It sounds like a couple of things are happening.

With your PTO as a school committee basically run by the principal, teachers might feel as though your strong leaders are 'spies' for the principal. It sounds a little childish, but our grou ran into this when we were part of the school. Our leaders were seen as the principal's toadies. It wasn't very negative or anything, but that was the sense I had.

A teacher's classroom is their little world where they are in charge. When they get the sense that they are being told what to do with their space, they tend to get defensive. Like a vamoire, you need to getthem to invite you in. Our group also has a 'failed room parent' story.

I also think you need to start saying no. If events won't happen unless you run everything, then pick the ones you feel are most important and let the rest go. You can't be expected to do everything.

No Frustration= Mix Coldbeer (Magaritas, Tequilla or elixir of choice)+ PTO Ub Pg2 X 3 deep cleansing breaths * Dartboard

Shawnfuscious Relativity of Frustration Equation

It happens eventually- If you didnt care you wouldnt be frustrated therefore it makes you a better person

Communication is the key-- OUtline goals, projects, ideas, mission -- then discuss ideas (and get theirs) wuth Principal, Teahcers, Staff and Parents

Maybe all the school needs is a "Hey, we're working on ideas for goals and needs for school this year-- What are your main concerns priorities, etc---

"You catch more flies with honey"
Author unknown (by me, at least)

Term limits would be great IF there were officers. I have been the only President since 2001 when the group formed. We used to have a Vice President until she stopped showing up to meetings due to conflict with new job hours. The secretary was a teacher who took a job with the school district in an administrative role. The treasurer's son went to Middle School last year. None of these positions were filled. Our principal decided to have a PTO Leader, me, ehich is fine! The principal has the checkbook and takes care of it.

Last year we had a new PTO mom who volunteered to chair for the Christmas Store and worked very limited hours at it. I ended up working all day every day and packed it up. Then she asked me how it turned out. To me, if you are going to chair an event, you should at least check in during the event, not wait until days later after everything is said and done. I chaired Movie Night, worked bookfair. Then another mom volunteered to chair the Teacher Appreciation Dinner. As we were going over all the details that needed done, she assigned the whole thing to me since I had done it every year since. I did everything except actually rent the hall, and then half of the teacher no showed due to a conflict with the principal.

I can not help but think that because the principal loved the room parent idea, that the teachers are still mad and are not going along with the idea. I see this as a vicious cycle. The principal made changes that the teachers do not like. The teachers are mad and since the principal liked the idea, they do not want the parents around. If parents feel like they are not wanted, they will not volunteer. The parents already do not for the most part get involved as it was. I hope it does not get worse.

All of you make such good points. This is my second year being president. I took over mid way though the school year last year. I had a big learning curve and little help.

This year our school district has limited all PTO fundraising to 6 per year. I thought "Wow, 6 per year!" Now I wish it was more. 2 of our fundraisers are bookfairs which we don't get money but books. Another fundraiser is a PJ raffle on a Pajama literacy night in September. That's 3 out 6 already. Then we've planned a cookie mix fundraiser for October. That's number 4.
Now that's fustrating and still have the rest of the school year to think about.

Help!

[ 08-17-2006, 09:38 PM: Message edited by: mommymarek ]

I agree, we ALL get frustrated or worn down at some point in our service. That's why there are term limits! [img]smile.gif[/img] Honestly, we have had extremely poor parental support and the same responses from teachers as you. We got a new principal this year and she required every teacher to get a parent to represent their class. That doesn't mean they have to be a teacher's assistant or party coordinator, but a tool for that teacher and their class to get their needs across and to help with those events that we need volunteers for. To be honest, I spent almost 12 hours at enrollment trying to get parents to sign up for this but most of them that agreed were asked by their teacher. Sometimes that makes the difference. Can you talk to your principal about trying to get more parents involved in the school (not classrooms) if only for the sake that studies show that involement will increase attendance, grades, and (the big one) test scores?
If that doesn't work, just look for ways to do the best with what you have. We've only had 2 parents on our PTO for the last 3 years and have still managed to have a great carnival, excellent events, and keep the majority of students, parents and teachers happy. Our Asst. Principal always tells me we do such a good job that other parents don't feel inclined to help.

CC makes some great points. Also remember that if this is a new idea, some people are resistant to change. The teachers may feel that the room parents will be used as "spies" or that their experience with room parents is that the parents only want to work with their own child and it can become a very disruptive experience for the whole class.

Do I like working with my child's teacher? Yes, but then I know that my daughter wants all the attention when I'm in her room, so I volunteer (when I can) to work with a different teacher in the same grade. This way I still know what is happening in her classroom/grade.