Originally posted by Serendipity:
I don't know that there is anything you can really do about it. I have heard people complain too, but by the same token many of those people don't do anything to get to know anyone.
At our school we have host families. We pair new families with veteran families and it seems to work out really well. We have a host family coordinator on our board who pairs them up. She also tries to get the new students introduced to others in their grade so they will know other students before starting school.
Hi, not sure how many new parents you get but if its in the budget here's an idea - consider making "school spirit " baskets and delve out the stuff to pto members with a note- " we have a new family at school, please deliver this to Sara's mom, Mary." The idea is that the PTO president makes the inital introduction and lets the new parent know that their basket will soon be filled ( give them an empty basket) make sure they understand to take the basket out of the car during pick up time. Instruct members that only one item per day should be added to the basket, members approach the new parent with " have you gotten anything in your basket today?" This might get pretty funny if the same member has to approach the same parent 8 or 10 times befor they actually get to add their item to the basket, this should generate lots of mingling! suggested basket items- school pencils, hair ribbon in school color, school bumper sticker, shoe laces in school colors, spirit buttons, any "left-overs" from t- shirt sales, a copy of the PTO mtg. schedule w/ an invitation to sit by me, m&m cookies (of course in school colors!). If you try this I'd love to hear back from you, I intended to just get a filled basket for our new school families, more along the lines of school supplies and we didnt get to it, looks like if i really want it to happen i will need to chair the committee myself. Cheers to new friends!
I think that we've gotten away from the question. If I understand it correctly, the question is about how to encourage "seasoned" parents to be more friendly to "new" parents during pick up times and other gatherings, not how to get them to volunteer. Obviously, that would be a nice result of a friendlier environment but not the question.
How about starting with a small group of parents willing to "mingle" in the parking lot. Start with a few of your own friends and yourself. Have each person spend one week meeting and speaking with at least one new parent. When they get to know that parent a little better, the parent will likely feel more comfortable meeting other parents.
Maybe you can have your PTO serve some simple drinks in the parking lot for parents, perhaps once a week. Like a mini meet and greet.
Sure sounds like you guys are doing great work. I didn't mean to imply otherwise.
For all groups and for all leaders, it's so easy (and even understandable) to throw your hands up sometimes in frustration about parents who don't/won't come out despite your Herculean efforts. I hear ya.
One of the keys is to have a good core group of leaders who support each other -- all understanding that growing involvement is job #1 -- so that you don't feel like you're all alone fighting the good fight.
