I need some help with Math Night at our school. This is the first time one has ever been on the roster. The principal wants it to happen. The problem is that the teachers were under the assumption that it was a PTO planned event (no teacher participation) and PTO was under the assumption that it was going to be supported by the PTO but planned by the teachers much like our Reading Night.

I found some ideas on line for stations but was hoping for more input/support from the teachers. It was discussed as their staff meeting and consensus is that they aren't getting paid overtime for it, they aren't going to volunteer. What do we do now?

I would go to the math teachers in the school and ask them for their advice on how to hold a successful Math Night. If teachers can't or won't volunteer for the event, then I would send home a letter asking for parent volunteers.

If your school is a lower grade school, consider asking advanced math students from the middle or high school to volunteer. It may fulfill a community service requirement or count as extra credit on their grades.

We don't have specific math teachers at our school (K-5). There is a
"math team" but the leader is retiring this year and just kind of counting the days. I am going to talk to her to see if we can work something out. The PTO isn't looking for the teachers to work the event, just to participate in the planning - ideas for stations and the packet that needs to go along with it. Our high school has a great NHS group that I utilize as often as I can so manning it isn't really an issue. We'd like the teachers to be there but it isn't necessary, it would just be nice to have someone trained in the area of education to develop a plan and then we'll make it happen.

There is a company in Michigan that sells games and products that are math related, check to your learning stores and see if they have any games like this-- I believe it's called learning gizmo's.
They come out to the school and bring the sample games, they will explain how the game works to your volunteers, there play-- they are all very education and fun. Then the store has a set-up in one corner, where you can purchase the game to take home. The school get a percentage of the sales... and the PTO bought a game for every teacher that helped at the event... so it was a win-win for everyone involved. good luck! Foxmom

I found some ideas on line for stations but was hoping for more input/support from the teachers. It was discussed as their staff meeting and consensus is that they aren't getting paid overtime for it, they aren't going to volunteer. What do we do now?

Discuss at your PTO meeting whether or not this event is even worth doing without the teachers on board. If the principal wants it to happen so badly, he or she should get his people in line.

If you don't have a PTO meeting in time, go ahead and make that decision yourself -- tell the principal you can't do it without a teacher's guidance.

Then, don't stress over it. It is not your fault.