In my posting about the Campbell labels, I brought up a real issue that I see happening in our school. How do you let parents' who can not be in the school very often feel they can make a contribution? Every time a list is posted about what volunteers can do, it usually means time at school.

As an ex-president not having to please everyone, I have taken on the task of fighting for working parents. It shouldn't have to be a fight, but it is. Parents (and this will get me in trouble) who can spend lots of time at school sometimes discount the value of the contributions of those who can't.

If I had to give a reason for lack of involvement for parents, I would have to say that it is because many feel marginalized by parent groups. Our school is 50% free and reduced lunches. This means lots of working parents barely making ends meet. What can be done to help give them some ownership into the PTO?

While "doing it for the kids" is a worthwile goal, what can be done to include all parents?