I am part of a PTSA for our Jr/Sr High School. We provided the following activities this school year: We were visible at every Orientation, Parent Teacher Conference, Parents in the School and Open House. We held Parents in the School Days. It is one day a month that parents are welcome to come to class with their teenager. Some parents take in a couple of classes, some stay all day. We offered a Pumpkins and Poems program. Teachers and students brought in their carved pumpkins and creative poems at Halloween. This was done in conjunction with the English and Art Departments. We provided a Teacher Appreciation Luncheon during Teacher Appreciation Week. We also gave cookie treats in December. We provided funding for Grad Bash. Our PTSA team will be getting together in a few weeks to gather all our ideas and create our goals and events for the next school year. We also asked PTSA members from this past school year for their input as to what they would like to see at our school. In researching ideas from other schools, there are parent walking clubs, which provides parent visibility to curtail things that should not be going on in the halls. Creating a PTSA scholarship. Hosting a Talent Show and/or Battle of the Bands. Providing an opportunity for voter registration. Developing an after school program for teaching organizational skills. Working with the Counselor’s office to recognize honor roll students. Incorporating safety programs into PTSA meetings, i.e. internet safety, talking to kids about sex, inhalants and poisons awareness, etc. Providing a safe place for students after football games. I truly believe that keeping a website current and providing listservs for parents are essential. I would love to hear other ideas!

I am new to the boards. I am curious if there are any high school PTSO members lurking among the boards that might have ideas on activities to invite parents to get involved in a new PTSO organization. This particular PTSO has not been active for several years--we're looking for any good ideas to get things going. Thanks in advance for any help!