Are meetings well attended?
Our meeting are not well attended. We average about 6 parents per meeting, sometimes Carlie is there. So no there is no good mix of faculty and parents.
What does PTA at Excel Academy do?
What does PTA do? Overall they present an open forum for parents to share questions and concerns. They also take parent feedback and take it to our school leadership team with future school events and fundraiser ideas. For example, at the meeting in January, lots of parents wanted to see the black history month presentations.
What are the goals of PTA?
As far as what PTA goals are: If there in writing I haven’t seen them, but I feel their goal is build a better line of communication between the school and its parents. As far as goals for the year I don’t know them.
Shirley Igo, the National PTA president claims, "Now more than ever, PTA has to be an organization that, not only welcomes, but also embraces diversity." Do you feel this is true of the PTA at Excel Academy?
Shirley Igo quote: I feel that the quote is more about embracing race, PTA isn’t really a race thing, it’s more of an idea forum. So no I don’t feel this is true of Excel’s PTA.
What would you like to see in the PTA at Excel Academy?
I would like to see more parents attend meeting. I also feel that PTA needs to host some school events. I think a lot of parents don’t know who they are because they don’t do anything but hold meetings.
It is unfortunate that the attendance at the PTA meetings is so low. Without higher attendance, it would be difficult for PTA to make much of an impact. Also, the goals of the PTA should be made clear so that everyone understands the importance of the organization.
ReplyDeleteIt seems as though there needs to be an "issue" for a PTA meeting to be well attended- otherwise it always seems as though the same parents attend to get their individual questions addressed.
ReplyDeleteI attended a few PTA meetings, and it seems that not many parents or faculty attend. Occasionally the principal is there, but mostly it is just a handful of parents. It seems as though the PTA could be more active. At the end of the day teachers and parents do not have the energy or time. Our school is extended day and by the time the day is over, it is 6pm. The students are allowed in the school starting at 7:25 am and the staff are required to be in the building by 7:15am. If parents, teachers and administrators stay for a meeting beginning at 6pm, they will not get home until 7:30pm or 8pm. This could be more feasible if school started or ended a bit later.
ReplyDeleteI think that if parents and teachers knew PTA agenda's ahead of time then they would be more likely to attend. Also, if student work was showcased to some degree, perhaps more teachers and parents would show up.
I agree....I think PTA needs to set goals for activities, etc. Unfortunately it seems to be a mad cycle...we want them to do things, and yet, it seems there is often not much money for PTA to do things, so then they try to raise money but it's the same few parents doing everything, so they get worn out, etc, etc.
ReplyDeleteI think we live in a fast paced society. Parents are working and have their own social events, we're always on the go getting our kids to the next event. Perhaps PTA just feels like one more thing people have to put on their schedule and it becomes too much.
Thank you all for your thoughtful comments. I agree with what everyone has said. Without higher attendance, it will be hard for PTA to make meaningful contributions to the schools. Our policy group is advocating for schools to require one teacher per grade level to attend and one parent liasion per classroom. Thought that might sound tedious, it is our hope to bridge the gap between teachers and parents.
ReplyDeleteIn order to create experiences in classrooms that provide students with a multicultural education, schools must strive to create a strong connection between families and educators. Parents know their children best. They can best advocate for their children and their needs. Teachers who are around to hear this information, can bring it back to the classroom. This would enable us to have schools filled with multicultural classrooms.
What do you all think of this?