Vice President Of Parent Teacher What??
You know how you sometimes screw up…?
Wear mismatched shoes for example?
OR you think…
“Why did I go to that meeting? Someone please remind me?”
I went to the Parent/Teacher meeting last night thinking… It’s time. A couple years ago I sort of overspent myself helping during the opening years of a charter school back in Utah.
When we moved here I told my husband and myself, I needed a year off. And that’s what I did. I helped at class parties and went on the requisite 2 or 3 field trips. Plus driving the youngest to and from pre-school on top of car-pooling the big kids to school.
And this past year. I stepped it up a bit. But not much. My youngest was in all day kindergarten so honestly it was a selfish year. A year for ME. Again I helped at a few events, showed up for the handful of ‘extra’ things my kids were involved in. (Oh Yeah AND we bought a house and MOVED!)
But the real reason I went to that meeting last night is that I realized I barely know any of the parents of my kids’ classmates. (After TWO years!) I figured, maybe I’ll look into helping chair the teacher appreciation group. Or at least put my two cents in about FRIGGIN’ door to door fundraising, right?? (Don’t get me started.)
I came home last night, reminded that I really should never attend any meetings ever again. I came home last night the Vice President of the PTO organization. I came home last night tired already. Crap. How did that happen!?
I think I’m in for more mismatched shoe days ahead.
Tell me. Have you ever been on your school’s PTA/PTO board?
C, I can’t believe what you got yourself into!!! That sounds like something I’d do!
I’m actually a little terrified – my little one starts Kindergarten this Fall and parent participation is a big part of the program. However, after several years of volunteering I’ve realized that no matter what anyone says being at the helm of any committee or organization takes work – a lot of work. That being said – if anything goes wrong – just blame it on the PTO President!!! Ha.
Twitter: lizzieBtv
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LOL, My daughter starts ALL FRENCH kindergarten in fall. I have volunteered to help out one morning a week.
Did i mention that i do NOT speak any French?
…
…
and you thought you were CRAZY!
LOL! Have have!
Jody
Twitter: mommymomentblog
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Carissa, everyone told me not to do it, but I did, and I realized that you can’t make people happy all the time. There are 4 groups of people involved: the kids, the teachers, the other parents and the administrators. I focused only on the kids and the teachers and they still love me.
But the other two — well, lets just say “not as much” because in many instances, especially when you’re trying to change things in school (like provide healthy lunch options!!) you will find mostly resistance and resentment – but you must choose truth over harmony when there’s so much at stake.
Do find time to enjoy it!
MONICA
Twitter: theonlinemom
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Jody! Are you serious?? French school… at least Math is all one language!
I think it sounds great!
And Monica ( I swear I didn’t know your name before now!!) Thanks for the advice. I get sort of uptight over the things I’m passionate about.. I think my goal is to stay away from all that, work on what we can really change… It’s a small school, and funding is tight everywhere, our whole district is looking at a 1.2mil shortfall next year… oh the joys.
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YES. Just finished my year as PREZ of our group and I can’t tell you how happy and sad I am about it. Happy that the majority of the nutty-ness is over. But sad because I know what it took to get things where they are and am realizing that much of it will probably get tossed aside. But I did what I could and now I have to just let it go… So when it’s your turn, do your best, be your best, don’t get bogged down with the crap that inevitably show up and do like Monica says: choose truth over harmony when there’s so much at stake! Then when it’s all over, let it go!
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