Do You Volunteer at your children's school?

[Earlybird]

Do you volunteer at your children's school - Parents Association, class rep, PTA, cake day organiser etc? Do you think it benefits you/your child in any way and if so, how?

If you don't volunteer, why not?

[Hallgerda]

No offence taken, GreenDolphin . Your PTA sounds remarkably civilised.

[GreenDolphin]

Oops, sorry I meant gratefully!

[GreenDolphin]

Hallgerda, sorry that has been your experience, no offence but if everyone uses that excuse nothing will change! I hope our PTA would accept any small contribution of time or effort greatfully and without pressure to do more.

[Hallgerda]

robinpud and GreenDolphin have both raised the issue of a few parents rushing round like "blue-arsed flies" (love the expression, robinpud) and the others doing nothing. In an ideal world, yes, GreenDolphin, we'd all do a few hours and it would seem relatively painless. But in real life, those that do nothing may well be doing nothing because they fear ending up in the blue-arsed fly camp - and with good reason. If more people come forward, usually it seems that either some of the previous blue-arsed flies take the opportunity to join the lard-arse camp, or that the work increases to keep all the flies busy. For my part, I have tried taking on the odd small task, but have then been put under pressure to do more, so I've given up.

[puff]

rofl mi

[motherinferior]

I have been known to accompany a school trip. Otherwise I confine my support to Cake Baking and occasionally quoting the Head in stuff I write, in sycophantic hope this will miraculously improve DD1's results.

[Bugsy2]

I'm a single mum & I work part-time outside the home, but I still help out where I can. I bake cakes for the cake sales, deliver leaflets for various events & I worked for 4 hours on a stall at the fete a few weeks ago.
I like to help because I know that the money raised goes directly to the school & therefore benefits my children. However, I will say no to things if I haven't go the time.

[Earlybird]

Hmmm - I volunteer at dd's school quite a bit. It's a good way to get to know the school and some of the other mums. Also think there's something important about contributing toward maintaining/creating a positive environment where dd spends a great deal of time. And my schedule is flexible enough that I'm able to do it.

But, it's hard work, time consuming and not always fun. I also sometimes have the distinct feeling of being taken advantage of. The school fete was a perfect example: I volunteered to staff the class booth for an hour, which I did. But, the person who was supposed to take over from me showed up 30 minutes late (this woman is always late), which means muggins here had 30 minutes extra work, and 30 minutes less to enjoy the fair with dd. Part of me thinks I should have closed the booth when my shift was over rather than being the responsible one who picks up the pieces.....

I am resisting being the class rep next year, though I have informally been asked to do it. Don't know why, I seem to feel that just because I can volunteer, that I should. I think it's time to let someone else have a turn so I can run around with dd at next year's fete, and then sit with the other "glamour mums" and have a Pimms while the "worker bees" sweat in the hot sun! .

[puff]

I bake a shedload of cakes whenever they are needed and delivery them anonymously to the PTA pile. They have tried to find out who the culprit it but I'm not letting on.

I've had enough of being "involved" in schools. I do my bit, but I do it quietly.

[GDG]

Aubina - true, as long as they aren't then going to complain about 'cliques' and things that they don't like that they might have the power to change should they choose to get off their arses.

[GreenDolphin]

My children are in secondary school, a community school where most people live locally. Our PTA is really struggling to recruit new members, so it is the same few people all the time, as a result morale goes down and it gets harder to organise events, fundraisers etc. We all work during the day so our meetings are in the evenings. It is disheartening to send out letters to hundreds of parents inviting them to come to events and get a handful of replies, so few that we have had to cancel some events at the last minute. If each parent came to one event per year or offered to help once per year, the load would be shared and morale would improve, but as has been said above, there are plenty of moaners who run the school down but won't give up a couple of hours a year to get involved. I have been on PTAs at all my childrens' schools and have always found it useful to get to know other parents and staff members - we often hear the latest news first, and are consulted by the head teacher for our opinions on school matters. I like having the opportunity to go into the school and do a little bit to support it. We openly welcome new PTA members but if no-one comes along it is impossible to avoid being a clique!

[sowoffended]

I don't disagree. It is individual choice and that's how it should be.

Just irritates the hell out of me when some people say they don't want to get involved because of cliques when sometimes it's used as an excuse.

Not saying there aren't cliquey PTAs.

[Hallgerda]

AUBINA, I couldn't agree more with your second paragraph.

[AUBINA]

My DDs go to a state primary school.I am class rep for my older daughters class. This isn't too onerous. I organise a card and pressie at Christmas and the end of year for the teacher. At our Summer Fair I help run one of the stalls. I always help at events if I am free. However I don't feel dynamic enough to hold a big role like PTA chair or treasurer. I used to help on school trips when I could but now my DDs like to go without me, they feel more grown up. I don't help out in the classroom as groups of children are not my forte.

I think everyone should do what they are comfortable with, even if that is nothing. It annoys me when those on committees get annoyed when others won't join in. Not everyone is the same, they shouldn't feel forced to do something which is voluntary.

[YohoAhoy]

oops, sorry to make my waffle any longer, I think it does benefit our children. We've built relationships with staff there, so communication is easier, and knowing more about the children's background I think can be a help if there's a problem.

I don't get involved in reading etc, as helping out in the classroom is not my forte. I don't have the patience.

[YohoAhoy]

Dh on Governor's and I'm Chair of PTA.

We do it for a mixture of reasons - wanting to help, innate nosiness so good to be in a position of hearing any gossip and because we genuinely like the school.

At the risk of sounding a bit gushinhg, it's nice to feel part of the community.

I do have a secret snigger to myself from time to time though, as I've never been a 'joiner' and have always had a deep distrust of committees!

Must have happened by osmosis.

Our PTA is tiny. Same people generally doing everything, despite our best efforts to entice new blood. I'm fairly sure we are viewed as a clique, which is a shame as we try to get people involved, but I have a feeling it comes with the territory.

I would like some more people to join, but quite understand if they haven't the time, or, to be frank, the inclination.

We have had some grumbles from people, and that does annoy me. If they've something constructive to suggest, then great, but general whinges without offering suggestions/help can be very disheartening.

Fortunately last couple of events have been well-received, so we're on a bit of an up at the moment.

Although people have been running away from me lately, as I have that mad ticket-seller's glint in my eye

[Slink]

I HELP OUT TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOON, I LISTEN TO THE CHILDREN (4-5YRS OLDS) READ AND DO SCIENCE CLASS WITH THEM AND COOKING I LOVE IT. SAHM TOO SO HAVE THE TIME.

[Medulla]

I am about to replace the current parent rep in my daughter pre school class. I help out on school trips although I haven't volunteered to help out in the classroom as I have a baby. When my DD starts primary school I have every intention of being on the PTA and if possible a school governor. I just want to be involved in my children's education and as a SAHM I have the time to do it. I also remember how fantastic it was when my mum used to come in school on a Thursday afternoon to teach cookery!! I was so proud!

[sowoffended]

If parents communicate with the school, then this sort of thing would be taken into account anyway (as long as it wasn't all the time iykwim).

EG. Various children are involved in drama groups, and when a show is on they're up late everynight for a week. If staff are made aware then they will bear this in mind...irrespective of parental activity with the school.

This is how it should be, though I am aware that it's often not the case.

[tegan]

I have found that since being on several commitees that the kids of these parents seem to get treated alot better when it comes to trips and things.
Last week we help the country dance festival at our school and as such dd never got home til 11pm because I was helping to tidy up and due to this dd's tiredness was taken into account.

[Blondilocks]

I also think that it might be beneficial for some working parents to take part in the school association meetings. Not because they are any better than the SAHM at organising, but they may be able to add extra/different skills (not right word, but can't think of a better one at the moment - will get back to you if I do) to the group. Also I suppose these people may be out of "cliques" that form in the playground so may be impartial to any arguments or siding.

Just a thought though.

[Clary]

I am on the PTA and a governor as well. Planning to help out on my non-working day next yr as DS2 starts at nursery school every morning.
I do it because I like it and want to get involved and help my children's school. Our PTA isn't cliquey but surely most woul dbe gla dof your help? They are fools if not!

[tegan]

I am on the pta and a school governor also I am on the pta at playgroup too so I think I do my part.

[Jimjamskeepingoffvaxthreads]

I get involved with fundraising at ds1's school. Attend PTA meetings when I can, and coffee mornings when I can. Go to all events and lend a hand if I can (actually usually dh comes as well and helps with ds1 whilst I look after ds2 and ds3) Not much else at the moment because also have 2 pre-schoolers. DS2 starts school in September and have no intention of doing anything too hands on with the children because a roomfull of neurotypical kids is fast track to insanity for me. Will be happy to attend meetings and events though.

[sowoffended]

We don't have the time or the inclination for THAT sort of meeting.

Business sorted quick as possible, followed by a bevy or two in the pub.