Recently District 150’s School Board adopted a new policy directing the District to develop procedures to encourage greater parental involvement. What would teachers do if parents were to actually show up at the schools?I am willing to bet that a lot of teachers are just fine with the fact that parents don't show up at the schools, that way, they don't have to "deal" with them.
Go volunteer at a school, sign up for the PTO, shock the teachers.
11 comments:
Every parent should be required to "do" a certain number of hours at their kid's school.
I did PTO when mine where much younger. I went to a couple meetings and was appalled. It was just like High School...certain girls were cool and allowed to participate, others were shunned. It was totally effed up. And the more I learned the more appalled I was! Come to fine out, the treasurer used the PTO bank account as a private slush fund to the tune of a $30K house payment!
This was money that had been raised by families to build a new playground! The money was returned but it was a very big lesson that there MUST be accountability in these organizations. I ran for president and won and then found out that the organization had no by-laws or rules!
It was very, very enlightening. I would strongly suggest that the PTO is NOT the place to air 'beefs' about staff or discuss political issues. Don't get involved with the PTO if you think your kid was treated poorly by a certain teacher.
The PTO is a great way to get to know the staff and administrators of your child's building and the relationships you build will last a long time. Further, your children see the commitment you make to school and it encourages them to do the same!
The PTO at my school is not very inclusive (yes, I am trying to be nice). It is the same small group of parents and they can be vicious. But you can't let that stop you, the rewards are to great.
Private slush fund heh... I can see how that would happen. Hopefully they gave her a nice little slap on the wrists.
I stayed FAR away from the PTO when my daughter was in school due to the inclusive nature. However, I found that being a room parent was far more rewarding and desperately needed. One year for Halloween when my daughter was in 3rd grade, I gave my little handmade pirate costume to one of the girls who came to school with no costume. Her mom wasn't opposed to Halloween, she just didn't bother to send her with a costume for the parade. The parents were suppose to take turns for special events/holidays but eventually I found myself being recruited for every event. No one else could be bothered. Sad.
St. Marks requires 30 hours of parental service hours for each kid you have attending, on behalf of the school, or they bill you more money.
I do room parenting and auction presentations. The kids actually get excited when they know I am coming, cause I always bring something new or different.
I had lunch with my kids at school today and found that a different handful of parents do the same thing almost every day. I was really surprised at how the kids seemed to expect parent involvement at lunch and recess.
Tomorrow night I will be attending my first PTO meeting at this school. I hope that the other parents at the meeting are as welcoming and friendly as I have seen so far!
I volunteer as a picture mom at my child's school. We talk about artist, maybe do a little project and the kids think I rock! I make mistakes - they don't know - we just keep moving. Lots of fun.
It really is good to hear the different ways citizens are doing their part in schools. I do a weekly reading group and donate to book fair so that children in my daughter's class who don't have money can get a book.
PTO is definitely not the only option. There are so many ways parents can help in schools. Parents can check with their school's principal to see what other volunteer opportunities are available.
I went to that meeting tonight and was shocked at how few people were there. The people that were there were more than welcoming and eager to have more people and ideas brought to the table. I only hope more get involved!
Katie, that is really unfortunate that so few people showed up for the meeting. That is how the PTO gets the "clique" label, because just a small group of people show up regularly.
I'm with you, I hope more parents decide to get involved.
Are you all aware of all of the help that First United Methodist Church offers to Irving School? Jeff Adkins-Dutro, who is running for PFT president, reported to the board at the last meeting that the teachers give this involvement credit for high morale at the school.
Individuals from the church are paired with one student each. Church members--called Bear Buddies--go to the church once a week for 30 minutes to read to individual children. They also have a game day when church buddies go to play a game (board games, etc.) with their buddies. I know that my own cousin has maintained a relationship with her Bear Buddy for several years. The church choice director (I believe he is still conducting the choir himself) directs a choir--whose members have robes provided by the church. This group sings at community events--for instance, they sang at a Retired Teachers' luncheon last year. The church also sponsors soccor teams.
As I mentioned before, students who cannot afford lunches are also helped by church members.
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