Hi Barry!
Thanks for the great post. One thing to consider is to gather up a few like-minded parents and ask to meet with the administration to talk about parent involvement. Keep it low-key and don't challenge the administration. Your comments about not wanting a fight are dead-on. If parents approach the administration as the enemy, they won't get very far. Find out how they want parents to be involved. Really listen to what they have to say and you may find there are worries or fears about having an independent parent group. You can help them see that an independent group is beneficial for the school.

You can offer them some information on the value of parent involvement and an independent parent group. An independent group helps promote a sense of school community and raises funds for important academic enrichment and other programs for the kids. Parents typically support independent groups and want them to succeed and are sometimes even more motivated to do so if they know it is a parent-driven group and not an extension of the school. Let them know you'd want teachers to be part of the group and would regularly meet with the administration so that you can work more as partners.

You may also want to think about ways to meet them half way. Try offering to run a program or a few events independently. If there is success with those efforts, the administration may be more inclined to sanction an independent group.

Good luck!

Here are a few links to articles you may find helpful:

Make the Principal Your Partner
www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/arti...incipal-your-partner

What Principals Fear From Parent Groups
www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/arti...r-from-parent-groups

Negotiating with the Principal
www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/arti...g-with-the-principal

Defining the Role of a PTO
www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/arti...ng-the-role-of-a-pto

How To Start a PTO
www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/arti...7-how-to-start-a-pto



Rose C.