It IS really amazing how they make you feel...good for you L...we all do it for our kids--but realizing that we are a part of every kids spirit is what makes our service so very special...

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I am new to this so please don't get me wrong. My inspiration is every day my son and daughter go to school and say My Mom is on the PTO. I am there mainly for all the children in the school but my children and my girl scouts love to see me all week long. I am not trying to sound arrogant! It makes me happy that they are happy I am around. I see students in the grocery store parking lot and their mom's wonder who I am-one little girl stuck her head out of the car and yelled-Ms. Lisa, Ms. Lisa!

I am no superstar on the covers of a Hollywood magazine: but to these kids I am Ms. Lisa-their superstar.

Okay--I've got to share this one--I've "retired" from the PTO President's position this year after 3 years (really 3.5 given the fact that our last pres had a ton of things the end of her last year that pulled her away). It's a brand new PTO (only 4 years old) so these past 4 years have been incredibly hectic and oriented on establishing procedures, programs etc. At my last meeting--our new Presidents (whom I LOVE) presented me with notes from the students as well as a wonderful scrap book that they'd put together for me. The pages themselves were each a work of art but truly the notes from the kids were AMAZING. One 5th grader captured my tenure in a way that I could only hope others feel. She wrote this poem for me:

She dreamed;
She worked and worked;
She planned and planned;
She perfected.
She achieved;
She showed;
They loved;
They appreciated.

Still brings tears to my eyes...
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One of my inspirational moments this year happened after suggesting the students make their own young author books after March reading month-- the principal was all on board with it--- then wanted to present it to the teachers herself. It became a huge mess. What was supposed to be a fun all-school event to bring the kids together and help on writing skills became a nightmare and pinned teachers against PTO. Only half the school did the books and this again caused problems with parents. The inspirational part was one 1 teacher did her books and mother's day gifts. When one of the mom's opened her book, tears ran down her face as read how her daughter felt about her and the things she wrote and illustrated. It became a wonderful keepsake and truly touched the mom's heart. And her daughter was so proud of how her mom loved her book, she stated she wanted to write a book about her dad next. This was the purpose behind the book to start with-- to enthuse, excite and promote imagination in writing. Made every other crazy thing with this project worth it.

There is a thread around about "what bugs" us as far as being with the PTO and the hours we dedicate. In that same thought, over the past few weeks I have come to realize that as changes are made some very special things have started happening at our school. And, just as the venting is good for the soul at times so is the chance to celebrate the accomplishments be they through people, programs, or just in general. Those moments that make you stop and go "they do get it", "it is worth it", "we are accomplishing something!"

So with that in mind a thread seemed only appropriate to share those special moments, those moments of inspiration, that make you stop and go... "Yeah, I'm not alone and things are working!"

Since this is my idea I'll start...

This year the cafeteria manager at the school changed. With her came more rules (not all directly from her) and the PTO was basically forbidden anywhere near the kitchen for any reason. It was frustrating to say the least and impacted some of our ideas without that available resource.

BUT... as we near the end of the year, even though the rules are still in place she has worked with us on one of our larger ideas and helped to make it happen. AND... she discovered two programs, one for Nestle New Life Water Labels and one for yogurt containers/juice box containers, were we can collect and submit them for a monetary/item return. True, the amount of return on those items are small. But the fact that she saw the opportunity, shared it with us, and supported us collecting the items through the school cafeteria is a HUGE deal. Especially when the last manager wouldn't even save box tops for us!

When she came to us today with the latest idea it just drove home the fact that we are all working together for one thing... to make our school the best possible place for our kids. One of those "positive impact moments."

Feel free to share your "inspirational" moments...