Would it be strange to participate in the elementary school PTA when your child is only in preschool

[Anonymous]

My son will start kindergarten in 2014. He is only in preschool now.

Would it be strange to participate in the elementary school PTA now?

I would love to volunteer and help with events and fundraising. The PTA seems to have a lot going on including setting up afternoon activities (sports, language immersion, music, etc.) that would affect my child in 2 years.

[Anonymous]

Super weird. Sorry.

[Anonymous]

Yes.

[Anonymous]

Not trying to be insulting, but it does seem a bit odd. There will be plenty of opportunities to be involved once your kids are at the school. You can certainly support any fundraising events but I wouldn't try to do much more than that.

[Anonymous]

Are you friends with any of the parents currently on the PTA? If so, then I cannot see any harm in saying something like, "I am free if you need some extra hands with the Cake Walk next weekend - just let me know - I'd love to start meeting other families there and getting to know more about the school and the community!" But if not, I do think this would be a tad weird.

[Anonymous]

I think its fine to attend a PTA meeting next year to get a preview of the school and the PTA and issues that they both face but to regularly participate I do think it would be a bit too much.

[Anonymous]

Hah. The earlier PPs clearly don't have a leadership position in the PTA and regularly experience the joy of trying to get volunteers.
I'll happily welcome you!
Signed,
PTA person who is hoping this person is talking about my elementary school.

[Anonymous]

Some will think it is strange but do it anyway. When he gets to elementary you will know the ropes. And, another good idea that some have done is to join the band boosters, arts/drama boosters, and athletic boosters a year or two early. That is where lots of hard work and lots of fund raising happen, it is benficial to get involved early.

[Anonymous]

I think the other question would be whether you would be welcome to join. You aren't a parent and honestly, other than being a taxpayer, you aren't affiliated with the school. With safety and privacy concerns, off-the-street volunteers aren't really the norm. If you have a skillset in that you are offering to volunteer as a coach or art teacher at one of those after school programs, that might be something different. Or, as a PP said, as a friend you are happy to help run the moonbounce at the school's family day or something.

Is there something in particular that is interesting you? I'm wondering if you aren't a parent at a school that is going to be hit by additions or remodelings in Arlington such as Ashlawn or McKinley and maybe you're thinking that being on the PTA you'll have some say in those processes? Decisions regarding planning and building on these sites are not in the hands of the PTA. The School Board and County run the citizen committees that participate in these efforts.

I think it's great that you are excited. This is my child's first year in school and I just joined the PTA, yet I would think it odd if you joined the Parent-Teacher Association and you were neither a parent nor a teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's great that you are excited. This is my child's first year in school and I just joined the PTA, yet I would think it odd if you joined the Parent-Teacher Association and you were neither a parent nor a teacher.

Yes. This.

[Anonymous]

I think you should wait until the year before your child goes to school there to join. I don't think it is weird and you will have an in by knowing other parents, teachers, staff, and just how the school works. I do feel that you really shouldn't vote on regular issues that wouldn't affect your child, like the date of the car wash.

[Anonymous]

I'd focus on helping out at the preschool.

[Anonymous]

For our local public schools, PTA meetings were open to the public. As for joining, that may be also but I haven't heard of anyone asking.

[Anonymous]

One of the best ways preschool moms can help out is by linking their cards to the school. Giant, Safeway, collecting Box Tops, etc. The PTA or PTO website should have more information on this.

[Anonymous]

I can just imagine the small talk as you're setting up the bake sale table with the other volunteers...

"What grade is your child in?"
"Oh, he's still in preschool."
"No, I mean your child at Wobegone Elementary. Who's their teacher?"
"Actually, none of my kids are old enough to be in school yet. I just joined the PTA to get ahead of the game."
"Huh."

At which point, this other parent makes a mental note to never, ever cross paths with you again.