PTO Today

School’s ending soon and that means transitions for kids, parents, teachers—and PTO leaders.

For many new leaders, it can be a scary time if there’s no transition strategy to bring them up to speed. We heard about one group recently that is taking an unusual approach. The six-member executive board agreed to step down as a group, retaining committee responsibilities while an entirely new group of six will step up to board positions. The idea is the new board will have mentors on hand.

But there are many ways to tackle the transition challenge. For example, PTO leaders of the Temple Independent School District in Temple, Texas, will come together this weekend for a morning workshop on PTO basics. Run by the district, the event is intended to give new leaders a primer on PTO group management.

Attendees will get an overview on bylaws, budgets, and nonprofit status as well as discuss ideas for recruiting volunteers and collaborating with each other.

“It started because one PTO parent was so frustrated by being dumped into the deep end,’’ says Regina Corley, PTO president at Western Hills Elementary in Temple.

That parent was Corley, who described a situation that will ring a bell with many PTO leaders: She stepped up to run the PTO at Western Hills in 2009 when a group of grade 5 parents, who had been on the executive board for a long stretch, moved on.

“They left and we didn’t know what to do,’’ Corley says. “We had a tough, tough year.’’

Since then Corley has been on the board in one capacity or another and will serve as president again this coming year.

But in 2009, she and her fellow board members felt overwhelmed. “I remember our first fundraiser,’’ she says. “We all just looked at each other when we realized we had raised $15,000.’’

At the time, Corley was also the director of communications for the school district, a job she wrapped up earlier this year. She shared her rough-start story with the superintendent and they talked about ways to help PTO leaders become more informed. That eventually led to the idea of the workshop and the first one was in 2011.

The district now keeps a copy of each group’s bylaws and budget on file, and new leaders can access those documents when they take over a group.

“What’s come out of it is we have strong, functioning PTOs,” Corley says. “So the next time a group of grade 5 parents moves on, the new officers won’t be completely lost.”

For any leaders who need transition tips, we have many resources on this important topic, including:

Help Prepare New Officers for Success

Officer Transition Survival Kit

You’re Elected! Now What?

8 Tips for Passing the Gavel

 

It’s National Volunteer Week (April 21 – 27), a time to celebrate the people who give back to their communities. And if ever a group captured the wonderful spirit of school volunteers, it’s our SBLI Superstar Volunteers.

Consider some of our most recently profiled Superstar Volunteers here on the PTO Today website.

Building enthusiasm for science and math: Christine Platt is a mother of two boys and a retired physicist. She’s also determined to change attitudes that math and science are boring. She wants to get kids excited, so she helped overhaul both the science and math nights at the May Watts Elementary in Naperville, Ill. She’s also running some fun enrichment programs so that kids can discover a passion for these subjects. Learn more about Platt’s efforts here.

Creatively coaching families to join in: Tom Lambert is a stay-at-home dad, an active volunteer at Kingsley Charter Elementary in Dunwoody, Ga., and a guy who truly understands kids. So much so that he created a video series featuring a superhero (Captain Kingsley) who encourages families to get involved in their school community. The silly antics of Captain Kingsley (who’s identity is a mystery) captivate his audience. Click here for more details on Lambert’s work.

Keeping the library door open: Nancy Webb is a volunteer at Lavalette (W. Va.) Elementary. Her role at the school took an unexpected turn when the library computer system crashed. She stepped in and essentially ran the library the old-fashioned way, tracking books with pen and paper. Because she was able to keep the library going until the computer system was eventually repaired, she provided access to books that many of the students would otherwise not have. To find out more about Webb, click here.

The SBLI Superstar Volunteer program is a partnership between PTO Today and SBLI (the Savings Bank Life Insurance Company of Massachusetts). Together, we recognize inspirational parent volunteers with a $500 donation for their school and a profile featured on the PTO Today website on the SBLI website.

This week, we asked our community on both Facebook and the Message Boards to tell us what their teachers most enjoy receiving as a teacher appreciation gift. As always, parent group leaders came through when asked for help, and they provided lots of creative ideas. Not surprisingly, many had to do with food (who can resist treats?) and pampering (wouldn’t you love a massage?). Of course, these are just the kinds of gifts hardworking teachers love­—and deserve!

Here’s a roundup of what was shared:

• Guilt-free fun: Fiesta-theme luncheon with an alcohol-free margarita machine.

• Time to soothe: Hand lotion with an attached tag that reads, “Thanks for keeping our kids in good hands!”

• To die for: Chocolate fountain buffet with “anything and everything’’ you could dip in chocolate.

• Who’s feeling lucky? Weeklong prize giveaways, with one winner announced each day. Winner picks her prize from a selection of gift cards.

• Our turn: An extended lunchtime for teachers while parents cover for them in the cafeteria.  

• Healthy harvest: A lunchtime salad bar with homemade bread.

• Kick-start your day: Coffee and smoothie cart provided by a local vendor, set up at school by 7:15 a.m. Teachers pick from a variety of flavors.

• Comfort food: A homemade breakfast served to the teachers to wrap up teacher appreciation week.

• How cool: Purchase a fan for each classroom and present it with a tag that says “We are your greatest fans!”

• Relax: Spa Day at the school with free massages and aromatherapy.

• Here’s my to do list: Parent volunteers run errands for teachers on a special Valet Day.

• Have a seat: Renovate the teachers lounge with new items, such as new chairs.

• Carryall: Duffel bags with the school logo for each teacher.

• Secret supper: Mystery dinner in the cafeteria. Decorate using a particular theme, and keep it on the down low until the transformed area is revealed to the teachers.

• Not just for kids: Goody bags with items like pens and post-it notes given at a luncheon.

• On the run: A “to go” light breakfast of yogurt, granola bars, and bottled water. Teachers can easily bring it back to the classroom.

• Simply said: Each child gives the teacher a flower and tells her why he or she thinks the teacher is special.

• I’ll have the turkey club: A $5 gift card to local sandwich shop.

• Special delivery: Volunteers walk the hallways with a dessert and punch cart, offering sweets to teachers.

• Flower power: Give “Lunch on Us’’ bouquets, a mix of flowers and gift cards.

• Money bags: Teachers pick a bag of chocolate coins, not knowing there’s a secret stash of real money mixed among the chocolates (anywhere from $5 to $50).

• Supply day: Each child is encouraged to bring in one school supply (a glue stick, wipes, a pack of pencils) to the teacher.

• Working at the car wash: While teachers are treated to a lunch, volunteers secretly wash their cars in the school parking lot. 

• Best memory: Children make drawings for the teacher illustrating their favorite moment of the school year.

• Thank-you wall: Put up a large piece of paper (poster board would work) on the classroom wall and have children sign it, expressing their thanks.

TeacherLists.com likes a good makeover. That’s one reason why it’s been helping schools get their supply lists into the 21st century by giving teachers an easy online platform to create, update, and share lists.

Now TeacherLists.com is taking the makeover concept to a whole new level with its $5,000 Teachers’ Lounge Makeover contest. Every school that posts 20 new or updated school supply or wish lists to the site between April 1 and Aug. 1, 2013, will be eligible to win the $5,000 prize!

In addition, every school that posts 20 new or updated lists between April 1 and Oct. 15 will automatically receive (while supplies last) a free School Supply Stash with all sorts of classroom supplies, like glue sticks and paper towels, valued at $125.

More than 130,000 classrooms have created lists on TeacherLists.com since the site launched in April 2012. The TeacherLists.com platform lets teachers create lists online that they can then update whenever they need to. They also can create wish lists for upcoming projects, holidays, and events. Parents can easily access the lists to help them when they shop for classroom supplies at back-to-school time and throughout the school year.

Parents can even pledge to donate an item from a teacher’s wish list online – the teacher is instantly notified via email and her list automatically updates, just like a registry!

Since TeacherLists.com was introduced, parent group leaders have found it is a great way to help out teachers. TeacherLists.com eliminates the need for teachers to create new lists every year, distribute copies, then update parents with additional notes home throughout the year. Often, the notes don’t make it all the way home, or they end up stuck at the bottom of a backpack for weeks! With TeacherLists.com, a teacher can create a list and instantly share it on the school’s website, or via email, Facebook, or Twitter. Teachers also can print copies of lists for parents who prefer to have a hard copy.

At many schools, parent volunteers have helped teachers set up online lists and share them with parents. It’s another way to show teachers that they are truly appreciated. Be sure to encourage your school to publish new lists or update existing ones to get $125 in free supplies, plus a chance to win $5000 for a teachers’ lounge makeover. If you do, your teachers could be basking in a brand-new lounge by year’s end. Just imagine the possibilities! Cappuccino, anyone?

The big winner of the $5,000 prize will be announced the week of Aug. 5. The winning school gets to figure out how it will spend the cash. We can’t wait to see the makeover!

To learn more about the lounge makeover contest and TeacherLists.com, click here.

 

Earth Day is around the corner and it’s a wonderful time to run a program or hold an event that celebrates the earth and really inspires families.

Many parent groups run cleanup or recycling programs at their schools on Earth Day (April 22) to help kids understand the message of taking care of our planet and to give families tips for living a more eco-friendly lifestyle.

But Earth Day lends itself to a variety of different programs, too. We have lots of ideas on our site, from fashion shows featuring clothing made of recycled materials to gardening projects. You can find more information on these events here.

Or, you could download our free Go Green Night planning kit and plan something fun for next month at your school. Our Go Green Night Kit has everything you need to organize and run an event that focuses on protecting the environment and saving energy. In addition to a step-by-step planning guide, promotional flyer, poster, and banner, the kit has kid-friendly activities, including some inspired by the movie EPIC, a three-dimensional animated adventure scheduled for release in May.

Curious about what sort of activities are in the kit? Check out one of our 9 fun activities, How Big Is Your Carbon Footprint..
This Carbon Footprint activity provides information about what a carbon footprint is and it helps kids learn about it with a fun coloring activity.

Also, your school will have a chance to win a free screening of the movie EPIC before it is in theaters. Learn more about how to enter the EPIC Go Green Night Sweepstakes in your free planning kit! Order yours now!

We’re heading towards spring (despite snowy forecasts!), a time when many parents take stock not only of their child’s progress, but also of their own progress as a school volunteer. Often, this is the time of year when parents consider playing a bigger role in the next school year and perhaps even running for a PTO board position.

Well, if anyone is looking for inspiration or reasons to volunteer, they should check out our series of SBLI Superstar Volunteer profiles. For more than a year, we have been working in partnership with SBLI (the Savings Bank Life Insurance Company of Massachusetts) to recognize and reward exceptional parent volunteers. Each Superstar receives a $500 donation for their school and is profiled here on the PTO Today website and on the SBLI website.

Our latest Superstar Volunteer is Carol Caldwell, a grandmother from Polvadera, N.M., who rebuilt a dormant PTO at Midway Elementary that she had started years earlier when her children were in school. She was disappointed when her granddaughter started 1st grade to discover there was no active parent volunteer operation, so, she decided that if she could do it once, she could do it again. Caldwell’s full story is here.

Or, take the story of Toni Huff, a truly extraordinary woman who is balancing her family and job responsibilities with her new role as PTO president. And, recently, she’s been battling breast cancer. Huff says she never really considered not following through on her commitment to the PTO at Milton (Ky.) Elementary because of her health. Plus, she says she gets even more out of volunteering than the kids do because she is “just so blessed to be around all those little ones.”

For more about Huff, read here.

And of course, there’s Ed Bala’s story. Bala, who’s been volunteering at Ponderosa Elementary School of Mathematics in Fayetteville, N.C., for more than a decade (even though his kids have moved on!) was recently named the SBLI Top Superstar Volunteer, winning a $1,000 award for his school. Bala was selected from all the SBLI Superstar Volunteers, receiving the most votes from an SBLI Facebook contest.

Like the stories of Bala, Huff and Caldwell, all of the SBLI Superstar Volunteer profiles can inspire in a unique way. As you read them, you’ll likely find a story that speaks to you personally and may give you the boost you’ve been looking for.

For many parent volunteers, this is the time of year to consider joining the parent group in an official role. And many of you are wondering if you should go for the big enchilada—the president’s job.  Elections will be coming in the spring and these last weeks of winter are a perfect time to mull over this decision.

A few thoughts to consider:

• Don’t do it because you think it is expected of you. Do it because you want to. Maybe you are currently the treasurer or secretary and the president’s slot is opening up. You might be getting not-so-subtle nudges from your group. But if you enjoy your current role and think the president’s slot isn’t for you, don’t succumb to pressure. If you do it to please your friends and fellow board members, you won’t be happy.

• But don’t avoid it because you are afraid you’ll fail. Because you will make mistakes, but you’ll learn from them. I can recall the first meeting I ran as a PTO president. It was an early morning meeting and I was so nervous about speaking in front of the group that I couldn’t eat breakfast.  But I did drink about five cups of coffee, revving me up to hummingbird speed. I think I did my whole presentation in about 40 seconds, and some attendees must still wonder what I actually said. But I got through it, learned to dial down the coffee a bit, and found that each subsequent meeting was a little easier.

• Finally, we have many resources to help you with whatever you decide!  For instance, we have a collection of articles on leadership that can guide you as you consider your leadership style, explore what it means to lead a parent group, and learn how you can grow and improve your skills.

So, as a start, check out these articles. They’ll help you make the right choice for you.

• Are You Ready to Lead?
• The Secret to Successful Leadership
• Leadership is Learning From Others
• The Leadership Skills that Matter

 

And good luck!

 

Fun runs have long been a staple for many parent groups. Now groups are getting even more creative with these runs to help them appeal to more people and raise even more funds for their schools. Here are some examples:

Color Their World
The Swans Creek Elementary PTA in Southbridge, Va., wanted to capitalize on the popularity of color runs, in which runners get “splashed” with multicolored, cornstarch-based powder while running a 5K. So the PTA gave runners the option of running a color lap at the end of its fall fun run. During this lap, parent volunteers tossed the powder onto the runners as they passed a series of color stations. Runners got free sunglasses to shield their eyes. As they completed the color lap, they were transformed into walking rainbows.

Zombie Chase
The PTA at James A. Garfield Elementary in Collingswood, N.J., asked its fun run participants to run for their lives when zombies suddenly appeared to chase them along the route. The group even added a hearse from a local funeral home and parked it at the finish line to add to the spooky atmosphere. The Zombie Chase 5K was held close to Halloween and a trick-or-treat walk was offered after the event.

Family Fitness
Even without zombies or a color lap, a PTA 5K in Lexington, Ky., drew an estimated 1,275 participants. A main draw for families was a free eight-week training program offered through the YMCA. Thirty-eight PTAs participated in the event organized by the 16th District PTA. Participating PTAs were required to create a healthy lifestyles committee. The hope is that the run will become a way to showcase healthy habits that will continue long after the run is over, says Liza Holland, president of the 16th District PTA.

 

From helping girls build self-esteem to working to prevent a school’s foreclosure, our SBLI Superstar Volunteers are stellar examples of people who make a difference and deserve recognition for the work they’ve done. That’s why SBLI and PTO Today started the SBLI Superstar Volunteers program last year and it is why SBLI is kicking off a Facebook contest  this week to name the top Superstar Volunteer! The winner’s school will receive a $1,000 donation from SBLI!

Beginning today, you can vote for your favorite volunteer from the 2012 Superstar Volunteers roster by going to the SBLI Top Superstar Volunteer Contest. Voting will be open until February 11, 2013, when the volunteer with the most votes is named the winner!

And these 20 Superstars could use your help! If you are from a Superstar’s school community, or if you know one of these volunteers, help get the word out about this contest on your Facebook page so that your friends and community members can vote too at SBLI’s Facebook page.

The SBLI Superstar Volunteers program, a team effort between PTO Today and SBLI (The Savings Bank Life Insurance Company of Massachusetts) was started last year to give national recognition to men and women who make significant contributions to their schools. PTO Today received hundreds of nominations last year and 20 incredible volunteers were selected. Each volunteer received a $500 donation from SBLI for his or her school and was profiled on both the PTO Today and SBLI websites.

The SBLI Superstar Volunteers program has been so popular that PTO Today and SBLI are continuing it in 2013. To learn more about the program, click here.

Ask kids how they feel about math, and many will tell you they aren’t good at it, as if there is a “math gene” that they just weren’t born with.

Virginia Wilcox, a college professor and parent volunteer, wants to debunk the math-gene theory. As a volunteer at Thomas G. Scott Elementary in Forsyth, Ga., Wilcox has logged many hours teaching kids math so it is more accessible and is even considered…fun.

Yes, fun! So when Wilcox, an associate professor and chairwoman of the education department at Wesleyan College in Macon, goes to her kids’ school, she often wears a wizard costume and answers to the name “Professor Zero.” In costume, she immediately captures the students’ attention and proceeds to teach them math concepts in an easy, sometimes even silly way.

The stress of math drills and worksheets melts away and the kids start truly paying attention. Wilcox says the children get so caught up in the Professor Zero show, even those most afflicted by math phobia start participating and answering questions.

“I want to instill in children that math is not scary,” Wilcox says. “If you work hard, you can get it.”

Wilcox’s involvement at Thomas G. Scott Elementary started in 2008 when her children began attending school. At first, she volunteered to present a few math lessons to parents to help them guide their children with homework. She also provided math lesson plans to teachers and even co-taught some math classes.

More recently, Wilcox worked with the PTO to run family math nights.

So far, there is anecdotal as well as statistical evidence that kids have made strides in math as a result of Professor Zero’s efforts. Wilcox says she and a group of teachers randomly selected 30 5th graders and tested them before and after the Professor Zero training. Prior to the lessons, none of the students scored above 50 percent on an assessment of algebra concepts. After the lessons, all 30 passed the assessment with a score of 70 percent or higher, Wilcox says.