Why should I join the PTA at my sons school?

Question

I feel very intimidated by the other parents and some of the staff at my sons grade school. He is in 2nd grade this year, and I was reading the flyer issuing an invitation to join the PTA for ten dollars a year. I don't think I would fit in with them... but I wonder if I could learn from the experience. I don't have much money, and am not eager to get caught up in drama or competative mingling. Should I chance being humiliated by my lacking social status? What do I have to offer the PTA?

Answer 1

Personally, I totally get where you are coming from. For many parents, they just pay the $10 but are not really involved with things (that way they avoid the drama and competition, as well as feeling out of place). For low income, ESL, and ethnic minority parents, PTA can be very intimidating. Not joining is not a sign you don't care about your child -- it is more a sign of how well you feel you fit in with that culture. It's okay to feel this way.

I would rather you take a personal interest in your child's class, if the staff in that room are not intimidating. You see, any involvement in your child's education pays dividends in his achievement. However, what involvement you pursue is up to you. Could you buy your child a book for $10 instead? Could you become the parent who comes in sometimes to help with science projects? Could you volunteer to help type books and stories the children have written? Could you volunteer to provide hand soap when the classroom has none (it is traditionally an unfunded expense)? Just food for thought -- $10 is a quick demonstration of "I care" but it does nothing to help you help your child, which is kind of where I thought your question was coming from. Good luck!

Answer 2

I think the question should be, what does the PTA have to offer me? The whole point of the organization is to link parents with their child's school and teachers. Once you get past awkwardness of the first meeting or two, the PTA could offer you a way to improve your son's education. I think it is worth checking out. If it turns out to be some country club soap opera, you can always stop going to the meetings and you have only lost $10. But, if the meetings are useful, it may give you more of a voice in your son's education.

Answer 3

verify with the faculty's critical or their designee about this- the PTA isn't the authority the following. If the faculty helps different communities (female Scouts, red bypass, etc.) get admission to, in spite of the reality that, it has to allow the Boy Scouts besides out of fairness. basically to be honest- someone has some objection to each thing. there is a few crew or employer you've self belief in that someone thinks is terrible or evil. we received't censor each thing we disagree with. I even might want to confess that i'm wondered. you do not truly look to understand a lot about the PTA or the Boy Scouts, yet you've reliable critiques on both. Is it attainable you're incorrect about what takes position at a Scout assembly? Having been a Scout, a frontrunner, and a district volunteer, i imagine i'll thoroughly assure you that homosexuality- or any type of sexuality- isn't a topic of communicate at conferences (properly, particular, the youngsters talk about it remote from the conferences, yet in addition they talk about such issues as throwing random stuff in campfires to speculate what might want to explode.) Disagreeing with the homosexuality stance of the Scouts is one ingredient, yet questioning that this someway taints how they practice self-reliance and administration is something else.

Answer 4

You have a right to input into your own child's education, regardless of your income or social status. It sounds like you are very self-conscious, but you know, the fact that you may be different from the others may be good in that you can bring a different point of view to the table. As a teacher, I always learn more from those students and their families who are different from me in some way (income, nationality, etc.) than from those who look at everything the same way I do. I also think that if you stick with it for a while and actually get to know these people, you will realize that they aren't as perfect as they appear on the surface and you might have more in common with you than you think. And if they do try to humiliate you, realize that there is nothing shameful about lacking social status - they are the ones who should be ashamed for being rude.

Answer 5

Your $10 helps to support your son's school. The PTA is often responsible for things like funding field trips and buying playground equipment.

Joining does not obligate you to attend meetings. However, it is only by being involved in the school (PTA is only one way to do this) that you can keep informed of what is happening at the school and be on top of any issues you need to deal with at home.

Since it is the parent's responsibility to educate the child (not the school's), it is critical that all parents get involved at their child's school. The school can only do its job of helping parents if parents help them.

Answer 6

PTA The name itself shows that it is an association of parents and teachers. As we all know children will be in the school for about 5-6 hours the remaining time they share with family members. The behaviour of children is different in school and at home so if teacher and parents sit together and exchange the views how to promote learning it will benefit child. But as you said if there are chances of humuliation don't go as you feel this for any non-appectance of views, it is better to meet the teacher at your leisure time.

Answer 7

PTA is very important ..Yes join up ..You will not only learn what is going on in your childs school but you can help decide things that will affect your child..It is also a great time to make new freinds and also meet the teachers and principal..
Besides this isn't about you...sorry...but about your child and what his school has to offer