As an advocate for parents be there! As the President of the PTO don't be there!
I would ask though is your advocacy blind or is it based upon actual knowledge that the child or parent is being wronged here?
I am often asked to get involved in a lot of things that I have no direct knowledge of and I have to tell parents and teachers that I won't! This does not mean I won't have a discussion with the Principal or admintistrator if I feel it appropriate to do so, but I make it a general rule not to unless there is something really unreasonable going on!
I dont think my post here will make much differance to your problem but maybe it will cause you to pause and ask yourself a couple of questions?
As for quiting the PTO and starting an advocacy group - again I would ask is it going to be a blind group where the parent is always right no matter what?
I just had serveral conversations with parents in and out of my school district, who stated that if my presence cvould possibly assist in getting proper justice for the parent/child, then I should move forth and be there as a support system. On the other hand it has been discussed that if the parent & child are getting screwed (I believe), then if being there as PTO President could get justice, then why not. I t was also stated that in whatever capacity I am there, I should keep my mouth closed and take a pad & paper. My only purpose would be to insure that parent/child get fair & proper treatment and that the punishment is accoring to the disiplinary handbook.
Maybe this should be my last year as PTO President and I should create a organization on my own or independently be a parent advocate.
All of your feed-back is very much appreciated. By no means was any of my efforts meant to do anything but support and provide comfort in a positive manner. Actually, it just so happens that I am PTO President, it also just so happens that I am one that believes in eduating and supporting parents. I am/was this was prior to me ever being involved with PTO.
All of your suggestions/feedback have been well taken.....thank you for assisting me in seeing the other side.
I served as a PTO President for two years and I considered it a position in which you work to provide the best educational opportunities for the children of the school. I did not get myself involved in individual discipline or learning issues(and I was contacted a few times). I feel that is a private matter between the parents and school personnel. I would let the parent have their say and then chat with them about what they felt needed to be done, but I always directed them to school personnel(principal, counselor, or superintendent). There were a couple of times where I went so far as to casually mention to the principal that I had been contacted so that she could take it from there.
As a longtime PTO member and having served on the board for a number of years, I would not be particularly pleased with a President using his/her position in the PTO to advocate for an individual. You are serving as the head of an organization. The majority of your membership may not have the same view on the situation as you do. If you are pursuing this effort as a friend of the parent, and leaving your position in the school out of it, then go ahead. But it seems to me that you're bringing the whole organization in to the issue.
I would never want to jepordize the PTO group, or the relationship with the principal or school board.........therefore, maybe sitting this one out would be the best thing, but I have to admit, I feel that the parent is being screwed, I feel & know that the principal could have delt with this different. I also feel that if this child needs some special attention, he should get it. I believe that if the child needs special attention, the parent would be receptive in looking at the options to get it if she didn't fell attacked....therefore she feels defensive.
I'm stuck....and I feel helpless!! mabe just like the parent!
I must admit that this is one of the things that I like about PTO Today...that they provide for us to support each other through discussion. Here is the real deal. As of today, I am the board. I have several parent volunteers and my building principal, but due to no parents showing up at re-elections in April 2003, I am still PTO President. Anyway, I am doing elections again on October 2nd, which will give parents an opportunity to vote and run for offices. In the meantime it is me.
Although, I will consult the parent volunteers that have been faithful....just to get their view. I have no doubt that I will be PTO President again, but this time with a board.
It is apparent that this parent feels as if they have been stepped on and it is apparent that the building principals that the parent is unreasonable. It is also aparent that the parent feels like she needs some help, thats why she called me.....
I hear your feed back, but I am not yet clear on how to best support the parent & child. What about attending as support...definately not President.
