HI All, I am the President of the PARENT CLUB!!! We are just like a PTA and infact that is how I introduce us to the new parents ... Everyone is familiar with the PTA. we had no PTA/PTO because the only teachers involved were also parents. It is hard to get teacher/staff to come to meetings they have on their teaching contract 2 1 hour meetings a month. So they do want or have to attend another. The principal comes and we work with her on projects, we also have a volunteer cordinator who also happens to be on the staff, part time! It works well for us. If you already have a PTA why start a Parent Club. They are basically the same thing! [img]tongue.gif[/img] [img]tongue.gif[/img] [img]tongue.gif[/img]
At our high school we don't have a PTO, we have a Parents' Club. This is because teachers didn't see any reason to join, thus the "T" in PTO was never a factor. At our middle school we have started Parent Conncetor groups that meet a couple times a year. We discuss topics that are more sensitive in nature. We have discussed underage smoking, drinking, when is an appropriate curfew, etc. These meetings in no way impinge on the PTO. Because it doesn't involve fundraising, school activities and so forth, our principal has been very supportive and has asked our school counselors to support us. They have been a great resource and have given us some insight into how to deal with some of these things. It is also great to just informally talk to parents with kids your kid's age who are dealing with the same problems. We have a pretty good turnout because like I said, no fundraising and no real time committment. A PTO president started the group several years ago so we haven't had any conflict.
Not sure what she is talking about either. Perhaps she can "chair" something on the PTO to keep everything PTO. I'm sure alot of her goals are similar to the PTO's. Its just a matter of "meshing" them together.
What's the difference in between a "Parents Club" and the "PTO" at schools. Being approached by a parent in May that wanted to start a parents club. I didn't understand what she wants. I told her to give me some ideas and goals of what she would want it to accomplish because we would have to present the idea to the Principal for approval. I haven't heard from her since. I take it some parents aren't happy with the PTO's new board for this coming year. Myself, coming off the board due burnt out I want to be a parent volunteer only. So, if someone out there can explain to me the difference maybe I can understand what they want. I explained to the parent that I don't want to split PTO and this parents club that they want to start. That's the reason I asked what goals and visions do you have in mind. I think that they just want to have a voice heard due to the language barrier.
