PTO

It's a new school year...

Zachary started 2nd grade today (tear) 

and Brennon started kindergarten. (another tear) 

I was pleasantly surprised to see that this year they added a calendar of events 

in the student handbook.

For a planner mom like myself, this rocks!! However, I had to laugh at a few items in the August section.

Biggest Letdown. 

PTO meetings.

They will take place at 3:00. 

Seriously? 3:00? School lets out at 2:35 each day... and I'm not sure if I'm the only parent who is getting 2 extra wild kids off the school bus around that time but I barely have time to get a snack in them and homework started before thinking of doing anything else... especially rounding up my family of 6 (for now) and heading back out the door to a PTO meeting- alone, because like most parents, my husband is working until 4. 

I know I've heard a few times last year that the PTO members were frustrated at the lack of members, participation and overall enthusiasm regarding what is going on with the school. 

Let me the voice of reasoning... 

A 3:00 meeting midweek is absurd. Whats more absurd is expecting people- parents of children who attend that school to actually come to the meetings. 

I'm not saying a meeting at 6pm would mean every single parent would make it to each meeting. But I am saying you aren't really giving any parent a chance to come when you hold it at 3:00 in the afternoon. 

Nothing excites me more than attending a mid-day PTO meeting alone listening to 5 kids scream about being hungry, tired, and ready to go home after being there for 8 hours. 

I'm sorry to burst your balloon PTO members but if ONE parent shows up to this meeting you should consider it a success. 

My second biggest letdown? 

Box tops. 

If you taught my sweet Zachary last year and the year before that you probably received 50 different notes and emails asking about the results of the box top challenges. 

(Yes, you read that right, 2 years worth) 

In a total of 4 (I believe- may have been more) box top challenges I have heard results from ONE. 

ONE. 

ONE!!! 

UNO!!

1!!!

What is so frustrating is I must be the ONLY parent who actually reads the forms sent home, getting my children all excited to gather, cut, clip, and save every single box top they can find so they can win this challenge. Some offer gift cards- others TV's, and of course, recognition in the newsletter they send out each month. 

And guess what happens? 

NOTHING.

NADA.

ZILCH. 

NOT A SINGLE THING. 

So please excuse me this year for not bothering with reading that precious tree you sent home regarding the box top challenge. I will not be participating this year. 

I will not be harassing the teachers to find out why the PTO members aren't doing what they promised... and I will no longer stress about getting the most box tops so my kids can have that moment of excitement that all their hard work all summer paid off by winning this challenge. 

Box Top Challenge? 

FAIL. 

Epic Fail...