As a PTSA President: Why I Think It’s Crucial for Parents to Get Involved

It’s that Back-to-School time of year again and many parents are visiting their kids’ school for back-to-school night.   Most of us know how the night goes, the principal speaks and then the PTSA president gets up to address the school to practically beg parents to join.

The person begging this year was me.  It’s been me in the past at different schools too. 

I’m my son’s high school PTSA President.

The looks I get from people when I say this vary so much.  Some people are genuinely thankful and express thanks to me for taking on the responsibilities.  While others actually look at me like I’m crazy.  I’ve never understood why wanting to be involved in my children’s education and school would make me crazy, but without fail I get the looks.  Some people have such a negative feeling towards the PTA that I will never understand.  Perhaps a bad experience.

During this year’s speech I tried for some humor and promised the PTSA was not like the one in the “Bad Moms” movie and that I would not dictate that there could be no sugar in foods they donated.  That at least got a few laughs.  It is a super funny movie after all.  Not sure the humor helped though.  Membership is still lagging.

Every year we are in the same place, begging for parents to join the PTA.  I will never understand this no matter how many years I do this, and I’m going on 15 years.

I have been involved in PTA literally from when my kids were in preschool.  I was on the board of the PTA at the Center where my kids went to preschool and after care and I have been involved in one way or another since then.  For much of my PTA history, I have even been on the board serving at least 4 years as vice president, several as secretary, and this being my 4th year as president at different schools. 

And yes, I do work outside the home.  Right now, as PTSA President I also work full time as a lawyer.  It’s important to me.

My Why

My boys are my why.  Their well-being and education are of paramount importance to me.  I know all parents will say the same, but for me this meant more than just making sure they did their homework or getting them help if they needed it.  It meant being involved in their school and the most grassroots way to do this in my opinion is to get involved in the PTA.

I have always personally known the principal at every school my boys attended, as well as vice principals and many of the teachers through working with them and the PTA.  They know that I am an involved parent.  I am familiar with the school buildings and am at most school events. I know what’s going on in the school building.

I also strongly believe that as parents we have to help our schools.  I do not think our responsibility for our children’s education stops at paying taxes or when they get on the bus.  These feelings naturally led me to PTA and volunteering in the schools.

Do I like everything about PTA?  No way.  Do I think that it has the potential to really help teachers and students?  Yes, I do.

This is my why.

————-

I hear some crazy things about PTA and the people who are members.  I guess the movies don’t help much.  Again, Bad Moms is funny, but makes the PTA volunteers look very militant and not very welcoming.  I’ve seen similar portrayals in other movies, so we are fighting a negative stereotype.

But I’m not naïve here and know there might be some truth to that stereotype which also may turn people off.  I know my first attempts to get involved at the elementary level were bumpy.  I felt the group was cliquey and not particularly welcoming.  I can see how this would discourage many people and leave a bad taste.  I pushed through and in the years since have tried very hard to make sure everyone feels welcome having experienced some perceived exclusion myself.

I do hear lots of excuses as to why people can’t join the PTA, but most are really more about volunteering, not joining.

I work full time; PTA members are stay-at-home moms, so I’ll leave it to them.

Not always true.  Our entire board works full time.  I know some people don’t have the type of job that allows them flexibility to volunteer, but no one’s job prevents them from joining.

I don’t like to volunteer.

I’d be lying if I said I understood this since I have spent countless hours of my life volunteering, but to each his own.  Our teachers and schools need our support.  Lots of these same people complain when the schools don’t have the resources to host events or volunteers to make sure things run smoothly. At least join and pay your membership fee which goes towards the events we want our children to enjoy.

PTA’s can be cliquey.

I’m sorry if this is your experience.  No one likes to try to be excluded from a group they consider a clique, especially if it involves our children’s schools.  It shouldn’t be like this.  Maybe getting involved and sticking it out can make a change.

My kid doesn’t want me to be involved or at their school events.

This one makes me laugh. Since when do we let our kids dictate what we do or don’t do?  I’m sure they don’t like you reviewing their homework either, but we still do it if necessary.  My kids have grown up with me involved and at this point expect it and have never complained.

-----

If you are one of those people who are on the fence about joining or don’t even give PTA a thought, try this year.  If you are already a member, maybe volunteer.  If not PTA then try out volunteering for one of the boosters groups at your school. Be a coach or help run the rec league. The rewards are huge, and our schools and children need us.

As I near the end of my PTA career, since my youngest is a senior in high school, I’ve been spending time reflecting.  For me it all comes down to the importance of being present and involved.  Soon we will be empty nesters and I am happy to look back and think I did what I could do to make those years of school the best I could by giving my time and energy.

I tried my best to make a difference.