Whether they be PTA meetings or some other sort of assembly whose purpose is to discuss school-related matters, typically they are attended by a very small percentage of parents. For many, the meetings take place during inconvenient times or directly conflict with work hours. Other parents who could attend choose not to—they may not feel comfortable around school administrators, or they may worry that the meetings will be a waste of time.
If at all possible, though, finding a way to put school meetings on your agenda is important. Attending such meetings has at least three benefits:
- They give you access to information, either from administrators or other parents, that you would not find out about otherwise.
- They provide an opportunity for parental input—for sharing your opinions and ideas about school-related issues and challenges.
- They make you more visible—you become not just another parent or "Tommy's mom" but a contributing adult member of the school community.
Yes, there may be times when a particular meeting can seem to drag on, with nothing much of interest being discussed or apparently accomplished. But if the meetings are planned in advance and well run, such times should be the exception rather than the rule. And if they aren't, you as a parent can help change the situation by speaking up and voicing your concerns.
So try to attend as many school meetings as you can, even if it means getting up a bit earlier or rearranging your work schedule somehow. In addition to the benefits listed above, you'll also feel more connected to the school and its staff. And, last but not least, your children will see that their school and what happens to them there is important—not just to them, but to you.
