None of the teachers at our school belong to the P.T.O. With this being said they also do not attend any meetings. BUT I know that if I need help with serving at ice cream social, chili supper, or baby sitting on movie night, they will be there! I feel that this is most important in the end as we have extremely low parent involvement. I know that when a teacher tells me that she/he will be there I can count on them 100%!

Most of our teachers do join our PTO, but none attend the meetings, as they are held during the day when they are in class. This has never been a problem to our membership. This year we are going to ask the principal if it is possible to send one teacher representative to our meetings.
Our PTO gives grants twice a year. When making our budget, we determine how much total money will be given for the fall and spring grants. We do require that if a teacher apply for a grant that they be a PTO member. (We only charge teachers half the regular membership.)
In order to receive money from the PTO, they have to fill out a detailed grant form, turn it into the principal who reviews it. Our principal determines if he is able to pay for their grant out of any of his operation or building fund. If he approves the grant, it comes to our Executive Board. Sometimes we reject grants or only partially approve grants. Our teachers are so appreciative of any amount they get - it's awesome!
The goal of the PTO should be to support the KIDS and if you are withholding money because the teacher didn't show up, guess who you're hurting....

I am 100% with you! I think that all PTO/A's should be renamed to the PWGAFF Organization...that's "parents who give a flying flip". Maybe more parents would join if it were a bolder statement. And if you didn't join, what would you be saying. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Great point, Shawn "Most Parents work at a job jsut like the teahcers do and they attend meetings...."

There are teachers who teach as a calling or vocation and then there are the ones for whom its 'just a job' and if overtime aint compensated, the latter arent inclined to do it.

Originally posted by Debbie Tryzbiak:
Wow! I'm a little disappointed by some of the comments on here. Why are there so many PTOs complaining that they have "given" money to the teachers, but the teachers aren't coming to meetings? --edited for space--
Since when did a gift require reimbursement?! Shouldn't a simple thank you be enough?

Deb

I agree the $$$ shouldnt be an issue and the frustration is directed incorrectly

but the big question is why are they called PTA/PTO if teachers one dont join and 2 dont support it (teachers reps are okay but if teachers dont join, then waht?)

Most Parents work at a job jsut like the teahcers do and they attend meetings-
so they teacher point of being at school then attending a mtg is bogus.. Parents to it 365 days a year...
other I hear from teachers is 'well I have a family'... My response is, "good for you, your point?", this is their school and job too-

most dont want a thnk you for the $$$ given, the resposnes are given in frustration andwould jsut like to see teachers take a bigger interest other than having their hands out.

If teahcers are memebrs and dont attend mtgs then PTA/PTO's should all just become Parent Assoc/ Booster/ Alumni Clubs

My Veterans of Foreign Wars doesnt call itself the Non Veterans of Foreign Wars, I think is mostly everyone beef

[ 07-17-2006, 06:30 PM: Message edited by: Shawn ]

Our teachers dont attend out meetings cuz they are held durig school teaching hours.