One of my responsibilities in our school's PTA is Parent Education. I find people within our community to come to the school and speak to the parents and staff on varying subjects that are pertinent to children,school,family,health,safety etc. It is a free seminar, they are held monthly, we provide refreshments and free childcare. Give me some ideas of what you would be interested in learning about...something worthy of your time on a busy week night.
Some ideas are Positive Parenting, Communication within the home, The Power of Family Dinnertime, Siblings Without Rivalry, The Birds and the Bees, Keeping the Flame alive while raising young children
Thanks for your input!
Thanks a bunch mamas for your insight,concern and helpful ideas. I understand hesitation on attending events at school with these topics. I am personally a very conservative person with regards to religion, social and fiscal issues. When I attend these events I go to listen to others' expertise and opinions and then take what I want or leave it.
I do find experts...doctors, financial planners, Child Psychologists, Marriage and Family Therapists, Professors etc. I do not get random parents from school who think they are experts.
I did send out a survey last year to parents and got some good input. I will use YOUR responses to make up my new survey to give ideas that they can circle with interest. Sometimes you need a good idea presented to know what you are looking for.
Thank you again! I know for sure we will host an evening devoted to bullying, financial planning/saving/college funds. I like the idea of our Principal and his secretary coming and talking about school policies and how to get help or info and make it an open panel discussion.
Thank you again for all your responses...I really appreciate the diversity of responses and honesty.
How about online safety, managing social networking, online bullying, etc. Give it a catchy name that implies safe use of something that is here to stay.
How about:
How to communicate effectively with school teachers & administrators;
How to help your kids organize their school work and create positive study habits (so they do their homework themselves instead of moms doing it)
How to effect change in the educational structure (how to make suggestions and the desired changes within the established structure - e.g. school board, individual school administrator, etc.)
I personally find it intrusive when the PTA and school try to provide advice on things relating to home life. I find many educators and administrators to be very liberal in their social, cultural and faith beliefs and practices and after a year or two on the PTA many of the moms begin to parrot the teachers / administrators too. So I would not be likely to attend parenting classes or "keeping the flame alive" sessions conducted by "experts" selected by most of the PTA members I know. I am friends with many of the people on our PTA's - but I do not agree with many of their political and cultural views - although I like having dinner out with them. ;o)
Limit the sessions to school related stuff and I'm far more likely to attend. Just my opinion.
When There's a Special Needs Child in Your Class: Helping Your Child Embrace Differences (can talk about everything from behavioral and speech issues to physical disabilities)
Quick and Easy Lunch Ideas for School That Kids Will Actually Eat
Saving for College in Uncertain Times
You should host a screening of the documentary "Race to Nowhere". And it should be mandatory that everyone attend - teachers, parents, administration.
Totally serious. Check it out. Please.
How about a financial planner giving a talk on college savings plans?
Or one on wills and trusts/estate planning?
(both of these topics were well attended by families in our local Parents of Multiples club)
oh, and one on promoting healthy diet/exercise with your kids is also popular
Your ideas sound like GREAT topics for a moms club or mops club, but yeah....for school stuff, maybe not? I'd probably attend but I can see where others may not.
We LOVED the Love & Logic seminar/classes that we attended, and I'd attend (and recommend) that anytime for schools AND parents.
Well I think it would be nice to offer something along the lines of Dave Ramsey-although don't really think that would go over as "free" unless the school provided to pay for the fee in advance for parents or something and who knows if they even have the funds for that?? Anyways another idea that comes to mind is maybe on tools for your children when they are being bullied since that seems to be a very popular subject these days.....especially maybe telling the difference between a "tattle-tale" and a teacher recognizing the difference as well as the parents. Maybe something about self-confidence for children and maybe even for the parents??? I like the love and logic idea as well.
I agree with Metro Mom and Denise. I'd like more information on 'navigating elementary school...and beyond'. For instance, how do I get my kids kinder teacher to COMMUNICATE!!! (It's driving me nuts, in case you couldn't tell). Anything about the school: schedules, ettiquette, volunteer opportunities, on-going projects, wants/needs, extra-curricular activities...anything.
Personally, I wouldn't go to hear a financial planner at the school. I did like the idea of speakers on parenting issues and techniques etc. Bullying - definitely. Special needs - how about tips for parents of kids who are not special needs but they want to be supportive to the families of special needs kids.
Also, as a frustrated kinder mom, may I just suggest: put tons of info on your website. Make tons of 'FAQ's with even the 'dumbest' questions. Reach out and communicate to the parents (whether they've joined or not). For instance, I dropped off my payment to join PTA on the second day of school (at least 3 weeks ago now) and I have not heard a single thing from the PTA. How about a: thanks for joining email, a note from another PTA parent asking me if I have any questions...some sort of acknowldegement of my membership?? Sorry, again, my own person vent but please, take it as tips for how your PTA can be the best in the land!!! LOL
Thanks for all the work you are doing and good luck!
I think a good topic is bullying, it happens as early as 2nd/3rd grade. It's something that my family has gone through in the 3rd grade, and parents as well as educators need to be educated on it. Look into it, I'm reading a good book called: Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls
Great question! I am looking for similar ideas!
A very popular one at our school is Parenting with Love & Logic.
If you go to www.ptotoday.com, they have a free seminar that is about internet safety. They will send you all the materials.
Cooking for families with allergies
Those are great, id go! I have been to a free seminar for 1-2-3 magic and that was awsome.
I love these but I love learning about (and teaching) parent ed. Great ideas from you and other posters!
I think what could be very powerful is putting our an easy on-line poll to the parents about their concerns and topic ideas. Giving the parents a forum may increase participation and get them invested in their childrens' education: pro-social development, educational interests, physical development, etc etc.
Parent Ed can also lead to a kind of "what is missing" in the current system that could be filled by parent involvement. Parents come with so many different gifts; it would be great to reach out and see what their ideas/concerns/etc are.
Best and thanks for taking on this role!
Truthfully, none.
Our school has these and none have ever sounded very beneficial.
Nor do I know that a school is going to get a really good "expert" on a topic.
Now, being the mother of a BOY who relays NO information about school...and since he is an ONLY, this is my maiden and solo run at elementary school, I WOULD like a seminar on day-to-day policies, projects, assemblies, procedures, rules, schedules, etc. pertaining to THAT elementary school--NOT from the PTO that seems to be just a mom club.
