GaMom, how about the Principal? What is his/her thoughts on this? When/if he/she holds events is the PTO used to enlist Volunteers?

The drawback is, of course, that this type of issue can ultimately deter volunteers from helping, families from attending PTO events.

I don't know what this Vice-Principal is thinking, but if I was the Principal or the PTO President at your school I would not be pleased. I believe that a 3 way meeting is needed with your Principal, you and the PTO President. Explain things to the Principal and see his/her thoughts. If they are not satisfactory then the next step would probably be the Superintendant of Schools.

Good luck and let us know,
PresidentJim

WHAT A HOOT! If you want to stay......that's almost as dumb as when you walk up to a register and the cashier asks "Are you ready to pay for that?"

More highly educated person making the whole idea of higher education look scary to my teenager.....

Ga mom, YES, a VP 'can' do that. absolutely. its within their rights. but was it called for, and reasonable? based on what you say here "when i asked the VP about it, he said out of 650 students, he only got 5 volunteers, and if they could walk with their kids, then they could certainly volunteer."
this reason doesntstrike me as adult or leadership like to say the least. my 2c.

You go ahead and toot your own horn. Make it a snappy little tune and Shawn will even throw some lyrics your way!

Funny, Arts Day was my first volunteer job at the last school and it turned into a five year run. Which just goes to prove what many here are always saying, "Make it fun and make parents want to be involved."

It does sound like your AP got in over his head and was a poor sport about it. To change such an important aspect of the day and not communicate it was a bad idea.

Maybe, since PTO funds the day, you could just mention to the AP some of the feedback PTO got about how the day was run.

One more thing--I have no doubt that if had approached these parents with "hey, we really could use a little help doing ..... would you help for a little bit? He would have gotten several volunteers! Of all people, he should know better!!!

We gave them $1300 to help with the event. This is 100 more than last year. They have to pay for musicians, and snack and items needed. It is really a great day and is one of the reasons I got involved in our school. When it was my child's kindergarten year, I was approached by a scary German lady to volunteer. She wouldn't take no for an answer. I volunteered that day, got to know a couple of the other moms, and felt more comfortable and started participating in the other events. So I can really see how just coming and walking with the class can help the school.

But as a mom, it makes me mad because I feel like I have a right to be in my childs class. And to be told to leave, would have made me furious, so I totally understand where these parents are coming from.

As PTO volunteer coordinator, (and I don't mean to toot my own horn here), but I have gone above and beyond to get new people in our school. I have been like a politician constantly promoting the school. I have walked in the parking lot, talking to people int heir cars, and getting to know new people. Our volunteers have been wonderful this year and we have had moer than usual. I have had teachers let me know who has volunteered and sent thank you cards, I have met new volunteers at the school and shown them around and made them feel more welcome. I have sent little goodies all year long, I have sent thank yous, I have filled out cards for the principal to sign to send to volunteers, etc. I feel like this is 10 steps backwords in where we were headed.

As for PTO taking this event, I don't know. I will not be a part of it next year because I will be student teaching in the same school and I have found that it causes too many issues. People can't seperate who I am on that particular day (am i mom, parent volunteer, PTO, substitute, student teacher, etc). Also, being a part of things this year has been a very eye opening experience to some things behind the scenes that I am not particularly crazy about. This is one example!

Thank you for the input. I wanted to make sure I was thinking reasonably and not being a snot head (for you CC).