Hi SHC! I know exactly what you mean. I only wanted the mailing list and not the message board that comes with it. To the best of my knowledge you can't have one without the other. But we do not utilize the message board and most members of the mailing list do not even know it exists. So no one is using it as a forum.
As for setting them up in different groups (like by grade) I did not do that, so I cannot really give you any information on the logistics of that or how it would work for you. But I think it would be more work for you.
As I posted earlier my criteria for establishing a list was that it was free, idiot proof, & that I could subscribe people myself. I established a few lists and tried them out with the other members of my board and we weeded them out till I found the one that best served my purposes. Since they are free you should try that. Set up a few of them and play around with them so that you can decided which one you like best. For me it was Google Groups. I was going to go with Yahoo at first and I just found Google groups to be much more straight forward and I was less confused by it. Good Luck!
Serendipity--some dumb questions:
Can I set up this "group" so it's really just a venue by which we send out e-mails and not really a place that serves like a "forum" if you know what I mean? I don't want a forum where folks can come and talk about the school but just a means by which to send out a group e-mail.
Another question: If I wanted to create a "group" within this address book (like I do with my AOL), do you know if that's possible? For example, if I have 200 e-mail addresses but I want to create the First Grade group, is it possible to do that with a yahoo group?
I know these are probably a dumb questions but I am not up on this kind of thing!
Thanks
Shelly
NJMOM...This year we established a website along with the mailing list. A school mailing went home in August that included a flyer with information about the website and joining the mailing list.
Then on the first day of school we sent home a PTO brochure. It contained a dues form, a volunteer oportunities form, and a form to subscribe to the mailing list. At back to school night we also had a sign up sheet for people to add their emails to for the list. When the Principal spoke at Back to School night he also urged people to join the mailing list.
If you were looking to establish a mailing list now....I would create one & then send home a flyer with a form on it for them to return to the school with their name and email addresses they want subscribed to the list. It really is the best way to stay connected and keep parents in the loop and informed.
In our school directory for the past couple of years, we have had a spot where people can include their e-mail so that is where about 1/3 of those addresses come from. Then, this year on the first day of school I had a spot where we asked for e-mail addresses on the volunteer sign-up sheet. THEN, I have been asking in the school newsletter every week for people to send me their e-mail addresses. So now we have about 2/3 of the school.
I think it will work well when I get it going.
thanks
Shelly
I just made one for the PTO to use on my regular account. On our volunteer application/sign up form, I just had a line for email address. I use mine every couple of weeks and it works great.
