I am a PTO Prez. and don't feel that a PTO meeting is the place to get a meeting/or voice concerns with your childs teacher. Rather you should send in a note with your child and set up a meeting with that teacher then take it from there.
And concerning the PTO and it's functions, we do raise money, but it is usually used for items that the children/school can use and enjoy. Last year we purchased maps & globes for all the grades (we are K-8), science tables for the 7th & 8th grade, paid for science assemblies for each grade and other items as well. Right now, we're looking into another school wide class trip. We like to vary what we use the money for but we always want to keep the kids in mind. Hope this helps a little but don't be afraid to ask some questions of the PTO, the teachers and admin.
I agree with Kathie. Also, do you have a Teacher Rep on your board? There should be a teacher who can report info to you and back to the other teachers. Has your PTO put out some sort of Flyer that says what your PTO has done last year and what the plans are for the new year? If not, that is something that you can recommend to the Pres or at the next meeting. Is the Pres email address available? Email her. Remember that tone of voice will play a big part in getting your answers. Have they put that kind of info in their newsletter? Do they put one out every month? If not, perhaps you can volunteer to do that--it will help disseminate info to the parents (as well as yourself). Have you ever seen a treasurer's report? The report has to be approved by the voting members, so it must have been made public.
I hope you get the answers you need. Just keep at it. There must be more parents wanting those answers too!
Unfortunatly, this board won't be of much service unless there is someone reading from your Middle School. Every School seems to have a different way to communicate with the teachers. In our district, every teacher has a school e-mail address so you can contract them directly. In another district perhaps you just send a note in with your child or call the school and get a direct voice mail....
You also sounded frustrated with the activities of the PTO. If you have the time and the energy- YOU can change things. Do you have something in mind that you think this group should be doing? Often groups just go along doing things the same way just because no one has the time or the energy to try something new and different. Go for it!
Hi every one. I just joined today and have not read everything. I went to my first PTO meeting last night with my husband. Our son is in Middle school, the 6th grade. I went there to find out how the school operates, Communication with teachers, How to become involved. I was shocked to learn that most of what they do is raise money for teacher dinners, gifts ect. They do volenteer at school dances and other fundraisers but I was told that I would have to go to the school board to find out things about communicating with the teachers. I thought that it was a parent teacher place to communicate. Was I wrong to assume that? There were no teachers at this meeting last night. Only the principle. I am going to keep reading the subjects in this forum but thanks to anyone who can help me with this topic.
