Our town will actually be starting a "middle school" of 5th&6th grade students next year. Our district superintendent has started a PTO Executive Council that is comprised of officers from the 5 existing elementary school and the administrator from each school. At our first meeting we discussed at length what we could do to help a PTO be in place for the opening day of middle school in the fall of 2009. We all felt that it is VITAL to have a structured group in place before school starts if there is going to be parent involvement, that is the parents are more likely to be involved if they can see there is organization, planning and goals.

I too am working to build a stonger parent group at our Middle School (750 kids, grades 6-8). We've had a group for years, but it's been mostly about raising money (most of which went to the staff) and feeding people (staff apprec, student reward lunches). There really hasn't been any emphasis on parent involvement. We're trying to change that.

I just can't accept that the middle school parent wants to or should walk away from volunteering at school. I believe (and hope to prove!) that if we make it easy, if we make them feel welcome, if we get the staff on board, we can get lots of hands-on support from our parents. We're using the 2 Hour Power model this year. So far, we have about 20 parents who have earned their "lightening bolt" for volunteering at least 2 hours. Is it hokey? Yes, a little, but everone appreciates a little recognition for their efforts, even adults. Kids may say they don't want Mom and Dad volunteering at school, but I don't give the kids a vote on this.

By far, our biggest challenge getting the PTO to evolve has been COMMUNICATION. No homeroom, monthly (not weekly) school newsletters, and the invalid assumption that the MS kids are successfully communicating school announcements at home have really made it hard for us to get information to our parent community. But we aren't giving up. Email, website, face to face presence at concerts, sports, etc., and lots more ideas will hopefully increase the PTO's visibility.

All the good PTO skills I learned in elementary school (and from PTOToday) are definately being put to the test in this new environment!

Our school is 6th - 8th with 950 students. There is a huge drop in parent involvement when kids go to middle school, but I've found that a lot of parents really still want to be involved. They just don't know how to do it if their child isn't in one of the special groups like band, athletics, etc.

Some people are afraid of embarrassing their kids, but I just don't get that at all. I told my daughter that she would just have to live with it, because I was going to be every bit as involved as I was at the elementary level - and that it would be okay. After just a couple of months in the new school, she decided that it was actually "cool" to have her mom involved. She usually doesn't even see me when I'm there during the day, of course, but all of her teachers, the administrative staff, and the cafeteria staff know me. I simply feel that it's very important to have those lines of communication established, and it makes my job as PTO president a lot easier.

And now, in our second year at the school, many kids greet me and even hug me when they see me. Middle schoolers! After I organized and emceed the talent show last spring, a couple of her new friends even called us, asked to speak to me, and told me I rocked! Three students have said they wish their moms would volunteer at school. Pre-teens still need their parents to be parents!!!

Now, I also have an almost full-time job, so a lot of my involvement as PTO president is coordinating events, not necessarily hands-on weekly/monthly tasks. I do a lot of PTO work by email. LOTS of communication, even with those who can't/don't attend meetings. People respond when you show how much you care.

Same thing here. Our middle school is grades 5-8 (650 students). Our problem is over the past few years with administration turnover; morale was at an all time low for both teachers and parents. I came aboard in the middle of last year and it was pretty pathetic. I started doing more. It was just me, but I was able to identify what needed done and where we could do more. It didn't take long to be noticed. I got help from some friends, talked to more and more parents via school events, sports, etc. This year, we got an amazing turnout. To continue with this, I try to communicate as much as I can; I'm not afraid to ask for help. You just need to keep plugging away at it. If something doesn't work; find another way to make it work. Good Luck.

We just started a middle school PTO a few months ago. Our middle school has never had a parent group, and we serve around 650 students (7th & 8th) and 65 staff. We started with the idea of being a bridge for communication and volunteer needs. We purchased the PTO Today Start Up Kit and away we went. We are currently waiting to see if the IRS deems our application worthy.
To get the teachers on board we made teacher "Happys" that had a large bag of M&Ms, a "Teacher Wish List"; "Teacher Volunteer Needs Form"; along with a business card with the President and Volunteer Coordinators phone and email addresses to place on their computer desk for quick reference. Our volunteer coordinator has made a customize volunteer pledge sheet with the information she received from the "Teacher Wish List"; we started our own "Adopt-A-Classroom" program. Already, within 6 weeks of school starting we have had $1,190 in donations to our Adoption program and teachers are beginning to contact our volunteer coordinator that need help.
As we are just starting out, we are feeling our way; currently we invite ALL parents to attend meetings and so far we are having parents come. This is really nice as it's beginning to expand our volunteer base. Which is currently around 30 or so. With the large variety of volunteer opportunities on our list (which the teachers asked for), parents can just place a check mark on what they wish to do and when.
We hope to have several parenting lectures this year and provide resources on parenting issues. This will be for our middle school age children but all the community will be welcome.
To get some ideas you are welcome to go to our school website at Petal School District and chose the middle school. Our PTO pages are under the "Information" tab. Actually, that is what I did to get ideas; I googled middle school ptos/ptas and just surfed the sites. There are some excellant ideas, fundraisers, activities, and newsletters that can give you some excellant ideas to try and grab those middle school parents. Good luck! Cindy

Hello! I am currently on the boeard at a large (952 students) middle school. I have been quite active in the elementary and middle school PTO's for quite a few years,a nd on the board several times. We noticed the same thign...a big drop in the types of activities and support that the school/staff/students needed from us. We have had some success partnering with the Student Council to help them (and us!) plan a Staff Appreciation week. The staff actually listed this as theior favorite, since the kids were integrally involved in the planning and execution. We also established a school store, open each day during lunch periods. We have gotten about 15 new volunteers this year to pull this off...it seems a lot of these parents want to see what is going on at lunch! We also started a school spirit wear store, which has been a great success...and a fundraiser as well. We planned a "Back to School" supply sale for busy parents-kit was all boxed up, just needed picked up. We share in a district wide (4 middle schools) program called the Parent Programming Team, that hires speakers on topics relelvant to middle schoolers PARENTS(not students-ex: cutting, drug awarenesss, eating disorders, internet safety) that is somewhat well attended, depending on the topic. We have found most people want to help still, but are afraid they will embarass their child. I actually asked my son before I agreed to serve on teh board. The great thing about middle school is that I can put in hours of time, and he won't even see me...which works out well. I do have several kids that have no problem speaking to me...but they aren't my own!
Good luck to you!
Kelly