I am actively involved in my school's PTA. But there are many opportunities outside of the PTA to be involved in a school so really why knock parents that aren't involved. If a good percentage of parents in the school are volunteering for some type of school betterment then that should be what is important not PTA membership and doing things the PTA way.

I started out with high hopes for the PTA and getting involved... I wasn't impressed. I think that it must be common (at least at our school) b/c the first meeting of the year was filled (i.e. 25 people) with parents of kinders and first graders... the people who hadn't figured it out yet. The parents who've been around longer aren't interested anymore.

Maybe your PTA is doing "a thousand things" that affect your child. Mine is not, and again, I would be content with the education my child would be getting if there was no PTA at the school. It seems that some of you won't take this at face value...I don't see PTA as a necessity or even much of a value-adder when it comes to my children's school experience. I do see them as kind of an irritant with all of the fundraising pushiness and personally, I find the leadership to be dismissive/clique-ish/incredulous that everyone doesn't see PTA the way that they do (as this discussion shows).

I don't want cookie dough, wrapping paper, candy bars or coupon books. I'd rather have more parents volunterring in the classrooms (with regular or special events) or people who just send their kids to school with respect for teachers and other students.

Since our school has a PA, and every parent is automatically a member, I am looking at this discussion as more what makes you involved or not -- whether volunteering for a field trip or contributing to fundraising etc. In our school you are an automatic member, yet many people opt to do zero of the efforts the PA organizes, or independently. They reap the benefits of course, in an often bewildering way. I.e. "Those potted plants lining the asphalt look so nice". Yes, a parent showed up on school clean-up day and donated them. It gets to the point where 80% of parents are just opting to do nothing, yet they happily send their kids on field trips that the same ten parents chaperone. I just don't get it. I don't understand how any parent can choose to do nothing at all over the course of a school year. I don't care how financially strapped or busy (a lot of these parents are well resourced) - if you chose to parent you should make time for some school related duties in your life. If every parent did ONE thing, the same ten parents wouldn't do everything. They do it out of a sense of responsibility, not because they magically have 'more time'. It's kind of like shoveling your elderly neighbor's car out; you just do it b/cause it's the right thing to do.
I am not demanding involvement in the PTA specifically, just involvement in the parent life of a school--kicking in the intangibles. You may have a talent for organizing and help a teacher arrange a supply closet, and extra DVR to send in, or a willingness to spend a day on a field trip. I don't want to 'own' anyone's time. I just think if more people pitched in in some tiny way, it would have a big impact. PP', you seem to be involved. I have zero quibble with you on that level. I wish more parents at our school contributed to teacher appreciation, showed up for meetings, helped out in the class etc.
However PP, that being said, to want an organized parent arm like the PA or PTA to 'go away' sort of reminds me of people who say 'we don't need the 'federal govt.'. You may not like what they do or how they do it, you may know nothing about what they do or want to change it, but to just wish it away seems a bit absurd. An organized parent arm has a tremendous potential for good, and is probably doing a thousand invisible things that your child benefits from every day. If you choose to not get involved, I would suggest still wishing your PA or PTA well.

Anonymous wrote:Three kids, I work full time and we move quite often. I just don't have the time. I attend school functions, donate and make purchases through the PTA. Overall, PTA is pretty low on my totem pole. Sorry.

In my mind the PTA is for SAHMs. I'm sure that is a broad assumption and I will get flamed, but that's my two cent donation.

many sahm feel that they already do "enough" for the school and therefore don't do PTA, that all for you honey, want to give you an opportunity to do something too!

There was a NY Times story last year about this NY PS whose PTA raises $500,000 a year. Left me dreamy-eyed...I can only imagine the stuff we could offer the kids with that kind of money...

OP here. Please don't fight, y'all. I was just trying to find out what motivates people to do PTA stuff/or not. I understand that some people may not care for what their PTA does or the personalities involved, and people may not always agree on what is best. But I do see some schools having some fantastic offerings that ours doesn't, and I wish people would get more involved. On top of which school finances don't look like they're going to improve anytime soon:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/with-debt-deal-states-brace-for-cuts-in-federal-aid/2011/08/02/gIQANdRWqI_print.html

Anonymous wrote:I have found a lot of the posts really reprehensible, though honest...I guess.
Our school has a PA (Parent Association) and all dues go to the school.
I am sure that the parents on the PA could be accused of all the above--being tight-knit, not publicizing enough, not paying enough attention to special needs etc. etc.
What people forget is that these are not paid organizers; these are PARENTS. Most of them work, maintain relationships, do household chores, cook dinner, pay bills just like you. Not all want to go to a school at 7 in the morning to unlock a door for a school clean-up, but they do. Not all want to roll out of bed on a cold winter's night to go to another PA meeting, but they do. Why? Because not only do they give a crap about their kids, but they also give a crap about yours--who are directly benefiting from their efforts.
I am so sick of parent apathy in DC, coupled with demands to be 'courted', 'invited' and suggestions of how to do better. If you have a better way to run a PA/PTA--join and do it. Or just pay your dues and show up for one flipping meeting or clean-up or faculty appreciation potluck every couple of months. Most of us are getting a free ride for our kids with public or PCS educations. Showing up and kicking in a little is the least we can do.

My hunch is your contempt shows, and that it drives people away.

well, I have been involved enough to go to at least half of the meetings and be one of the volunteers, and I don't see much of what they do. To the extent that they have told us what they do, I don't care if the funding dries up.

So, if you care about what they do, that's fine, enjoy your involvement. Just don't give me and others the guilt (i.e. "it's reprehensible...") b/c we don't share your enthusiasm. You have your hobbies, I have mine. The more I hear this judgment about how people should spend their time, the less I want a PTA in my school.

Sounds like your very supportive of the classroom, which is great.

Before you ax the PTA, maybe you should find out what they do--since you say "Whatever that is". At some schools PTA's raise funds to pay for teaching aides, new playgrounds, advocate downtown, fundraise for long term expenses articulated by the principal and the teachers, explore partnerships for the school, help with Science Fair, Spelling Bee, carnivals and spirit days, schoolwide parties. support class trips, bring up issues to the admin, organize clean-ups and the list goes on and on.

Will you be taking that over?

Frankly, I wouldn't mind if the PTA went away. Just tell me that I need to write a check for $25 for the teacher appreciation and field trip transportation and I'll comply. The rest of what the PTA is doing (whatever that is) is not important to me.

you're essentially saying that you would prefer your school have no PTA. Is that the case? Since you don't 'value it'.

I think some of you are missing the point that there are those of us who don't value the PTA. Some of you do... goody for you. But, just b/c YOU think it's a great cause or use of your time, doesn't mean that everyone has to feel the same.

You don't own me or my time just b/c I send my kid to public school. I'll help out however and whenever I want to.

(and by the way, I AM one of 4 parents who volunteers in the classroom on a weekly basis, I did volunteer to be the spiritwear co-chair, and I regularly pitch in for the clean-ups, set-ups and bring in cookies events === but I still don't like the PTA and I'm not sure I'll pay the membership fee this year).

Anonymous wrote:Three kids, I work full time and we move quite often. I just don't have the time. I attend school functions, donate and make purchases through the PTA. Overall, PTA is pretty low on my totem pole. Sorry.

In my mind the PTA is for SAHMs. I'm sure that is a broad assumption and I will get flamed, but that's my two cent donation.

You're right. This doesn't cut it. Please retire the idea that your time is more valuable than anyone else's. You are simply choosing to use it in a different way. Instead of saying I just don't have the time, think of it as the people on the PA also 'don't have the time' and sacrifice their time. I served on our school's PA for a few years. Working moms, yes. A few working dads, yes. Single parents, yes. Not one SAHM though she would have been welcome. And I would have looked at her time as a sacrifice as well.
However, if you do the things you say you do --contribute what you can, show up to events--you are participating. A PA / PTA is simply a parent association. It's great that you kick in as best you are able. Maybe one day you will be able to stretch and do more. It's acceptable to be at different points in life for volunteerism, as long as you try to do what you can.
My ire is directed at the amount of parents I've encountered who simply choose to do NOTHING at all. Not one, freaking thing. Except possibly complain.

Three kids, I work full time and we move quite often. I just don't have the time. I attend school functions, donate and make purchases through the PTA. Overall, PTA is pretty low on my totem pole. Sorry.

In my mind the PTA is for SAHMs. I'm sure that is a broad assumption and I will get flamed, but that's my two cent donation.

Those of you who are involved w/the PTA/PA and bitching that other parents dont want to get involved...do you actually ask them? Or just assume that they know exactly what the PTA/PA is for and how they can get involved?