Since when did friendly competition become bad? I am the Box Top coordinator for our school (about 700 kids) & from the start of the school year until now we've collected nearly 10,000 BT's. That's $1,000 worth in less than 2 months... all because the class that turns in the most will win an ice cream party. Not only has this been super successful, it has somehow promoted school spirit. The kids can't wait for me to update the board in the lobby w/their #'s, the teachers are into it, we even have the cafeteria workers collecting them! Anyhow, I'm pretty sure PTO's & such cannot be disbanded by the school; afterall, you're there to make the kids experience in school the best it can be, right? And I'm almost positive that they can't remove a member anymore than you can remove a principal. With that said, it's good that you spoke to the Principal and I would tell them like it or not, you're stuck with eachother! And then make the best of it.
P.S. visit Box Tops website for some support. They've been great.
This is a little late...At my school we collect the box tops each month. The class with the most box tops wins a snack and drink. It's competition but it's nothing major. The kids like it becasue its a 'special treat'. We don't make announcements about it to the entire school or draw major focus on it.
Heather,
I won't get into the struggle with you & the principal BUT here's a thought re:Boxtops.
I am the coordinator for our school. For health reasons I had to slim down the way I was running the program. I had done very successful competitions in the past but they are very time consuming. This year, I made a Treasure Box that is displayed in the cafeteria. It is a large clear Rubbermaid box so the kids can see the goodies to be had. All submissions are made to the collection box in the front hall. Each Boxtop has the child's name and teacher on the back. On the first of each month, I draw at least 10 Boxtops and Tyson labels and those who are drawn get to choose a prize from the box. It's not a competition because everyone who submits has the chance to win. The prizes are actually less expensive than what we gave for the competitions, so we're making more. More kids win and everyone's happy.Do you think your principal would go for something like that? I'm keeping track of the names who have submitted. At the end of the year I'll draw 3 names from those and award a Savings Bond to each.This is not general knowledge, so it's STILL not a competition. In our school, it's always the same small bunch who collect the Boxtops & Campbell's and they should be rewarded.Hmmmmm, that also sounds like the volunteer situation at our school--the same small group does everything while the rest complain.
I did meet with her today. I told her maybe I should of said it differently. Just in general what did the parents think of competetion. Because the teachers to competetion all ready within the classrooms and I didn't understand why we couldn't. Plus I really wanted the parents input. I did tell her that I was sorry for the way I said it, but I still wanted the parents input.
At our school, the proncipals' word is final- it's their school and they decide school policies. They are very uncomfortable with competitions between classrooms and incentives for fundraising. As a parent group, we respect these rules and run everything we do before them. If a principal turns one of our requests down, we deal with it. To be honest, I think you were out of line in going against her wishes.
I don't know if your principal would have the authority to disband your group or demand your resignation. However, you're not going to get much accomplished if the two of you are not on the same side. I would request a meeting with her and clear the air. She has the final say in what goes on in her school- I'm sure she felt you did not respect her authority.
At my last meeting I asked the parents what they thought of competetion for box tops, a few days before I had my meeting with the PTO I had a meeting with 5 teachers and the principal and they decided not to do a competetion because we always compete for things. Well I wanted to get the parents input and I asked at my meeting. According to the principal I shouldn't of done that because it was final and its her school and the parents don't have any say in it when she and the 5 teachers out of 30 say no. Was I wrong to ask the parents? Now my by-laws has to go in front of the school board. The principal told me if she wanted to she would disband the PTO. Can she do that? She also watned a revote on the president and so on? She can ask for that? I told her no its final until next year. Anyone please help me. I don't know what to do. I can't trust the teachers or anyone. We feel like we are back in high school. Thanks for the help!
