Idea Bag

  • How to Organize Your Digital Event Photos

    Are you the designated historian of your PTO or PTA? Or maybe, you are simply the person who happens to have a knack for photography and brings your camera to all the events. Either way, you are left with the task of organizing all those photos. And often (not always!) if you were blessed with the creative gene, you didn't get the organization gene. If you fit into that category, sorting through and organizing those digital photos can be down right daunting. Can you tell that I speak from experience? So, I recently did a little research on best ways to organize photos and thought I'd share what I learned.

  • My Tip of the Week: Create Programs that Impact Student Achievement

    PTOs and PTAs build school community in many important ways. And research shows that this alone can help students and teachers succeed. But do you do anything that directly impacts student achievement?

  • My Tip of the Week: Grants for School Improvement Projects

    The involvement events, teacher/staff support, and student enrichment activities that your parent group makes happen are all vital to your school community. But sometimes -- bet we could even say often -- PTOs and PTAs are asked to help with larger projects to enhance learning at the school.

  • Parent Groups in the News Round-up - 8/28/10

    Hope everyone had a great week. Thanks to those who replied to my Facebook request and sent along article links! Here's the top-line of the most interesting articles of the week.

  • Parent Groups in the News Round-up -- 9/10/10

    Found a mish mash of interesting articles this week! Lots of things for you to ponder over the next week.

  • Video Blog: The Importance of an International Night

    Wouldn't it be great if our PTOs, PTAs and school events had equal representation from every ethnic group in our schools? But, it's harder than you think, isn't it? Language barriers and cultural differences often prevent many families from connecting to the school community. This week Tim talks about an event that is a great starting point for reaching out to minority groups at your school and forging new connections.

  • Spirit Cups, Spring Fundraising and Product Quality

    We've been working with these guys at Spirit Cups Fundraising for a while now, and I really like the product. Might be because I'm a college sports nut, but I know I'm not alone in that.  The real reason, though, is the uniqueness and the quality. Plus these folks seem like good guys. Worth a look if you're looking for an add-on spring fundraiser.

  • My Tip of the Week: How To Raise More Funds at Your Auction

    Quick tip this week, but I'm hopeful it can make you extra hundreds or thousands at your next school auction. I call it the "quickie live auction" -- and it's a great way to make sure you maximize your dollars from your silent auction. (You can find a whole slew of additional auction tips and ideas on our dedicated PTO and PTA auctions resources page.)

  • Parent Groups in the News Round-up 11/19/10

    What family fun nights does your school do? We'd love to hear about them in the blog comments, on our message boards (add your ideas to the family night ideas thread) or on Facebook.

  • Video Blog: Is Your PTO or PTA Serving Parents?

  • My Tip of the Week: Host Family Nights to Build Community at Your School

  • Join our Teacher Appreciation Chat

    What: We'll be using hashtag #PTOtalk to talk about all things Teacher Appreciation! Where: On Twitter, of course! Party on our Custom Tweetgrid (Use hashtag #PTOtalk) When: Wednesday, October 6th, 2PM EST (1PM CET, 12noon GMT, 11 PST) - 3:30PM Why: To have some fun brainstorming creative ways to show teachers appreciation Who: We'll be hosting the party (@PTOtoday & @TimPTO) and will be joined by our friends from VolunteerSpot: @Volunteerspot @VspotMom Featured Guests: @CarissaRogers @TeachMama @ZiggityZoom @SmartPlayBlog... and you!

  • My Tip of the Week: Steal This Email

    Before we sign off for the year, I thought I'd write an email for you to use for the New Year. Please feel free to steal it or edit it to make it your own

  • Trend Watch: Families Sprucing Up Schools

    Parent groups bring new ideas to the traditional school beautification day.

  • My Tip of the Week: Provide Parenting Resources to Your Community

    Besides providing great family activities and supporting your school with resources and volunteers, are you helping the parents at your school become better school parents? It's an often-overlooked role of the best parent groups around the country.

  • Date Book: Parent Involvement Day

    Parent Involvement Day 2010 is Nov. 18; here are some ways to tap into the parent power at your school.

  • Video Blog: Get Healthy School Kids Gift Packs

    Sign up now to participate in our 2011 Healthy School Kids program, and you could get health and wellness gift packs to distribute to parents at an upcoming school family event!

  • Trend Watch: School Reading Gardens

    PTOs promote literacy by creating special places for kids to curl up with a book.

  • Blog Give-Away: Free House Cleaning & Lysol Gift Pack

    To take the sting out of the season we are running a blog give-away. How would you like to win* a gift certificate good towards a professional house cleaning and a gift pack chock full of Lysol cleaning products? Cool, right?!

  • My Tip of the Week: Give Your Teachers a Valentine

    Usually I save my annual "candy bar poem" tip for Teacher Appreciation Week, but I actually think it may be even better as a Valentine's Day gift for the teacher's lounge. With the candy and all, y'know?
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