Anyone who has a parent survey out there would you mind sending it to me!. We are a new PTSO in a middle school and I'm looking for all the help I could get. Thanks
Judy, We sort of re-organized our ms parents group, in the fall of 2000. It's still evolving and frequently frustrating but one thing we did was get parent liasons for every grade. The parent liasons go to one grade level meeting a month with all their grade level teachers. Our teachers meet every Wed so it wasn't too hard to just have the parents come at the regular time. If there is anything the teachers need volunteer wise, we find out there. I've found the teachers need prodding- they don't seem to realize that most parents need a few weeks notice to take time off from work.
Another thing we do is have an agenda setting meeting with the parent liasons and the principal the week before the general meeting. If we had officers they would, of course, be included.
Whatever you do, get it structured so everyone knows who's in charge. Our ms group is so loose that everyone does what they think is right and there's no one to consult. Fundraisers? Our student council does a magazine sale (QSP) and this year tried Entertainment books and cookie dough. All three went well. good luck!
Dear Judy: One thing I wasn't aware of when my son started Jr High, was that the ASB/Student Council has their own fundraising events that kind of takes away what the PTA can do. They are the ones who host the school dances and get the profit from them. Of course it all goes back into the school which is great, but alot of times it is to fund a particular project that not all the kids will be a part of, like a special camp, or outing, or end of year fun event that you have to earn your way into going to...Our Jr High does a carnival and they rent the big slides/inflatables/velcro wall, sell food, some classes/groups (probably 10 or so) do a game booth and the students from those classes/groups work the booth at the carnival. Because they are older kids and can handle some responsibility, they really love being part of it. I think with Jr High, you always need music to get the kids pumped up, I think something where they actually do something, not just sell something, will work better as a money maker. Good Luck
Work on some polices and procedures--such as your sunshine fund an d how much $ wil be distributed towards a gift for who and what type of occassion..then who can and can't go to conventions and workshops (officers, chairmen general membership). Reimbursement policies for phone calls (set a price for each call, any mileage expenses, etc..Who will get mailed/sent nominations forms for their recommendations for officers. (will they be available at the mtg in what month to general membership, they will be sent /mailed to all officers, board members, chairpeople etc..
I'm on a middle school PTO and I really like the approach they have taken on fundraisers. We use a company that hosts a "party" rather than the cheap prizes a lot use. The kids are required to sale a set minimum number of items to attend. I don't know the exact number we had this year, but we set it up so each grade level (6-8) has minimum 45 minutes to an hour. The fundraiser company brings in a dj, rents 3-5 games(inflatable obstacle course, inflatable bunji run, pitch speed game, dunk the principal, etc). They do all the set up and give tickets for door prizes. The kids really enjoy this, but it does take 15 volunteers or so. Some teachers came in on their free time to help supervise.
It works really well at our school....Good luck! [img]smile.gif[/img]
The level of involvement is totally up to the parents and PTO. Our PTO is only in its 2nd year and we are still learning. We provide only 3 dances plus an eigth grader dance. We have about 400 attend, depending on the DJ. We do a couple of ongoing fundraisers and an Annual Fundraiser which involves students and staff. We put out an annual calendar to all PTO members as an incentive to join. We have an Academics Committee that offers programs for the students. They have done some neat things this year - Raptors Project, a Humanities Project, Fundraising for the Red Cross, after school programs, etc. We try to work closely with the SCA to support them in their efforts. We solicit volunteers from the parents for all areas of the school. Our volunteer form is 2 pages long for the next school year. As teachers approach us about the help they need we put it on our volunteer form. Some parents may be happy to just help in one area for a particular time. Parent involvement is a tough one at Middle School but we are getting there. We try to delegate as much as possible. The involvement of the PTO depends on the administration and members. Good luck!
