grl, when those people tell you they are not going to participate in the fundraisers, tell them what wonderful things have been done with the money in the past and what plans your group has for this year. Remind them that while it may disappoint the principal and teachers to not get as much money, it is the children who will lose the most.

As for dealing with the new principal, I agree with the many other respondents who recommended a positive, relationship building approach. A face to face meeting with the principal to talk about her expectations of the parents and your expectations as a parent along with a sharing of ideas and maybe even some of the studies that have shown the enormous positive effects of parental involvement may help you reach some common ground. It might be good for your group to do a survey of the teachers and find out how they feel about each of the programs/events your group sponsors. If they feel parents are intrusive in the classroom, ask them what kind of help they would like to have because the parents really want to be involved. I'd bet there is a resolution there somewhere, you just have to take your time, remain calm and reasonable, listen carefully, and be flexible.

If after you have tried all this, you still get shot down, then I would recommend going to the superintendent and the school board and expressing your needs and concerns.

Some of the older teachers that are pretty much just biding their time until retirement have decided that the parents are more of a disruption than an assett to the school. That is one of the reasons why our Halloween parade will be for Kindergarten only instead of grades K-3. This has always been a community affair as people (mostly retired folks) come stand on the front lawn with the parents for the ten minutes that the children parade on the sidewalk. It is a hindrance to the teachers to have the responsibility of 25-30 children get in their costumes one day a year. And because of this they have cancelled it. The parents feel that if so much is being taken away, as this is only one example, they will not support the teachers in any sense. Hence the reason some of whom I've spoken with will not be participating in the fund raisers.

Why not write an editorial in your local paper, descring how your head of school wants parents OUT? Seems the public should know how their local public school, funded with their tax $$$, is being run.

Parents have already told me that they will not be participating in fundraisers this year because part of the monies go toward such things as the Teachers' Luncheon etc.

While the situation is unfortunate people not supporting the fundraisers will hurt the children the most, you should let them know that as they are ultimately punishing the kids for something that is not their fault. Besides I am not sure what the principal's behavior has to do with the teaching staff anyway?

Thank you so much to all of you that have responded. I will give much thought to this before I act. If any of you have any other ideas or thoughts on this please voice them. The more feedback on this I receive the better it will be for me and her when I go to speak with her.

Parents have already told me that they will not be participating in fundraisers this year because part of the monies go toward such things as the Teachers' Luncheon etc. Seeing as how I run those fundraisers this puts even more strain on me. I am not only not going to be getting volunteers in to help out no one is going to be willing to support the kids financially either. Ugh.

I would start by tredding litely and try to build a relationship with her. Try showing her what your group does... However if that gets you no where you may want to go to the board/superintendent and find your district's parent involvement compact or policy (most districts have one). Dont go with a chip on your shoulder, this is public knowledge.
Also as part of NCLB there is an involvement piece and although it doesn't hit the classroom part it does give parents the right to be able to take part in their child's education, this could be as simple as chaperoning a field trip but it is still volunteering.
I am wondering if your principal is just trying to learn the ropes and not dive in to quick...I find it hard that a principal would shut parents out...that is like close to committing your own suicide! although I know there are ones out there who do it! Good luck!