real lack of enthusiasm fand disillusioned with primary school and PTA efforts

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I am a member of the local school PTA which my DS attends. There are a core 8 people who help out and are actively involved in raising funds for the school. However outside of this core group and their friends very few people attend the events (Harvest Fair being the most recent). The school is very mixed with many different cultures (Indian/Asian, Portugese, and Afro Carribean).

It is difficult to reach out to everyone and include the whole community. The Head seems keen but when it comes down to it is actually very hands-off. The rest of the staff seem not to care a tuppnence with out activities.

Does anyone else have similar experiences and or suggestions as to improve the whole set-up for the benefit of the school.

Could the Head write something about what the PTA have done for the school (new equipment, etc) and include it in a newsletter? OR as a separate mailing? It's not fair if you're all working your socks off and the parents of children benefiting aren't bothering to turn up to support you.

We've had similar at dc's school. There has been a rethink on the type of events that get supported. The year before last the decision was taken not to have a summer fete. Totally unheard of in this area. The reason being that the work always fell to too few people. This year they ran 2 events which were held after school. The Head agreed for the school to close early at 3.00 pm. Both events were a huge success as people popped in on their way home as they were already at the school. The summer fete was replaced by a "GO BONKERZ" event with lots of bouncy castles and fun fair type games. Again this was after school - a massive success. The problem is weekends are very family oriented for many asian and african families and so week days are better suited to them. It's worked for our school.