Our middle school (grades 5-8) has struggled for years to increase both parent and student participation in PTO events. Over the past two years the board has worked very hard to increase involvement. We have instituted monthly PTO newsletters, a PTO email list that includes, created a partnership with the student council where they receive a portion of profits, involved the 4th graders and their parents from our feeder schools for some activities, and have started holding FUNraisers in addition to our fund raisers. This year we have committed to involve a community service aspect to each of our fundraisers, i.e. a portion of the profits donated to a local charity.

Some of our most successful activities include an annual Trivia Night where students, school staff, and parents form teams to compete against each other. We hire a professional trivia DJ, help develop age appropriate trivia questions, and provide food. In addition to the prizes given to the teams with the most points, we give prizes for best team name, best costume, best enthusiasm, etc. This year we had a waiting list for both student and parent teams. Our pizza night, held the first evening of our book fair, is always a success as well. It is a social event and benefits the book fair. Last year we signed up our school to help cook and serve for the soup kitchen in our town. This year we increased our participation. These are family events that are very well attended and we have had to turn away many volunteer families each time we have one scheduled.

This year the PTO Board began a mini-grant program for school staff. The PTO put together some funds that could be utilized for items or programs in the school that would not normally be funded through the school budget. Teachers were given an application and a deadline date. The response from the staff overwhelmed us. A small committee was formed to review all applications. Funds were awarded to seven teachers, a small number as compared to the number of applications we received. The response from parents to this program was very positive. Many have asked to be part of the committee. All parents know that this grant program can expand, but only if we are successful in our fundraising.

So, while we still think that we could do better with parent participation, the PTO board is very happy with the strides we have made and the direction in which we are headed.

While my group is not unlike what everyone is describing my big difference is the 2 main kid activities I planned. In the fall a Murder Mystery night. The kids that attended loved it but the turnout was less than slim (our park district had a teen dance the same night). My other big event is an inflatable event (bungee run, obstacle course, rock climbing wall, etc) and it is for middle school kids only. Their parents are welcome to attend and challenge their student or just watch or not come at all. Last year was the first year and I had 250 kids attend and over 25 parent volunteers. They worked in shifts of not more than 1 hr 45 minutes and were free to go. Already this year the response has been great. The event is 5 weeks away and the kids are already talking about it. I also have a copy program in place for the staff. They fill out a form and attach it to what needs to be copied. I have a group of 14 main volunteers who work on an every other week basis not more than 2 hours. This has been great for everyone!

Our middle school just started a PTO this year. Their function is to "support the teachers". I'm not real sure what that involves. They are not holding any fundraising and the only thing I know of so far is decorating for dances at the school. Much different from our elementary school.

I have my last child going through 8th grade this year. Many work at home Mom's go back to (paid!) work when their youngest kids start middle school. I did and felt that I had done my time in elementary school - pta president, chair of this and that, etc. I also became involved in a music booster group that involves the middle and high schools when my older kids joined the marching band. If there are parent booster groups some parents choose to serve there instead of in the general one.

At our MS there is a parents group but not alot of involvement with the kids is expected. Parents put together the directory in the first part of the year and get goodies for teacher appreciation, copy committee, get holiday small gifts, and help out with the student council chosen fundraisers. That's another thing - the student council picks the fundraiser and collects the orders. Parents might help with the sorting but don't touch the money. Each grade level goes on a couple of field trips and chaperones are usually invited to attend. I've been on more middle school field trips then elementary ones.

My only complaint is that the only parents that know whats going on are the ones that attend the monthly meetings. I work that day so am often clueless. I should be happy though because sometimes the meeting just turn into b***h sessions and things are re-hashed all the time without resolution. I agree that when the kids start MS, it's time to step back and think about where you want to spend your time. I'm usually home when my son gets home from school and that seems a lot more important then doing some clerical work that a (paid) secretary can do.

The ideas here are great. We are a prek-8 single PTO, three buildings on one close campus. We experience the same - lots of support at the elementary level, dwindles at middle school. We had a parent/chaperone movie night for middle school kids - of 430 kids 18 came and we had free pizza - and we let them pick them movie via vote. One of our recent successes was our Holiday Event. We had a morning pancake breakfast and asked middle school students to serve - we purchased festive ties for them and they wore dark pants and a white shirt. Volunteers cooked in our cafeteria - pancakes, sausage and all the fixins' in to go boxes and the kids served. Our chorus assembled and sang christmas songs with our music teach playing piano. For activities we had middle school kids face painting, doing family wreath decorating and in the gym we had pix with Santa and the Mrs., vendor concessions/consulants (25). Our basket raffle is always a huge success - teachers pick a theme and students donate items - we made over $2700 with presale and same day tickets. We held a bake sale with proceeds benefitting a family in need and over $400 was donated. I'm rambling - but include the middle school kids - they do want to lead. Other ideas - laser light shows are a huge hit - gym or auditorium, let them be editors for your PTO newsletter, include them in team charity events (March of Dimes, Cancer Awareness) - they love lock downs, walks for causes, car washes, candygrams, etc. Unique ways to benefit others.

My son's school just started a neat practice this week. They've started sending a daily email message to parents listing all of the things that are read over the morning announcements. Now I can read the info myself and not expect it to still be in my son's head when he gets home at the end of the day. About a billion things go through their mind between homeroom and the end of day bell. It's great to know that I no longer have to rely on him to bring this info to me.

I'm sure it took a lot of work to set up this mass email system but I, for one, am very grateful!