First, we also have a great Principal who is for all teachers being a part of the PTO. We also used bribery. We have one teacher from each grade level on the board (4K-5th) and they are responsible for getting the PTO Dues from their teachers. As a little incentive, we gave each grade level board member a certificate for $40 for each teacher to the local school supply and request that everyone join the PTO first to get their certificate. However, our dues are $5 so they are getting the better deal. We also have 2 luncheons a year for the entire faculty and staff: one at the beginning of the year and the other at the end. The reason we did all this was before last year, we had a very poor teacher participation. Last year for the first time, we had 100% teacher and staff participation. (We gave the staff their school t-shirt).

Ask for the team leader from each grade level or
just a rep from each grade level. This way you know that each grade is being represented and each level has a different need.

When our new Principal (promoted from Asst. Principal) and Asst. Principal (hired in) had their first Staff Meeting of the year, they joined forces and told the teachers that they needed to attend the PTO meetings. That there was a lot of money to spend, and it would be easier to get if we knew the requesting teacher(s). I also hit on that at the first meeting. We had no less than 15 teachers at any of our meetings (we have 35 teachers...many times we had more attend, but never less). Get your Principal, Vice Principal and PTO Director all on board and take it to the teachers that way.

I also use bribery. I always have a prize (gift certificate) for the class who A)has the most parents in attendance -and- B)whose teacher attends. Never hurts to hedge your bet!

I would talk to the principal and see what the school needs. What is the school's focus and goals for the year. Then try to steer towards that. Sponsor a couple of book fairs and receive books for the teachers, classrooms and school library. When you put out a volunteer sign up list, make sure to put one in the staff lounge as well. Make sure that all the teachers receive flyers on your parent group events, and make sure your flyers say "sponsored by xxx parent group". If you allott funding for each classroom, make sure you let the teachers know the amount, and how they can be reimbursed or receive funding. In short let the teachers see all the wonderful things your parent group has planned and let them know how they can be involved.

Hi Everyone! I am in search of creative ways to get our teachers involved in becoming a part of our PTO. While I know this seems to be an impossible task, we seem to have a great opportunity at our school to start fresh.

You see this past year our school was in jeopardy of closing down due to community enrollment losses. It seems that most of the teachers were afraid of losing their jobs so they bid out of our school at the end of the year to ensure themselves a job. (eeeekk talk about abandoning ship!!) Fortunately for us, the school managed to avoid closing.

The way we stand now, we will have almost all new teachers (I think only about 3 managed to stay aboard). As you can guess all of the new teachers are new to the system (thats why they got booted to the supposed ill-fated ship)and hopefully will still be young and impressionable. So our goal is to make the best of a tough situation.

I also forgot to mention that the whole board is new to their roles this comming year and we want to go all out and enjoy what could be one of our last years in our school. So, I put before all you fantastic advice givers, the opportunity to let us go out with a bang if we must. How should we go about improving not only parent buy-in but teacher buy-in as well?

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the ear....