This is our second year having our P.T.O. up and running and the teachers have been very supportive in every event. We have 1-2 teachers from each grade level K-3. We have 1-2 parents from each grade level. This makes up our Advisory Board. When we meet they bring issues/concerns to the groups from both parents and faculty (teachers). The teachers go back and give the information that we discuss to their grade level. The board is very understanding to what the teachers and the parents have to say.
All through the year we are constantly doing small things for the facultly...ex. breakfast, snacks in the lounge, free lunch, hold their classes so that they can have lunch off campus during Teacher Appreciation Week. We really have become a team because we also have plan exciting activities that were educational that really got our parents to come out and visit our school and become supportive in their children education.
In January we planned a Family Night out. The main idea was to get the teachers and the parents interacting. We had some of the sororities from our local schools entertained the students. This was a blast. The parents and the teachers had a great time playing games and getting to know each other. No academics were discussed that night and everyone sat and enjoyed a free spaghetti dinner. P.T.O. donated the spaghetti and Salad items and a local soda company donated drinks along with the parents. It was a great time by all. Our superintendent and other teachers helped serve the meal. If you would like to see some of our Photos from the event visit our system homepage
Valdosta City Schools
and you will see our family night page.
Something that we have is not only a "Liason" or "Rep" but a teacher elected by their staff as a voting member of the executive board. As a teacher myself, it was important that we truly put the T in PTO. I've been at too many different buildings where teachers are just there to be a relay back to the staff and can't vote, and can't make motions.
As to the teachers participating in "special events" - I think it's great when they can make it. But many of them have families of their own and are involved in their child's PTO - as am I. A lot of times, going to an event turns into an improtu parent teacher conference - and that's not really why you want them there.
I do like what our PTO does and I think the teachers there like it as well.
Our suburban elementary school has around 625 students and around 55 staff members. All of our staff members are asked to be on a school committee/board, and there are over a dozen, from Safety Committee (a District requirement) and Site Council, to Advisory Board and Tech Committee, Literacy Committee to Math Committee. There are additional professional learning communities outside the school site that they are probably involved in...
You may not know that many of your teachers are already participating beyond the classroom... I have never met a teacher that didn't appreciate the PTO, but not all can attend the meetings.
The suggestion of dropping off meeting minutes with a space for comments is an EXCELLENT one! Just as you have parents who are active in the PTO without attending the monthly meeting, there are teachers who are actively supporting you without attending the meetings
To be honest, I sent the teachers a letter and just told them that this is when the meeting is, I know that many of you have families, school, etc but this is YOUR school and we honest want your opinions and ideas. If they could not make the meeting and had something that they wanted to discuss, let me know! Many of them know me as this is our 11th year at the school.
They were excited and throwing ideas out and hopefully left feeling welcome and useful! Their ideas were great! We are doing a couple of them. We parents were looking for new ideas and glad to have the teachers input.
I really need to send a thank you to the ones who attended.
President Jim, I like your idea of the raffle for staff at the event.
Thanks for contributing that idea. I think I'll use it some how.
We have 5-7 teachers that participate regularly (not all at the same time) and 1-2 principal / principals, but I'd like to increase teacher/ staff participation. The more we can get the teachers and parents together, the more they can say, "Can you help me with this or that...", then the students reap the benefit.
We send out just for the teachers a copy of the minutes, and we have a comments section with it. Most months we get 10 or 15 back with something they want to add or a question, or just a "Keep up the good work" They give us imput without having to put in any of their time, that they realy don't have.
