This year we are having the Harlem Wizards play against our staff of the middle school. Found the wizards from the PTO today website banner.
Pop popcorn and sell for 50 cents during lunches. Kids love it and maybe some parents will want to help.
People this year are already excited because we are only doing 3 general meetings. Sept to outline the year, Jan to update and May to wrap up.
Our principal invited me (this year's prez) to speak to the parents at orientation and walk thru! He put me in the program so that he still had things to tell them after I was done, so they stuck around. I mostly told them we wanted to have fun, oh, and to make our children's education the best it could be. Pointed out our Taffy Apple sale, Krispy Kreme, popcorn, concessions. Concessions brings in lots of money and you do not need to charge a lot. Candy 50 cents. Water and pop $1.
I asked our principal to address the teachers before the beginning of the school year. He planned it in! Not when they had a break, but during his presentation so that I could have their full attention. Want them all to hear we are reimbursing them each $50 for approved purchases.
Inflatables are a great time for 6, 7 and 8th grades. Family night in the gym with inflatables (the obstacle course is awesome!), cotton candy, popcorn, drinks...its a party!! Raffles. Silent Auction for the kids.
We are trying a new fund raiser this year where in exchange for a donation the person receives a sheet of coupons to local businesses! So far everyone loves the idea: no selling, ordering, delivering. Nothing but 80-90% profit!!
I want people to say 'cool, the PTO' not, 'oh, no, the PTO!'
We have the automated phone system this year we are going to use to remind parents of meetings. Never thought to have activities or a movie in the gym for the children. We will try this. thanks
What are the Family night events you guys do?
Getting parents involved at the middle school level is tough. When my daughter was in middle school, we were lucky to have 5 parents at our meetings. Fundraising was a huge challenge. The best advice I can give you is to send home letters, reminders, start a monthly newsletter, make phone calls. Have refreshments during meetings and offer "babysitting" so parents can focus on the meeting. Have activities in the school gym or allow the children to watch a movie.
Plan several Family Nights throughout the school year to get parents in the building. This might spark an interest in a few of them.
Need help! Need ideas on how to get more parent involvement in middle school PTO. This is our second year and last year we had less than 5 parents showing up at our meetings, and not a lot of help with fundraising. I took over as the president for this year and would like to start the year off with success. Any ideas?
