I read about LEFs (Local Education Foundations) in PTO Today a couple of years ago. I have been chomping at the bit ever since to see something like that here. Not to take away from our current PTO's but act as a support to have for them. I think it is a great way to share ideas and encourage involvement and perhaps have committees to do grant research etc. for such things.

Our district has only 3 schools in it, we currently have one PTO (called PRIDE, Parents Readily Involved in District Education). We have one pres, one vice pres, etc... It works really well. This is the 4th year we have been up and running. Any fundraisers, etc is run throughout the entire district, although we have 3 schools, it is always viewed as one. Our schools are split into attendance centers, K-1 in one school, 2nd - 3rd grade in another school and 4th -8th in the 3rd school.

WE ARE CURRENTLY PART OF A DISTRICT WIDE K-12 PTO AND IT IS A GREAT PLACE TO SHARE INFO AND WATCH OUT FOR EACH OTHER! WE ALSO MEET EVERY OTHER MONTH FOR COUNCIL MEETINGS WITH OUR BOARD OF ED AND SUPERINTENDENT. WE LOVE TO HEAR GREAT NEW IDEAS, IT KEEPS FUNDRAISING FROM CLASHING AND SOMETIMES WE EVEN DO A DISTRICT WIDE FUNDRAISER THROUGH THE CENTRAL PTO AS WELL! OUR CENTRAL ALSO HOLDS ALL THE PTO'S 501C3 AND FILES ALL OUR TAXES TOGETHER. IT WORKS FOR US. gOOD LUCK!

Hi MJBAB -

I think it's a great idea and -- yes -- we hear about them quite a bit.

I'd suggest starting out with a simple invite to the leaders of other groups in your district. Invite their boards over to your school for coffee. Tell 'em you'd like to share what works among the groups and maybe see if there are some planning or scheduling (block-book a performer perhaps) benefits that could come from getting together now and then.

From that meeting, see what happens...

Tim

[ 02-26-2005, 12:12 AM: Message edited by: Rockne ]

Does anyone know of or is anyone involved in a district wide PTO? Our district is currently divided between two communities, and I think it might be a good way to help pull the communities together. Any input would be appreciated. At this point it is just an idea I've had, right now only 3 of the 7 schools in our district even have school wide PTO's.

[ 02-23-2005, 04:10 PM: Message edited by: MJBAB ]