View Full Version : School community- are you involved in it?
are you involved in your kids school community as a helper/pta/governor or any other form of involvement?
I am a parent governor at the school Chase and Jude attend, in England every school has a board of governors made up of staff, non-teaching staff, community governors and parent governors who make all major decisions on staffing, finances and general day to day running of the school. As a parent governor i also represent the views and concerns of the parents of the student body.
It's something i love doing- i'd been involved in pta before hand but was genuine shocked (to the point i laughed at them) when they told me i'd been nominated to run as one (my exact thoughts being why on earth do they want me- but not in such polite words)
I attend regular meetings, training and also help out on fundays, book days, fetes etc as well as going in to school to see the children and observe objectively from time to time.
Christine
02-05-2007, 05:33 AM
Yes and no. Since we're not in a typical school environment, I'd have to answer no to your question. But we are all very involved in our homeschool community.
Christine it very much counts, school community doesn't have to evolve around a school with bricks and mortar building- i was impressed actually to realise how large the homeschool support movement is becoming in some areas of Britain lately as a friend is looking into it for her son, it really is a big improvement on 7 years ago when we looked into it for Chase.
Meshelle
02-05-2007, 10:59 AM
When they went to public school I was a teacher's helper so that I could be in their classroom. Now that we homeschool we are involved in the homeschool community around here. :D
Christine
02-05-2007, 11:23 AM
It's pretty big around here too! :D
Christi
02-05-2007, 04:03 PM
Yep. I teach there! LOL
I am also a member of the PTO. Our PTO isn't very active right now, but since I'm a parent of a student there now, I'll be more active when we get it rolling again!
I volunteer to help when I can, but as far as the PTO goes............Well, we've had nothing but bad experiences with the PTO and rather than take on the whole clique I just keep my distance.
Shasta
02-05-2007, 04:43 PM
Taj isn't school-age just yet but he's in headstart which is like preschool and yes, I'm involved. I go to all the parent groups and I also sit on 'Policy Council' which is like PTA/PTO only you have more say in making decisions.
shellykyleigh
02-05-2007, 09:31 PM
I volunteer at Kyleigh's school when I can. :)
Last year we volunteered a lot with Robert's school. Esp Patrick. This year we don't care for his teacher or his school anymore so we haven't done as much.
Corey
02-06-2007, 07:20 AM
We homeschool but I think I can still answer this ...
Unfortunately I am not very involved with our homeschool group. :p I'd like to be more involved but I just have way too much on my plate to take any more on.
Shana
02-06-2007, 08:33 AM
Nope, not anymore.
I was *very* involved when Kaleb and Rachel were in elementary school and to be perfectly honest, I am just burned out on it :sorry
MommyBug77
02-08-2007, 09:41 AM
Nope because it is not allowed. We don't have a PTA & parents are not allowed in ths school unless we are going to see the principal or parent teacher conference.
I volunteer at the kids school and am always helping out. I have been on various school/community betterment committes. I like helping, but it can get old when you are constantly being asked to help!
Momfoolery
02-10-2007, 03:02 PM
I volunteer in my daughter's 3rd grade classroom once a week. I'm a PTA member and attend the meetings, but am not on the board (though I heard Friday morning that I've been nominated for next year's board). Last week our school had a jog-a-thon and I spent the entire day there helping out. The pancake breakfast is two weeks from today and I'll be there again all morning helping out. I'm also the Room Mom in my daughter's classroom, plus I help out the Brownie troop leader at each Brownie meeting. Nine times out of ten, I'm also the parent volunteer that accompanies the classroom on field trips.
I enjoy it, but I also have an ulterior motive. My kid's an out-of-district transfer to an excellent school that at any moment could decide they don't have any room for out-of-district transfers. I figured that volunteering my ass off over at the school would make them decide that they would rather keep my kid than to kick her out, in the event it comes down to a decision on their part. If the principal, teachers and nice office ladies all like me and think I'm helpful, they'll want to keep me up there being helpful instead of sending my kid to the crappy school in our district. I'm totally brown-nosing and I don't mind admitting it. :guilty :nannybooboo