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Tulip9
LIF Adolescent
Member since 2/14 597 total posts
Name:
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pta meetings
I am totally new to this, I sent in my money to join the PTA- should I go to the meetings? I work FT and don't have a lot of extra time on my hands- and am not interested in listening to a bunch of ladies ***** for an hour - what are the meetings like- do you think they are worth it?
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Posted 9/26/17 11:32 AM  |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: pta meetings
I have never gone to one. I pay my dues and that's it.
I have no time to volunteer for anything, and to be honest when I get home from work after working all day, the LAST thing I want to do is go up to the school and sit around in a meeting under those depressing fluorescent lights.
I can think of abuot 1000 other things I'd rather do at 7 pm on a weeknight.
Nope
I'm not exactly PTA mom material though.
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| Posted 9/26/17 11:59 AM |
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ali120206
2 Boys
Member since 7/06 17792 total posts
Name:
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pta meetings
I go when I can (they only do evening meetings every other month).
I find it useful to hear what they are raising moneys for and upcoming plans. The principal also tends to speak at the meetings.
I volunteer for a few things but, things that can be done anywhere.
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| Posted 9/26/17 1:12 PM |
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MaZz
* Lovin my baby girl!!! *
Member since 2/09 6243 total posts
Name:
Gina
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pta meetings
First time PTAer here too... I sent in my money and can't be bothered with the rest... it's not like I don't have the time to... I'm just not interested... I'm sure there are plenty of other moms who are WAY more into it and I'll rely on them to communicate the info from meetings lol
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| Posted 9/26/17 1:38 PM |
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MrsO
Big Brothers to Be
Member since 1/07 4521 total posts
Name:
Maureen
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Re: pta meetings
The PTA is an important link between the parents and the school. Our meetings are quick and we discuss upcoming events, the principal speaks about what is going on in the school and the district, and a teacher from each grade speaks about what is going on each month in the grade.
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| Posted 9/26/17 2:14 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: pta meetings
They should start serving some booze at these things and they woudl see the attendence go up!
Margarita night.
Wine down Wednesday at the PTA
Sangria etc
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| Posted 9/26/17 4:44 PM |
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KarenK122
The Journey is the Destination
Member since 5/05 4431 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: pta meetings
Posted by MrsO
The PTA is an important link between the parents and the school. Our meetings are quick and we discuss upcoming events, the principal speaks about what is going on in the school and the district, and a teacher from each grade speaks about what is going on each month in the grade.
Exactly. If you don't have the time to come to a meeting that is fine but the meetings and what the PTA does is important. We decide on programs and assemblies for the children for the year and speak with administration about things we want changed. Last year we convinced the district to add another class in a grade because the class size was too big. We also were able to add in health classes for the special needs classrooms because they weren't receiving it before. We have committees with administration on homework policies, adding additional recess, technology advancements, vocational programs, etc. PTA is involved in it all.
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| Posted 9/26/17 5:05 PM |
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nycgirl
Angels!
Member since 3/09 7721 total posts
Name:
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Re: pta meetings
Posted by NervousNell
They should start serving some booze at these things and they woudl see the attendence go up!
Margarita night.
Wine down Wednesday at the PTA
Sangria etc
Lol! I totally suggested this (can't do it because it is a liability if someone gets them self drunk).
I just started getting involved. Interestingly, it's pretty rewarding and does teach you a lot about how the schools work. PTA helps you get after school programs scheduled and rescheduled, helps pay for things in school (like gym equipment). Ours has pretty nice parents (I started getting involved to help one out).
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| Posted 9/26/17 8:26 PM |
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Dolphinsbaby
My 3 little guys!
Member since 12/10 2943 total posts
Name:
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Re: pta meetings
I can only speak to my kids PTA. I know the ladies work very hard. I was thinking of maybe getting a little involved last year when my twins started kindergarten. I work FT and could only make the night meetings.
But I couldn’t stand people ******** at the meeting about stupid nonsense. I was so tired and rushed to the meeting and was pissed. I was like I skipped dinner and missed my kids for this?!?! The final straw for me came when they told the wrong date of the Halloween parade at the pta meeting. Because I work as soon as I found out I went and put the for the day off. Long story short, we get a notice a week before that it’s on a different day than what was told at the meeting. I was soooo pissed. It’s really hard for me to take days off this time of year and the day it was I was booked with meetings. It took me 2 days to reorganize everything so I could take the day. When I said something to the PTA moms, it was almost like they were annoyed at me. They said there is a lot of juggling and these things happen and it’s no big deal. But it was a big deal to me! I let it go, but stopped attending the meetings and my life was much happier.
This year I just sent in the dues and have no plans on attending any meetings.
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| Posted 9/26/17 9:57 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: pta meetings
Posted by Dolphinsbaby
I can only speak to my kids PTA. I know the ladies work very hard. I was thinking of maybe getting a little involved last year when my twins started kindergarten. I work FT and could only make the night meetings.
But I couldn’t stand people ******** at the meeting about stupid nonsense. I was so tired and rushed to the meeting and was pissed. I was like I skipped dinner and missed my kids for this?!?! The final straw for me came when they told the wrong date of the Halloween parade at the pta meeting. Because I work as soon as I found out I went and put the for the day off. Long story short, we get a notice a week before that it’s on a different day than what was told at the meeting. I was soooo pissed. It’s really hard for me to take days off this time of year and the day it was I was booked with meetings. It took me 2 days to reorganize everything so I could take the day. When I said something to the PTA moms, it was almost like they were annoyed at me. They said there is a lot of juggling and these things happen and it’s no big deal. But it was a big deal to me! I let it go, but stopped attending the meetings and my life was much happier.
This year I just sent in the dues and have no plans on attending any meetings.
I honestly feel like these meetings and the PTA in general is geared towards mothers who do not work.
I do not feel they cater to the needs of working moms or even get our struggles at all so what you just posted doesn't' surprise me.
I'd have been pissed too.
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| Posted 9/27/17 9:01 AM |
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ali120206
2 Boys
Member since 7/06 17792 total posts
Name:
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Re: pta meetings
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by Dolphinsbaby
I can only speak to my kids PTA. I know the ladies work very hard. I was thinking of maybe getting a little involved last year when my twins started kindergarten. I work FT and could only make the night meetings.
But I couldn’t stand people ******** at the meeting about stupid nonsense. I was so tired and rushed to the meeting and was pissed. I was like I skipped dinner and missed my kids for this?!?! The final straw for me came when they told the wrong date of the Halloween parade at the pta meeting. Because I work as soon as I found out I went and put the for the day off. Long story short, we get a notice a week before that it’s on a different day than what was told at the meeting. I was soooo pissed. It’s really hard for me to take days off this time of year and the day it was I was booked with meetings. It took me 2 days to reorganize everything so I could take the day. When I said something to the PTA moms, it was almost like they were annoyed at me. They said there is a lot of juggling and these things happen and it’s no big deal. But it was a big deal to me! I let it go, but stopped attending the meetings and my life was much happier.
This year I just sent in the dues and have no plans on attending any meetings.
I honestly feel like these meetings and the PTA in general is geared towards mothers who do not work.
I do not feel they cater to the needs of working moms or even get our struggles at all so what you just posted doesn't' surprise me.
I'd have been pissed too.
I was frustrated when DS was in K - the PTA president had no regard for working parents.
The new president has her own business and is more mindful that there is more to life than the PTA which has made it better.
At the other schools in our district - the PTA president's are working moms.
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| Posted 9/27/17 12:01 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: pta meetings
Posted by Dolphinsbaby
I can only speak to my kids PTA. I know the ladies work very hard. I was thinking of maybe getting a little involved last year when my twins started kindergarten. I work FT and could only make the night meetings.
But I couldn’t stand people ******** at the meeting about stupid nonsense. I was so tired and rushed to the meeting and was pissed. I was like I skipped dinner and missed my kids for this?!?! The final straw for me came when they told the wrong date of the Halloween parade at the pta meeting. Because I work as soon as I found out I went and put the for the day off. Long story short, we get a notice a week before that it’s on a different day than what was told at the meeting. I was soooo pissed. It’s really hard for me to take days off this time of year and the day it was I was booked with meetings. It took me 2 days to reorganize everything so I could take the day. When I said something to the PTA moms, it was almost like they were annoyed at me. They said there is a lot of juggling and these things happen and it’s no big deal. But it was a big deal to me! I let it go, but stopped attending the meetings and my life was much happier.
This year I just sent in the dues and have no plans on attending any meetings.
On a side note, I bet you would look awesome in this shirt!
Message edited 9/27/2017 12:37:21 PM.
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| Posted 9/27/17 12:37 PM |
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Adri
Joy!
Member since 5/05 3116 total posts
Name:
A
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Re: pta meetings
I feel I get lots of information on what is happening in the school. During the meetings they discuss academic topics (for example they present the music program, or what they are doing in ELA, technology, etc) that I would never know of. Our meetings are in the morning, and sometimes I have to leave at 9 am, when they are discussing budget or other issues that don't interest me as much. Luckily for me, the topics I care about are discussed first 
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| Posted 9/27/17 9:05 PM |
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Re: pta meetings
I am on my DS's school PTA board. When he started K, I thought our PTA, while active, wasn't necessarily the most welcoming or the best at getting info out to busy parents.
So we have gradually changed and improved things. We send out reminders of events and key info on Facebook and email blasts to our members. We have a suggestion/questions box out at meetings, so people can give input that they may not feel comfortable raising in a public forum during an open meeting, for example.
We try to hold our meetings to accommodate all schedules. We do half of them at 9 am, and half of them at 7:30 pm, with the hopes that parents who work during the day can come in the evening, and vice-versa.
A lot of events that we hold are during the school day (out of necessity), but we also have some nighttime and evening events (family fun day, movie nights, bingo night, etc.), so parents who work during the day have a chance to participate.
I think the meetings are useful to hear about upcoming school events and concerns, and it's a chance to hear the principal and AP talk about what's been happening in school and what is coming up.
Our meetings aren't always that well attended, especially the daytime ones, which is fine. But it's then not fair to complain about not having info or about how things are done.
As I said, I thought our PTA could have used some improvement when I started getting involved, and there are still ways to make it better... there are always ways to make it better. But I try to be proactively involved.
I'm lucky that I have a flexible work schedule. And our school has a lot of working parents, and many on the PTA board are working moms. Some work part-time but others have full-time jobs, work in Manhattan, etc. So I think our culture is more welcoming to working parents.
As far as dates being changed for events -- I will say that there is a lot more that goes into planning PTA events than most people realize. We need to get permission to use the school facility, coordinate with vendors, etc. I agree that date changes should be communicated promptly, but it may legitimately have been out of the PTA board's control. It's upsetting when you can't make it to something for your child, but I have found that no one can make it to everything. When I'm there, I try to snap pictures for my friends at work, and when I can't make it, people do that for me.
All that being said - we have many parents who support the school and the PTA by giving membership dues and buying items during fundraisers, etc., but they don't have any time to attend meetings or volunteer. And that is totally ok, and their support (in whatever form it takes) is totally appreciated. So don't feel obligated to go to meetings or get further involved if it isn't your thing.
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| Posted 9/28/17 9:26 AM |
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lorich
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Member since 6/05 9987 total posts
Name:
Grammie says "Lora Gina"
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Re: pta meetings
I join the PTA every year and volunteer when I can. I'm a f/t working mom so volunteering during work hours is next to impossible. It's also next to impossible to go to a PTA mtg when you work f/t, DH works late, just you and your kid, homework, dinner, bedtime... etc. They ended up doing this event for kids during the mtg and wow - what a waste of time. If you're not on the board - you are out of the loop and there is no discussion. It was basically them reading the minutes of their mtg. 10 mins max and then I stood there and watched my son finish his event. So unless your's is different - if you don't have time, don't worry if you can't make it. Just pay the dues to help out.
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| Posted 9/28/17 12:17 PM |
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Dolphinsbaby
My 3 little guys!
Member since 12/10 2943 total posts
Name:
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Re: pta meetings
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by Dolphinsbaby
I can only speak to my kids PTA. I know the ladies work very hard. I was thinking of maybe getting a little involved last year when my twins started kindergarten. I work FT and could only make the night meetings.
But I couldn’t stand people ******** at the meeting about stupid nonsense. I was so tired and rushed to the meeting and was pissed. I was like I skipped dinner and missed my kids for this?!?! The final straw for me came when they told the wrong date of the Halloween parade at the pta meeting. Because I work as soon as I found out I went and put the for the day off. Long story short, we get a notice a week before that it’s on a different day than what was told at the meeting. I was soooo pissed. It’s really hard for me to take days off this time of year and the day it was I was booked with meetings. It took me 2 days to reorganize everything so I could take the day. When I said something to the PTA moms, it was almost like they were annoyed at me. They said there is a lot of juggling and these things happen and it’s no big deal. But it was a big deal to me! I let it go, but stopped attending the meetings and my life was much happier.
This year I just sent in the dues and have no plans on attending any meetings.
On a side note, I bet you would look awesome in this shirt!
IMAGE
Just saw this! Yes...this is totally me!!!
On a side note, I told DH they wouldn't like me on the PTA. I'd probably fire them all! LOL. Yes, I know they are volunteer positions.
Message edited 9/28/2017 3:39:27 PM.
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| Posted 9/28/17 3:37 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: pta meetings
wrong thread......
Message edited 9/29/2017 3:35:26 PM.
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| Posted 9/29/17 3:19 PM |
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WonderLady
LIF Infant
Member since 1/15 355 total posts
Name:
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pta meetings
It's so lame to hate the PTA, I have to laugh. What could possibly be negative about parents doing volunteer work to improve the childrens' experience at school?
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| Posted 9/29/17 11:51 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: pta meetings
Posted by WonderLady
It's so lame to hate the PTA, I have to laugh. What could possibly be negative about parents doing volunteer work to improve the childrens' experience at school?
I don't hate the PTA...who said that?
I have no time attend meetings after working all day, sometimes commuting from nyc, client dinners, homework, activities and running a house.
I said they don't always cater to working moms and in my school at least, that's true.
If I didn't work I would participate more.
I send them the dues, the money for the coupon book I never use, and other fundraisers.
If that makes me lame, I am lame, and I am ok with that.
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| Posted 9/30/17 7:14 AM |
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itsbabytime
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 9644 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: pta meetings
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by WonderLady
It's so lame to hate the PTA, I have to laugh. What could possibly be negative about parents doing volunteer work to improve the childrens' experience at school?
I don't hate the PTA...who said that?
I have no time attend meetings after working all day, sometimes commuting from nyc, client dinners, homework, activities and running a house.
I said they don't always cater to working moms and in my school at least, that's true.
If I didn't work I would participate more.
I send them the dues, the money for the coupon book I never use, and other fundraisers.
If that makes me lame, I am lame, and I am ok with that.
PTA moms are working moms too. They are working for your children without a pay check. Many PTA positions are like a full time job. Super surprised at some of the comments on this thread. In my children's school the PTA provides so many programs educational and recreational for the kids etc. The entire school would suffer tremendously without the selfless hours the PTA mom's put in - for your children - for your school and without a pay check. And for the mom above that was aggravated by the meeting change. You likely have no idea how much planning and work goes on behind the scenes for the PTA. Do you think what they do is less important than what you do? I'm so thankful that in our school district we have hundreds of parents that volunteer to make our school amazing.
Message edited 9/30/2017 7:46:46 AM.
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| Posted 9/30/17 7:46 AM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: pta meetings
Posted by itsbabytime
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by WonderLady
It's so lame to hate the PTA, I have to laugh. What could possibly be negative about parents doing volunteer work to improve the childrens' experience at school?
I don't hate the PTA...who said that?
I have no time attend meetings after working all day, sometimes commuting from nyc, client dinners, homework, activities and running a house.
I said they don't always cater to working moms and in my school at least, that's true.
If I didn't work I would participate more.
I send them the dues, the money for the coupon book I never use, and other fundraisers.
If that makes me lame, I am lame, and I am ok with that.
PTA moms are working moms too. They are working for your children without a pay check. Many PTA positions are like a full time job. Super surprised at some of the comments on this thread. In my children's school the PTA provides so many programs educational and recreational for the kids etc. The entire school would suffer tremendously without the selfless hours the PTA mom's put in - for your children - for your school and without a pay check. And for the mom above that was aggravated by the meeting change. You likely have no idea how much planning and work goes on behind the scenes for the PTA. Do you think what they do is less important than what you do? I'm so thankful that in our school district we have hundreds of parents that volunteer to make our school amazing.
I didn't say that they weren't working hard. I said that I don't attend meetings because my full time job doesn't allow it. The pta IS a full time job in some cases, yes you are right . And I don't have the time ....or the desire to be honest ..for 2 jobs right now.
But that wasn't my point...the quoted poster said it was lame to hate the pta...i was simply pointing out that I never said I hated it.
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| Posted 9/30/17 8:10 AM |
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Dolphinsbaby
My 3 little guys!
Member since 12/10 2943 total posts
Name:
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Re: pta meetings
Posted by itsbabytime
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by WonderLady
It's so lame to hate the PTA, I have to laugh. What could possibly be negative about parents doing volunteer work to improve the childrens' experience at school?
I don't hate the PTA...who said that?
I have no time attend meetings after working all day, sometimes commuting from nyc, client dinners, homework, activities and running a house.
I said they don't always cater to working moms and in my school at least, that's true.
If I didn't work I would participate more.
I send them the dues, the money for the coupon book I never use, and other fundraisers.
If that makes me lame, I am lame, and I am ok with that.
PTA moms are working moms too. They are working for your children without a pay check. Many PTA positions are like a full time job. Super surprised at some of the comments on this thread. In my children's school the PTA provides so many programs educational and recreational for the kids etc. The entire school would suffer tremendously without the selfless hours the PTA mom's put in - for your children - for your school and without a pay check. And for the mom above that was aggravated by the meeting change. You likely have no idea how much planning and work goes on behind the scenes for the PTA. Do you think what they do is less important than what you do? I'm so thankful that in our school district we have hundreds of parents that volunteer to make our school amazing.
I am the poster you are referring to. If you read my original post, you will see I mention in the 2nd line how hard the PTA moms work. However that was not my point. I do not think what they do is less important, but they sure as hell made me feel like my job was less important. I understand they do a lot, but they did not seem to understand that I work and were very flippant toward me about the date change. I understand things happen and like most things it’s not what was said but the way it was said. Maybe if they explained to me why or said yes, we were going to try to notify parents about the date change, but it was as if they couldn’t be bothered and I was annoying them about something silly like that.
To me it is not silly. It takes a lot of planning for me to take a day off work. I know others may not understand or care. But if they handled things differently I may have been open to try to volunteering for some low key things. But because of their behavior toward me, it completely turned me off which is a shame.
Maybe your PTA is wonderful and communicates and everyone gets along great which is fantastic. But that was not my experience, but of course everyone’s school is different.
Message edited 9/30/2017 8:20:21 AM.
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| Posted 9/30/17 8:19 AM |
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nycgirl
Angels!
Member since 3/09 7721 total posts
Name:
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Re: pta meetings
At our school, the PTA is half working moms (many doctors and lawyers) and half SAHMs. The heads tend to be SAHMs who have held VERY high level business/financial positions in the past. I would never have known unless I got involved.
I used to feel the same way (how do you have so many 9AM meetings?)... and then became friends with a mom in the PTA and after asking her why she does it, I took a low level position (that allows me to do all the work from my basement computer on my own schedule). It's actually pretty awesome how much of an impact the whole thing makes. Since my meetings are with my committee, they are flexible with dates/hours.
Yes, some people are crazy... but if you have some normal and smart people running it, it actually is fun and really gets stuff done.
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| Posted 9/30/17 9:11 AM |
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Jacksmommy
My love muffin!
Member since 1/07 5819 total posts
Name:
Liz
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Re: pta meetings
Ill be honest about my experience - I had grandiose ideas about PTA for my son's school because of my own experience in school (and as a teacher). I was so excited to join when my son started K. However, there is limited opportunities (in our school) for a working mom to participate in, which I mentioned at one of the faculty meetings and was effectively excommunicated LOL. There is one mom who is a type A personality and doesn't let anyone else do anything. My son is now in 4th and I just started attending meetings again. It doesn't seem much has changed.
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| Posted 10/1/17 11:18 AM |
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2boys1girl
and one more girl on the way!
Member since 5/10 2954 total posts
Name:
D
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pta meetings
I am the VP of our PTO board and a 9-5er with 4 children all very active in multiple things so I will say that our PTO caters to the working Mom. You will hardly see me running a daytime event but that's what volunteers are for. Without them a lot of things wouldn't happen for our kids.
And yes a lot of the events go on during school hours because you will also get the parents that complain they don't want to be at the school after school. It's a lose lose situation because you will ALWAYS find someone to complain about something.
It bugs me (at our school at least) to have parents not realize how much the PTO provides for the kids and how little the actual school does. If we take it all away and people stop volunteering to run these events, fundraise to pay for all of these things...I'm sure those non-existent parents will have plenty to say then.
And I am not your cookie cutter, betty crocker, PTO mom everyone pictures so don't be quick to label....My own friends laugh when they find out I'm on the executive board of the PTO for my kids school.
Message edited 10/12/2017 11:40:23 AM.
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| Posted 10/12/17 11:39 AM |
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