My first question is what role will the PTO play in a cyber school? I'm just curious, the whole cyber "thing" is so new, I'm interested to hear what you have in mind!
That could be the first part of your plan to show your CEO how your families can benefit from an organized parent group. Something some of us have to prove with each Principal! Is your group wanting to be more of a support for each other, help families with purchases of learning materals, study groups for students struggling?
The unfortunate image uniformed people have of PTOs is the old "we are taking over" notion when all I want to do is make it better! You can still have a support group without calling it a PTO unless that is another direction you are talking about as a fundrasing "tool".
First I like to say that I applaud you for taking a risk in life to do something great for your child's education. I've been on this message board a short time, but have been around many of a non- profit situation. Are you seeking funding from your school to start a PTO? I have never heard of any school funding a parent group, not even PTA. I suggest you find out first if you have the support of other members of your school community and come to an established membership arrangement. Ask for a membership fee( a modest amount, of course!) as a sign of commitment to establishing a support center for your school. School financing is getting to be so tight, you may also want to let them know of the benefits your parental group is giving to help them offset the lack of funds.
I wouldn't wait for the school to fund anything not related to the curriculum or to improvements to school property-then you are just spinning your wheels and letting the opportunity pass you by. But, make sure to check how your school BOE(Board of Education) handles Parent groups and the proper establishment of one in their school organization.
Hi, I'm new here to this board and to pto's in general. I am part of a cyber school looking to start a PTO but encountering difficulty from our CEO. We have a "parent/administration" group, but it feels politically motivated. So my question is, how do you start a group when your school drags it feet about financial support?
