LaBrae Elementary PTO

PTO MYTH BUSTERS!

 Myth:  The PTO is just for stay-at-home moms. 

FACT:  The PTO is for everyone!  Our volunteers are mothers, fathers and those who fill those roles.  We have a wide range of volunteers who:  stay-at-home; work part-time to full-time; have little ones at home, preschoolers, high schoolers and/or college students; are continuing their own education; and more. 

Myth:  The PTO has all the help they need. 

FACT:  The PTO welcomes everyone and continues to need volunteers for various events, fundraisers, and committees year-round.  We need you! 

Myth:  Volunteering for the PTO takes too much time. 

FACT:  Only YOU can decide how much time you can give.  Even if you can help at just one event or handle one task per year, it would be greatly appreciated.   

Myth:  PTO volunteers need to be at the school during the day. 

FACT:   Much of the PTO work can be done from home on your own schedule, or at events at night or weekends.  Yes, there is volunteering during the school day if you are able to do so.  But no one does it all, so choose what works best for you. 

Myth:  The PTO has the same volunteers year after year and everyone knows each other.   

FACT:  While we are fortunate to have dedicated volunteers who return, we also welcome new ones every year.  We do strike up friendships and enjoy getting to know one another. Our volunteers range from Kindergarten to 5th grade parents, so it’s a great chance to get to know parents from other grades you may not have met otherwise. The idea that the PTO is like a “clique” is a Hollywood stereotype. We have volunteers who have become great friends and come from completely different walks of life. Sadly, or NOT, it isn’t nearly as high drama, overly emotional, soap opera-esque as TV would have you believe. Most of us are normal parents leading normal lives and just want to enrich the school experience for our kiddos.

Myth:  The PTO is all set with their activities and events for the year. 

FACT:  Each year, the PTO brings back favorites and tries new activities, fundraisers and events.   Those new ideas come from volunteers.  We don’t know what families want until they tell us. While we try to plan ahead, it’s only the beginning of the school year and there’s still plenty of time to do even more for the students and school this year.  And we want you to be a part of it all!