Poll: Are you going to the first PA/PTA meeting of the year?
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Looking at the results of last week’s poll, we realize that we truly underestimated how much parents spend on school supplies! Seventy percent of 561 voters said they spend over $50 at the start of the year.
Thanks for voting and for sharing your money-saving tips! One parent said that she was surprised when she first encountered a supply list in kindergarten, but now that her child’s in middle school, “it just seems like business as usual.” A few of you said that that you don’t get supply lists from teachers in a timely fashion, which makes it difficult to buy them before the stores run out.
Monday marks the second full week of school. We’d like to know if you are attending the first Parents Association (or Parent-Teacher Association) meeting of the year. Vote now, and comment below to let us know why or why not!
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It has been my experience thru my child’s school experience, all the way up to high school, that the first PA mtg is crucial to attend, for info on school changes, new programming (such as G&T or arts & music) and afterschool programs, budget issues, and the school calendar of special events. It is also the time to have the principal introduced, and to learn his/her take on the coming year, and to meet other parents, and connect to folks who have similar interests, and/or kids in the same classes. Altho it is often tough to find energy to attend, as school has just started and the Jewish holidays tend to come right after (and there are still school supplies to buy, prep classes for tests or college to sign up for, and music or dance classes to schedule or start), nevertheless, I have never missed the 1st PA mtg. It is priceless. Hear’s a shout out to all those hardworking PA officers and active members who volunteer so much of their time and effort to make NYC schools better places for our kids!
Comment by Queens Parent — September 18, 2009 @ 3:30 pm
The PA in my child’s school is led by a clique of parents with their own personal agenda and who feel they run the school. I volunteer when I can, and I donate to the school, but no, I plan not to attend the 1st PA meeting.
Comment by parent — September 19, 2009 @ 9:34 am
Our first meeting is on Back-to-School night so technically, even though it’s not officially a meeting, I will be there. (Besides, I’m setting up the coffee, I have to be there.)
Comment by janny226 — September 20, 2009 @ 8:58 pm
my sons schools PTA is useless they did not even serve coffee
Comment by hate TWEED — September 21, 2009 @ 2:02 pm
I’m kind of surprised to find myself missing the first pta meeting–and not feeling remotely guilty about it. As a 5th grade parent, I know it’s time to turn over the reins. There are so many parents of younger kids who are ready to become involved. I’m staying involved with the fundraiser I’ve run for the last few years, but I can’t run it this year, or it won’t sustain itself after my child graduates. It’s time for new blood.
But I will be there for 5th grade curriculum night and the middle school workshop, because that’s what matters now: getting our child placed for the next three years. Fingers crossed!
Comment by district 13 parent — September 22, 2009 @ 11:50 am
The first meeting was actually held last Wednesday. Curriculum night segued into the first PTA meeting. I was quite eager to attend curriculum night. I left when the PTA meeting began for very much the same reasons expressed at 2.
Comment by lindyroi — September 22, 2009 @ 2:36 pm
Not attending, only because of a conflict in schedule. The first PTA meeting took place already and interferred with a high school prep meeting that we had with another educational organization, otherwise I would have been there with bells on! I love PTA meetings!
Comment by Anonymous — September 23, 2009 @ 4:13 pm
About school supplies:
The first year our youngest child was in school (2004)we received a list of school supplies to get on our own. This is what we were used to from our older son’s elementary school years. But beginning with the second year, the school announced that they were going to buy all the supplies and that parents should send in $80 to cover the costs for their child. We rankled at this because we had never spent nearly that much with our first son. The next year the school sent a cheerful letter announcing how successful the new system was and saying that parents should send in $100 - this without acknowledging the increase in any way. The amount has risen every year since, reaching $150 this year. Does anyone else have this system at their child’s school? Does it the amount sound at all reasonable?
Comment by MI — September 23, 2009 @ 5:35 pm