DS starting reception and PTA

[HappyAsEyeAm]

DS1 started reception this week at a small private school - there are 10 in his class and fewer than 100 in the whole school.

There is a PTA meeting next week. I am keen to meet other parents and to be involved in DS' schooling, but cake sales certainly aren't for me. WWYD ie how involved would you get - go to the meeting, or hold fire and just attend whatever is organised and decide at that stage whether to get involved in the next event?

go to the meeting and see if it is for you or not

sure go along to the meeting and see what it is like. If you're keen to help out but want to do something that's more 'you' then come up with some ideas, and make it clear you're happy to take the lead on it. the NCPTA have ideas sections on the website too so you can see what they do at other schools.

Cake sales are prevalent because they're easy, and it is all profit. You ask for donations, you cut them up into small pieces, you sell them after school and in about half an hour you're pretty much done. It is easy to organise, doesn't take up too much time for volunteers, and parents who can't help out in other ways (especially if have small kids/babies) are happy they can bake or buy a cake to donate.

But if you don't want to get too into it yourself, you can always let it be known early on that you're happy to help out on stalls for the whole day at the summer or chirstmas fair (whatever your school does). Honestly, if you did that for our PTA we would love you forever!

ps 10 in class? 100 in school? am sooooo jealous.

I'm probably not the person to ask as I'm PTA chair. However, we don't do any cake sales here!

Why don't you go along if you'd like to meet some people. You don't have to commit to anything at the first meeting so what's the harm?

I will pop along. I don't want to get cornered or pressured into doing loads, but I do feel that I should try and do my bit. Invest in my child and all that. Cheers!

I would just go if I were you, my 2 DCs are at schools, admittedly larger ones, with very active parent's committees. I have found some of it irritating but it is always good to be involved, show willing etc. There will always be things that aren't your cup of tea but try and remember it is just other parents doing their best to be involved and inclusive and in their own way be part of an active school community. Usually they will also be raising funds for the school and or a charity or two. It will only be an hour or so out of your life, so if you go with a positive attitude you may just find a kindred spirit or two. Go on, give it a whirl !

Well - I went. And I didn't volunteer for any positions, but I did volunteer to organise one of the fundarising events, which basically involves me shopping, wrapping Christmas presents and delivering them to school. I think I can manage that!

Well done Happy! I am just waiting to be asked to bake cakes for one of my DCs schools...oh, that and helping on a stall at fireworks...the term is but young...

biddy, I am not an accomplished cook (to say the least) but I can manage very nice raspberry/blueberry and white chocolate muffins. If the school needs donations for the cake sale, that is what they'll be getting!

I am glad I went really. It was nice to meet other parents who I now recognise when I do the school run. And it never hurts for the headteacher to know whose mum you are does it. Unless DS turns out to be very naughty ...