feedback for "Personal Essay: Sign Me Up"

1. Truly, I'm glad for your school and your son. But it does really strike me as wrong that schools are now so dependent on PTA fundraising (let's actually be clear: parents' wallets, because although some fundraising goes past the school, most of it doesn't) for core programs. I wonder if this amount of organization and effort wouldn't be better spent in lobbying for properly funded schools.

   posted by : Shan on 12/1/2008 at 6:25 PM Flag For Abuse

2. That's great that you can be so involved, but us working parents just can't show up for lunch duty or to help tutor afterschool in the library. Articles like this just make me feel bad for not doing my part, but I can't.

   posted by : bummed on 12/1/2008 at 8:25 PM Flag For Abuse

3. Working parents CAN be involved. I was asked to join the PTA when my first one was enrolled in Kindergarten, and so I did. I've been homeroom mom ever since. My best help is from my working homeroom moms. All you have to do is tell your child's homeroom mom to add you to their list of moms who wish to be e-mailed with updates about their child's classroom needs and all upcoming projects. They send me what's needed most for our class parties. We couldn't do it without you.

   posted by : a homeroom mom on 12/2/2008 at 9:24 AM Flag For Abuse

4. Thank you for this essay, which puts the often maligned PTA in great light.
   
   My school's PTA actually does have its fair share of tennis outfits, but when I'm waiting at the bus stop with a neighbor who is PTA president, I am truly grateful to her when I hear her rattle off some of the onerous and demanding tasks she's got planned for the day--all necessary to fund the kids' field trips, enrichment activities, libraries, computer resources, etc. Our school is clearly not as desperately in need of additional funds as yours is, but the PTA's contributions undoubtedly make it a better place. As a working mom, I'm not able to participate to the extent that my neighbor does, but there are always envelopes that can be stuffed at home in the evening, monetary donations that can be made, weekend activities that can be staffed, teacher appreciations that can be prepared in advance, etc. And more involved PTA members who can be thanked for doing a job most of us honestly don't want.

   posted by : hand on 12/2/2008 at 10:08 AM Flag For Abuse

5. What a deal! You not only get to look like a "super-hero" to your kid, you get to meet his friends at lunch and get to know them. Definitely sounds like a good investment of a couple of hours a month!
   
   Shan, PTAs DO lobby for and advocate for and write letters for adequate funding for schools. This is something working parents can absolutely do to help all the kids.
   
   bummed - To make you feel better, being involved in your child's education doesn't mean you MUST volunteer at the school. Show up to teacher conferences, email the teacher to find out what's happening in the classroom and ask how you can reinforce that at home, let the teacher know what is happening in your child's life. It is nice to join the PTA, though to meet your kid's friends' parents so you have an idea of who they may visit.
   
   getting off my soapbox now....

   posted by : Peony on 12/5/2008 at 3:10 PM Flag For Abuse

6. Good for you, Holly. It seems that the quality of a public school is strongly related to parent involvement. My daughter just started first grade (skipped kindergarten) and we are loving her public school. I can't volunteer this year because I'm pregnant (puking until 24 weeks, bed rest starting at 26), but next year I will definitely get involved.

   posted by : lr1536 on 12/19/2008 at 11:21 PM Flag For Abuse