for filing with the state and and approving hires/fires I don't see them doing too much.

Not that I'm all that much smarter, but I'm seriously considering running for a position after my fundraising for a playground os finished. As a stay-at-home mom I have the time to be able to actually visit the schools on a regular basis and talk to people, as well as have a better idea for myself just what the Hell is going on in the classrooms. It disturbs me as a tax-payer that textbooks can be purchased with no one actually evaluating them and that there is no concerted effort by the principals in the district to get on top of teachers to DO THEIR JOB.

kma mom I have to clear up something no it is not contractal that they can't stay but it does say that they only have to spend so many hours a year after or before school hours at school. It is a minimum amount like 8 hours for the year. they are required by the administration to be on a committee but it isn't the pto that they are on (we meet at 6;30) if we get someone to sign up we see them maybe three times a year and that is that.
For example last year our new science teacher was having a science fair, she asked me for parent volunteers and I offered parents at 5;00, her reponse was well I don't get paid for being here so I am not waiting that long. This is her first teaching job...peer pressure is very strong at our school.
Yes I have talked with the principal and she stands by them, the board is against the wall because when negotations come up every three years the staff won't budge. It is sad that the majority of our teachers are this way but we have come to accept to be greatful when we do get the few we get.
I agree that requiring is not a goog thing.That just adds negativity.

Sick'n'Tired I feel your pain. Our teachers have allowed tenure to get the better of them, and while you'll see the occasional effort made, it's more than likely to be half-assed. The times a teacher DOES offer something, the turnout is so overwhelming that it turns them off from wanting to do more. :confused: You know--doing that token gesture to look like they care, but not wanting to really make a go at it. This is a big issue I've been talking to our superintendent about, as well as writing to our BOE about; complete with articles and studies about how involvement on all levels and is crucial to a district's success. I figure if I can't make them see the logic, at least I can be a splinter under their fingernails and get out some frustration that way!

I don't buy into the union aspect of not allowing them contractually to spend extra time at the school. They can stay as long as they'd like--they just can't be REQUIRED to stay. The same goes for extra curricular activities.

Not for nothing, if they became teachers wanting to be clock watchers they should be ashamed of themselves. If they don't want to make others "look bad," then I'd say there's a SERIOUS problem with the administration. Peer pressure may be a b!tch, but I expect more out of someone whose salary I'm paying with my tax dollars.

Forcing or requiring them to be there defeats the purpose, however shaming them into it might not be a bad idea! [img]tongue.gif[/img] Perhaps calling a meeting asking why there's zero participation might be enlightening. You never know, they MIGHT actually have an understandable reason why they're behavior is beyond reason.

Has anyone brought this up to the superintendent and BOE?

I am sure that there are teachers who don't come to events because they can't or don't want to but I think another reason is they don't want to deal with parents. Often when teachers come to events they get cornered by little Johnny's mom and are forced into parent/teacher conferences when they are not prepared to speak about that topic in a public forum. This past fall at open house my son's teacher addressed the room of parents and said point blank "I will not talk about how your son or daughter is doing so please don't ask tonight." I watched as over half of the people who had just heard that statement still try to get her to comment on their student's performance. If this is how parents are else where I can understand avoiding events. Maybe we need to teach parents how to behave at school events so the staff will show up more.

I sort of agree with all of you, I don't truly feeling that requiring them to be there helps anyone. Maybe like Johndoe said that they attend an event a year, that I could see. I know teachers are busy and have their own families so it makes it tough when they live outside your district. I have to say that when we need help really bad and ask they step up and save the day.
Things have gotten alot better at our school the past couple of years, I think that my kids mom is right...our group had to proove ourselves when we started out three and a half years ago. Sometimes there is some history there that might feed into why things are the way they are. good luck...

[ 02-27-2005, 09:22 AM: Message edited by: pals ]

AHAHHHHH the doubled edged sword.

My question is "have the teachers been invited to attend? Is their involvment being questioned by the students? Let me explain...I have noticed it's easy for a teacher to tell me that they are busy but when a student asks if they are going to an event I often hear "Are you going? Well, I'll have to see!" Unless they have another commitment, I often see them attend and to see the kids light up!

Our Principals encourage teachers to attend school events but not so much PTO stuff. They still come....sometimes.

Please don't require a staff members attendance or participation unless you really need someone with the educational background to advise over.

Talk to someone, there has to be someone you can "vent" to that will understand or at least explain part of the sorce of the fustration.

If not, kill 'em with kindness and make it more YOU need THE HELP...not the PTA.