momwithboys...I think at times alot of us come from bad situations with PTA"s. you have to think back that it use to all be PTA's. Speaking from experience I know to this day our school is very anti-PTA. Why? Because we had one from @#$% that brought alot of hard feelings.As our PTO leader I won't allow PTA bashing at our meetings, if it starts I shoot it down. I also am very up front that they did alot of fundraising for our school. In our case as I write this I realize that it was the people involved not PTA itself.As far as us being PTO I think our principal felt that it was easier for her to control a PTO and pull the plug if it got negative. Yes it's not fair to label all PTA's , it could happen with a PTO, Home School, etc. It just seems that PTA gets the rap, I was watching TV one night and there was three sitcoms on in a roll that were having problems with the "PTA". It was labeling all parent groups stuck up moms who drives a minivan.I am not afraid to use PTA resources and this year passed out 100 way's to be involved by the National PTA, we are doing the PTA school of excellence assessment and I make sure that if it is being talked about that I mention it is a National PTA thing. You website is great and your volunteer form will be of great use for me..funny thing is one of your counterparts also sent me a copy of your new parent involvement policy.You guys are doing great stuff...dont let anyone take that away from you. I will also need to add that I never thought that i would take a stand on anything except what kind of punch to serve at open house but as i get farther into our assessment I can see myself taking a "stand" . Good Luck=)

Well, the website IS "PTO TOday.com; I think it pretty much stands to reason that the majority of people posting here would be "more" pro-PTO. I agree that a lot of the postings are slanted more anti-PTA, but like MetzyMom said I think that's mainly from the people who've had a difficult time with their own PTAs. Personally I feel the PTA is needed for it's national lobbying voice, but like Tim said, I'd rather see it with a national registration format. Too often people sign up thinking it's just the parent group of the school, and don't recognize where their money is going. I'm slightly nervous about how political it's become; I feel it could comprise the good work it's done to date. If the USA was ONLY PTOs, with no national voice, that wouldn't be good either. Ideally every school could have each if they wanted, but that ground has been covered before in other postings/articles.

Don't be afraid to say PTA; unless you're actively working to eradicate PTOs I think most of the people here see it as all the same [img]smile.gif[/img] .

Welcome to the boards!

[ 03-14-2004, 12:11 PM: Message edited by: kmamom ]

I live with the slogan "Different Strokes for Different Folks". I think ALL parent groups are trying to achieve the same thing, better educations for All children, whether it be All the children in the country or All the children in their own county, city, or school. I think whatever works for a school, it's staff, it's parents, and most importantly, it's children, is a good thing (ooooh, do I sound a bit like Martha Stewart there?...lol). I think PTA lead the way for PTO's and we do sometimes take the great stuff PTA made possible, but I do believe we are thankful. My mother was a PTA President when I was a child and I remember the wonderful things she was able to do, and I am able to do those things for my children as a PTO as well. I think that some areas just support PTO's better simply because the groups are able to make a direct difference in their schools without any of the politics. I love what the PTA does, but I don't agree with a lot of the politics or policies. For instance, the recent fundraising mag sent out from PTA (yes, I get it and read it cover to cover...lol), the National Pres says that children should not be used for fundraising. I agree with that, but then most of the articles and ads were about selling something via children. The reality is that cookie dough doesn't sell it's self...lol...

I believe that every parent group brings something to the table. That includes PTA, PTO, PTSO, PTVO, or whatever the group goes by. Also add to that mix Student Councils, School Site Councils, Elks Clubs, Optimist Clubs, and so many other groups.

Aren't we a lucky country that there is actually an ongoing argument over who gets to do more for for our schools and children?

[ 03-14-2004, 12:10 PM: Message edited by: TheMetzyMom ]

I agree with you, the sometimes negative PTO vs PTA attitude is the one downside of this forum, but you'll primarily only find it in this one section. I think it's because posters here are often dealing with difficult situations where their own PTA isn't working. So this thread is the place to vent and seek advice. Sometimes it gets a little out of hand. (Frankly, I usually avoid this section for that reason.) And to be fair, you'll see just as many/more posts in other threads with folks complaining about their own PTO, Board, school, principal, etc. However since all those are unaffiliated entities, it doesn't escalate into a rant about anti-PTO bacause there is no umbrella organization to blame it on.

The PTA is a wonderful organization, and it's done much for the schools and children in our country. (And I say that as a PTOer.) However, this country is all about choices and many parent groups do choose something other than the PTA structure.

I'd encourage you to lend your expertise (including pro-PTA) to the forum and stay involved in the discussions.

I am curious even though the home page of your website says all groups are welcome, it sure seems that most of your comments and articles seem to contain a negative bias against PTA's. Since I started posting response I feel hesitant to even acknowledge that our group is a PTA. I don't really understand most of the negative comments and I feel many schools are really missing a big point. Public education is really at risk in this country without proper funding and support we are at risk of loosing many programs we have come to expect of the best education system in the world. (dispite of what some people would like us to think) It's wonderful to do great thing in our own schools and we all want our own children to receive a quality education. But without groups like PTA standing in the gap advocating for all children in all schools we would not have many of the programs we take for granted. If you child eats hot lunch at school, thank PTA. If your child has received a polio vaccine, thank PTA. If you attended parent teacher conference this year, thank PTA. If you were in an accident recently and your child was wearing a seat belt, thank PTA. These are the kinks of advances that we as individual schools can not accomplish. I think PTA deserves a little more credit. :confused: