I sent them out this year and did not get very many back either. Some teachers stated that they didn't know much about the PTO therefore had no comments. One teacher thought that the PTO was for parents only and never attended because there kids were not in school yet. All teachers that did reply stated that they never had attended a meeting...which is true. None of them do.

Then I had teachers stating that it would be nice if we did things through out the year to show our appreciation to them instead of just during appreciation week...

No one really had any suggestions...

PTO Grandma, I'm sorry to hear that you didn't get the response you were hoping for. I am happy to say that in every group I've ever been involved, we've always enjoyed great participation and postive feedback from the faculty and staff.

Perhaps in a situation where meeting attendence and survey feedback are low, folks might consider one on one conversations or an agenda slot during a faculty meeting.

Many schools conduct routine parent teacher conferences. If you note an opening on the schedules, perhaps the officers can write in requests to meet and spend some great quality time with teachers then?

Good Luck in getting teachers to respond to your survey. I sent one out at the beginning of the year and received one response! I will say how ever that many turned up for our first PTO Meeting this year which is highly unusual, but then again it was only the first meeting, we will see how long it lasts!

Here are the questions and choices we on a copied survey. Of course, some of them are specific to their school, and wouldn't apply everywhere:

1) What grades do you teach? Check all that apply.
Pre-K, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,

2) Our PTO does fundraisers to pay for different projects, teacher requests, and activities. What would you like to see the earned money used for? Check as many ideas as you like.
A. Playground improvement
B.Family Activities (Game Night, Reading Night, etc...)
C. Library books/materials
D. Teaching supplies/materials
E. Educational assemblies
F.Walkway cover for the front drop-off area
G. Computers, software,technology-related items
H. Paved jogging track
I. Cafeteria noise reduction
J.Poster-making machine(banners, signs, publicity ads, etc...)
K.Additional field trips
L. Walkway cover between the new wing and the 5th grade hallway
M. Other idea (please tell us!)

3. Of your choices in the previous question, which two should get the highest priority?

4. PTO's use all sorts of ways to raise money for their schools. Check the ones that you would be willing to support here at.

A. Catalog sales(variety of items)
B. Recycling (cell phones, printer cartridges, etc..)
C.Single-item sales (pizza kits, cookie dough, coupon books, etc...)
D.Penny collections
E.Flat-rate donation per child
F. Raffles
G. Carnival/Auction
H. General Mills Box Tops for Education
I. Spaghetti suppers, pizza dinners, etc...
J.Restaurant "Family Nights"
K. Community-wide garage sale
L. Jog-a-thon, Read-a-thon, etc...
M. None of these

or

We all know how little spare time you have and how valuable it is, but to help the PTA help you, we are asking that you complete this survey and return it to the PTA mailbox as soon as possible.

How long have you been at the school?


Did you attend the recent “OPEN HOUSE” night? If so, did you find it helpful?


Have you ever attended a PTA meeting at the school?


Do you feel that the PTA is meeting your needs as a teacher?


Is there anything that you feel the PTA could be doing to better meet the needs of the staff, students, or parents of the school?


If you have any other comments or concerns, please use this space to address them and thank you very much for your time.

Absolutely! I think the more you reach out to them and ask for their input, the more they open up to you and help your team!

Search the message boards for 'staff survey' and 'teacher survey' for some advice on how to do that.

Do you think it would be a good idea to have some sort of survey to get teacher input on things?( to avoid further confusion)