Learn More

Want to learn more about what a PTO is? Meet with us this Thursday, July 30th at 7:00 p.m. E-mail me (carrie {at} tuttle {dot} org) for the address. Hope to see you there!

Not a New Trend

The switch from PTA to PTO is not a new trend for the nation
From PTOtoday.com

Nationwide, the vast majority (75%) of parent-teacher groups are actually independents rather than formally affiliated PTAs.

For years, the debate has been exceedingly simple to frame. Do we want to be part of something larger and spend our group dollars outside of our school? Or do we want to focus exclusively on

Synergy, Unity, Power

My vision of the ideal Parent volunteer group
By Lynne Burns

In the past several months, I have thought a lot about how to bring all the families at our school together in a common, united way. These are some of my ideas for how I think a PTO will unify our school community:

Synergy with Ownership – Every parent will belong to the PTO, and therefore feel ownership in the success of the organization. This is OUR parent volunteer group, and our individual responsibility to make it awesome!

Unity through Equality – Since every parent is a “member,” all parents have the opportunity to volunteer wherever and

Silver Mesa

Regardless of petitions, campaigns or votes in the upcoming months, we  recognize the PTA as the official parent organization at Silver Mesa for  this coming school year. Please join us in supporting these parents who are  working hard to make Silver Mesa Elementary a great experience for our children. Make sure you tell the PTA officers how much you appreciate all
they are doing for our school!

Volunteer

My kids are really excited to start the new school year (yes, they really do LOVE school). A big part of that has to do with where they go to school. Silver Mesa is an amazing school! Ms. Fielding is a great principal. She has put a lot of time and effort into making our school a wonderful and safe place for my kids to learn.

Silver Mesa has the best teachers! We have loved each teacher my kids have had and look forward to meeting new teachers in a few weeks. Our principal and teachers are super talented, smart and excel in what they do; educating and loving our kids.

But, they can't do it alone – they need parent volunteers!

The first step to volunteering is to fill out the District Volunteer Application (https://volunteer.canyonsdistrict.org/volunteersystem/volunteer/index.cfm). You will be asked basic contact information to complete the application, and it takes about 24-48 hours for approval. Super easy!

After you are approved, you are ready to volunteer! There are volunteer opportunities for everyone no matter how much/little time you have. There are all sorts of ways you can donate your time. In the classrooms, most opportunities will begin after school starts so watch for e-mails or ask your teacher how you can help. Silver Mesa needs YOU!

Clarification

I thought I would write a post to clarify something. A few months ago a member of Silver Mesa's PTA board told me and several others that the council PTA would be increasing their dues, which would mean that our school would only keep $0.25 out of the dues paid. I just learned that this isn't correct. The correct breakdown is:

Facebook

Check out our facebook page. If you like what you see make sure to follow us.

https://www.facebook.com/Silvermesaunited?ref=hl

Join Us

Want to learn more about the vote we will hopefully have in the fall? Want to learn more about a PTO? Want to come listen or ask questions? Please join us Tuesday, July 21st at 9:30 a.m. at the lower pavilion at Flat Iron Park or at 7:00 p.m. at Sandy Library. We would love to see you there. Spread the word. Everyone is welcome!

My Choice

Why I prefer PTO over PTA at my school

By Lynne Burns

Last year I volunteered a lot at the school.  I even attended some PTA meetings, but didn’t know much about PTA. In April, Holly asked me if I had ever heard of PTO, which I hadn’t. We researched it with some other parents and were astounded by what we uncovered. We asked for (and were initially denied) a referendum, where parents in the school community could vote on which parent volunteer group represented them at our school.
 

In May, Dr. Briscoe, the Canyons School District Superintendent, asked the School Board to create a policy, allowing any school in our district the right to petition a vote. Parents throughout our district will soon have the opportunity to choose the parent group for their school for the first time!

Here are some reason why I am excited to have a choice:

Map

I find it interesting that only 4 out of 50 states still has the PTA in a majority of schools. If we change to a PTO we aren't doing something new, just something new for Utah. Maybe the rest of the country knows something we don't. Are we missing out on a good thing by sticking with tradition, rather than going with what is best for our school?

Holly's Top 5

Canyons District is creating a new policy, allowing for a parent organization other than the PTA.  I am thrilled that our school community will get the chance to vote on whether we want a PTA or a PTO at Silver Mesa.  We have never been allowed this choice before.  Because the new policy will only allow for a petition to change the school’s parent organization once every three years, it is important that we as a community really consider the issue before voting this fall.  In light of this, I have written the following:

My Top Five Reasons for Supporting a PTO at Silver Mesa Elementary

by Holly Hendrickson - Silver Mesa Parent

All-Inclusive - I like that a PTO is all-inclusive.  Everyone with a child at the school is considered a member with voting rights.  A PTA has members and non-members.  With a PTO, everyone would receive communications from the PTO about things that impact our school.  With a PTA, only PTA members receive emails concerning some of the things that affect the entire school.  Having PTA members and non-members can be divisive.  Having a PTO where everyone is automatically a member and can be as involved (or uninvolved) as wanted, creates a sense of unity.

Why get involved?

This article was in the Silver Mesa newsletter this spring. I thought it was really good!

 

By: Virginia M. Ramos Matias, M.Ed., School Psychologist
 

School and Home Partnerships for Success
 

Educational research has consistently shown that parent involvement in schools is crucial.  Any amount of parental support of educational goals and involvement in school has been shown to positively affect academic, behavioral, and social outcomes.  “Parental involvement is critical because learning occurs across multiple settings and that collaborative problem-solving partnerships with parents ensure the greatest chance of student success” (Esler, Godber & Christenson, 2008; as cited in Jarmuz-Smith).

What can you do to establish a successful school-home partnership?  

Park Meeting

Want to learn more about what is going on at Silver Mesa? Join us on Tuesday, July 14th at 9:30 a.m. We will be meeting at the lower pavilion at Flat Iron Mesa. Kids can play, parents can chat. Make a comment with any questions.