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Melissa77
Mommy of 3
Member since 8/08 2872 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Are you involved in the PTA?
My DD just started kindergarten and the 1st PTA meeting is tomorrow night. I was going to check it out. How involved do they expect you to be if you join?
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Posted 9/19/10 6:29 PM  |
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HillandRon
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 2922 total posts
Name:
Hillary
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Re: Are you involved in the PTA?
I hope to be active in ours. We had our first meeting l;ast week. A little overwhelming for someone new to the school. FOr me it is a wayto meet new mom's since I just moved and for me to have a presence in the school. I just got picked for Class mother so I am excited
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| Posted 9/19/10 7:51 PM |
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laurabora
LIF Adult
Member since 4/07 2712 total posts
Name:
Laura
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Re: Are you involved in the PTA?
I think you can be involved as you want to be. They usually hand out a sheet where you check off the things you are interested in helping with. You can choose only things with minimal work if you don't have the time for anything big.
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| Posted 9/19/10 8:32 PM |
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CathyB
Member since 5/05 19403 total posts
Name:
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Re: Are you involved in the PTA?
It's totally up to you. At ours some families are very involved and some just attend PTA meetings and volunteer at events as needed, while others just pay the dues.
At our first meeting first the teacher delegate and the principal spoke, then they had the chair of each committee provide a report as to what was their status, most had nothing to report yet. They distributed the proposed budget and a list of contact info for all the committee chairs. There were a few committees that had nobody to chair them so I volunteered to chair one of them.
ETA: The PTA meeting was pretty dull. Immediately after the meeting the 5th grade parents met to talk about all the fundraising and whatnot they were planning for the year and I heard that got pretty crazy, people yelling at each other and all that fun stuff. 
Message edited 9/19/2010 8:41:14 PM.
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| Posted 9/19/10 8:38 PM |
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SoinLove
Making big changes
Member since 5/05 16541 total posts
Name:
Kristin
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Re: Are you involved in the PTA?
I went to the first meeting this past week and I agree with the other posters. Your involvement seems to mostly be your own personal decision. At our school, the PTA meetings are once a month and then there's the option to sign up for various things throughout the year. Blood drives, book sales, seasonal festivals, etc. The majority of the things seem to be sitting at a table and either collecting things or making sales  .
I just got picked as a class parent for DS' Kindergarten class ( ) and class parents are expected to join the PTA and come to every meeting so they stay in the loop. I found this out AFTER I went to the first meeting and joined, so I'm glad that I went!
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| Posted 9/20/10 11:07 AM |
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hbugal
Lesigh
Member since 2/07 15928 total posts
Name:
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Re: Are you involved in the PTA?
Posted by SoinLove
I went to the first meeting this past week and I agree with the other posters. Your involvement seems to mostly be your own personal decision. At our school, the PTA meetings are once a month and then there's the option to sign up for various things throughout the year. Blood drives, book sales, seasonal festivals, etc. The majority of the things seem to be sitting at a table and either collecting things or making sales .
I just got picked as a class parent for DS' Kindergarten class ( ) and class parents are expected to join the PTA and come to every meeting so they stay in the loop. I found this out AFTER I went to the first meeting and joined, so I'm glad that I went!
Special Note:
Being on the PTA in that particular school is HUGE. There are a lot of politics involved especially with the current effort to redo the playground....
Let me know if you want to know the who, the what, and the where....
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| Posted 9/20/10 11:20 AM |
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SoinLove
Making big changes
Member since 5/05 16541 total posts
Name:
Kristin
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Re: Are you involved in the PTA?
Posted by hbugal
Special Note:
Being on the PTA in that particular school is HUGE. There are a lot of politics involved especially with the current effort to redo the playground....
Let me know if you want to know the who, the what, and the where....
Ooh, yes! Spill!
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| Posted 9/20/10 11:35 AM |
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Kathy
LIF Adolescent
Member since 7/05 718 total posts
Name:
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Re: Are you involved in the PTA?
I join the PTA and I participate in at least one activity a year (I wish I could do more) but they seem to have more meetings during the day and only one night one once in awhile. Since I work, I just can't do as much as I want.
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| Posted 9/20/10 11:47 AM |
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joenick
Us
Member since 6/06 9370 total posts
Name:
Valerie...aka...Do Me A Favor?
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Re: Are you involved in the PTA?
I am very involved.
Have been class mom twice; volunteered to be the Kindergarten class mom this year for my younger son; chairperson for Children's Bingo; chairperson for the Fashion Show (our biggest fundraiser); and I am the newly elected Grade Rep which is all time consuming...but I love it.
I am a former teacher so I know both sides of the school setting (parent/ teacher). I love being in the loop in the school and know all the goings-on. Plus the school is very small so you really do get to know EVERYBODY. Love being involved in the PTA.
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| Posted 9/20/10 12:21 PM |
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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
Name:
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Re: Are you involved in the PTA?
 I've just written checks in the past. I swear, swear, swear I'm going this year.
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| Posted 9/20/10 2:44 PM |
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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
Name:
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Re: Are you involved in the PTA?
Posted by CathyB
ETA: The PTA meeting was pretty dull. Immediately after the meeting the 5th grade parents met to talk about all the fundraising and whatnot they were planning for the year and I heard that got pretty crazy, people yelling at each other and all that fun stuff.
See now that's incentive to go.
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| Posted 9/20/10 2:45 PM |
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mommy2bella
Where does time go?
Member since 12/05 9747 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: Are you involved in the PTA?
I just joined  Thanks to the non-tornado and the LIRR on Thursday, I missed the first meeting.
I did volunteer for a bunch of things (not until spring)
We'll see, I guess.
My mom was less than involved, so I am trying to be really involved. I almost signed up for class parent, but as a working mom in NYC, I just didn't have the time.
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| Posted 9/20/10 5:33 PM |
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PatsBrat
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 2326 total posts
Name:
Ms. Brat
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Re: Are you involved in the PTA?
I CANNOT wrap my mind around the goings on at PTA meetings as a P in the PTA. I do a lot as a T in the PTA in the distrct where I teach, but in the district where I live, well, I write my check and support by attending the events and activities. I'm happier that way.
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| Posted 9/20/10 5:48 PM |
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2girlsforme
LIF Adult
Member since 8/06 3071 total posts
Name:
XXXXXXXXX
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Re: Are you involved in the PTA?
Posted by PatsBrat
I CANNOT wrap my mind around the goings on at PTA meetings as a P in the PTA.
but in the district where I live, well, I write my check and support by attending the events and activities. I'm happier that way.
I'm with you. Maybe we live in the same district. 
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| Posted 9/20/10 9:06 PM |
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CunningOne
***
Member since 5/05 26975 total posts
Name:
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Re: Are you involved in the PTA?
I am. My kids are in a very small school and I enjoy being involved (especially since we are paying for them to go there!). I am also class mom for my DD's pre-K class. Since it's only pre-K, there is not much on the table to do but it's good to be the first to know about things. The only think I won't enjoy is trying to collect money for teacher gifts!
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| Posted 9/20/10 9:17 PM |
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hbugal
Lesigh
Member since 2/07 15928 total posts
Name:
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Re: Are you involved in the PTA?
Posted by SoinLove
Posted by hbugal
Special Note:
Being on the PTA in that particular school is HUGE. There are a lot of politics involved especially with the current effort to redo the playground....
Let me know if you want to know the who, the what, and the where....
Ooh, yes! Spill!
I'll give you an example of PTA politics at "T"....
3 children were picked to play the Bass Clarinet. 2 of them wanted "out" after a couple of months. These children wanted to switch to the regular old clarinet. 1 child was permitted to switch and the other 1 wasnt. The child that wasnt was told that it was againest policy to allow the child to switch instruments after the start of the year....
Guess which child was allowed to switch?
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| Posted 9/21/10 8:13 AM |
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SoinLove
Making big changes
Member since 5/05 16541 total posts
Name:
Kristin
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Re: Are you involved in the PTA?
Posted by hbugal
I'll give you an example of PTA politics at "T"....
3 children were picked to play the Bass Clarinet. 2 of them wanted "out" after a couple of months. These children wanted to switch to the regular old clarinet. 1 child was permitted to switch and the other 1 wasnt. The child that wasnt was told that it was againest policy to allow the child to switch instruments after the start of the year....
Guess which child was allowed to switch?
I'm guessing the kid with a parent in the PTA! Wow...this makes me so glad that I'm doing this. I feel like a school VIP Thank you!
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| Posted 9/21/10 9:49 AM |
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MikesBride
LIF Adult
Member since 12/09 1245 total posts
Name:
Ilana
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Re: Are you involved in the PTA?
I tried to be involved last year...but since I am only 25, many of the women with children SD's age are older than me and seem kind of snobbish...I really tried to be involved and give my input but they kind of just shut me down....this year I'm staying out of it. I'm a ball buster when it comes to getting SD everything she is due at school, so I'm not worried about losing out on the inside benefit of being a PTA mom.
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| Posted 9/21/10 5:11 PM |
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mommy2bella
Where does time go?
Member since 12/05 9747 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: Are you involved in the PTA?
Posted by MikesBride
I tried to be involved last year...but since I am only 25, many of the women with children SD's age are older than me and seem kind of snobbish...I really tried to be involved and give my input but they kind of just shut me down....this year I'm staying out of it. I'm a ball buster when it comes to getting SD everything she is due at school, so I'm not worried about losing out on the inside benefit of being a PTA mom.
So funny, because this is how I felt at Bella's daycare. At the bday parties I would talk to the same few women who were nice, but I was so much younger than them and I felt like some of them just didn't get me...
Now, even though I am mostly the same age...I feel out of place with the women at Bella's elementary school because I am a working mom and they are all SAHM....but man, am I a ballbuster too, I am ready for it 
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| Posted 9/21/10 5:39 PM |
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hbugal
Lesigh
Member since 2/07 15928 total posts
Name:
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Re: Are you involved in the PTA?
Posted by mommy2bella
Posted by MikesBride
I tried to be involved last year...but since I am only 25, many of the women with children SD's age are older than me and seem kind of snobbish...I really tried to be involved and give my input but they kind of just shut me down....this year I'm staying out of it. I'm a ball buster when it comes to getting SD everything she is due at school, so I'm not worried about losing out on the inside benefit of being a PTA mom.
So funny, because this is how I felt at Bella's daycare. At the bday parties I would talk to the same few women who were nice, but I was so much younger than them and I felt like some of them just didn't get me...
Now, even though I am mostly the same age...I feel out of place with the women at Bella's elementary school because I am a working mom and they are all SAHM....but man, am I a ballbuster too, I am ready for it
I have seen this/experienced this more times than I care to admit...
Partly from 1st hand experience. (I had my girls when I was on the young side) and Im one of the "nice" moms...
The PTA, can be, very cliquey....ridiculously cliquey..
In my girl's school if you werent in the PTA then any effort that you made to help out was squelched. Unless you were approached b/c someone else needed something. Then b/c you never helped out you were made to feel like you and your child didnt rate b/c you werent in the PTA...blah blah blah
If you are young and attractive no one is going to have anything to do with you. Yes...they really are THAT insecure and catty.
Just find other parents like me who dont give a rats tush how old you are...
Message edited 9/21/2010 9:08:48 PM.
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| Posted 9/21/10 9:07 PM |
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MikesBride
LIF Adult
Member since 12/09 1245 total posts
Name:
Ilana
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Re: Are you involved in the PTA?
Posted by hbugal
Posted by mommy2bella
Posted by MikesBride
I tried to be involved last year...but since I am only 25, many of the women with children SD's age are older than me and seem kind of snobbish...I really tried to be involved and give my input but they kind of just shut me down....this year I'm staying out of it. I'm a ball buster when it comes to getting SD everything she is due at school, so I'm not worried about losing out on the inside benefit of being a PTA mom.
So funny, because this is how I felt at Bella's daycare. At the bday parties I would talk to the same few women who were nice, but I was so much younger than them and I felt like some of them just didn't get me...
Now, even though I am mostly the same age...I feel out of place with the women at Bella's elementary school because I am a working mom and they are all SAHM....but man, am I a ballbuster too, I am ready for it
I have seen this/experienced this more times than I care to admit...
Partly from 1st hand experience. (I had my girls when I was on the young side) and Im one of the "nice" moms...
The PTA, can be, very cliquey....ridiculously cliquey..
In my girl's school if you werent in the PTA then any effort that you made to help out was squelched. Unless you were approached b/c someone else needed something. Then b/c you never helped out you were made to feel like you and your child didnt rate b/c you werent in the PTA...blah blah blah
If you are young and attractive no one is going to have anything to do with you. Yes...they really are THAT insecure and catty.
Just find other parents like me who dont give a rats tush how old you are...
So funny...you really hit the nail on the head. Young, enthusiastic, attractive, new ideas...they don't want to hear it. And if you aren't in their clique no matter what kind of effort you put in its never enough. I got the feeling they looked down on me additionally for the fact that I haven't involved SD in 10 million activities beyond school...but I don't need to be running her around and she doesn't need to be running around to all these things. Does a 7 year old really need to be in cheerleading? 
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| Posted 9/21/10 9:58 PM |
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stephaniea
LIF Adult
Member since 1/07 1280 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: Are you involved in the PTA?
I was PTA president for 2 years, before that I was always involved. Have to say, loved every minute of it, but Im glad its over. Very under appreciated job. People don't realize that we do it for the kids and its all volunteer.
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| Posted 9/21/10 10:55 PM |
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mommy2bella
Where does time go?
Member since 12/05 9747 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: Are you involved in the PTA?
Posted by MikesBride
Posted by hbugal
I have seen this/experienced this more times than I care to admit...
Partly from 1st hand experience. (I had my girls when I was on the young side) and Im one of the "nice" moms...
The PTA, can be, very cliquey....ridiculously cliquey..
In my girl's school if you werent in the PTA then any effort that you made to help out was squelched. Unless you were approached b/c someone else needed something. Then b/c you never helped out you were made to feel like you and your child didnt rate b/c you werent in the PTA...blah blah blah
If you are young and attractive no one is going to have anything to do with you. Yes...they really are THAT insecure and catty.
Just find other parents like me who dont give a rats tush how old you are...
So funny...you really hit the nail on the head. Young, enthusiastic, attractive, new ideas...they don't want to hear it. And if you aren't in their clique no matter what kind of effort you put in its never enough. I got the feeling they looked down on me additionally for the fact that I haven't involved SD in 10 million activities beyond school...but I don't need to be running her around and she doesn't need to be running around to all these things. Does a 7 year old really need to be in cheerleading?
Yeah. I have a feeling that this is gonna be a fun challenge. I work in the city and travel for work. I know for a fact that the women in Bella's daycare buzzed about because my DH is so involved and often did pick up and drop off when I was in the thick of a project. One of the Assistant's even made comments about it. People just don't understand outside the "norm"
I am determined to be a vital and involved part of Bella's life and hell if a clique is going to stop me I will kill them with kindness...and if that doesn't work, I always have a shovel...lol.
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| Posted 9/22/10 12:51 PM |
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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
Name:
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Re: Are you involved in the PTA?
Posted by mommy2bella
I am determined to be a vital and involved part of Bella's life and hell if a clique is going to stop me I will kill them with kindness...and if that doesn't work, I always have a shovel...lol.
Or an in at MTV.
Message edited 9/23/2010 12:00:21 PM.
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| Posted 9/23/10 12:00 PM |
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MrsGmomof3
...
Member since 6/08 3290 total posts
Name:
Irrelevant
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Re: Are you involved in the PTA?
Very. My children are also in a small school. My parents were not involved at all, and I always wished they would be. Studies have also shown that children whose parents are involved in their schools behave better and do very well in school. I love going in to help a class and popping my head in to see one of my kids in their class. Its nice being involved. I feel much more a part of my community.
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| Posted 9/24/10 1:44 PM |
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