Keep in Touch, Stay Informed, Be Involved

In an era of budget slashing the quality of your child’s educational experience could be hinging on the survival of your school’s Parent/Teacher group.  Many Parent/Teacher groups provide funding for everything from classroom supplies and library books to playground equipment and field trip funding.  As a parent or guardian, you should be aware of how your local group contributes to the school and decide in what ways you can be of support.  The simplest way to start is by attending the next Parent/Teacher group meeting. 

The Parent/Teacher group meetings are a great place to keep in touch with other parents who also care about the quality of their children’s education as well as giving constructive feedback to the group.  If your Parent/Teacher group opens up the meeting to the floor, this is an opportunity for you to voice your opinions so long as you remember that Parent/Teacher group meetings are not the correct arena to voice hot button issues or raise unanswerable questions.  If you have an issue with something or any kind of a problem for it to be well received, understood and resolved, please keep some basic principles in mind. Prepare yourself ahead of time.  Be specific about the problem.  Limiting your description of the problem to ten to twelve words will help you in presenting the problem in the amount of time most people can pay attention. Consider and list all of the possible causes of the problem and try to be objective.  Now with all of the potential causes in mind, consider and list all of the possible solutions and from them select which solution would work best.  Then ask yourself what you would be willing to do to bring about this solution.  If you could not see yourself acting on your own best suggestion chances are neither would anyone else.  Don’t be discouraged, the answer is right in front of you.  Once you have found an answer present it at the next meeting during this open session.  If you are not a public speaker you can write it out and ask another member to read it for you. 

Parent/Teacher group meetings help busy parents and guardians stay informed.  Everyday our children’s backpacks come home loaded down with school papers, newsletters and fliers.  We intend to read them but they are either too lengthy or simply too numerous to get through before the next shipment arrives the following afternoon.  Attending a Parent/Teacher group meeting gives you up to several months notice of the upcoming events in a relaxing environment.  You can ask questions about the event and get answers right away!  Many Parent/Teacher groups offer informational meetings where a guest speaker is invited to discuss a topic with a question and answer period to follow.  If there is a topic you think would be of an interest to others, be sure to suggest it at the next meeting.  

Even if you can not volunteer at the school on a regular basis attending the parent/teacher group meetings gives you the opportunity to participate in the events and be involved in both your child’s educational and extracurricular activities. It is important for parents to be involved with the group that plans the majority of the events at the school.  Your input is of great value in not only planning these events but also in deciding which events will be planned.  Even if you are unable to physically volunteer knowing which events you would actually attend or otherwise support helps the group decide where to channel its efforts. From fundraisers to holiday parties parental support is essential for their success. 

Attending these regular meetings is a great way to KEEP IN TOUCH, STAY INFORMED and BE INVOLVED.