We spent two years raising money to put new computers in each of our 40 classrooms. We finished the project last spring. Just because we put the computers in the classrooms doesn't mean we can make the teachers use them. The idea was the teachers would all get access to email (and use it) and the kids would use the computers as a learning station during the day.
It has been extremely disappointing to find some of the teachers have NEVER turned on the computers. We have discussed this over and over with the principal, but she says she can't force her staff to use them. Many of the staff are older and computer illiterate, which isn't really an excuse because the school district provides free training.
The worst part is that parents come up to me and ask why they donated money if the computers aren't being used.
Our media center computers all need to be upgraded and we are going to go to those teachers that don't use the computers and make them give us their computers.
BTW - because we are in a large district and are NOT a Title 1 school we receive NO technology equipment at all from our district. It all has to be purchased privately by our parent group or donated by parents.
Our group has discussed purchasing computers, but only for the lab and to be used in the classroom areas where students utilize them for reading tests and such. We raise our funds to improve the educational opportunities for our children, so buying computers for teacher only use would not fit that criteria.
OUR PTO DOES NOT BY SPECIFIC THINGS FOR JUST THE TEACHERS LIKE COMPUTERS BUT WE BOUGHT DVD AND TV'S FOR THEIR CLASS WE FEAL THAT THE CHILDREN SHOULD BENIFIT FROM THE PURCHACES NOT JUST THE TEACHERS. MOST SCHOOLS HAVE A COMPUTER LAB OR A COMPUTER IN THE CLASS ROOM SO THEY COULD USE THEM I DO NOT THANK THEY NEED LAP TOPS THAT IS A WASTE OF MONEY ANOTHER THING TO THINK OF IF THEY HAVE THESE WILL THAT TAKE THE TEAHERS TIME AWAY FROM THE STUIDENTS BEACUSE THEY ARE TO BUSY WORKING ON THE COMPUTER i THINK THE MONEY COULD BE SPENT BETTER BUT THAT IS JUST MY OPNION.
Our fall fundrasier money is the core for our annual budget. In the past, the PTO did not use a budget and would go crazy with the fall fundraiser and wouldn't have money at the end of the year for field trips, 5th grade recognition and other requests. You might also consider keeping a small surplus amount in your account in case next year's fundraiser doesn't go so well. As for getting computers donated, I worked for a non-profit that got computers from Dell for free as long as they purchased all of the software. Pepsi used to offer a way to get computers in schools. Most importantly, I would check with your school board to see what they think or if they have any ideas on this. You wouldn't believe how many times teachers beg for something and when the PTO finally gets the funds to pay for it, the school district either says there was a reason they didn't want the school to have it or they had money marked to pay for it and ask why no one asked them.
The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating-in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life. --Anne Morris
We have purchased computers for the classrooms going back a bit and to get the teachers to use even those to put updates on the school's website is difficult. (They most likely have the kids use them in the classrooms) I have been at the administration for awhile saying that the teachers never utilize their assigned pages, EVER ... I know there are a lot of them who are not very computer literate and I have a BIG problem with that too. I would say buying laptops for teachers is not a good way to spend your groups money... spend it on the overall population of your students. (my two cents worth )
Hi all. Our PTO is in discussion with members of our teaching staff on how to spend the money raised from our fall fundraiser. One thing we have been asked to consider is laptop computers for the teachers. Have any of you ever spent your funds on computers for teachers? Our district is working toward having grades and class info posted on the web by each teacher parents will have a code and can log on to see progress, info from the teacher, etc. I personally can see benefit of them having the computers. I am on the fence as to whether this is something a PTO should purchase. As with most school district money is tight and I don't see these machines coming from regular operating funds. Along this same line, does anyone know of grants available or how to apply for them?
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