From what I know, word about our school was more word of mouth from friend to friend but we weren't going through zoning issues etc.
This maybe the time to dust off your notebook and backpack and start doing some homework. Is it the school itself that is the issue or your group? Funny thing here, I live 3 blocks from a brand new elementry school but can't send my children because I'm not in the right zone or something like that...funny huh! Sorry, is this a school board issue OR the district school board. If your school already has a school board that kind of surprises me they would have a board and still can't decide if a building will be built or not.
I can kind of understand how the board would want to approve a PTO/PTA. Ours was formed with the assumption the parents would have complete say in school matters (a character flaw in another charter school in the area). The school board put a stop to it. Anyway, don't lose faith, stay involved, informed and most of all keep the calls to disrict 'fun'--we had some really pushy, mean parents that destroyed the school's relations with the district, still rebuilding trust but it's not fun going to the office with this cloud over our head!
As long as you and your 'band' of parents know what you want to accomplish and/or do for the school that is all that matters!
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by NewSchool: .But our homes border the new school so we know we are going there. How do we counter-act all of that negativism?<hr></blockquote>
Ah, how simple things would be if decisions were based on what seems obvious. Being across the street does not guarantee that you will be zoned for a particular school. In my county, the school board has mandatory public hearings on the boundaries for new schools. The notice of hearings may come in the mail or a child's bookbag, but they are required... here in Maryland. I'd check the website for your school system.
The best counter to negativism can be information. And if that doesn't work... get more information. If you do have a school system website, check the administrative or school board procedures and see if they have anything that deals specifically with your issues. Then if you are told something that runs contrary to your information, you can give them chapter and verse to support your contention.
The down side of this is that it can also infuriate folks who are presumeably in control when you explain to them that they are spreading information that is contrary to the approved documented procedures.
Our organization before we can become "official". Others claims we are too early because our community has not redistricted yet to allow for the openning of the new school. But our homes border the new school so we know we are going there. How do we counter-act all of that negativism?
I'm a charter school parent and know that our PTO was started months before the first day of school!
First of all, it took a long time to pull together by-laws and have all parties involved agree on them!
I'm not sure what you need to do as we moved to this area 2 years after our school opened it's doors. You maybe able to find help from the district and your principal, like KC said, if you have one!
Well, kudos for your excitment and hope we can help more in the future!
Oh yeah, thank you for being involved! [img]smile.gif[/img]
I would say "start organizing." If the school has a principal assigned, they should be delighted for your enthusiasm. If not, make sure the school board knows that you want to be one of the first meetings the new principal has when they are assigned.
If you've been following the first year PTO story in the magazine, you know that they did a LOT of work before the school ever opened.
Look around here for ideas. If PTO is going to need to provide playground equipment, the information on grants might help you out. Imagine the PR boost: "PTO provides all-ability playground equipment to school still begin built."
We are openning a new school. Is it too early to start at PTO about 12 months BEFORE the school begings to hire its new staff ??? We have about 40 interested people ??
