I use students a lot also. Normally we only use 4th grade (which is as high as we go) and high school students needing community service hours. Certain events like set up or take down I'll use any kids 1st thru 4th. It's amazing how awesome first and second graders are with things like that

As a PTSA, you do need to make certain that the S is included and it does teach them volunteerism and a sense of community.
I would address the entire student body, perhaps through a short assembly or by letter and let them know that you would like to comprise a group of volunteers. I would try to get some involved in the planning process so that they can see that their opinions are important. They may also have some great, fresh ideas.
Figure out what things are going to need to be done and perhaps try to have one student for every one parent volunteer. If their aren't enough jobs, have the students double up with one of the parents to share a job.

I have used students to help me out for years. I use them to staff the Santa Store, to Deck The Halls, Field Day, Book Fair, Tutoring, etc. I also utilize the high school students who need community service hours.

You do have to make your intentions, what you expect, student eligibility requirements, etc. very clear from the get go. I use only 5th and 6th grade students, students who are carrying at least an A/B average, students whose work is completely up to date, etc. There is also a standing rule that there are no warnings for misbehavior. If they misbehave, they are sent back to class and never asked to help again. That is not to say that if they make a mistake, only if they misbehave.

There is usually one or two classroom teachers who use the experience as a class lesson. We have one 5th grade teacher who used our Santa Shop as a lesson in future careers (sales, cashiers, child development, being the owner vs the employee, volunteer, etc.). That one classroom worked in the shop all month. For their work, they received their own purchases at cost. If they made no purchases, they received a cool ball (hard to explain what it is/was, but it was cool and everyone wanted one). They had a lot of fun, learned a lot of various lessons, and we had a well staffed Santa Shop. Talk about a win-win situation!

[ 05-14-2004, 11:07 AM: Message edited by: TheMetzyMom ]

In the "Getting into the minds of parents..." thread some one suggested encouraging students to volunteer to teach them the importance for later in life. By coincidence a parent at pur last PTSA meeting asked me why we didn't have more students involved.

I am in charge of the silent auction/spagetti dinner/school dance for next spring. I think it's a great idea to include the kids. We got a great turn out because the teachers let the kids walk through the auction the morning before the event. At our first auction we had 250 people come from a school of 410.

The students enjoy th diversion of helping and also go home to promote our events.

I would like to propose to the board that we get the student senate to work on parts of the auction. I have already considered decorations and helping with in school promotions, but I wanted to see what other people thought we could do for this event. I considered asking for a junior auction committee.

Any other ideas on how to utilize this very creative, energitic and eager resource?