BEST so far was Family Swim Night. PTO rented our an indoor pool on a Friday night in Jan. The kids LOVE it. They swam for 2 hours and thought it was so special since it was the middle of winter.

Second favorite was movie night on the field. Rented a big outdoor screen and projector. Everyone brought chairs and blankets and watched a movie outside.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you give examples of things for which your pta has advocated? We don’t do this at all.

You could try advocating for things your school’s teachers want: more money for supplies, more training time for the new curriculum, etc. if your school is overcrowded, are you involved in making sure MCPS acts on plans to alleviate it? Be a voice for the teachers, parents, and students.

How do we even know if the teachers want these things?

Really? Do a survey. Ask them. Come on now.

Best: 5K race, science night, international night, silent auction, bingo night, harvest carnival, pre-packaged school supplies

Worst: family dance, family movie, breakfast with mom/dad, talent show

Favorites for me are: Back to school picnic, STEM night, Literacy Night and International Diversity Night.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you give examples of things for which your pta has advocated? We don’t do this at all.

You could try advocating for things your school’s teachers want: more money for supplies, more training time for the new curriculum, etc. if your school is overcrowded, are you involved in making sure MCPS acts on plans to alleviate it? Be a voice for the teachers, parents, and students.

How do we even know if the teachers want these things?

LOVE Bingo Night. Both parents and kids seem to have fun with it.

Dislike International Night.

Book fairs at B&N have been more successful for us than the ones from Scholastic the past theee years. You can easily do them online.

Anonymous wrote:Can you give examples of things for which your pta has advocated? We don’t do this at all.

You could try advocating for things your school’s teachers want: more money for supplies, more training time for the new curriculum, etc. if your school is overcrowded, are you involved in making sure MCPS acts on plans to alleviate it? Be a voice for the teachers, parents, and students.

Can you give examples of things for which your pta has advocated? We don’t do this at all.

Favorites in ES: fall and spring all school events (around Halloween and Spring carnival or festival). A lot of work, but great fun for kids of all ages. Back to school picnic and Bingo night, because they are easy and fun.

Worst: talent show. I do not want to spend my time watching ES students show their talents. Who I thinks any parent wants to spend their time watching this?

Anonymous wrote:I assume you're a new PTA board member looking for feedback.

In addition to the events of the sort cited above, PLEASE act as a strident voice on behalf of the issues impacting the school. Organize petitions, email campaigns, anything to make noise about it to the principal, BoE, MCPS Central ... whoever is in charge of making decisions on that issue.

The PTA needs to be more than bake sales. It needs to be the voice of parents and students.

MOst PTAs are not just bake sales. The unfortunate thing is that PTAs struggle to get volunteers that the handful of parents who end up on the Board end up doing it all (fundraising, events, yearbook, PTA meetings, etc.) that there's very little time/energy left to do the campaigns and be the voice of the parents, students, etc.

International Night, Science Fair..Great

I assume you're a new PTA board member looking for feedback.

In addition to the events of the sort cited above, PLEASE act as a strident voice on behalf of the issues impacting the school. Organize petitions, email campaigns, anything to make noise about it to the principal, BoE, MCPS Central ... whoever is in charge of making decisions on that issue.

The PTA needs to be more than bake sales. It needs to be the voice of parents and students.

Love the end of year yearbook signing and ice cream social on the playground.

Anonymous wrote:I'd love to hear what parents think are some of the best events that their PTAs (or schools, if PTAs aren't very active) put on each year. I'm particularly interested in the elementary level, but am interested in any and all input. Conversely, I'd love to hear what wasn't so hot either.

The biggest events at our school are International Night, Back to School Picnic, and the Talent Show.

I'd love to hear what parents think are some of the best events that their PTAs (or schools, if PTAs aren't very active) put on each year. I'm particularly interested in the elementary level, but am interested in any and all input. Conversely, I'd love to hear what wasn't so hot either.