So, what does your PTA discuss?

[mommaknowsbest]

What topics are your PTAs discussing?

Do you ever have guest speakers?

Thanks, for any replies!

[LiamnEmma]

Right now we're focused on the economy and how it's impacting our students...what we might be able to do to ease the academic load on the students at school and at home by helping them in school. We have a lot of donation types of programs that we work with and during this time of year we are focused on food drives and holiday toy/clothing/gift drives.

We had our superintendent come in to speak to us last month. He was speaking directly about a bond measure that the district wanted to have passed for the election. But the PTA came up with that topic. He would have presented on something else because I had already asked him to come speak with us prior to topic choice. That was just the most germane at that point.

I'm thinking I might have a special family night in a few months to talk about things to do with kids at home. We are the "poorest" school in our city so there are some families that are truly hurting right now with the economy the way it is. We are going to focus more on food and basic needs for the next couple of years I believe.

Otherwise, your basic PTA things--budget, committee reports, etc.

[mommaknowsbest]

Originally Posted by LiamnEmma

Right now we're focused on the economy and how it's impacting our students...what we might be able to do to ease the academic load on the students at school and at home by helping them in school. We have a lot of donation types of programs that we work with and during this time of year we are focused on food drives and holiday toy/clothing/gift drives.

We had our superintendent come in to speak to us last month. He was speaking directly about a bond measure that the district wanted to have passed for the election. But the PTA came up with that topic. He would have presented on something else because I had already asked him to come speak with us prior to topic choice. That was just the most germane at that point.

I'm thinking I might have a special family night in a few months to talk about things to do with kids at home. We are the "poorest" school in our city so there are some families that are truly hurting right now with the economy the way it is. We are going to focus more on food and basic needs for the next couple of years I believe.

Otherwise, your basic PTA things--budget, committee reports, etc.

Spoken like a devoted PTA president?

That sounds really smart!

When you say you are thinking about having a special family night,is that in addition to the regularly scheduled meetings?

Thanks,momma!

[EFmom]

Ours is all fundraising, all the time.

[sunnmama]

I've only gone to one meeting (they are usually held on a night that I work), and, for the first half, they talked about fundraising and how to spend to funds raised.

For the second half, they had a presentation on the behavioral modification system for the school, given by a teacher and the principal. It is a 3 year-new system, rooted in positive communication--so that was nice to learn about! I understand that they routinely have a speaker in the second half sharing information about the school.

[LiamnEmma]

Originally Posted by mommaknowsbest

Spoken like a devoted PTA president?

When you say you are thinking about having a special family night,is that in addition to the regularly scheduled meetings?

President yes, devoted would be stretching it. I just have a lot of people around me that are devoted and their actions make me look good. Most of the time I'm in a chaotic plunge.

Yes, separately from the regular PTA meetings. They are actually sparsely attended, mostly by the board and chairpersons. This is something the teachers are asking for. It has to be fleshed out but I'd think hopefully a representative from each grade level, the school counselor, etc. Sort of like a skills night without the pressure of performing. We'll see.

And to a pp, we're all fundraising all the time too, especially right now. We've low on our funds which decreases our ability to put on some of our programs. It sucks and it's a big vicious circle and the community is just fundraised out. Including me.

[marieangela]

We have another one tonight (the third so far this year) and will be talking about fund raising and teacher appreciation gifts. I'm debating on whether or not to go, as this will be the only evening my dh has off for a while.

[philomom]

We have had guest speakers come and do their talks on cyber safety, fundraising, international day, community awareness, disaster preparedness, and other stuff. One of the ones I like best was a "chain of command" talk about how to speak to the right person in the public school system with your specific concern.

[mommaknowsbest]

Originally Posted by sunnmama

I've only gone to one meeting (they are usually held on a night that I work), and, for the first half, they talked about fundraising and how to spend to funds raised.

For the second half, they had a presentation on the behavioral modification system for the school, given by a teacher and the principal. It is a 3 year-new system, rooted in positive communication--so that was nice to learn about! I understand that they routinely have a speaker in the second half sharing information about the school.

That's cool, about the behavior program!

[mommaknowsbest]

Originally Posted by LiamnEmma

President yes, devoted would be stretching it. I just have a lot of people around me that are devoted and their actions make me look good. Most of the time I'm in a chaotic plunge.

Yes, separately from the regular PTA meetings. They are actually sparsely attended, mostly by the board and chairpersons. This is something the teachers are asking for. It has to be fleshed out but I'd think hopefully a representative from each grade level, the school counselor, etc. Sort of like a skills night without the pressure of performing. We'll see.

And to a pp, we're all fundraising all the time too, especially right now. We've low on our funds which decreases our ability to put on some of our programs. It sucks and it's a big vicious circle and the community is just fundraised out. Including me.

Too funny,but really,I'm sure you are a very humble person. It sounds like you have a great team!

Yeah, there seems to be that commonality of fundraising. Sigh.

Here's hoping to $$ success for all of our schools!

[mommaknowsbest]

Originally Posted by philomom

We have had guest speakers come and do their talks on cyber safety, fundraising, international day, community awareness, disaster preparedness, and other stuff. One of the ones I like best was a "chain of command" talk about how to speak to the right person in the public school system with your specific concern.

Ooooh...this sounds good! Thanks for sharing!:

Marie-I always have to pick and choose,due to dh's schedule...I can relate!

Thanks,mommas!

[Girlprof]

Our PTA does a lot of fundraising, which kind of bores me to tears.

We also had guest speakers - cyber safety and a City Council member to speak about the new high school.

But, the PTA organizes a lot of social events, which are great. They did a Hallowe'en dance and a Family Field day, organized by the gym teacher. DH got the field day slot while I stayed home with the baby, but it sounds like it was amazing. Lots of very creative get-to-know-each-other games. The PTA also does a movie night over the break, a pancake breakfast, a talent show, etc. My son adores this community gathering type things and we have promised to go to all of them.

[delphine]

Another PTO president here. We are a private school, so it may be slightly different.

At our meetings, we discuss budget, fundraising, upcoming plans etc, plus usually some of the teachers talk about what their classes are doing and usually one of the classes does a presentation.

We fund a family fun night, swim parties, fall festival, spring festival, monthly teacher appreciation luncheons and special events like having a Shakespeare troup come to the school, middle school field trips, and our entire library Reading Counts (similar to Accelerated Reader) program, as well as teacher wish lists.

We do a lot of fundraising but try to make it easy fundraising. We only have one direct sale and it's candy bars. We also do restaurant nights, a GALA auction and dinner in the fall, a Casino Night and a Golf Scramble in the spring.