PTO Questions

[Justanopinion]

How does PTO work? What do they do?

Back in October when I had not heard anything yet from or about the PTO except to pay my $5 membership to join, I emailed the school to ask. My email was forwarded to the President. She then called and I explained that I was ready and willing and wanted to help. At that point the PTO had done one fundraiser which the only thing I know is what was sent home with my child. Here sell this stuff.

So I met with the President. She explained that there was not much parent involvement and the teachers served most of the positions. Would I like to be Vice President? HUH?

Since then we have done Polar Express Day, Joe Martin Day, and Dr. Suess Day is coming up. For these days they set up about 6 different stations the the classes rotate through. Coloring room, movie room, Popcorn room, etc....whatever fits the theme.

They also sent home order forms for the Valentine's fundraiser. Selling bears and monkey with balloons and candy that are delivered. So I was asked to get the volunteers for today. So I get there this morning, the teachers have been preparing the orders as they come in attaching ribbons and what not, today we filled over 400 balloons and attached them. The teachers delivered the goodies. (We took orders for all 5 schools in the district and they loaded everything on a bus and took them to the office of each school). So while we are filling the balloons and what not, 6-8 classes of kids are in Gym class for 2 1/2 hours. The gym teachers get to keep the kids occupied while we parents and teachers do the work. So you mean, that fundraising comes before academics? I really don't know how to feel about this. Granted, this is only 2 grades, Pre K and K, but still. What are we teaching the kids?

Oh, PTO did a book night one night. I didn't get to go as she scheduled it on Tuesday the last day before Thanksgiving break and not only to we have plans to leave town but my child was sick. We do have a movie night that is supposed to be coming up but no date has been set yet.

Oh, and on some Fridays, we do candy cart. The kids bring money and we sell candy and chips and stuff priced anywhere from .05 cent to $1.00. But we only do this on Fridays that a volunteer is able to be there. I actually thought there were laws about not selling candy but I could be wrong.

And another big change I've noticed this year is that any activity involving volunteering, parents are not allowed to bring younger siblings. This has caused a lot of the drop is participation. Moms don't want to get sitters so they can go help at school.

So, what do PTO's do? Should I be concerned here?

 

[lisajl]

Well, PTO's are suppose to have more volunteers and let you bring your youger children with you. People need to understand that it is a volunteer position and why/how can you afford a babysitter when volunteering?
When I was involved with PTO, the teachers hardly did a thing.
I thought that was the way it was suppose to be. They had a rep. come to our meetings and answer questions, ask for money, etc.
Having the teachers do all that stuff...what are we paying them for?
I thought they were suppose to be teaching our kids.

Oh, the answer to your question...I would be worried. You need more people involved--ie..parents, grandparents, etc.

 

[aprilgail2]

Well, PTO's are suppose to have more volunteers and let you bring your youger children with you. People need to understand that it is a volunteer position and why/how can you afford a babysitter when volunteering?
.

It is not our PTA's choice if younger siblings get to tag along when the parents come to school- its the schools and they say NO to younger siblings attending things at school during the day that are just for the students. They can attend family things in the evening at the school but they can not be there while the parents are volunteering. Class parents also can not bring younger siblings to the class parties that they help out at.

 

[Tink888]

PTO and PTA's run much the same way, the main difference being that with a PTO there is a little more freedom (no national PTA guidelines to follow) and ALL of the fundraising money stays IN the school.

Any parent/teacher group is ONLY as strong as the volunteers who are involved and a lot of what the group can do is limited to the amount of money that is raised.

It sounds like the biggest issue with your PTO is the lack of parental volunteers. IMHO it's a good thing that you have so many teachers who want to be involved, though I agree that I wouldn't want my child sitting in a gym while teachers are working on completing fundraising orders.

When I was involved with my kid's PTO you could bring younger siblings and anyone was welcome to volunteer. In the last few years, they have gotten away from bringing siblings and now parent volunteers are required to have Act 35 (in PA) clearance for any volunteering in the building and working directly with the kids (which was a PITA but with the intent of keeping the kids safe).

Your PTO sounds like it does some nice things for the kids but maybe is a little disorganized which could also be the result of a lack of volunteers. There should be monthly meetings to organize things and discuss how fundraising money will be spent.

Our PTO had a board and monthly meetings. We did two big fundraisers per year and other things like Market Day, Scholastic Book Fair, bake sales, lollipop and pencil sales for the students. We used the money for things like class parties, field trips, fun day at the end of the year, special items the teachers might need but the district wouldn't pay for, 100 day celebrations, Dr. Seuss day, yearbooks, end of year t-shirts, assemblies, family movie night and a teacher appreciation luncheon.

 

[lisajl]

It is not our PTA's choice if younger siblings get to tag along when the parents come to school- its the schools and they say NO to younger siblings attending things at school during the day that are just for the students. They can attend family things in the evening at the school but they can not be there while the parents are volunteering. Class parents also can not bring younger siblings to the class parties that they help out at.

I understand that, but maybe that is why the OP's PTO has no one to help out.

 

[diznygirl]

Younger siblings aren't allowed on the school property because non-school aged children aren't covered under the school's insurance. Of course, different districts differ on enforcement.