Boy--this is the most important relationship for a PTO. It can cause things to sail or fail and be the difference between having a great year and having fun or feeling like your wading through mud. Here's my advice. Remember, this is the principal's school. Your goal is to compliment his mission to educate the children by enhancing the school environment and providing support that the teacher's and admin folks need to make things run great. I think letting him know that you are motivated to be a member of his team and create highly organized and approved programs that don't leave him in a lurch. I read one post here about a principal responding to another question about a school garden. The principal pointed out that sometimes we parents create school "enhancements" that become more problems for the principal once the motivated group grows cold. I hadn't thought about that.
Bring a calendar and see what his looks like for the fall (he should have a plan in mind) and then let him know that you'll be coming to him to review the programs that you'd like to schedule for September. But have a plan. Your board will be respected if they present organized thoughtful ideas that take into account their impact on the school operation. Have a set up and clean up crew clearly identified, consider parking requirements. Let him know how the control of people will work so he doesn't have to worry about folks walking the halls...and give him options and not demands. Once you let him know that you are there to support and not intrude, I suspect he'll be very willing to listen. One of the first things I did was send an email out to the faculty and staff introducing myself and my new position. I haven't seen a teacher yet that would turn away support as long as they can trust your organization to keep the confidences that you will undoubtedly come upon.
Anyway--that's just a start. Best to you and welcome to the Presidential Palace. May not look like much but there's a lot of children that will benefit from your new found digs.
Dianna
Well, it's official. I am the president next year. I was the only one running, maybe a sign!
I think what I should probably do right away is sit down with our principal. He attends many meetings and is even a member, but I often get the feeling that he is not so excited about us. And I don't blame him sometimes. But I want that to change and I want him to know that.
Does anyone have any advice on what to ask? I know I want to do it before summer break. I want to know what his expectations are, what he liked about the events we held this year, what he would like to see next year, etc? But I want to make sure I am covering my grounds.
