You know one of my VPs gets upset when we don't have teachers attend meetings/events etc. I always calm her and tell her this train is moving and while I'd love to have everyone on board I/we don't have time to lament who is not. They are good people with good reasons and they support us with their support of fund raisers etc. I do take issue with folks requesting funds that are not PTO members. That is a bit furstrating and we do look at those requests a bit more callously, unless it is something we think the chidlren really need.

We usually give our teachers a start up fund of $5.00 per student in the fall & again in the spring to be used for field trips. We also buy AR prizes, technology that the teachers would like, playground equip.(that usually takes a couple yrs+ savings)....

This is easy we don't give our teachers any money, we use it all for free events and family fun nights for our kids and families!

Ours is PTA but only a few texhers are members and they have a rep that usually attends the meetings. We would like more to attend but dont require (although attneding would generate more support from the casual attending parents)

Our PTA doesnt just give money (for lack of a better term) to each teacher every year, they have to fill out a grant request form, grades may pool money toghether to a bigger ticket item. Then it is reviewed by the board.

The teachers are not our goal (sounds ugly but wait...) PTA Mission Statement: The mission for the Calahan St. Elementary PTA is to identify curriculum and programs deemed by the membership* in its sole discretion to be vital to affect the richest educational experience possible for our children; to maximize the role of the school itself in fulfilling these objectives; and to plan, organize and execute events and programs which generate the resources and mechanisms necessary to fulfill these objectives. -the students are. We try (and usally do give money) to put the teachers up high on the list of priorities but programs and curriculum come first.

This is not a knock on our teacher, I love 'em all and would trade 'em, unless the new staff looked like Shania Twain, Gretchen wilson, Terri Clark and also cooked and talked like Paula Dean.(rolled into one)

[ 11-18-2005, 04:41 PM: Message edited by: Shawn ]

Our group is actually a "Parents' Association" and we do not expect our teachers to attend meetings and we give them a $200 allowance each so I guess it depends on how your group is set up. I know teachers work hard all day and have their own families to go home to so our group doesn't really ask anything of them but perhaps that is unique to our organization.
SHC

How do you feel if Teacher's do not attend any meetings and still want Teacher funding through PTO. Some do feel just being at 1 event should qualify for $250.00 class room money.