Here's another made-for-TV media event coming to you.
The school district has sent out a press release announcing that Superintendent Del Burns and school board chairwoman Rosa Gill will officially join the PTA on Tuesday.
At 2:45 p.m., prior to the regularly scheduled school board meeting, Burns and Gill will sign up with Wake PTA Council President Sarah Martin. According to the press release, they "are joining the PTA to show their support for Wake County families and students and to underscore the importance of family involvement in our childrens education."
There are more than 50,000 PTA members in Wake. The Wake PTA Council has its office at the district's Central Services Building at 3600 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh.
Comments
Spare me...
Wed, 10/15/2008 - 23:28 — Sick of it! (not verified)Spare me please, there is a reason with these two coming on board, and it's not 'for the children' you can bet that!
They have some major issues and are trying to look concerned, hey...I say...Wake Up, Wake County! They have messed up enough where they are, now they want to mess up something else! Did they run out of things to $crew up over there? Give me a break! Rosa Gill needs to find another job. Hey, maybe she will try and take over the PTA, God Help us! I am Sick of It!
It's About Time!
Fri, 09/26/2008 - 22:12 — Greg (not verified)Every parent, teacher, and member of any school board should throw their support behind PTA’s. Before PTA’s parent - teacher/school communication was nearly non existent and muddled. PTA’s have done wonders for everyone who participates in them. Parents can communicate with teachers and teachers and schools can provide parents with valuable information that relates to a school and its students. Those schools who utilize a PTA web site have it even better. It’s about time they throw support behind this.
Adopt a School and PTA
Wed, 09/10/2008 - 08:26 — Bob Winstead (not verified)Children are a high yield investment...... May hats are off to any organization that assumes the responsibility of child advocacy. Sure there are some organizations, programs, and people that struggle to do the good works they intend, and certainly some PTA's within the system out perform others. The adopt a school initiative is a platform that gives everyone in the community a voice and an opportunity to get involved in enhancing the lives of children. We don't require you do anything. We ask that you utilize your skills and resources in the best manner possible. Serve with us so we can assist our children, our schools, our community and organizations like the PTA be a better! My belief is the new President of the Wake County PTA Sara Martin. will reform the current status quo of our local PTA. Lets support her. Lets support Adopt a School. http://www.adoptaschool.us
More PTA Participation
Sun, 08/31/2008 - 05:15 — Ashley (not verified)I like seeing PTA’s expand and see increased participation by both teachers and parents. All to often PTA enrollment is low as parents are just to busy to get involved. What these schools should be doing is investing in some sort of pta program that can be used online. I know this would help increase participation because things could be handled right from the comfort of ones home.
PTA ON WEB
Sun, 08/31/2008 - 15:38 — Anonymous (not verified)Good luck trying to implement! PTA web sites are controlled closely not to have controversy. Principals and PTA presidents are the screener. They would not allow a blog at our school.
Is PTO vs. PTA an Option in Wake County Schools?
Tue, 08/19/2008 - 09:47 — WakeCounty parent (not verified)I di not realize a "choice" was available at the school level. We were assigned to a new school and automatically recieved a PTA membership form and apparently officeres were already elected. We were never asked to vote on either the chocie or officers whch seemed strange - I probably missed a notice of an initial meeting but I did not recall seeing it. It is news to me that money goes to national areas vs. staying in the school. I'd definitely prefer money staying local. We mainly joined for the network information - parent e-mail and address list.
PTA's phewey....
Tue, 08/19/2008 - 08:53 — rr77rr99Convince me the Wake County PTA folks (with offices on WFR) are not in the palm of the hand of WCPSS.
This reason alone, our family does not support any PTA at any of the schools my children go to! Now, before you all email back and tell me how wrong that is.... we donate money to specific classrooms and the sports, band, art, music extras our children are involved in. I have no problem handing over hundreds of dollars to teachers for their pet projects, supplies for the room, the "on the down low" "holiday" parties.
I refuse to give any money to the PTA (through the sell the "crap" fundraisers) and have it go into a pot .. where... the principal at the school, has final say in how the money is to be distributed and spent.
I have asked for the formation of PTO's, but no one seems to "get that". They have all had way too many sips of the PTA Kool Aide that is being handed out by the WCPSS.
I totally resent the PTA telling me I MUST wear the SUPPORT THE BOND buttons every single time a bond comes up, or that I MUST SUPPORT the project du jour of the principa. or that I MUST SUPPORT Mandatory Year Round Schooling (that one really REALLY put me over the edge). No, no thanks.
My kids are being educated in trailers, I don't think non essential purchases are negotiable. They should be coming up with a "building fund" to put on permanent additions to the schools!
I don't see PTA's (as a whole, there may be some fantastic organizations that buck the system, but I have not really seen any that have made a huge statement) that truly "think for themselves." Everytime WCPSS says, "You must support this..." They do.
uh were you threatened if
Tue, 08/19/2008 - 10:38 — bigwinnieuh were you threatened if you didn't wear the "button"?! Is this the Sopranos of the PTA? A terrible terrible example of a PTA out of control. I am sorry that it was so awful for you. No group that is supposed to be "about the children" should have that attitude, although, WAIT, isn't that WCPSS on the whole?
Wearing The Buttons...
Tue, 08/19/2008 - 10:03 — Lisa_BWOW, I'm amazed that a PTA can try to have so much influence over the parents at your school.
Our PTA does a great job of being "neutral"---TOO MUCH SO in my mind. When over 85% of your PTA members in an OFFICIAL PTA Ballot vote tell you that they want the PTA to oppose the MYR conversion, I think that gives the PTA the authority to speak as a PTA against the ridiculous policy.
Just think of all of the parents stuck in MYR schools who will campaign AGAINST a bond next Spring if the conversions aren't reversed...not just buttons---BUMPER STICKERS, yard signs, I can imagine there will be a MASSIVE campaign against another bond if changes do not occur BEFORE it is put out for a vote.
They "fooled" us once with their assurances before the last bond passed, but unless they SHOW that they're willing to work WITH us (unconvert MYR schools BEFORE the next bond) it won't happen again.
Consequence of no?
Tue, 08/19/2008 - 09:40 — Dadof3When you say, "You must" what if you didn't wear the button? What would happen?
No surprise
Tue, 08/19/2008 - 07:32 — fiestamomSince the national PTA organization supports typically liberal causes, it's no surprise that these two would join!
The national PTA (but remember, your local dues support the national) is usually in lockstep with the NEA. ex -the national PTA is against school vouchers.
Countering High Dollar Del
Mon, 08/18/2008 - 21:15 — al_in_garnerIt gives me some pleasure to know that Del Burns has to make up for my leaving the PTA.
Now every time I see the azalea's I planted at our former elementary school I will smell the scent of countering The Man.
PTA's maintain the "status quo" of Big Ed
Mon, 08/18/2008 - 19:57 — WuptdoAt our Charter School, we told the county PTA to "stuff it" cause we wanted to keep our money. We choose to be a PFA (or PTO) instead and have never looked back.
http://www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/article/292-pto-vs-pta-whats-the-difference
For several years I was very involved with PTA, then I got to deal with the "shady" side of the PTA. IMHO, at least down in the mid-90's at Lincoln Heights Elementary, we were expected to just raise money for the principle "pet" projects. When we wanted to participate more in the "going's on" of the school we were "bbeeeelllcccchhhh slapped" into the next day. It was all about the money and nothing else. The next year, they had a very difficult time finding volunteers for to be officers in the PTA.
Another thing I found very disturbing about that school's PTA members was the way they became almost "church lady" type people. "How many cakes did you bake?" or "How many hours did you volunteer?", etc., etc.
http://www.jibjab.com/view/171311
Joining the PTA
Mon, 08/18/2008 - 19:20 — MissVEasiest way to get media coverage. What will it take to get the School Board to stop giving mixed messages? Supposedly they want more kids in year round, yet my doctor friend in Wake Forest was turned down...through the appeal to KEEP her child in year round!
Another parent was turned down for Enloe, through the appeal process, put her child in SE Raleigh for 2 weeks and is now enroute to a private school. Both families are black. Is there another measure for children of professionally employed parents?
you asked; "will it take to
Mon, 08/18/2008 - 20:12 — bigwinnieyou asked; "will it take to get the School Board to stop giving mixed messages?"
EXPOSURE FOR WHAT IT IS;
Oh goody!
Mon, 08/18/2008 - 18:06 — Sideburns2 more people to make cupcakes!
tsk tsk
Mon, 08/18/2008 - 18:13 — bigwinniecupcakes aren't on the approved healthy list! shame!
ROFL
seriously?
Mon, 08/18/2008 - 16:54 — bigwinnieas educators and Dr's of education, instead of lauding their efforts NOW, one should ask WHAT TOOK SO LONG to show support to the school system they so love?! hypocrites! spare me..
(think this means they are feeling the heat from the communities?)
Ha! as a school board
Mon, 08/18/2008 - 16:48 — Anonymous (not verified)Ha! as a school board representatives and Dr.'s of Education, instead of lauding their efforts NOW, someone should ask WHAT TOOK SO LONG to show support? hypocrites!
(think they are feeling the heat?)