dcd's suggestions are excellent. Most of the major web development programs have a "date" field that can be added in the footer as DCD described. It automatically updates everytime the site is modified, so it's not like you need to remember to change it - just set it up the first time.
I admire any of you who are maintaining a PTO website. This is such a great way to make information available -and it's ALWAYS more work than one would expect. Kudos to all of you!
another thing I recommend people put on their home page of the PTO/PTA website is:
site last modified (date)
for suggesions or corrections to this site - then please contact (e-mail address of web person) and (e-mail address of president).
I recently attended workshops that attendees mentioned that they find the site to be more reliable if they see a notation indicating the last date the site was modified - at least that told them someone was possible modifing the site again - it's so sad how many PTO/PTA sites are out there and haven't had anything changed or updated in over 2 years.
I'm now trying to add this (last updated notation) to many of my pages that can change in a somewhat regular basis (yearly, quarterly, monthly). And especially on the home page.
I noted this idea in another area of this forum - but wanted to add it to this website area of the forum:
For those of you out there with a PTO/PTA website, consider putting the Membership Theme on the website and a small explainer of the thought behind the theme idea ----as well as the PTA goals - would be excellent!
I've been involved in a great deal of networking with others across the country and one of the fun things is to collect ideas and share with others - to help get the idea process in action.
Posting goals, themes, and things that others can appreciate - on a PTA/PTO website - is sometimes just like sitting in a round-table discussion - it just takes a little more work that's all.
Also, if you have any great ideas for other terrific things going on at your school, put it on the website. The website is a great promotional tool and many are not being utilized to their potential. Use them, have fun with them, and promote them - in the newsletters, on little business cards, and on flyers sitting around the tables at school.
Maybe you can have teachers add the website URL onto the bottom of their classroom newsletter that goes home each week. This is just one little way that the teachers can show their support on a regular and consistent manner.
[This message has been edited by dcd (edited 07-26-2001).]
Barb, I agree with MightJo! Your sight at (www.geocities.com/jrelemschool/index.html
) is great! It has a simple and easy to read color font with a light background - is consistent throughout the pages- and pleasant to the eye which makes it easy to glance over the information in search of the exact item one is looking for. The graphics are small, and serve as an accent and don't overpower the information messages.
The site is full of information and that's exactly what the site is intended to do - keep families up to date on what's happening at your school/PTO/PTA organization. Any questions can be answered in a quick moment and that's what I like to see in a site.
I recall reading somewhere that if you have to click more than three times to find the information you are looking for, then the reader loses interest and moves on to another site. I need to check that out with my site now that I remembered that hint.
I apologize-I didn't list our website address correctly. Here goes again!! jhsa.tripod.com/jhsa
Sorry for the mix-up. Tripod also has advertisement banners, but they are relativley small at the top of the page. And nothing inappropriate. (Which I was a little worried about) I found set up very user friendly and would definitely recommend them.
