Thank you Mum (I think)…
I’d like to start by saying that I have used this forum to get the opinions of others who I admitted probably have more knowledge than me when it comes to the ins and outs of PTO (bylaws etc…). I continue to come back because I have gained a better idea of the PTO, and the discussions have sparked a few ideas and MANY questions about our PTO. But do not think for one minute that I have lost site of my main goal and/or issue here (As suggested in #3) of your reply “but I think you need to step back a minute, take a deep breath, and re-focus†Recess is the issue, and the fact that we have run into brick wall after brick wall gives the appearance that our children’s well being is NOT a priority at school or at PTO! This deeply concerns me, hence the continuation of my pursuit to get to the bottom of the unfairness or worse conspiracy between PTO and our school. In other words, I didn’t ask for this, but can not close my eyes to it either. How can I?
That in mind I would like to address a few of the specific questions and comments you posted in your reply to me.
1) Attendance. I did not mean to imply anything other than the attendance was lower than what I am used to seeing in the past. My son is a 3rd grader, so yes; I have been to MANY PTO meetings in the past. This year so far there has ONLY been two. My point about the flyer coming home announcing the 4th grade program was to site that there was NOTHING mentioned in the flyer we’d be addressed about the bond issue by PTO, or listen to a speech by the “Say YES to Kids†chairman. I assure you that the majority of the parents in attendance held camcorders and cameras and where present to watch the PTO program, and NOT to record the politic rhetoric.
2) Size of school. We have 8 elementary schools in our district. The school my son attends has 900 children. To date 1,525 “Parents, grandparents and concerned friends of _______schools students support recess in elementary schools would like a daily recess reinstated @ ______ and at all OUR City’s elementary schools†have signed the petition. Derive from that what you will.
3) Addressed above.
And for your final statement “You don't have the experience to know. Do you have the energy and knowledge to focus on this, as well as recess? Is it really that important in the grand scheme of things? Are laws being broken? Sometimes you need to pick your battles.â€
Well MUM, am I suppose to say “Yes-mam†to you here? That is not much more then a low blow, and an attempt to insult me.
I may be just a mom, and seemingly uneducated in the ways you might be educated regarding PTO, but I am smart enough to know something REALLY stinks here and I have guts enough to say so!
Sandy in Texas
[ 11-11-2003, 09:32 AM: Message edited by: SandyinTexas ]