You're so right Michelle B. It's hard to remember that they have lives out of school LOL My daughter always thought her brother's teachers lived there But does anyone have a problem with teachers being condescending because 'you' are a SAHM?

I don't think you understand what I meant. What I meant is that these teachers may very likely be putting the same volunteer hours in that you are, just at their own child's school. Sometimes, you are asking them to volunteer twice as much time as you because they are doing it for 2+ schools. If you show them that you understand this and try to respect it, you will likely get at least the minimal involvement regarding notification.

I understand that they have alot to do in a short time etc. However, they seem to feel that we have all the time in the world to do what we do, when we volunteer our time. I am doing this so my child's school is better, but when we do not have the teachers support we do not get the parental support because the teachers don't talk about PTO meetings, fundraisers etc. This makes it extremely difficult to get excited about much of anything. We did speak to the Assistant Principal who stated he would speak to them about it. We did place the brownies in the mailboxes today of those who joined, we'll see if that helps. The PTO purchases items for the whole school or grade level. Teacher's are not given money as they run their own fundraisers at times or get it at our spring festival. I am hoping that it improves as I don't wish the kids to suffer but after letting so much go on my homefront last year and putting PTO first, I am more reluctant this year to do that with the attitude that we are being faced with. There are a few teachers who make sure we know how much they appreciate us and that helps enormously. We are just tired of those (primarily the younger teachers) who are constantly talking about how much they do for us. I informed the assistant principal that I could go and collect the forms if it would make it easier and he informed me that the teachers could accomplish that task without any issues, so I guess we'll hang in there and hope that it changes....soon! Thanks for the advice all

After I got off the board last night, I realized this hasn't been mentioned. Something that we all need to remember, and it's hard sometimes to do that, is that the teachers are there to do a job. Many of them have families of their own and children at different schools where they are the P not the T. We don't know what they have going on in their private lives. Our school has one teacher who is active at church, married and has an adult special needs child that requires round the clock care. I know this because I go to church with her. Do the other parents at the school know? Probably not. We do know that a majority of our nations teachers often work long hours outside the classrooms, spend their own money for their classrooms and still do as we do, take care of their own families.
For us, it is about our children. They already do so much and get paid far little than most, including being laid off for three months out of the year. If you can get them interested, that's wonderful but if you can't perhaps you need to take a step back and see if it's really your parent group or are they really too busy to be involved. (No, I am not a teacher!)

It's hard to bust your butt for someone and have them not only ignore your efforts but to openly show disdain rubs salt in the wound. My advice to you (and believe me, my school has the same problem) is to ignore it. You are doing this to help your child so just focus on that. It's a bitter pill to swallow but it will help you in the long run :cool: and know that we are all here feeling your pain.

One thing I always did at meeting was to recognize the teachers who were there at the meetings simply by asking them to please stand, thanking them for coming, and telling them that "You put the "T" in PTO." Of course the other way of looking at it is "without the "T" we are just P.O'd" but wouldn't necessarily recommend that route, at least in public!


At the beginning of the year we provided a small ziploc bag with a few items in it including the following poem:

Kit Contains:

COTTON BALL to use when you
can’t hear yourself think
ROPE in case you get to the
end of yours
PUZZLE PIECE to remind you
that you are an
important piece in the
journey of each child
RUBBER BAND to help you be
flexible
TOOTHPICK to help you pick
your battles
LOLLIPOP to help you lick
your problems (or your
wounds)
PAPER CLIP to help you hold
it all together
STRING to help you tie up
loose ends
MINT to remind you how
valuable you are –
you’re worth a mint.

For all you do, this KIT’s for you, from YOUR Liberty Elementary Parent Teacher Organization.


No - it doesn't seem reasonable that we have to bend over backwards to constantly tell the staff that what we do is for the school and ultimately their own benefit, that the funds we raise help them keep their own paychecks in their pockets, or that we are making their lives easier, not more difficult, but I guess like lost socks and newsletters, it's just a fact of life.

Keep smiling and remember it's all for the kids, and you have this awesome resource of public support for all you do for them!