[FONT=Verdana]Hi everyone,

I recently relocated to a different school district with our two children. I have been very active parent in all the PTA/PTO groups through the years.

However, The principal at my daughter's new elementary school informed me they do not have a PTA or PTO. It seems the parents opted a few years back that the dues where too much & there was little participation on the parents end. I am a little surprised & honestly have not heard of an elementary school not having some type of PTO or PTA. [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Is this normal? I would like input on the disadvantages (if you feel there are some) to not having a pto/pta at an elementary school. [/FONT]

Disadvantages? Absolutely!

I could list for hours. I bet you know many/most. Who's helping to build community around the school? Where do parents turn when they want to get involved? How is the parent communication? How is the teacher support? Who's serving parents? Yadda, yadda.

I hope you'll consider organizing support for re-starting. Dues are not at all required (I prefer a no-dues model). And folks should know that whatever they used to have doesn't have to be what a new group is.

Even if you find 4 or 6 like-mined souls, you can start something. You have a clean slate in a lot of ways. You can start those great things and try to avoid those common legacy systems that folks didnt like (like dues or like cliquey-ness, etc.).

Good luck!

Tim

Thanks Tim for your response.

I would love to spearhead a PTO for this school! While, I've always been involved as a volunteer (did the previous schools directory, teacher/office volunteer, etc) I do not have experience in heading up a PTO. However, I will not let that deter me from acting on forming one.

This is a first for me and I certainly appreciate ALL the feedback and advice. How to approach the principal, teachers, parents, etc. I will devouring information on this website as well.

Chrissynv-
Awesome!!

Here are a bunch of things to get you started:

www.ptotoday.com/new-leader-kit

www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/arti...7-how-to-start-a-pto

www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/arti...incipal-your-partner

www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/arti...lvement-step-by-step

www.ptotoday.com/2hourpower


Look forward to seeing you in the community with more questions and advice.
Keep us posted on how it's going!

~ Lisa



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