Here goes nothing....

Principal McLain kindly invited me to attend a continuing education seminar the week before school started.  I was able to listen to a speaker, Dr. Tim Tyson.  He spoke about the importance of technology in our schools.  He challenged us to create a blog.  So, here you go, Dr. Tyson.......


When Macy began kindergarten at Denton Creek 5 years ago, I was desperate for information.  The school handbook tells you a few rules.  The teachers tell you when school starts/ends and what your kids do during the day, but NOBODY told me what I was supposed to do now that she was in school.  I have now been doing this mom/room parent/chauffeur/social chair/unpaid full time volunteer/pto too many jobs to name/etc for a few years now.  I think I can share some of the information that I wished someone would have shared with me back then.

Today's Topic is going to be PTO Meetings: Shall I stay or shall I go?????
I remember the first PTO meeting that I went to 5 years ago this month.  My first thought, "Holy cow, I know NO ONE here and EVERYONE KNOWS EVERYONE ELSE."  My second thought, "Who are these older (but lovely) women?"  My third and final thought, "I must leave immediately before they ask me to volunteer for everything.  Don't they know I have a 6 month old son?  They can see him sitting here beside me.  I am totally unqualified to help with any of this stuff."  Ok, that is the truth.  I thought every one of those things. Let me address each of them now.

1.  Not everyone knows everyone else, but it does seem that way to new people.  We have made a real effort the last 2 years to be very welcoming.  I personally would like to work even harder on that.  PLEASE join us.  We want to get to know you as well.  Honestly, it doesn't take very long to feel very included.
2.  I am now one of those "older women."  How did it happen?  How in the world do I have a 5th grade daughter and when did that 6 month old get old enough to be in first grade.  Life happens when you aren't looking and when you are running around chasing those kiddos and trying to keep up.  Trust me, young moms, you will be here MUCH quicker than you want to be.
3.  Wrong.  The PTO does ask for volunteers and if you are willing, they will let you do practically anything you want, but they do not expect one person to do everything (although some of us have a hard time choosing what not to do) and EVERYONE has skills they had no idea they possessed that can help out greatly.

If you are reading this blog, it is because you take an active interest in our school, otherwise, you would have just trashed the newsletter at the start.  If you have read this far, it means you REALLY care, so PTO is a great place for you.  The truth is, I cannot wait to meet you at our first meeting on Tuesday, September 14 at 9:15 am in the science lab.

See you then,
Lisa