I am the President of the PTSA at our middle school (1200 students) and when we have 8-10 people at the meeting, we're thrilled. Just remember, that attending a meeting doesn't mean you're involved, just like not attending doesn't mean you're not involved. I have a board member who ONLY wants to attend the meetings and do nothing else. There are many parents who can't or don't want to attend a meeting who will help with whatever needed. So don't judge parent involvement by attendence at a meeting.

I would encourage you to be involved...volunteer for something...get your feet wet and your name known so you can lite some fires. Have fun!

[ 09-17-2004, 08:10 PM: Message edited by: PTOKathy ]

I have to say that if only 8 people showed up at the FIRST meeting of the year, there may very well be something amiss... but it might be as simple as not enough advertising of the meeting. I agree with the rest: Speak 'softly' to the President (and maybe the Principal too!) about the attendance issue before assuming that it is lack of caring. It sounds more like lack of advertisement! Remember too, that even though You knew about the meeting, doesn't mean everyone else did. I've had teacherS not pass out those meeting reminders A) until after the meeting not at all. You never know...

Good Luck!

You go girl!!!!!

Keep with it the teachers will appreciate you, your school needs you....invite other parents, research ideas here to take to the meetings.

Don't give up.... Our school is small (420 kids) and only 1 teacher comes to meetings & the principal and a few fired up parents and we get tons done!! Schools need parents like you!! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

I couldn't have said it better myself njmom. We were a very dedicated PTO but we just didn't have the parents support.

Go to them, get to know them. I bet that they are so used to not getting any help, that they would be thrilled to find out someone else is willing. Start out slow. We had a very gung-ho parent who tried to come in and overtake our PTO a few years ago. While we totally appreciated her enthusiasism, it rubbed us the wrong way that she just walked in and started directing orders and demanding it her way. I did it slow, and now I count many of the members as my best friends.

Good Luck, I have a feeling you will be welcome with open arms.

Before you assume that this group needs "a little fire in their pants to get things organized", you might want to contact the PTO president and see if there are any open committee (or board) positions that you might be interested in. Many times, poor communication might be the issue - not lack of action.

I know that our PTO meetings are not well attended but many parents are simply not able to make it to our monthly evening meetings. The sparse attendance is not indicative of the very active group we have. So, give your group a chance and get involved.

I went to my first PTO meeting this week with great hopes & excitment of my family getting involved in school now that my child has started kindergarten. Although we have a small k-8 school of under 500 students only 8 showed up at the first PTO meeting of the school year. I was the only new parent with 6 of them being teachers. I see this as a BIG red flag that something is wrong. If the parents dont care how are the kids going to care about their school. Nothing was metioned about this at the meeting nor was anything finalize and put on a calender for activities. I would love to put a little fire in their pants to get things orginized and see some fun learning activities put forth for these kids. Is there any booklet or info of the basics of PTO? I would be so grateful for any help. Thanks a bunch!!