I haven't had the stress of having a school close, but I have had the experience of working with the PTO of a school that was closing and the students were coming to our school.
First I would invite someone from the administration to come to your school and speak at a PTO meeting on all the issues involved in the closing. That way all the parents can have an opportunity to hear firsthand and at the same time what will be going on with their children. We began joint meetings with our PTOs a few months before the closing/consolidation happened.
Have a meeting for parents where the counselor or someone educated in the area can speak to them about how to help your children and yourselves handle the changes. Children pick up on the stress their parents are feeling and it affects them deeply. Give your parents the tools they need to deal with it all.
Keep the lines of communication flowing. Keep parents updated weekly on status of the changes through newsletters or even short meetings.
Plan a family event to say goodbye to your school. It will provide a last opportunity for your school families to enjoy time together, and can help to provide some closure and the feeling of moving on to a new adventure.
Make an effort to insure that the children will have an opportunity to visit their new school, before the new school year starts. That way they will be familiar with the building. Our schools even did pen pals and had joint field days so the kids could get to know each other.
Try to be as positive as you can. It's a really difficult and emotion filled situation that so many school districts are facing. Try to find the bright spots in the change.
Have any of you been involved with an elementary school closing? Our small rural school will be closing - this is a fact. I'd like to help the PTO focus on making the transition as easily as possible and NOT to focus on issues that will not save our school(example- How can we keep the school open. It simply won't happen). A bond issue was passed in our district and with the new buildings the smaller schools will be closed - that is fact.
Personally I have spoke with the super. and all but one school board member. The purpose of these conversations is communication and for them to understand our family's feelings. I have not spoken on behave of the PTO - yet. What I said: 1) Give us a date so we can make plans for which school our children will attend AND so that we can use our PTO funds well. 2) Allow us choice of school(another el ed school closed in our district several years ago and those families were allowed to choose). 3) Communication between all parties, administration, BOE, staff, and parents is vital. 4) Address transportation issues.
Now, what have other PTO's done in this situation? Do you have an informational meeting for parents? Do we have a prepared statement at the public forum which will address the issue of WHEN the school will be closed? How do I help the other parents leave the school and focus on how to help their children succeed during the transition and in their new school?
If you have other advise I have not asked for please post it. There are sure to be potholes that we don't know about and we'd appreciate any and all advise from those of you that have dealt with this issue.
