A couple of discussions began in the comments that are worth bringing to a post, one being the impact of the new grade structure (k-3, 4-6, 7-8, and 9-12) on parent involvement, particularly in the 4-6 building.
Kelley noted: "it prompted my thoughts about the impact of 4 schools on parental involvement, and on PTA in particular...it seems to me that much of the PTA success is the result of past history and continuity of parent involvement..but when you have kids changing schools at 4 years, then again after 3 years, then again after 2 the continuum is broken...wonder if there is any statistical basis to my gut feeling that parents will be less involved when their kids are in multiple schools--parents can only be stretched so far---"
I had considered the new building levels from the standpoint of logistics for a parent at pick up and drop off, but what about the issues of volunteers and assistance from parents. With K-6 and two or three kids, a parent could be involved with a single school for a dozen years, but at k-3 the likelihood of that happening drops off significantly.
No matter what activity, teachers, customers, you name it - turnover is tough and costly. There is a learning curve and a cost associated with this type of change. I think it is one of the problems we have in the NASD with admin in recent years. We have changed so many positions, so often that we don't seem to be able to get our feet under us at all times and the problem is compounded by the fact that we are a growth district with many critical issues.
The point though is that some parents can give to one PTA, but will they be able to give to two? We will effectively be cutting each elem's pool of possible PTA volunteers in half and taking the most experienced ones away so to speak (as their kids move to the next building).
It is a very interesting observation and I wonder to what extent the current PTAs have considered this, if at all.
What do you think?
1 comment:
The reason I even thought of PTA being adversly affected by the addition of a new school was an article in the ET about a Forks Elem. school with a PTA on the brink of closing up shop.
The article stated that PTA had only 6 active members out of a 600 student enrollment. The reason seemed to be a high # of two parent households and a lack of time availablity. Interestingly enought the $ was there just not the people to organize the fundraising events, which is really what PTA is all about.
Anyhow as Sharon pointed out in a post maybe by identifying the potential problem early on we can help circumvent future problems. Maybe at the 3rd grade level the NASD PTA's can begin to meld efforts so ease the transition into a 4th grade combined school.
Hey on another note does that mean we now have 4 graduation ceremonies instead of 3? Yikes
Kelley joseph
ps did anyone hear of a deadline for the redistricting? was told by a mother that an elem principal told her the deadline had already passed if you wanted to relocate to Shafer. was just curious how solidified the enrollment projections were in terms of the redistricting...
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