Holy Cow 1300 Kindergardners.. Must be loud

I have some stuff on a boohoo breakfast or tea, parent surveys --(edit: please share here on the boards -- TS)

Shawn

[ 09-17-2006, 06:25 AM: Message edited by: Rockne ]

I hope this helps! I used 2 Hour Power to hook my fellow officers then I sent it home to parents to fill out. The replies are still coming in, I believe I sent them home 1 wk ago. I was shocked at how well it worked. Then again at our welcoming tea (first meeting of the year) I introduced it again. Make sure to state key points, its only 2 hours per year, its what works for your schedule, your interest...ta da ta da ta da. You get my point. If there is anything else I can possibly help with please let me know.

[ 09-17-2006, 06:24 AM: Message edited by: Rockne ]

I'm sorry I don't have much advice right this minute. But I'll think on it and reply soon. And I'm sure others will chime in with great advice. In the meantime, here's a response that Tim (PTOtoday founder) had for another post. Maybe you'll find it helpful too.

Love your post. It speaks directly to two things we've developed that may be of service:

1. Our 2 Hour Power program ( www.ptotoday.com/2hourpower ), which includes as a key first step asking if and how parents may want to help; and

2. Our PTO Manager/Volunteer Builder software ( www.ptotoday.com/manager ) which allows groups to track all those answers and then easily search for (and email out to) volunteers interested in helping with X, Y or Z. System will even show you how many hours those volunteers have already worked, so you can ask those who haven't helped yet before leaning back on your old regulars.

Good stuff!

Tim

Thank you that was great advice. I really appreciate it.
1st question.

This is the first year we have done this. So I will next year send out flyers with registration packets. We are a public school in a low income area. so getting registered on time is a challange.
2nd QuestionWe are linked through administration and BOE

Now question is what do I say to get them interested in becoming pres., vp., tresurer., and voting members.
I want to make sure I cover everything.

Hi Jenni,

Posting is a lot slower on the weekends so don't get discouraged if you don't get more responses until monday.

Congratulations to you for taking on such a huge job! The community is sure to benefit greatly from your efforts.

I'm curious about a few things:

1. Do parents pre-register their children? If so, how far in advance?

2. How are you linked to the rest of the primary schools? Under the same admin and/or BOE?

I've noticed that many parents are most enthusiastically involved when their children are young. It dwindles as they make their way to the older grades. I think you're right to get them involved early. The big question is: Under what kind of structure? I do hope that posters with experience in a K only school will respond. My last town had a K only school but all of their students moved up into the one 1st-8th school so our PTO just covered both.

My thought is that it would be similar to a pre-school parent group lead by the director. For example, at my son's preschool the only year to year constant was the director. Once enrollment was full she informed parents of the Apple Corp and the roles they could play. She appointed the president, vp, secretary and treasurer by choosing from willing candidates (usually first come, first serverd). All other parents were then automatically members with voting privileges. She let us follow a democratic process, stepping in with her veto power only when she truly thought our group was going astray.

The groups main areas of focus:

1. Fundraising
2. Funding fieldtrips
3. Christmas parade float
4. Christmas party
5. Teacher Appreciation lunch
6. Allocating surplus funds for classroom needs
7. End of year thank you gifts for teachers

I have a huge challange in front of me and need some help. I am a teacher at a public school with 1,300 kindergarteners. It is a kindergarten Center. This is the first year they took all the kindergartens out of the elementry buildings. I am trying to set up a PTO to get the parents involved. The challange is they are only their one year before they move on to a different building. NO ONE is helping me with anything really as far as staff. So I really need the parents to get involved. Anyways, I am planning a PTO meeting on Wed. and I need to make sure that what I say is motivating and hooks the parents in. I want to make sure I say everything and need some help. So if you have any ideas i beg you. Please please I beg you to share your ideas and support.
Thanks Jenni