My youngest child is in 7th grade and this is my third tour of duty through the Middle School. I agree that this is totally different. Student council does the fundraisers, sometimes parents help with the sorting but we have no part in choosing it or setting the budget. In fact we don't even see the budget, just a partial cashflow account.
We come in and help serve on Greek day, volunteer for 8th grade career day, put together a student directory, etc. Lots of behind the scene stuff. While there are dances about every month and a half, parents can only take the money and serve the drinks. I found my volunteer place helping out with the Music Parents booster group that covers all the music groups at HS and MS, with the focus more at the HS.
I'm the parent of two middle schoolers and the PTO at the secondary level is whole different world.
Ours isn't particularly active. It sells T-shirts and backbacks, does teacher appreciation, and just a few other minor things.
But then things are just so different at this level. The kids are much more self-sufficient. There are so many clubs, organizations, band, sports, etc. THEY all have activities and fundraisers. The school has activities and fundriasers. It's a rare evening when both my children are home.
Understandably, it seems like parents tend to focus support on specific areas rather than something general like a PTO.
That's not to say you shouldn't still try. But - at least for us - the PTO is not hub of focus it was in elementary.
Also consider a survey for the Teachers. Find out what they would like to see achieved throughout the school year and what sort of events they would like or be willing to participate in. Or if anything in particular (within reason) could be done to help make the year go by smoother for them.
This is the grade level to offer movie nights, you know a cheap and easy way for these kids to socialize. I'm at a K-12 school and our kids enjoy their own Middle school night at a local skate rink. They get a $1 off admintion and the roller rink is working with the school right now to offer a bus from the school and back.
You know... a fun way to see what the kids want would be to do a survey.
OHHHH I love the cook off! That sounds like a ton of fun! I am going to try to get that included w/our carnivnal for the elementary and maybe something for the middle school.
For our Intermediate school (5th & 6th) we had a chili cook-off. Parents, teachers and even the Mayor and police chief came. Kids and other parents bought .25 votes for the chili that they liked the best. We also sold sodas and desserts and had a silent auction. It was loads of fun and a great fundraiser. Of course some of the teachers made little side deals with the students, vote for me and you get 10 extra minutes of recess or something like that. The kids loved it! But all in all it was a wonderful night.
