Pals - your signature says it all, "when you stop learning, you stop growing." Do it!

Your school and district are lucky to have you. It won't be easy, but that's why YOU are being asked.

Our high shcool's PTO focuses strictly on parent information & education. Each month they invite a different speaker from in/out the district. For example, in the fall, one of the counselors reviewed the new graduation requirements in our state and how our district has responded. This month there's a speaker on parent/teen relationships. The principal always gives an update on the state of the school, the Athletic Director talks about the sports programs, and I suppose other teachers might come to promote their programs as necessary. I haven't seen any request for volunteers coming from the highschool PTO. Each special-interest group has their own volunteers: band, drama, each sports team, etc. It might depend on the size of your highschool. We have nearly 2,000 kids, so there's lots of kids, lots of groups, and lots of parents already involved in various ways.

Have fun and report back so we can all learn from your experience.

pzettler thanks for the words, I already know backpack express is not an option, I am looking more at the schools web site, local newspapers, school newsletter that is mailed home, as well as an info table whenever possible(open house,concerts, a few key sporting events).

I am excited that fundraising is a minimial with our school, I hate doing that anyways...YEAH!! I also am not looking to get parents into the school during the day, face it they dont need parents helping kids in classroom, putting away books, etc. I do know that sometimes the afterschool groups could use help ex. drama club with costumes, so that is more of a direction to go with hands on volunteering.

I think another key aspect is like group forums on high school topics such as internet protection, financial aid, yada yada. The group has also helped alot in the past with school functions such as Honor Breakfast, Senior Day, etc. So I do realize it is a total different extreme and I would be stupid to not accept that...ha ha ha!

All that aside it sounds like a challenge and I am still looking for input!

The administration made it clear to me early on that fundraising was NOT a priority for the middle school PTO. There are so many more athletic and other booster groups competing for the money. This should still be the same or worse in high school. We focus on activities that pull parents to the school in the evenings.

Reaching the parents will be more difficult. When was the last time you managed to get your high school child to to let you go through a backpack to find an invitation to a PTO meeting. You're going to need serious help from the administration. I was able to expand membership at the middle school at beginning of the year events by standing in the entrance with a card table, PTO membership forms, lots of pencils and a loud voice. This year I worked with the school secretaries and got membership forms included in packets of forms the parents had to fill out. When they are already filling out forms, this is the best time to get them. I'm thinking of asking for a web link from the school web site to a free monitored (by me) google group that would allow others to sign themselves up for email also.

Given the two wage earner society, you likely won't find too many parent volunteers that stay home with other younger children that haven't started school yet. For me this meant meetings as late as teacher sponsors would stand for. 6pm for me. Also this meant that the things we do tend to be more in the evenings.

At the first PTO meeting, of this, the second year, we got a couple of parents involved in an intervention program, it's an in school tutoring program.

Hey pals! Go for it!! If anyone can do this, it's you. Obviously the school needs help from its' parents, and the "powers that be" think you can do it so you should get positive support from the administration and staff.

I know that I've found middle school to be a completely different animal from elementary and I'm sure high school is even more challenging in the area of parent involvment both from the standpoint of the parents wanting to be involved and the children wanting their parents involved. Here's where I would look to the administration and staff for what their expectations are. You might want to tie your group in somewhat at least with the student council and/or other student run groups to get their input on what parents can do to help the school. I'm sure you'll get some great ideas and be able to put together some programs that will benefit your school.

Good luck with your efforts and post what you do on here please. There isn't much on here in relation to high school groups.

Oh yeah, and "Yes" you are crazy, but aren't we all?!!!!

Okay so after six years as president of a elementary parent group, I have been 'visiting' the idea of taking over our high school parent group. I am being 'encouraged' by the assistant super, principal, vice principals, school board pres....yada yada. This group has been ran by staff members for so long I can't seem to get a answer when the last time parents ran it! It is long overdue to some serious building up...it has so much potential!

Without a doubt this is a huge task, the staff members who have been running it have done a GREAT job but some parents are complaining that it is not parent run. This year I have only seen about six different parents involved with the group, but hey when I started at the elementary level we only had five! I have strong support from some very key people in our district to be a major part of this but am truly wondering if there are any words of advice???

I know it will be totally different from what I am use to but love a challenge and have a strong background in building and pushing parent involvement. I believe my history involving parent involvement is why I am being looked at to do this. Our high school is on the states list of being in need of improvement and parent involvement is one area being pushed, thats where I come in! I guess I am looking for any insights, input, advice, before I totally comitt to this idea! A part of me is excited thinking of the possibilities and what it could mean to our school and the other part of me is like WHAT!!!!

Am I CRAZY!!!!