I just returned from our school and wanted to share my experience today because it deals directly with this subject. While walking the hall I found one teacher discussing a fundraiser with another. The short story is that the PTO has decided to run a fundraiser at the same time the school district runs a scholarship fundraiser. As a result, there is low pledging for the scholarship fundraiser – and I am betting low fundraising being done for the PTO fundraiser as well.
I stopped and listened to the teachers’ discussion and added that I also felt there were too many fundraisers for our small school – it seems as if the veteran parents are fatigued. I vowed to discuss the topic with the PTO at our next meeting but also suggested that a teacher come to the PTO meeting acting on behalf of the teachers and discuss their concerns.
Basically I guess I am saying … as you walk the halls keep your ears open. Nothing works better than one on one conversation. I have also found that once you being to have face to face discussions and are open minded it seems to get around ~ in no time you will be in the know! I seem to be the go to parent 2 years running.

We just sent our survey out last week. It was very similar to those posted above, so I won't post ours here.

After starting to see the responses trickling in, my suggestion would be to be specific. I'm getting a lot of "Your doing a great job!" and while it's nice to get a pat on the back, I really was hoping to get some feedback. If you want to know what type of fundraisers the like/dislike, ask them that directly. If you ask "Are you satified w/the fundraisers" your more likely to get a yes/no answer. Next year, I think I'll do things a little differently!

Here's the survey I used and got a great response. Good luck!


East-West Elementary PTSO Teacher Survey

Please take a minute and fill this survey out to help us improve our PTO. Please be specific and print. Turn in by May 26th. Thank you for all you do.

What do you see as a priority that we should look at?
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Do you feel that the PTO is meeting your needs as a teacher?
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If you had one wish for your classroom, what would it be?
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If you could change one thing about our group, what would it be?
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What do teachers LOVE that we already do?
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What do you wish we would do more of?
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What are some ideas you have that would make the school a better place and enrich our student’s lives?
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Do you have any suggestions for events or programs?
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Do you have any suggestions or comments?
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(Optional)
Teacher:_________________________________ Grade:________

Thank you,
East-West Elementary PTSO

We surveyed our members, which includes our teachers, then tabulated results. Survey follows:

2005-2006 Member Survey for Distribution of Funds

Thanks to our generous members, the PAT Booster Club has once again achieved great success in our fundraising efforts. And now is time to decide how to invest the money in our schools. PAT is asking its members to prioritize five areas of spending: English Language Arts curriculum, Capital Improvements, Technology, Curriculum and Distribution by Grade. Simultaneously, we are soliciting staff for their Wish Lists of specific items for the schools.

The members’ priorities, determined by this survey, will be applied to Teacher Wish Lists to create a final list of proposed spending. PAT members will then vote on this final list at the General Membership Meeting on January 24th.

Please review the five categories below and rank by order of importance to indicate how you would like the funds to be distributed to the schools. Indicate a 1 next to your first choice in priority continuing down to a 5 as your least important priority. Please ensure that each category has a number.

________ English Language Arts Curriculum: a proposed partnership to fund the new, state of the art English Language Arts curriculum for grades 1-6. PAT’s baseline donation of $20,000 per year over the next two years will help fund replacement of the outdated elementary reading curriculum. This proposed $40,000 will complement Grosse Ile Educational Foundation grants and district funds. The new ELA curriculum is currently being implemented in our schools.

________ Capital Improvement: Examples of prior year gifts include: Walking Paths, Courtyard improvements, Greenhouse, Picnic Tables, Tack Strips and Bulletin Boards

________ Curriculum: Examples of prior year gifts include: Summer Library Program, Phonic Soup, E-Resource for Teachers, Reading Materials, Individual Classroom Funding

_______ Technology: Examples of prior year gifts include: Digital Cameras, Print Docks for Cameras, Opaque Projector, Color Laser Printers

_______ Distribution by Grade: Funds would be distributed equally to each grade level for a particular use or item. Examples of prior year gifts include: Kindergarten furniture, 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade Listening Labs, 4th and 5th grade Field Trip Funding

Please provide any additional comments or suggestions below:

We did a survey last year for the teachers to fill out. We just asked at the top for the teachers to give any suggestions or ideas of things they thought were needed in the buildings and they returned them to the PTO mailbox located in the school buildings. We got a lot of ideas. Werent able to do them all, but shared them with the super and the district was able to accomplish some of the things also. Did not have them put names on the forms so we were sure to get honest opinions on what they thought needed to be done.

Teachers,

As the new PTO committee, we are looking forward to working with each of you this year. Our goal is to continue to make Hampton Elementary an incredible place of learning, laughing, dreaming, and achieving for our children. We are here to enhance the work you do by providing needed manpower, supplies, special events, and support when and where it is needed. In order to do so, we would like an honest evaluation of your thoughts about PTO. We are dedicated to working as a TEAM with you. Please complete this form at your earliest convenience and place it in PTO volunteer coordinator mail box.
What do you think should be a priority for PTO this year?

What are your thoughts about the fall festival? Would you like a Spring Festival also?

Atomic clocks were purchased for the school from the 2005-2006 PTO. Do you have any suggestions for purchases this year?

Do you have any suggestions for events or programs?

If you have any other comments or concerns, please use this space to address themThank you so much for taking time to complete this. We look forward to working with you this year.

Your 2006-2007 PTO