Idea Bag

  • Notes of Apology

  • Back-to-School Block Party

  • Mustache-a-Thon (Not Kidding)

    I don't get surprised too often, but this one is new to me.  And I love it! A bunch of dads (and even some moms!) got hairy when this Washingon state PTA held a mustache-a-thon.

  • Car Show adds to PTO Carnival

    Here's a twist on the traditional schoolyard carnival. This PA PTO combined their fair with a classic car show and not only added some fun and interest to their day but made some nice extra bucks, too.  Great work!

  • Rocket Boosts PTA Auction

    Need to build excitement for your auction? Consider the example of the Hollis (N.H.) Elementary Schools' PTA, which secured a one-of-a-kind donation for its online auction--a rocket payload valued at $25,000. The chance to send an object into space stirred the imagination of kids and parents alike, and attracted media attention for the group's online and live auctions.

  • File Exchange Version 2.0

    Thought I'd give a quick heads-up that my favorite new tool on the site -- our File Exchange -- has been redesigned and upgraded. Better than ever.

  • Elections and Transition - Useful Articles

    I just got the heads up that our editorial team posted 2 new articles...just in time for elections & transition season!

  • Love Your Veggies Grants

    Love to see good results from a program we played a (small) role in.  Here's a great result ($10,000 grant) from this past year's Love Your Veggies school grant program, sponsored by Hidden Valley.  PTO Today -- through our connection with so many schools -- helped manage the back-end of this program for Hidden Valley.

  • PTO's Sense of Humor Pays Off

    The PTO at Pine Grove Elementary in Rowley, Mass. knows how to tell a good joke. When the school entered a contest for a makeover of its PE equipment room, the PTO helped produce a video top 10 list of the reasons the school deserved to win. Apparently the message got across, because Pine Grove was named a runner-up in the contest, earning a $1,000 prize.

  • Turtle Races?

    Yup, turtle races. Love the creativity of these PTOers in Massachusetts, who are planning a ton of activities centered on a man-made river (in the schoolyard) with plastic turtles floating downstream. The article contains really good detail on the build-up and plans for the turtle race event, which is a big fundraiser for a new playground project. Nice job.

  • PTO Appreciation

    Now, that's what we're talking about! Most of our appreciation stories here are of PTOs appreciating teachers or PTO leaders appreciating volunteers. But this Kansas school turns that story (rightfully) on its head with a great, creative appreciative event honoring the PTO. Very cool.

  • A Good Flocking in New Jersey

    Jersey columnist does a nice job capturing the spirit of a local PTO's "flocking" event (think: pink flamingos on a parent's lawn).

  • "Stock the School" (with books)

    Love the spirit and the results of this North Carolina PTO's efforts. Group put together a fun family event (during summer break, no less) where incoming students brought in books from home to donate to school classrooms.

  • Cash for parent groups -- now there's a platform we can get behind

    Naked ploy for votes? Or commitment to parent involvement? Frankly, we don't care -- we just love it!

  • Comprehensive Involvement Prescription

    Impressed by this feature from Michigan, where author captures both the importance of involvement and the challenges of growing involvement at the elementary, middle and high school levels. A good read...

  • Bigger Fundraising Events in Michigan

    This trend started before the economy cratered (though reporter makes the connection), but this Michigan piece is still interesting. More and more Michigan groups organizing major community events for their fundraising. Piece profiles several.

  • Birthday Club and Your PTO

    (Note: cross-post from our schoolfamily.com blog). Really like this idea spearheaded by a couple of kids down in Florida.

  • School Make-Over in Arkansas

    Local PTO, principal and a local church group looking for a project team up in a big way to transform a school.

  • Help Optimize an Important New Product

    I can't think of a better group for this than us active volunteer leaders, so I've got a request: One of our best partners (Symantec/Norton) is working on a pretty exciting new development around keeping our kids safe online.

  • PTO's Parent University Impresses

    Here's a concept I hope you can run with. Check out this day-long, free "Parent University" put on by a Nevada PTO. What a service for the community's families. Fifty parents attended and I'm sure got a ton of benefit, but every family in that school received a very clear message on what this PTO is all about.
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