We just had a speaker form our County Health Department come and talk about Lyme Disease. We are in a rural area in upstate NY, and the reported cases of Lyme disease has tripled in the past 5 years(which I learned at our presentation ). I wasn't sure if this was a good idea to have at a meeting, and I was surprised how well it was received. It was quite informative and everyone is now looking for deer ticks everywhere! Just an idea!

Same here! We have our election next week and I'm running for VP. If Elected I would like to have more interesting topics to get more parents involved in the school.
We have meeting once a month and we generally have our teachers speak. If you have been around the school for more than two years(I have one child leaving the school and one child just starting, you pretty much know what they are going to say.
Any help from past and present leader would be greatly appreciated.

Marianne: I agree. I'm a new PTO President and I would like some information regarding this also.
By the way, we've not been so lucky in the past to even have any specific speakers at our school, besides the one speaking about a Levy that needs to be passed. Any information will be greatly appreciated.
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Marianne:
Each year we have 4 Home & School meetings and try to have an interesting speaker at each one. At the next meeting we will have a school representative who will explain the new report card system going into effect next year. Another time we had someone explain the standardized tests the children would be taking. These types of speakers are necessary sometimes just to clarify changes or make sure parents are well informed, but they are not always the most interesting topics. I'd like to know what subjects were covered at your meetings that were helpful to parents. We've had speakers discuss dealing with peer pressure, keeping kids drug free, etc. and got only luke-warm responses. There has to be more we can offer. Please let me know what you've done that made a real impact. Thanks.<hr></blockquote>

Each year we have 4 Home & School meetings and try to have an interesting speaker at each one. At the next meeting we will have a school representative who will explain the new report card system going into effect next year. Another time we had someone explain the standardized tests the children would be taking. These types of speakers are necessary sometimes just to clarify changes or make sure parents are well informed, but they are not always the most interesting topics. I'd like to know what subjects were covered at your meetings that were helpful to parents. We've had speakers discuss dealing with peer pressure, keeping kids drug free, etc. and got only luke-warm responses. There has to be more we can offer. Please let me know what you've done that made a real impact. Thanks.