When Buddy started kindergarten last year, several people asked whether I was going to get involved in the elementary parent-teacher organization.
Each time, I’m sure a disgusted look came over my face as I said, “Absolutely not.”
In my mind, the PTO was made up of stay-at-home Stepford wives who put together flashy auctions and baked extravagant goodies for bake sales. I assumed it would be all about fundraising. I thought they would be gossipy and cliquish and pushy and not willing to accept new ideas. I feared they would force me to join committees and would basically suck up every ounce of my precious free time.
Plus, I was still trying to reconcile the fact that, somehow, I was old enough to be joining a PTO. How on earth did I get here?
I avoided the call of the PTO for the first few months of the school year, until a friend and I –– both plagued by our mutual working mom guilt over not being able to volunteer and help out in the classroom –– decided to check out the next meeting. I remember walking in feeling a bit … hmm … apprehensive.
But instead I found a room of … normal women. Who were – gasp – nice and welcoming. (And, yes, appreciative to have some new “kindergarten moms” join.)
It turns out our elementary PTO is a wonderfully diverse group. Some of us work full-time, some work part-time, some are at home. We bring varied skills and experience to the group, whether it’s our way with words or our ability to manipulate numbers or our creative energy or our technical know-how. Yet somehow it all works. Because (1) we all have the same goal and mission in mind: to help our kids’ schools, and (2) we are all respectful of each other’s time, responsibilities and obligations outside the PTO.
And I discovered it is so much more than just fundraising. It’s also organizing teacher appreciation lunches and coordinating fun enrichment activities for the kids and planning events like the schools’ annual field day.
I remember leaving that first meeting feeling silly for my awful and ridiculous PTO stereotypes. Over the course of the school year, I attended slightly more than half of the meetings and helped out with a few events, which was about all I had time for. I got to get a feel of what our PTO does without overextending myself. And no one made me feel bad when I had decline to participate because of work or personal commitments.
Of course, every town and PTO/PTA is different. But as I get ready to head off to a subcommittee meeting later today (for the first event I’m helping to organize!), I thought I would share 10 reasons I’m happy I joined our PTO:
- It’s nice to be “in the know” on what’s going on, not just in the classroom but in the larger school district as well.
- When you work full-time, it’s hard to feel involved with, and connected, to your kid’s school, especially since so many activities and events are during the day. I am so appreciative of our 7pm monthly meetings.
- Building relationships and getting face time with the principals never hurts.
- I’ve had the opportunity to meet some talented and dedicated parents.
- It’s allowed me to form a larger and more meaningful connection with our community.
- I’m proud I can use my time, along with my professional skills, to help improve my son’s educational experience.
- It allows me to have a voice in what is happening in our schools.
- It’s a forum to discuss or share concerns.
- By being involved in his school and taking on voluntary work to help our community, I’d like to think I’m setting a good example about the importance of both education and citizenship.
- It can be hard work, but it is also incredibly rewarding … and a lot of fun!
For you other school-age parents out there, are you involved with your child’s school or local PTO/PTA?
Heather @ Kraus House Mom says
I’ve been on the PTO for the past 3 years and love. I like knowing what’s going on and being part of the planning. I stay at home and miss being part of the school environment, so I volunteer for all the school based events. I am also the Box Top mom. Other parents are always texting and messaging me with tons of questions about everything, I try to get them to go to the meeting. And since I’ve been a kindergarten mom for the past 3 years I’m always trying to convince parents to get involved. As a teacher I know the parents that are involved with their child’s education have fewer problems (for the most part) with their child’s learning.
Jessica says
LOVE Box Tops!!! 🙂
Nicole@RunningWhileMommy says
I went to my first PTO meeting when my son started kindergarten and it was so awful. I left so upset and have not been back since. However, people have changed and it may be time to check it out again. Still have some reservations though.
Jessica says
I know, I feel like it is such a crapshoot — so much of it depends on your town/district. The good news is that there is usually a lot of turnover year after year, so maybe there’s a better group in place now?
Chelley / AisForAdelaide says
I LOVE this! I have seriously wanted to be in the PTA/PTO since I was a kid- it’s a dream of mine. Call me crazy (I know I am!).
Jackie says
Good for you. I think it’s refreshing to hear your perspective on this organization. I have always volunteered in my kids’ schools!
Michele C. says
My private, for-profit daycare even has a PTO. I was so reluctant to join, but I am glad I did. We plan fun things for the kids all year round, raise money, do Scholastic book sales to help the teachers earn new books every month. You name it! Plus we sponsor fun activities to bring the parents together, because with daycare no one is there at the same time every day and it can be hard to connect. Glad you are enjoying your PTO experience!!
Melissa Hillas says
I don’t have kids of my own, but sounds like you made a great decision! 🙂
Kirsten says
I’m so type A that I showed up at the PTO a year before Ben went to school just so I could get a handle on what needed fixing. 🙂 Turns out, it didn’t need fixing, it was fantastic and there are great parents who work their asses out for the kids. I can’t participate much anymore due to other obligations but I fully support their efforts and am glad that we have them!
Dollops of Diane says
I haven’t been to an actual PTO meeting yet but I did just join one of their subcommittees. We are working on a new playground for the Kindergarteners. I figure I have one in K now, one next year, and then my last the following year. My kids are going to get some good use out of that so I might as well help!
Norine of Science of Parenthood says
I, too, thought the PTA (or PTO in our case) would be filled with headband- and pearl-wearing Queen Bees. I guess it depends on where your child is at school. We’re at an earthy-crunchy, Montessori charter school so no Queen Bees here and our PTO is filled with wonderful women working to enhance the school environment for all of our kids. I wish I could spend more time working with them for they’re the ones who keep our school humming beautifully along.
Marisa says
Thank you! Thank you so much for this. I love our PTO for all these reasons, but trying to get others to understand and just try one meeting is hard. Maybe sharing this will help. 🙂
Jessica says
Thank you so much! I know it varies by town/school district but I’d like to think that, at the core, most PTOs are full of good intentions.
My experience has been so positive that I agreed to join the board next year 🙂
Christina says
A lot of folks don’t realize how much of their child’s schooling experience is put on by the PTO. Without the PTO the school year would be very boring. We help cover the costs of a lot of what the district and grants can not. Thank you so much for this blog spot. I know I will be sharing! I have been a part of the PTO board for 2 school years and wouldn’t trade it for a minute. My son knows how much work goes into their school year and he loves it that much more knowing his Mom helped bring the experiences he enjoys to his school. Our kids are always watching and it is an incredible life lesson for them. Also folks may find boards they don’t care for, I have been there, but just know these are the folks who stepped up and it’s not a paid position. We all have to work with and deal with folks we rather would not in our everyday lives and working lives. Moms and I think working moms especially have a great skill set for this environment to help it flow. My favorite parts are always when you see the parents and kids smiling and making great memories knowing you played a part (no matter how big or small) in making that happen.
Tes says
Thanks for sharing your experiences. There certainly is a stereotypical view that still pervades. I speak to dozens of PTO committees every week about the volunteering culture in their school. The vast majority are incredibly selfless and committed to providing a better school experience for the kids *and* other parents. They tend to have more success when they make volunteering transparent, accessible and manageable. However the most important factor is that new parents feel welcomed and unintimidated. Well done for taking a chance and getting involved. I’m glad you found it rewarding!
Jessica says
Thank you so much It was my pleasure to share this experience. If I can convince one other parent to give PTO a shot it was well worth it 😉
Wendy s. says
Thank you so much for this article. Will have to share link in our beginning of year newsletter! So many have that impression of PTO & I just hate that.
Lupe says
I plan on joining this year. My daughter will be in second grade. I’ve been hesitant, because as a teacher myself on a different campus, I cannot attend the meetings…they have them at noon! I’m still willing to try it out and see what I can contribute…