Is your PTA truly a pTa?

[emkana]

Ie do the teachers get involved? And if they don't, do you feel they should do more, or do you think they're busy enough as it is?

I would rather my child's teachers were getting a proper weekend and some proper evenings with their families. I want them to feel refeshed on a Monday morning. I don't think it is in my child's interests for them to come to events unless they genuinely want to. I think it is a head's job to defend the teachers from incursions into their free time.

My dhs evil head teacher has made it part of their directed time to help at PTA events, Xmas fair eve disco summer fête. It's iinvariably the same day as our kids PTA events which means he can't he'll out there or I can't help out there cos I have no one to look after my younger child. He also misses our kids choir performance at these events.

He used to go to the fairs with our kids but can't any more as he's helping out.

Is this a state school, reup? If so, the head cannot direct evening discos, etc.

Sorry - maybe I was being harsh. I've always lived in a world where teachers are valued - could be bacuase half our PTA are teachers elsewhere or work in schools! We're lovely and would definitely appreciate you, and choose (as the best people) how to spend the money. May have hit the Merlot last night....

Not drinking tonight btw - typos are due to 18yo cat on my knee.

Yes it is . She says she has moved time from staff meetings etc. Am sure it is not actually legal but there is little union voice there. She is A complete bully and a liar and the staff turnover is massive. Noone has ever stood up to her. There are always people in tears or leaving mysteriously half way through term.

The parents and staff hate her . But it's an outstanding school massively oversubscribed so she is never criticised openly.

She can't direct time for social events, etc, or weekends - is the summer fete on a Saturday?

Yes Xmas and summer is on Saturday. Have told my dh that but he is completely non confrontational and after a few run Ins with her just avoids her as much as possible. He's looking for a new job.

I don't blame him! The thing is, I bet staff are willing to do summer fairs, etc, but the minute someone says you have to when you plainly don't, it puts people's backs up unnecessarily. It makes you not want to do it, which is the opposite effect really. Silly woman.

I know . She is so odd. With v poor social skills too. I refuse to go to any function there now as I might have to see her and I would find it hard to smile etc. There are so many terrible stories about her bullying.

I think we parents need re-educating.
our kids deserve refreshed teachers.

Well, of course they do. On the other hand, our Mrs Head is utterly flabbergasted that our PTA won't be available to help out at a non-fundraising event that she has organised, because most of us will either be at work or looking after young children. It never crossed her mind to even check beforehand. So it does cut both ways, this taking-for-granted.

reup: your poor dh, and you. Horrid situation .

BeenBeta: I'm glad your dses are off to veggie patch school maybe chickens will be forthcoming. I wish them well with the transition!

We struggle to get parental involvement.
Most of the PTA are ex parents who have stayed passed their time to help out and are still there. We really heavily on the teachers for behind the scene help.
We concentrate on low man power events to suit.
We have not done a summer fayre for about 6 years now. None of the parents who volunteered to help turned up for the last fayre which left us running around trying to manage at the last moment.

Have no problem with parents not being available but it really throws a spanner in the works when they simply don't show up as promised.
There is a lot of money to be made for school and some people enjoy it and some don't. Which is fine.
It is much easier having a constitution as that makes us separate from the school with control over our own funds.