Hi Everybody!! I've volunteered to be the president of a brand new PTO. Unfortunately, our school hasn't had one in a very long time, so we are starting out blind. From what I understand, the school tried to start one a couple of years ago, (I think I remember getting one half sheet of paper announcing it), but nobody ever showed up (including me)!! However, I've finally wised up and thankfully we have a pretty good, although small, group of parents who are willing to give it another try! Anyways, since it's so close to the end of the school year, I think it's important that we just try to get things ready and organized for next year. In order to do that, I suggested that we get input from the TEACHERS FIRST!! That way, we could ask them what they think are the most critical things that a brand new PTO should try to accomplish! We generated a letter asking all teachers to list 3-5 things they think are key, and also days and times when it's okay for a volunteer to come into their class to listen to a student read, etc, etc.
Well, here's the kicker...several of the other parents (some of whom were not even at the first meeting), are saying that I should be focusing more on what to do for the PARENTS FIRST!!! I even had one parent tell me that we should get a committee together to take kids to doctor's appointments if the parent said it's okay! First of all, I don't think it's the PTO's responsibility to take someone else's kids to the doctor! I can barely find the time to take my own three kids, much less anyone elses! Second, I thought the purpose of the PTO is to get parents MORE INVOLVED with the teachers and students, not give them an excuse to become LESS INVOLVED with their kids. Well, I was blasted and told that the only reason I want to worry about helping the teachers make their job any easier is because I'm studying to be one myself!!
Am I going about this all wrong or what? Whom should I get input from first? The teachers or the parents?
Any advice ya'll could give me would be greatly appreciated!!