We seem to have the same problem in our school. I am in a K-8 and our PTO has taken a bit of criticism for not doing as much for the middle school as the elementary. We've tried to keep activity levels equal, but I can't help but notice that the parents that are volunteering for everything are the elementary parents. I would also like to hear how middle schools or other k-8 schools are getting their parents involved.
Wendy - you express a concern that many parent groups face. My last team was in a k-8 school and we often saw parental involvement in the PTO fall off around 6th or 7th grade. I attribute it to many factors but I wouldn't say apathy is one of them. After 6 to 7 years of involvement, they were just very willing to let the gung-ho parents of younger students take the reigns.
Now I've moved to a community where middle school is a seperate building. I haven't been here long enough to judge the level of involvement by other parents but I can tell you that I've backed off considerably. All I can tell you are my own personal reasons:
1. Independence. My son has reached an age where Mom shouldn't be hanging around so much. He needs a place where he can just be to discover who he is independent of his parents.
2. Choices. Extracurricular activities become more prevalent at this age and parental invovlement is critical in those groups as well. Suddenly, we have to choose between many other groups to support with our funds and our involvement.
I believe that parent groups are critical to a school's success and I absolutely agree with your statement that our kids need us more now than ever. The trick for me is respecting my son's space and growing independence while still supporting his school with my time and money. Perhaps a great solution is implementing the 2 Hour Power program from PTO today. Ideally, you would get the same total number of hours from parents but not ask too much from any one person.
My daughter started middle school this year and I am finding out that parents feel that once there child reaches this level they don't have to be involved anymore, in my opinion you have to be more involved children are going through so many new experiances. How do I convince parents to get involved?
