PTA questions

jensriot

I really want to get involved with DDs school and am considering joining the PTA. Who else is a member? Do you love it, hate it? Tell me about your experiences please. Do you think there are better ways to contribute? Thanks!

mandymack

Every PTA is different but ours is the heart of our schools. Mainly because our state budget cuts removed all PE, art, music, and other "extras"/staff from the schools just to barely scrape by and keep them open. It's really tragic

Our PTA fund-raises over $150k every year with memberships ($10/ea), Read-a-thons, Cookbook/Yearbook sales, Dad's club events, Spring Auction, sports events, etc. And those events pay for everything at the school from Art and Garden programs, GATE support, Teacher allotment, our Therapist, fieldtrips, classroom enrichment, etc. Literally everything that's an "extra" at the school our PTA pays for so, every single parent joins and volunteers in some way either donating money if they work and/or can't volunteer their time.

Since I had Nolan when Emily started Kindy, I didn't do much other than help with class parties and making copies/laminating for her Teacher. In 1st grade, I joined the Go Green Committee and helped with Earth Week and our school's recycling/composting efforts. This year, I'm on the PTA board as Treasurer and am still on the Go Green Committee.

To me, these are easy ways I can really give back to the school. I also try to give money or a few hours here and there when they ask for volunteers for specific events.

jensriot

Thank you for your response! From their calendar and last year accomplishments, they seem like a pretty active group. One of my biggest concerns is not being able to participate fully because I do have the other two littles at home all the time. I'll use this year to get my feet wet a bit and hopefully get more and more involved as my younger ones grow.

mrsrobinsontobe

I just became VP of our PTO...It's a great group of people who work together to help out the teachers and the school. Something we are stressing this year is the idea that you can get involved as much or as little as you please!

On a social level, it's fun to meet the moms of your kids friends. We go out for apps/drinks after most meetings. It's also important! I like that there are lots of parents who have the best interest of my child in mind. Teachers/administrators notice all we do too...doesn't hurt, that's for sure!!!

jnksmom

Our PTA is very active in our school. They usually raise money for a specific project and then have extra for other things like field trips, teacher supplies, iTunes cards for the teachers classroom iPads, etc. they also help fund the school clinic and provide volunteers to work the clinic because we share a nurse with another school. They provide food to those families in need every Friday with help from a local church. Some big projects they have funded recently are active boards and ipads in every classroom, a technology lab, new playground equipment, a science lab.


I helped with PTA events last year and
am a committee chair this year. I enjoy being involved, helping the school, and meeting new people.

mandymack

JenS2203 said:

Thank you for your response! From their calendar and last year accomplishments, they seem like a pretty active group. One of my biggest concerns is not being able to participate fully because I do have the other two littles at home all the time. I'll use this year to get my feet wet a bit and hopefully get more and more involved as my younger ones grow.

Great idea! This year, our VP of Membership had each committee draw up a one page "who are we, what do we do, how you can help" info sheet that is going home in every first day packet so parents can easily see what type of commitment is needed and which interests them. I think this is genius! You can sign up to do little things like write late slips, empty the glue stick recycling carton 1x/mo, volunteer for lunch/yard duty 1 day or multiple days, you can bring a dish to the Staff appreciation luncheon, etc., etc. You just cherry pick from one or all the committees!   I hope you can find some ways to volunteer where you can maybe bring your child - I brought Nolan to just about everything.  GL this year!