Since School has started back I am debating if I want to Run for PTO President again this year. I gave my spot up last year because I was very BURNED out But I missed it and Last year to be honest It didn’t even seem like we had a PTO! I think they held One Activity the whole year!
I really felt Bad giving it up because its only the same 5 MOMS every year and these ladies have been doing it for the last 5+ years and it was my only 2nd year. I think the biggest thing for me was I couldn’t get other parents involved. I had big plans I had great Vision but it didn’t shape up like i wanted it to. Even though I will not say that my efforts and hard work didn’t make a difference because it did. I gave all my time working on activities and stuff that our school has been lacking. We had a very good year and the kids and the staff did enjoy it so that was all that matter.
I still question why parents don’t get involved. When I first started I heard that they didn’t really know the role the PTO played, felt that they was not needed or wanted, The other moms seemed stuck up, the hours of the meetings was not good for them. So I changed all of that but still only got 2 new moms on board after they all promised me they would at least come to ONE meeting. I took it hard I can admit that. I put everything i could into at least showing them that We are a team and we need to work together for our children.
Teachers and staff would share stories on how they see the same things in the class rooms and not to take it personal but How could a parent just not care? How could a parent Not know what is going on with their children in the class rooms let alone not make sure that child is doing homework!
Everyone wants to blame the school systems and teachers over failing test scores but don’t want to admit if they spent just 30 mins a day helping their child with homework test results in the US would be up. It’s time that parents need to understand we can’t put all this on the teachers! I am not saying all teachers are perfect some are there just to get a paycheck but the others love what they do and really want our kids to succeed . I have been blessed with some Great Teachers but you know I worked very closely with them and if I had any doubts or questions you best believe I was emailing or calling her and if i Didn’t get the answer I needed I went to the principal and let me add that only happened one time.
Parent involvement in schools is much more than parent conferences,PTO Meetings and a few school activities
Involvement Can Mean…….
Reading to your child
Make a point of going through papers in their bag sometimes they might have really forgotten they had homework.
Helping and Checking homework every night
Spend a few hours in the classroom.
Discussing your children’s progress with teachers
Voting in school board elections
Helping your school to set challenging academic standards
Voice any concerns that you may have to the school staff
Limiting TV,games,or computer time on school nights
Becoming an advocate for better education in your community and state.
Praise your child for good grades and behavior.
Also, it can be as simple as asking your children, “How was school today?” But ask every day. That will send your children the clear message that their schoolwork is important to you and you expect them to learn.
Studies have even indicated that children whose parents share in their formal education tend to do better in school. Families can help their children both at home and at school. When families are involved in their children’s education in positive ways, children achieve higher grades and test scores, have better attendance at school, complete more homework, demonstrate more positive attitudes and behavior, graduate at higher rates, and have greater enrollment in higher education So Why are we still lacking parent involvement?
I haven’t decided if PTO is right for me and my kids this year but what i do know is that I will be working any free time i can in the classrooms, making sure my kids class work and home work is done everyday, and keep having strong relationships with the school staff I mean we are on first name basis lol. I have learned that I can’t stress what other parents are doing even though I hate seeing a child be left behind but I can make sure my kids continue to make Straight A’s and get the Education they deserve.
“In this complex world, it takes more than a good school to educate children. And it takes more than a good home. It takes these two major educational institutions working together”. Dorothy Rich, author of MegaSkills®
So With that I would love to hear if you are facing these issues in your school system and how you are involved in your children’s eduction?
Betty N says
Whether or not you lead the PTO, you have the right caring and actions that teachers love. You can say a lot with just your actions. I used to be a teacher and some of our PTO’s were very active in such things as buying things the teachers needed for their classroom (Each teacher could turn in a “wish list”). Support for teachers is so vital and just a simple act of showing them you realize their importance to those children and appreciate what they do. (Leave brownies and strawberries in the break room) And if you can help in the classroom that would be wonderful…but they do understand that a lot of parents are working at a job that they can’t reschedule. Just keep being a champion for your own child and all of your suggestions were right on.
trisha says
at charlottes school, they require volunteer hours and ill be honest, i hate it. I am so busy and she only goes 4 hours a day. I mean..i have to come in when she is part time? I know that sounds terrible.
trisha
April says
Oh my kids go to a private school and believe it or not they are awlays asking for parent volunteers like for everything and moneying you to death. For my sons Pre-k and Kindergated I was room mom, but when my last child came who is 15 months now I had to say no, it was just too much.
.-= April´s last blog ..And The Winner Is….. =-.