PTO Today

Just got an email from the Principal who said there is talk of changing all the schools in our district to PTA's- WHAT??? She followed that up with ..."nothing has been decided yet." Um..I am the president of your PTO- I am hoping "nothing has been decided yet." So, there is a meeting scheduled for the 27th of September and as you can tell I am strongly opposed to the idea of this switch for many reasons, most importantly we have a very small PTO and don't even charge dues. I do not believe in charging people to make their child's school a better place. $900 in dues to the PTA who will not at all directly effect our school makes my stomach turn. Can something of this nature be decided by the board of ed without our (the PTO) having a say????? SOS!

[ 08-28-2006, 08:31 PM: Message edited by: PTOpower ]

I don't even understand how they think they could enforce a change. A PTO is an independant organization (or should be) from the school. If the district decides to start a PTA, what would stop your PTO from existing too?

Big difference between what they can technically do and what they can practically do.

Will try and jump in some more when i get some time.

Tim

I understand how you can feel a little upset about paying association dues for PTA. Most individuals that are against PTA don't understand what they do. PTA advocates on the behalf of all children. Not just the children for an individual school. The dues you pay to PTA helps pay for programs and educational materials. PTA has been proficient in passing legislation to benefit children such as: mandatory immunizations for children, safety belt laws, school lunch reforms and in some states kindergarten for all children. I can't see how you would believe this would not benefit your school or children.

I guess I'd be careful with generalizations like "most don't understand". Plenty of us understand and are well versed in the practices of PTAs, PTOs, PTSOs, etc. Choosing one type of parent group over the other comes down to the needs of individual communities.

If such a major decision is being made by the Board of Education on behalf of their schools then I, as a parent, would want to be part of the process. I believe PTOpower is on the right track to demand that it be an open process with input from all areas of the community.

__________________
“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same.”

Wow... I'd have to disagree that the $900 doesnt affect your school.

1897 Founding of the National Congress of Mothers to act on behalf of children in the home, at school, and in the world.
1898-99 The Congress promotes cooperation between parents and teachers; advocates for sex education; and lobbies for a national health bureau.
1900s Fathers urged to join; PTA already voicing public concern for juvenile justice issues and the need for child labor laws, as well as federal aid to schools.
1910s PTA urges that kindergarten be part of education system; asks parents to supervise their children's attendance at moving pictures; local PTAs serve hot lunches to children.
1920s The National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers is formed to serve children in segregated states; PTA begins a nationwide children's health project; and is involved in the first university courses in school-home relations.
1930s A special nutrition project and emergency services prevent children from suffering during the Great Depression; PTA studies automobile and school bus safety as they relate to children.
1940s PTA launches nationwide school lunch program; becomes one of the first nongovernmental organizations to support the establishment of the United Nations; creates new university project to teach teachers home-school relations; wartime activities include the weekly radio series, "The Family in War," featuring the Baxter family and a panel of experts discussing the weekly episode.
1950s PTA calls a national conference to address narcotics and drug addiction in youth; helps field-test and win support for the Salk Polio Vaccine; and promotes health supervision of children from early childhood through high school.
1960s PTA creates public message about the dangerous effects of smoking; helps enact child protection and toy safety legislation; promotes art education via a nationwide cultural arts program; and creates a new focus on home-school relations in low-income areas.
1970s National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers and National Congress of Parents and Teachers unite to become one organization; PTA expands outreach to combat alcohol abuse; calls for parents to share in decision making in schools; begins project to oppose violence on television; opens Office of Governmental Relations in Washington, DC; and invites students to sit on the National PTA Board of Directors.
1980s PTA fights for automobile safety belt and child restraint legislation; creates a drug/alcohol abuse prevention project; focuses more attention on children and families in the inner cities; and creates national HIV/AIDS education program for parents.
1990s PTA convenes national summit on parent involvement; becomes major force in adding parent involvement to National Education Goals; develops National Standards for Parent/Family Involvement in cooperation with education and parent involvement professionals; initiates nation-wide campaign to protect children from violence; forges partnerships with other national groups to promote parent involvement in early childhood education and teacher education; celebrates 100th anniversary.
(taken from Shawnfuscious - Parent Involvment with Ok from PTA)

Everyone has thier own right to pick PTA over PTO or visa versa- I dont see how a school district could MAKE you be a PTA

I totally agree that PTA could do better distric, council, state and nationwide in allocation of resources- I dont agree with ALL (most) of their current policies/ desicions- but that is pretty innaccurate about the dues $$$- not affecting your school one iota

my .02 IMHO

[ 09-20-2006, 02:32 PM: Message edited by: Shawn ]

PTA vs PTO...it depends on which is the right fit for the school and your group. Only your group can decide which is better for them.

If the BOE is going to push the issue then I would suggest you get put on the BOE agenda (ask how long you get to speak) and bring lots of parent support for staying as a PTO. Go prepared as to why you feel you should stay PTO vs PTA. Be informative as possible. If more time is needed speaking keep asking to be put on the BOE agenda until the issue is resolved.

Good luck!

PTOpower,

I'm not sure how it works in your state (but I will assume each state is generally the same) but in the state of Georgia the school (includes school district) has no lega/technical affiliation with the organization. In other words, the PTO/PTA organization cannot ride on the tax exempt status of the school.

Hope this gives some insight,
Mitch

Our school board just had a meeting for all PTO officers and the main topic of discussion was switching all PTOs to PTAs. I sent an email to the lady running the meeting and told her that we are not interested in becoming a PTA and she assured me that the school board is not making everyone switch to a PTA. Boy, was I relieved. I know that the PTA is a great organization but our PTO is running just fine. I have read too many horror stories about PTAs, and as PTO President at my son's school, I am not interested in switching. I hope everything works out for you. Good luck and keep us posted.