Easter eggs- Okay, I colored some with my son. Then there are the eggs that the Easter Bunny brings himself. Normally, I do them just after my son goes to bed, but without getting too in depth...we had an emergency room visit as a result of a "faulty(?)" toilet seat lid and my poor little "boy". He's fine but the eggs had to be done and he didn't fall asleep again until 2am.
Blue- Talk about irony. My son was on a variance, he lost the variance due to capacity and the school he is zoned for is a PFA. It is also not the nicest school (kid brings a gun to school, things like that) and we are trying for another variance to a different school. If we don't get the variance, I will be a state PTA person at a non-PTA school. I'm a little distraught but will still be involved and I will just join another local school's PTA or the state chapter too. I had also approached them about having both groups at their school a while ago(as a Council person not a parent) because I think that it is a viable option, kma is my case study in that. It could also be an option for your new blended school. I think that there is room for both.

Pomom- I'll tell you why I love this site. It feeds my occasional need to debate. (not fight, debate) but it is also more user friendly than the PTA chat rooms. I went there once and you have to click on every topic to see what the conversation is really about. I hate that!
At the school that we are sadly now leaving(curriculum, atmosphere was so wonderful there) there were plenty of volunteers who were not members of our PTA. We didn't care about that, they just couldn't come to a meeting and vote but we weren't under any circumstances turning away a volunteer and some of the volunteers were volunteers of the school, not PTA.
Tea- I have never had the type of sweet tea you've talked about from the southern parts (heard about it though!). I like mine plain (no sugar)and fresh!

Oh, one more thing....

Michelle, do you always color Easter Eggs at 315 in the morning?? [img]smile.gif[/img]

Didn't you interrupt the Easter Bunny's rhythm?

First, Michelle---only if it's sweetened! And North Carolina iced tea is always better than the stuff here in Virginia..... [img]smile.gif[/img]

You want irony?? My daughter is being rezoned to a new school this fall, and children from three schools are coming together to fill it up.

I have asked the Superintendent of Schools to allow the population of the new school decide whether to form a PTO or PTA. Having schools affected with both groups, I believe it's only fair that both groups are given a chance to be at the school.

And (MichelleB, don't have a heart attack...) if our new school decides to go PTA, I'm STILL working for my daughter, her friends, and all the kids I don't know. That's my main motivation; the thrill I get watching these little ones learn and grow.

Besides, I was in PTA before, and didn't get rickets or anything..... [img]smile.gif[/img]

Happy Easter!

I have to laugh after reading the postings on this thread. I think we can all agree that it did get just a little off track. This website (monies made for Tim or not), is a great venting tool, and I think we can all appreciate that! At our first meeting, when we called all interested parents to incorporate a new parent group, we highlighted the pros and cons of PTO vs. PTA. We wanted to get all the information across the board to make an informed decision. What's funny about our decision (simple as it was) is that it was based on the fact that we, as a parent group, in no way were going to pay dues to volunteer for our school or children! We also liked the fact that with the PTO, there was no political agenda (other than our own) to follow and that we could apply our own rules and regulations to fit our school's needs. I would just as soon quit my volunteer work as to pay and personally, I much prefer Pepsi over Coke! That said, can't we all just get along! Let's all do what we have to for the good of all the children and their schools!

MichelleB--not to worry! You know I think you're the best! I got a little verbose, as I seem to do a lot, and got confused in my train of thought. I was trying to get to the track defending the PTO Today website as being slanted towards PTOs and not desciminating a lot of PTA information, just as the PTA website doesn't handout PTO information, and then I thought of something else and started yapping about my personal problem with the PTA.

Like I said, I'd like to see BOTH groups in a school; I think each has an important function and CAN work together. It's just a matter of everyone putting THEIR personal goals and best interests aside and focus on the KIDS' BEST INTERESTS. People could support one, or both, but at least the choice would be there if they wanted to try to help the school and children on a personal and/or national level. We're trying in our school, and now with a new board coming in we're hopeful to really do something wonderful for the kids. It's just keeping those pesty egomaniacs at bay.... [img]tongue.gif[/img] !

Hi C Brooks. If anyone wants to view clips of That's a Family prior to it being shown (and it usually only shown at the request of a PTA after it is ordered) they can go to www.womedia.org/taf_clips.htm
The Child Welfare League recommends that it be seen by both children and adults.
The Girl Scouts, Young Women's Christian Association, and National Council of Negro Women are among the other groups that promote it.
I do think that before anyone decides to show it that information should be given out about it's total content and that concerned parents should view it prior to it being shown to their children. Parents do and should have the ultimate choice.
It isn't an official part of the Respecting Differences Program though- It isn't even listed as a resource, in fact, although I had been told you could order it, I personally couldn't find it at the National website after 1/2 hour of searching. Anyhow, going to decorate some eggs now! Happy Easter!