Hey! Anyone else involved in the PTO at a middle school?

The drop in the level of involvement by parents from elementary to middle school is really dramatic (at least in our district). Was wondering if other middle schools experience the same thing and what they do about it.

Unfortunately that's VERY common. It's just an entirely different ballgame. Kids are a lot more independent and many don't even want their parents on campus. Plus there are usually numerous clubs and school groups (choir, athletics, band) that have fundraisers and where parents may play a specific role. So you have your "band parents" and "football parents" already contributing major chunks of time to running concession stands and helping with other events for their own specific group. Tasks traditionally left to an elementary school PTO are no longer so clear. The Journalism Club (or some other) may publish the school directory. There may be many different school T-shirts.

In our case, our PTO acknoweledged all this and decided to serve a very niche role. It focused on Teacher Appreciation, organized the 8th grade "prom", and helped recruit parent volunteers for the few times they were needed. Our group had very little in the way of fundraising so easily existed in the category that brought in less than $5000 per year and didn't have to file the formal application with the IRS. We kept the group simple and focused on its narrow purpose.

There are certainly other schools who have run much larger, more successful parent groups in middle school. Your task now is to survey the environment and see what's realistic for YOUR school.

Good luck!

I'm sure kids are mixed in their views. But in elementary school there were lots of opportunities for volunteering in the classroom. Not as much in middle school. Of course there are special situations or projects, but less of the day-to-day stuff. But there ARE volunteer opportunities. I've done all the following:
* helped in library
* registration or ticket sales for special events
* organized contact forms
* sold PE uniforms first few days of school
* washed and sorted athletic uniforms (not my favorite...)
* served on an adult panel to hear/rate group presentations
* decorate for various events

So there were definitely times I was on campus - and my daughter may have appreciated that fact (my son, not so much). But neither would have wanted me WITH THEM as a volunteer on a regular basis.

There are always volunteer opportunities. For instance, any parent would be extremely welcome as a mentor, tutor, or helping with an after-school club. They don't need us sitting at the lunch table to open ketchup packets or escorting them to the restroom to wash hands. The kids are getting more and more independent, so our roles must also change.

I totally agree that the middle school doesn't have the support that the elem. does. We have almost 400 kids at our school (k-8) and only maybe 10 kids from middle school with help with the fundraising. The teachers won't help with anything but they are always wanting something bought.

Hello! I am currently on the boeard at a large (952 students) middle school. I have been quite active in the elementary and middle school PTO's for quite a few years,a nd on the board several times. We noticed the same thign...a big drop in the types of activities and support that the school/staff/students needed from us. We have had some success partnering with the Student Council to help them (and us!) plan a Staff Appreciation week. The staff actually listed this as theior favorite, since the kids were integrally involved in the planning and execution. We also established a school store, open each day during lunch periods. We have gotten about 15 new volunteers this year to pull this off...it seems a lot of these parents want to see what is going on at lunch! We also started a school spirit wear store, which has been a great success...and a fundraiser as well. We planned a "Back to School" supply sale for busy parents-kit was all boxed up, just needed picked up. We share in a district wide (4 middle schools) program called the Parent Programming Team, that hires speakers on topics relelvant to middle schoolers PARENTS(not students-ex: cutting, drug awarenesss, eating disorders, internet safety) that is somewhat well attended, depending on the topic. We have found most people want to help still, but are afraid they will embarass their child. I actually asked my son before I agreed to serve on teh board. The great thing about middle school is that I can put in hours of time, and he won't even see me...which works out well. I do have several kids that have no problem speaking to me...but they aren't my own!
Good luck to you!
Kelly