I think you have come to the right place here at PTOToday! The resources are tried and true and come from such a variety of schools so that you will find something to meet your needs!
Now for your post...
First, if your school is "disorganized" let the PTO be the organized group that parents can go to for whatever they need in the way of information. You should do this by working with the new principal and faculty so that everyone is on the same team. This will also help to get the PTO established with the parents! Put together a directory. Establish an emergency calling list or a welcome packet. Show that you are a group that gives and doesn't just ask for help.
Second, take into consideration the status of your families. With the majority of your students living a distance from the school, will this prevent your parents from attending monthly PTO meetings? If so, consider having quarterly or bi-annual general meetings. Are most of your families dual-income? Maybe evening meetings are better than day time. The PTO shouldn't just be about meetings and some people just don't like them. Get these people involved by helping out behind the scenes in small ways.
Third, start slow and small. If all you have this year is a "Boo-Hoo" breakfast, weekly readers, or homeroom parents helping with parties...that is still a wonderful start! Plan activities that include the entire family and helps them to meet others in the school. You need to build up some cohesion and activities like Fun Nights, Bingo, and Dances do this.
Our ass't principal will be our new principal next year. Today I asked her about having a boo hoo breakfast in the cafeteria. Both her and the kindergarten teacher I spoke to were real enthusiastic. Its just donuts/bagels and juice/coffee, not much effort for the reward it could provide.
Look under this site for the Boo-Hoo Breakfast idea. This may be a great way to at least get your new parents involved. Good Luck and keep looking on this site. I has helped me tremendously!
I've sent info on the functions of a PTO.(So many people do not realize that.) I also made of list of volunteering opportunities at our school. If you have committees that you are going to set up maybe you could list those too. I really tried to stress how parent involvement helps a child academcialy and helps build character.
Also I've heard alot of people say they were afraid of PTO meetings because they were afraid they would be "forced" into volunteering. This is not true at our school. I am sure it's not true of most schools.
I've gotten tons of helpful info from PTO Today. You'll find something different every time your on here that will be very helpful.
Hi everyone, I am a newly PTO president for a very unorganized school. We are going through a transition of getting a new principle and staff. My question is, How do I get more parents to participate in the PTO. This past school year I and another lady were the only ones on board. This is my first experience with anything likethis and would appreciate any input. I'd also like to add that this is a school that busses a lot of its students so those students don't live near the school like a lot of neighborhood schools have.
