When Griffin went off to kindergarten I panicked. He was the crying kid on the first day that wasn’t ready for his parents to leave him.
It honestly broke my heart. But I knew that public school would be good for him, and hoped that eventually it would get easier. For both him and me. (It did, I promise!)
I guess his anxiety was the result of having both of his parents home with him every day for the last few years. Which, to be clear, I wouldn’t have changed for anything!
Knowing that he wasn’t having an easy transition, I decided that I wanted to spend as much time at his new school as possible. This was both to get myself more familiar with where he would be spending seven hours every day, and so that he would feel more comfortable by seeing me be present.
I didn’t know anything about the school, or the staff, but I knew that I wanted to find out. So what did I do? I signed up to help the PTSO (parent, teacher, student organization). That is what it’s called in our town, but yours might be the PTO (parent/teacher organization) or PTA (parent/teacher association).
You might be thinking that I’m crazy. Most people do. They have a negative association with the group, and immediately want to run for the hills as soon as they see the PTSO coming their way.
Most people think that signing up is signing your life away. They think of the movie Bad Moms, and that they will be guilted into managing huge projects and judged for the way things are handled. Or they start getting bombarded with flyers, orientation packets and too many pieces of paper to keep track of, which makes them feel immediately overwhelmed.
When your family chaos calendar is already overflowing with sports, kids, work and meals, the last thing you want is more to do. But here is the secret that no one tells you. Joining your school’s PTSO is actually one of the smartest and most rewarding things you can do as a parent!
What no one tells you is that you don’t have to be on the PTSO Board or volunteer for every single event. Even just a little bit of involvement pays off big time. And here is why joining your child’s elementary school PTSO is definitely worth your time.
1. You Get the Ultimate “Inside Scoop”.
If you have boys like I do, then when you ask your kid what they did at school you probably get a whole lot of nothing. Being involved with the PTSO gives you a backstage pass to your child’s day.
You can hear directly from the school regarding upcoming curriculum updates, schedule changes and interesting events. And you get to meet the people that are making these decisions, which can provide incredible peace of mind as a parent.
2. You Find Your “Parent Village”.
Knowing parents that are at the same school makes life so much easier. You are in the same trenches and dealing with the same issues. They are friendly faces you can ask for advice, and people you can call to set up playdates or ask for carpool help when you are in a pinch.
3. You Have a Direct Say in Where School Funds Go.
Have you ever wondered where the money from school fundraisers, fun runs and spirit nights actually goes? When you become part of the PTSO you get insider knowledge, and sometimes even a vote to where it gets spent!
4. You Build Strong Relationships with Teachers and Staff.
Teachers work tirelessly, and the PTSO is the primary engine behind making them feel loved and supported. From organizing Teacher Appreciation Week luncheons to stocking the staff lounge with coffee and treats, being involved puts you in direct, positive contact with the ones shaping your kids’ lives.
When teachers and administrators know your face and see you supporting the school community, it creates a warm, open line of communication if your child ever faces a challenge during the year.
5. Your Kid Loves it!
I am super thankful that at this time in my kids’ lives they want to see more of me, not less. They get excited seeing me at school and giving me a hug in the hallway while I pass. Their faces completely light up and it tells them that their school matters, and therefore they matter.
In fact, both Griff and Owen constantly ask me to help at their school even more than I do now. Which is already quite a lot!
6. You Can Participate on YOUR Terms.
The biggest myth about joining the PTSO is that it’s an “all or nothing” commitment.
The truth? Every modern PTSO is grateful for whatever you can give. If you can come in and provide hands on help, great. If you work full time but can design a killer flyer for an upcoming event, great. There is no amount of help that is too small for a grateful PTSO!
FINAL THOUGHT IS THAT YOU SHOULD GIVE IT A TRY THIS YEAR!
If you’ve been on the fence about signing up, consider this your nudge to try it out for this school year. Head to the first meeting, grab a seat, meet a couple of new friendly faces and see what the group is planning.
Elementary school flies by so fast! Getting involved in the PTSO is one of the best ways to soak in these years, stay connected and help make your child’s school experience as magical as possible!
LET’S CHAT!
Are you a member of your school’s PTSO? What’s been your favorite part of getting involved? Share your experiences in the comments below!
