Like Serendipity I have children in both elementary and middle school and see much of the same things she talks about. It was quite a culture shock to go to middle school coming from an elementary that has an extremely active parent group and a school that embraces volunteers with gusto. The PTO has very few active members, getting volunteers is like pulling teeth. Fundraisers don't do nearly as well so the budget is much smaller and our PTO seems to like to spend money on things that to me personally seem to not really benefit the students from an educational standpoint. There are some control issues there too-no voting. If the President decides she thinks something is a good idea, she just does it. I've volunteered to help with things and she lets me start and then just takes it over. She really can't let go, but that's an issue for our PTO.
Next year both kids will be there, so I'm hoping I can influence some change. More structure, more opportunities for parents to be involved, and some family events or even just stuff for the kids that will be fun and safe.
I have kids in both elementary and middle school. I can tell you that the elementary school PTO is much more active and the parent participation is much greater. Our problem is that for some years now our middle School PTO has just been run into the ground in that the board really does not want to do anything and they do little of anything. One thing I have learned is that selling products doesn't work as well at middle school. By that point I think the parents are just sick of buying things. What does work better are event fundraisers. Such as a bingo night, an auction, pancake breakfasts, car washes, walk-a-thons, raffles etc...
Middle schools tend to be harder all around as it is the nature of the beast. You lose parent participation because once the kids are older many moms who were stay at home moms are now working again.
I would like to hear from all Middle School PTO's - how do you run your group, is it harder to run a Middle School PTO than an elementary, what kind of projects, activities, parent involvement do you have. I would like all the info. you can share. Thanks!
