DD is in kindergarten and I thought that all parents were automatically members of the PTA, but apparently you actually have to sign up for it and pay a fee. Additionally I find it odd that anyone in the community can be on the PTA even if they don't have a child in the school. Is this normal? Are you on your child's PTA?
-
I went to a PTA meeting for my son's public school. The school is Prek-3 through 2nd Grade. The PTA meeting was mostly about organizing fundraisers and other events. Honestly with a full time job I do not have time to do things like collect box tops. I would rather find ways to get involved in my son's specific classroom or support the events by participating in them.
I don't think our PTA has a membership program/policy though. I might support the PTA by writing a check to join if that is a way to provide financial support to the school.
I agree that it is weird for the PTA to be open to non-parents and guardians. I have no idea what our school's policy is regarding that.
-
No, I’m not a member. I had planned on it even though I WOH full time but my kid has special needs and dealing with that all is exhausting.
You don’t have to pay to be in ours, just volunteer to help out with fundraising. I’m happy to be a “write the check” mom right now.
-
We don’t have that at our school.
-
thanks everyone, your responses are helpful
-
Our school's PTO (same thing) does a couple of things. First, they raise money for the school. That money is used to sponsor special events - assemblies for the kids (like a special fitness program, a reptile show, a theatre performance, etc.) as well as to do some special recognition events for the teachers (like a hot chocolate bar in the teacher's lounge one day). Second, they organize parent volunteers that help make school social events possible (a Halloween back to school family social, for example - with bounce castles, a pumpkin walk, games...), and organize volunteers for things like Kindergarten registration.
There are PTO committees that oversee the classroom volunteer aspect of things - the class parents are selected/instructed through the PTO, and the PTO sets up volunteer opportunities for individual classes (like volunteering in your child's art class or library time).
So it's not allllll about money, but a lot of it is - because many of the events the PTO organizes for the school double as fundraisers for in-school programs, if that makes sense.
ETA: I am a PTO member, but I'm not on a specific committee (I'm a class parent). I've volunteered at several events, but didn't want to be tied into one thing that might not fit my schedule.
-
@PinkElephant: thanks! yeah I have no problem donating to the school I just wasnt even aware that PTAs had membership fees
-
I don’t understand why non parents are on the PTA. We don’t have that here. Maybe it’s for more money?
-
At my son's school, every parent, teacher and administrator is a member by default. There are no membership fees, the charter doesn't allow it.
The mission of our organization is to foster community, so it would make sense that we have a community member on the board or as part of the general membership, I actually have no issue with that.
I am constantly saying that if we need to raise funds (to pay for special programming, field trips, etc), then one way to do it is to reach out to the community and not just the parents all the time.
I am on the board and finding people to volunteer is a constant problem for us.
-
Our PTA has committee members ( who do not pay) Every parent is welcome to attend the PTA meetings (although they occur at 9am on Wednesdays) and volunteer for the events they are doing
-
Like others, I'm not on a committee, but volunteer as a room mom coordinator. I lead the planning of the parties for my son's classroom. I also participate in PTO activities as well.
-
There is no PTA in LO's school, but there is a lot of parental involvement and volunteer opportunities. I go into the classroom every Monday to help with Monday Folders (organize papers from the previous week to be sent home). I also help make copies and provide an extra hand with projects in the classroom. There is a school council, consisting of one parent representative in each grade. They get together once a month to discuss the management in school operations and long term planning.
-
We have to pay a membership fee to join the PTA. The fee goes towards the fundraisers they do throughout the year. The fundraisers raise money for things like buses for field trips, events and classroom supplies. The school provides homework folders for every single student (TK-5th) and certain supplies.
-
Our fee is $6 per member per year. Yes, my DH and I are both members.
-
@PinkElephant: Our PTA is very similar to this.
I am a member and we have to pay dues of $25 every year to be a member.
The PTA fund raises money for specific things last year. Usually items that the school district will not pay for unless absolutely necessary (Example this year's goal is a new sound system for the cafe/stage. Two years ago they bought new tables for the cafeteria).
They also sponsor events throughout the year for PTA member families that are free. Gingerbread house building around the holidays, Bingo night, Ice Cream Social, etc.
The yearly book fair, spring auction, junior achievement program, kid holiday shopping, teacher appreciation week, box tops, and fall festival are just a sampling of the things that the PTA are in charge of for the school.
Parents, even those that work (like me!), I find to be pretty involved with the school. Even if you can't volunteer during the day there are events at night that working parents can help out with.
Reply
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
14 comments