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PTA and PTO co-existence!
I am looking for districts that house both PTA's and PTO's! Our district has PTO's in each school and a new PTA is being formed to address separate issues with the district. However, there has been significant opposition to this formation from PTO Presidents. I would really appreciate hearing from those of you out there that have the two organizations co-existing. It might be helpful to know how others have addressed the negativity (if there was any for you), established clear boundaries, and whatever advice you may offer. Thanks! You can reach me directly at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. This forum is terrific, by the way, as is this web site. Nice job, Mr. Sullivan!!
Originally posted by PTA Pres:
Wow! I'm not sure where to begin. In the half hour I have spent reading this I have had a wide range of emotions-pride, sadness, anger, you name it I have felt it. I think everyone has had some valid points. I think when it comes down to it both groups do the same thing with the exception of the PTA's lobbying abilities. I have read comments here referring to "sides"-the PTA side and the PTO side. I only see one side-the side of the children. With all the valid points from both groups it made me wonder why I joined PTA. It's the group my parents were in when I was young (tradition), sure! It was the parent group already in place at my children's school,sure! But why do I remain?! I guess after everything I have read here I realize it's because I have the best of all worlds. I get to do the fun things right here in my own school-fun fairs, book fairs, Easter Egg Hunts, Fall Festivals, etc. I get to truly support education, both physically and monetarily, by workinig with children one on one, being able to join in with teachers at literacy trainings, raising funds to help with such things as computer labs,math manipulitives, etc. I help make decisions that directly affect my children and all the children in our district by sitting as a parent rep on interview committees for teachers, principals, operations directors, sitting on task forces developing standards for air quality and environmental safety in our buildings as well as good teaching practices. Through PTA I get the satisfaction of knowing that I am making a difference in my own school, district, and community AND I get the satisfaction of knowing that without physically being there I am making a difference for other children in other schools, districts, communitties, cities and states who don't have even ONE parent much less a WHOLE parent group working to better their life. So do I think the $4 I pay for my membership- $1 that stays in my school, $2 that goes to the State PTA, and $1 that goes to the National PTA is worth it? YOU BET! Being a part of that voice that has and still does advocate for laws for better schools, smaller classrooms, immunizations, hot lunches, safer playgrounds and so much more on behalf of every child, not just my own or my neighbors is SO WORTH IT because I know that for some children we're all they've got! It amazes me to here the remarks about the 3,4,5 or even more dollars that people are complaining about when we all know that at some point in our daily and weekly lives we waste far more than that on frivolous things. I can't figure out where these people are coming up with these numbers ($1,000) that are being sent to their State/National PTA unless the dues in their local units and state's are way more than in mine or else they must have really high enrollments in their schools because we sure don't send anything remotely close to those figures from mine. But even if we did, I would still think it was worth it. I guess the best phrase to sum up this whole debate is one I'll use direct from the classrooms in my school-"Different is Different, Not Better, Not Worse!" It's not about better or worse, just choices, and for me PTA's the Way!
From me to you- only good thoughts and wishes go to EVERYONE who is working on BEHALF of CHILDREN, you are all saints!