Well, the meeting was quite interesting. We had a much larger showing of teachers than we had ever dared hope for. We had gotten word that 2 principals and the superintendant were coming. We were prepared. While the pres. did the opening and talked about what was going on, the Sec. and I stopped them. It ended up being 2 principals and the head of curriculum, who had no reason to be there, other than she had been sent as a spy by the super. The Pres. informed the teachers that they were there and that we were trying to convice them that this meeting was no threat to them but, there was a chance that they would come in. During our conversation with them, we were again told that we were going places that we shouldn't. When parents bring their issues to us we should send them to the appropriate channels. The problem is that parents have tried that and after years of no response, it's time for a new way. We feel that we represent the parents and whatever direction they send us in is where we will go. I guess the super. had asked the principals "are we going to let the PTO run the schools". They ended up going into the meeting. One principal is a real problem, several members of his staff got up and left because he was there. Last year he lost 3 staff members, this year at least 10 are resigning and we know of 2 that he's getting rid of. I hope after coming to the meeting, that they felt silly and wondered why they were there. The C is for communication, the A is for academic performance, the R is for relationships and the E if for Environment. We didn't do the A because we believe that if the other 3 are working then the A will follow. We got valuable feed back from the teachers. We are going to start a bringing up grades club for next year, they asked that we start coordinating activites with confrence nights and they made it clear that they want parties and supergames to continue. Our Sec. likes to use the movie "bugs life" to explain our situation. For many years the parents have been uninvolved and the parents and teachers never worked together. Now the grasshoppers (administration) sees the ants (parents and teachers) coming together and they are terrified. Our next step is to have a similar meeting with parents and then a meeting with teachers and parents. I'll keep you updated!

How did it go Idnar? Can you explain more about your CARE acronym and rotating groups? It sounds like a positive way to address some your issues with this principal without bashing! What do the other letters stand for?

Our meeting with the teachers is coming up Thurs. We are hoping to accomplish something and see something good come of it. So far on principal is very upset. She said that the PTO is going places it shouldn't. I see it as we represent the parents and therefore we will go wherever the parents think we are needed. The real problem is that she's afraid her staff will come to the meeting and talk about her. We have tried to format the meeting so that it is more than a rip on the admn party. We're use CARE. We're going to divide them into groups and rotate. I will be doing R for Relationships. I hope it goes well.

You are all great!
I reallly appreciate your thoughts and suggestions.
Today, our president finally went to the superintendants office and asked for a copy of the school boards response. She also asked why we hadn't received in a timely fashion. Of course there was no clear answer. A copy of the response is being given to the local newspaper and they are also aware that we didn't receive our copy until we asked for it.
We also passed out the invites for our dinner for the teachers. I imagine this will get us a little higher up on the admins. list of troublemakers but, OH WELL!
We are losing some of our best students (and parents) to private schools or home schooling and it breaks my heart.

I agree with the point of not canceling activities that are after school hours. As for canceling the school day activities, it's a sad choice. I question the administrators' plan here. If you're going to cancel these "non-educational" activities during the school day(by the way we have field trips that are supplemental to things being taught in the classroom.)what are they putting in place of these activities? Are they working on core curriculum during this time or just "filling in" with miscellaneous work? If the test scores are a problem, then I tend to feel that there are issues with the teaching in the school. Perhaps you can approach this from a bit of a different angle. If the test scores are low, then obviously the children need additional help with studies. I suggest that the PTO put together a plan to get more volunteers in the classrooms, offer a family night where parents can learn the basics of math and other subjects taught in the classroom and how to help their children with homework and study habits. Once you have a plan (very general), go to the school board and offer it up. Show them that you are also concerned with the education your children are receiving and that you want to help. Perhaps there can be small goals set for the children to achieve(increasing vocabulary, spelling, reading, math skills) and then they can be rewarded when those goals are achieved with a field trip to a fun but educational site or with a classroom party that has educational themed games and activities. There are ways to have fun and learn at the same time--just be creative. Good luck.

OMG - these would be the same administrators who think that the children are responsible for those standardized test scores and not the teachers? I am NOT bashing teachers, I am saying that the administrators need to look inside of the organization. Of course I'm one of those people who think that since in the corporate world pay is sometimes tied to performance, that perhaps that's an option for bonuses for teachers, etc. - tying financial reward to improving standardized test scores. I think, however, that I am in the minority.

Thinking that way, though, leads me to my next point which is if we reward the teachers, we must reward the students to get those higher test scores and taking away privileges and incentives is NOT rewarding them, it is taking them in the opposite direction.

Finally - if these are PTO sponsored events, outside of class time (I know that class parties and field trips don't fall under those categories, but a dance certainly does) and if you had previous permission to use the school facility - what's with cancelling.

I am glad that this has brought the parents' attention to the hard work that is done by your group, and at the same time I am sorry, because I know from experience that you are probably taking heat for things that you have no control over - but I wish you good luck in your valiant efforts, and keep up the great work. Keep us posted!