I think a parent Survey is great!! Some times parents get TOO involved and get stressed! Esp if their children are involved in sports and other extra curricular ativities its like its almost impossible to fit another thing in!!!
But there could be a number of reasons why. im gonna mention the parent survey tonight!!
Our school sends a volunteer survey home with each child in the school package of forms to be returned. On the volunteer survey we asked PTO to be added. This gets us some names to call. The PTO also sent out a PTO package with a survey, our calender info. on Box tops, info. about our events etc. We got a few more names from this. Last year in April we sent home a nomination letter and included our events and volunteer opportunities. We got a few more names from that. We have also stressed 1/2 hour shifts so everyone gets to enjoy the event with their families. This has encouraged more people to help
since they know they won't be stuck working the whole event. AT our Potluck/ Open House we put out sign up sheets for the events and the principal announced we needed additional parents to help the PTO put on these events etc. We got 8 new folks to sign up for various events. I still want to work on a Parent involvement volunteer contest. Where at the end of school year the class with the most % of parent involvement gets a class party etc. Any ideas on this would be appreciated.
Chris
What gets me is the parent volunteers who work (part or full time) are the ones who seem to come to volunteer at our school and the ones who sit at home do just that. I work a full time job, plus volunteer about 1000 hours each school year. I make the extra time to volunteer.
Saphrael,
I understand your point very well. Your PTO should of told you what monies would be used for. We had a fundraiser at our school and they didn't even tell us. Just raise the money. That's the problem sometimes (this is not all PTO's) just a reminder that parents like to be informed of what's happening. What does PTO have to offer for our children? What types of programs do they plan to bring? What events (fundraising) do they plan to have throughout the year. Communication between parents and PTO is very important. Flyers are sent home some many times and you will only hear from parents that are willing to volunteer their time. I worked the PTO table membership at my school and I had a parent come over and quickly glanced at the items on the table and she said the following: "PTO I don't have time to volunteer because I am ill or busy". I quickly thought of a come back answer. I told her do you realize what PTO offers your daughter: Paid field trips, installed playground equipment last year and don't forget the great carnival and hot dog dinner you attended last year and the great field day at the end of the year. Because I remember seeing her at those activities. She said yes, well dues pay for those events and the most important is that you and your spouse have a vote in what happens with the funds that are raised and on the next years board members. Oh, she said I really hadn't looked at it that way. And if your worried about volunteering there is a volunteer table over there and that's where you sign up if you care to volunteer for the school. Well, I guess she was impressed and wrote out a check and joined.
The PTO table was in line with a number of other fundraising tables eager to take my money while I was registering my daughter for school. I was a little put off by the way it was incorporated into the registration process. It definitely seemed more obligatory than voluntary. So, right off the bat, I was fostering feelings of animosity toward yet another group that was hounding me for my hard earned cash and for what?
Thus the second reason I didn’t join. They failed to explain what they’re doing for my child. The flyer was focused on the “donation†rather than the purpose. If I’m going to shell out $20, I deserve to know what it’s for. This isn’t self serving. I am a charitable person. I just like to know what the cause is.
Which brings me to another point of irritation for me, the difference between dues and donations. I have seen this in other school events, just not PTO dues. Dues imply some obligation, requirement to pay. Donations are gifts, voluntary contributions. The distinction is apparent. And yet, the reality of it seems to be that they really are dues. “Pay! Lest ye be continually reminded by those do-gooders that are holding up their end and yours that you haven’t made your ‘contribution.’â€
I know this is off topic, but I am also curious about what the average donation/dues amount is for PTO’s. I have seen quotes of $2 and $5 in these forums. My school requests $20. Perhaps they ask for more because we are in an affluent area, though I believe we span the spectrum of incomes. Only 62% of the families have made their $20 contribution. So, I wonder if they aren’t overestimating what our families are willing to pay.
I have been torn between wanting to support an organization that I know is intended to benefit my child and simply keeping to myself and my family. The latter would be easier, yet I know seclusion is not the answer. I suspect I’ll pay the dues, chip in where I can, attend some meetings, and hopefully add some value to the discussions. Though, I am loath to be subject to the gossipy subculture I know exists there.
Okay, I've tried not to post on this subject to early in but now. I have to give my 2 cents. I I have been involved with the PTO 6 years. I have chosen not to do anything with the PTO this year because I am burnt out. I also work 40 hours a week my children are involved in other extra cirricular activities. Yes, you join PTO to volunteer some time. But not every little activity that is sponsored by PTO can I volunteer in or help. I can assist where my schedule allows. My goodness all of the programs are held during the day. All workshops are held during the day. This means that working parents are not able to attend. Yes, I do feel for the teachers that they have to stay after school for programs after school (this has been in the past. So, why don't they rotate out. Look for a solution how to get parents that work involved in the school not continue to stray them away from the school as to they don't feel welcome. The people that attend all of those day meetings are the ones that stay home. (nothing against parents that stay home). This year enforcing the policy of store bought "baked goods only" due to some childrens allergies. If my child is allergic to eggs, oil, etc., I would definately let the teacher know and he cannot have those types of foods. I have worked in other capacities where snacks are brought in for children and I always say I have one child allergic to Peanut Butter. I as a teacher don't mind bringing that child something a little different or that parent observes and brings something without peanut butter to snack. Like I said it's a Title I school more logical parents can make cookies, cakes, etc, cheaper at home than purchasing them at a store. Maybe not just my opnion.
