You have to have a license-- but check with your school district, since it's on school property--- most apply for one for the whole district for the year since they show movies during school time-- But the no charging for coming to watch the movie--is because if you charge there is enfringment issues-- you can not legally charge a free to watch a movie, unless you are paying loyalties back to the Movie production company....
We are small potatoes to the motion picture companies, but if they ever sued... it would be costly-- not worth it--- include a raffle ticket, free popcorn ticket or something-- this can be the reason for the cost to come in-- not the movie cost...
I would recommend rather than discussing certain ideas, such as movie night, at the meetings, instead form a committee and allow them to define what the event will be. That way they can "tell" the committee and the Principal what the plans are. Make sure they have all of the expected questions ready with an answer. So if after the details are explained and the Principal says, "I think it would be better if we did this separate by grade" your President or committee chair could explain that "Well, we discussed that idea and dismissed it because based on last year we believe we wouldn't have enough of a turnout" or "because we have to pay for the liscense per each event". Effectively tell him, while updating the committee, what will be done and when he tries to change it be ready to explain why you already discussed that change and decided not to go with it for whatever reason. Hopefully the Principal will accept your reasoning and let you move forward as you wish.
All our PTO events have to be after 6pm when school events are finished. We do not have issues now. We charge $1 per family for movie nights and money is used for a specific reason stated in flyer. We allow all ages and grades. We do not allow parents to "drop off" kids. Parents must accompany them at all times. If it gets out of hand-(only happened once ever)we stop movie, ask parents to gain control of their children and until they do so, we will not start movie. Of course this is directed more @ the children. We remind them that school rules still apply! We are firm but try not to be pushy or bosy. We sell snacks and drinks and candy also. So far, all our movie nights have been successful under these conditions PS) The principal views are important and neccessary but, they do not have a final say in how you do your event. As long as you are within your school boards reqiurements of well being and safety for the children as an example, PTO is not ran nor governed by a principal. You must respect his view and reorganize what your used to doing in a different day or time frame. Like i said, any time after 6pm is PTO time for our events. Check into seeing if principal can do same for your group?
refer to your Bylaws. what does it say? does it say he gets to change events and make all decisions?
1. I did movie night for all grades, what a nightmare. little kids sat like angels. 3rd, 4th, 5th graders ran around like monkeys! tell him Movie night is a "give back" to the community, not intended as a fundraiser, unless the profits are going towards of "support of education" (books, computers, supplies, etc)
2. have a "Spaghetti Dinner" then do crafts afterwards. then you can have it from 6 - 8pm
3. My principal has a teacher representative from each grade. if they want to submit a grant request, they must be present. give teacher prize incentives with donated items. promote your event with teacher participation with bonus bucks: $1 bonus bucks for every hour they attend an event. the $1 goes towards an auction at the end of the year for them to purchase stuff.
4. winter magic show - get your parents involved in a survey. ask the parents what they want to see. the class with the most surveys returned win a pizza party. then you have documentation of what parents want and don't then you are armed to give this info to him of what they want. if they want the magic show... have them come to a PTO meeting and vote on it!
Yes, I also find it bizarre that he wants to charge for admission to a movie night...unless they plan to serve snacks and the funds go to a cause such as towards new classroom supplies...
