I have quite a challenge! We are a small community charter school in an urban area (Cleveland, OH) Last year was the first year we were an official Middle school and elementary school. We share the building, with the classes separated by the center of the building. We shar the gym, cafeteria, etc. Many of our families have children in both middle and elementary.
I was the President of the new Middle PTO last year, since I had previously been the elementary President and had been a volunteer at the school since it opened. We had a great year, rasing a lot of funds for our 60 middle school students. The problem at the time was the elementary PTO did not want ot do ANY activities together, including fundraising. Well, let's just say our efforts were considerably more successful than theirs as far as parent involvement and funds raised, and they wanted to "join forces" this year to make it easier for familes and teachers so they would not have to "choose" which events to support. We welcomed the joint efforts, and planned with their President and VP accordingly. We still have separate activites and we separate fundraising by participation, which has worked.
I am the fundraising chair and Secretary this year, as I have other activities that I am involved with.
The elementary came up with a plan to help the 8th graders earn money for their spring trip to NY. They would give each student $100 if the student volunteered a total of 10 hours at various events throughout the year. The kids loved the plan, the 8th grade parents loved the plan, the elementary PTO offered this money, we did not ask for it. As the middle secretary, I have been keeping the log of time worked for the class of 20 students and reporting to the 8th grade teacher and the 2 PTO presidents, as well as the Principal.
Well, last night the elementary held a family movie night at which a few 8th graders were helping with concessions and cleanup. I took my kids there to enjoy the movie, etc. I was helping the 8th graders with clean up when I asked one if they had done a sign in sheet for their time, and who had it so I could log their time. The student said the elementary moms had it and they would make me a copy, since I did not need it for "their" event.
I walked over to the 2 ladies at the concession stand (the Pres and Secretary) and asked for the sign in sheet so I could update the log.
While I realize this post is very long, I have to say that I have never been more humiliated and embarassed in my life. The secretary of their group started screaming at me (in front of students and parents) that I did not need the log, THEY ARE PAYING for the 8th graders time, etc. I walked away, while saying ok, whatever. I later approached her again and said how I did not appreciate the way that she talked to me, etc. Screaming match again, where I took the high road and left. I admit I was VERY angry on the way out, but very few people saw that.
I cannot for the life of me, understand her terittorial attitude about a sign in sheet. Their principal is also confused. I even asked the secretary if there was something I am missing here and she screamed well there must be. I have never spoken to this woman before this or had ANY interaction with her specifically. The President of their group and VP are very friendly with me and the rest of our board and their President just stood there, even when their secretary said it was the President who wante the log. She never said anything.
Help! This public admonishment by their secretary has left me feeling like a scolded child even though I know I did nothing wrong. I want to quit, despite 7 years of involvement. (Oh, I forgot to mention the reason the elementary has so much money in their budget is because of my fund raising efforts for them for 5 years)
Thanks for your feedbak--humiliated and embarrassed in Cleveland.
