Question: K-5 Elementary schools changing to K-2 and 3-5 centers

Our school district recently changed our K-5 elementary schools into elementary "centers" (K-2nd grade and 3rd-5th grade). How do we blend our PTOs? How do we handle this year's elections when new parents won't be in the school until September? If anyone has been through this process, let me know how you did it and if it worked. Kim, PTO President

Asked by kimgleason

Answers:

Community Advice

lisaz236 writes:
Our district implemented this same change during this school year. We originally had four 1-5 schools and one kindergarten center. We now have two K-2 schools and two 3-5 schools. The two "sister" school PTOs (a K-2 and 3-5 that students would eventually go through) got together to discuss how best to transition for this school year. We decided it was easier to keep the separate school PTOs, but keep in touch throughout the year to make sure we weren't scheduling events on the same dates and not duplicating fundraisers (since the parents may have children at both schools). We continue to work together to brainstorm ideas, but have maintained our separate PTOs. It seems to be working well for everyone. It has definitely been a challenge for our parents in general. Everyone is overwhelmed with not only the changes to the school set-ups, but also with the other curriculum changes the district has made. I think from the PTO perspective, as long as your board members are receptive to communicating and sharing, it can work out well. Everyone just needs to be on board with the changes and the new thought process of working together and keeping everyone informed. The hardest part is remembering that any decisions you make at one location may have an impact on the other location. Just talk it through and you will be fine.