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Including the "Student" in PTSA
I am interested in finding out how other PTSA's have tried to induce students to join and participate in their organization. Are their special programs you have established with them in mind? With so many other service, social, and sports groups in the school, what does your PTSA offer students as an incentive and/or benefit to joining?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Beverly G Boswell on -
I am the president of First Flight High School at the Outer Banks. We are a small school. As you may know, it is not "cool" to volunteer with the PTSA. Our Culinary Art Students bakes for us when we have an event. In return, we give them the itmes that they need to bake a treat for themselves. It is a great trade off. Our Art Students often contribute their skills at face painting at our events. In exchange, we supply paints needed in large quanities. They keep all of the left over paints. Many students need service hours for their clubs as well. Some students have sat at membership tables and have gotten their hours. You need to work closely with the Clubs and their sponsors. It is a win-sin for everyone. Good Luck!
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Permalink Reply by Beverly G Boswell on
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First Flight High School also has a March Madness Event. The parents and teachers play a game of basketball game. It is fun and of course, the students have to participate. We have student & parent cheerleaders. Battle of the Bands. Student & parent bands. We have other smaller games going on at the same time. Face painting by the art student. Concessions. Etc. We made $3200.00 last year.
Good Luck!
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Permalink Reply by Kirsten Knickrehm on -
We are just starting to discuss parent groups and organizations with the school district and trying to have all of the groups go through PTSA so that they are insured, have accountability with their fundraising dollars, are auditable, have leaders that are always accessible and it allows the groups to overlap as one other had stated, you really barter for what you need. We need members, they need insurance and someone to keep track of money. The district wants consistency and wants to know there will be no IRS headache years later when problems are noticed, parents want to know that when Johnny is doing a fundraiser that the $25 you spent on a book ends up in the schools pocket and not his personal. (This was a reward and a reality for several Middle School fundraisers.) Unbelievable! If you have emerging minorities in your community - go to one of their meetings and find out what things they are interested in and work with them, you will have more members if they feel you are working on issues that relate to them. In our area that is the inclusion of Hmong and Native American community groups.
Good Luck!
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Permalink Reply by Ada Wilson on
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Our jr. high (7th-9th) piloted a program in Utah which really lights a fire under kids to keep their grades up. (I think the idea was borrowed from Adlai Stevenson in Illinois?)Tuesday through Friday, a half hour before lunch is set aside calling "FLEX time". During this time, if a student has no failing grades, he/she can attend one of about 20 fun activities. If the student has a failing grade, he must attend remediation in that class or in a "study hall" type class. Some kids choose to use FLEX time to attend test reviews or make up missing assignments. Most head straight for the fun classes (teachers oversee these) --- outdoor sports during nice weather, computer games, scrapbooking, makeup and nails, sewing, library, Dance Dance Revolution, Model United Nations, etc. There was a dramatic jump in grades when we set this program into place 2 years ago and other jr. highs in the state are trying it as well.
Our PTSA sponsors a service club during FLEX time, making all kinds of things to donate to area charities. We are also beginning to find ways we can assist the teachers in preparing materials for the FLEX fun activities. Most importantly, this year, we have formed a PTSA Student Board for the first time.(!) There are so many good, reliable kids who are not popular enough to be elected to Student Government and not quite smart enough to qualify for National Honors Society. We had teachers, administration, and parents nominate the initial 15 kids, but we accept anyone who is willing to help. We have meetings during FLEX and have already used these eager-to-help kids for Ribbon Week. It's a work in progress, but this time is wonderful and our kids are constantly checking their grades to make sure they can have fun and participate in ways they choose during that time. This is perfect for junior high kids.
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Permalink Reply by Debbie Arguello on
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Ada,
I absolutely love this idea. Our middle school is in Southern California and is 6th - 8th. We have about 1200 students.
I would love to bring this subject up to be something we could work on for next year. Could you tell me how your PTSA and your school got this rolled out. Who set down and got together to do this? This is a huge undertaking for us. I would have to have all my ducks in a row if I were to bring it up.
I would love your input.
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Permalink Reply by Ada Wilson on
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Debbie, you are right ---it is a big commitment. Our School Community Council was looking for "best practices" across the nation and found Adlai Stevenson Junior(?) High in Illinois. They visited the school and gathered ideas. I will include some links to some information that might help you inform your administration. Our school has welcomed many visitors from other schools who want to explore "flex time". "PLC" is another philosophy the school has been committed to ---"professional learning communities." The results have been amazing and our administration continues to explore ways to help more students. This morning I attended our PTSA Board meeting in which they reported on some intervention strategies for families who are showing signs of dysfunction --- absenteeism being the major indicator. They are collaborating with a community college and the legal system to mediate better results. I have been so impressed. Here are some links that may interest you, the first being the most helpful:
http://www.allthingsplc.info/evidence/lakeridgejuniorhighschool/ind...
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705356571/Secondary-school-princ... (Read comments from "Tim Stay" He was the SCC Chair.)
http://www.sltrib.com/education/ci_14209205
http://lakeridge.alpinedistrict.org/flex.html
You may have some schools there in California that are trying some of these ideas. Let me know if I can help you in any other way! Ada
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