I hear you all. It isn't just working parents, but parents with younger siblings or single parents that don't have anyone to leave their children with, especially at night for meetings. I, personally, also have difficulty getting to school. I am visually impaired and don't drive. I am always looking for ways to get to school. However, I will be Prez. this year. Getting to meetings isn't really a problem there is always someone around that is going anyway. But, I have been involved for over 6 years, in one way or another. I have typed letters asking for donations, forms and memos being sent home to parents, the student directory. I have organized fundraisers like book fairs, craft fairs (held on weekends), order type fundraisers (t-shirts, wrapping paper). I do as much as I can at home. Send alot of things back to school staff with my kids on the bus. I still spend plenty of time at school, sometimes there are things that just have to be done there. But, there are still plenty of ways that you can help at home. I just can't figure out a way to get these parents to see that there are jobs they can do. We say it and say it, but we don't get much response.

Great idea, VIP. I too am encouraging teachers to do something similiar to include working parents. We are a Prek-1st (the kids LOVE to see parents working in their school) I always feel bad for the kids that say "I wish my Mom/Dad could help in school". And most of the time I know their Mom/Dad and I know there is no way they can swing it w/ their schedule or life circumstances. So I'm making it a priority this year to find non-traditional things people can do. I want those kids Mom's/Dad's to say, "look honey I'm working for your school too!" They (the kids) will be so proud!

Oh, on the up side I just had my first EVER Grampy sign up for the PTA at our membership drive. He even won the raffle and says he wants to attend meetings!

Pottsvillemom, WOW! You couldn't have said it better. I also think those spending so much time at the school discounts those who don't. I am a working Mom, but love being at the school. I am not there much, however, when I am I feel energized in all we (the PTO)do for the school. I love being involved but sometimes feel my involvement is not wanted or needed because those who can be at the school more often would prefer to do it all. There are many, many tasks that can be accomplished outside the school. Thanks for your input. I hope more people read it.

As Volunteer Coordinator, I created our Doggie Bag Program (We call it Doggie Bag because we are the Bulldogs) for those who work outside the home and also for those who work inside the home but are unable to come up to the school. I got large grocery bags (paper...free from grocery store) and gave several to each teacher. I sent out a memo to parents explaining the program and to sign up. I got a great response. Anywhere from 1 to 10 per teacher signed up. When a teacher has cutting, pasting, etc.. needed done for the class, they put their projects in the bag, with directions (sample of what they want done helps) and a due date attached. They would then go to the list of volunteers and check off who they gave their items to. Give the bag to the child to take home to the parent. This can also be a great parent/child project.

We are also 1/3 free and reduced lunch community. We also struggle w/ parent involvement. This year we cut projects/positions into doable 1-2/hr mnth jobs and specified what can be done from home. IE. web design, newsletter, pr, boxtops etc. I'll let you know how this goes over. Hopefully it will help.

Wow! I saw your post on the Campbells thread and wanted to e-mail you.

I totally agree with you it shouldn't be a fight.

I am a lame duck Prez. We too are about 50% free or reduced lunch school. I realized during all my griping about low parent involvement that more people would if they could. I found a great article about parent involvement on this site that covered a little bit of everything.

Perhaps you could encourage working parents to make a book with their child for a reading day if they couldn't come and read then the child could share it with the class.

Do you do Box Tops? Those things are well worth the pain, all that trimming and bundling would be a good task for a working parent to do.

I had a grandparent who babysat and was unable to come to school so we fixed her up with cutting out lamenated things for the bulletin boards.

They could also help with getting donations if you have a function coming up. They could make phone calls in the evening. The majority of our parents work in the next city over. (We are your regular Mayberry town) If that's your case you could have those parents to pick up some needed things for you.

I don't think think that you have to spend 20 or more hours a week at school to be a volunteer. Every little bit helps. I hope you keep pushing the issue, I am sure you will receive a lot of good advice from this board.