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- What is the PTO?
- What does the PTO do for the school?
- What are some of the PTO activities?
- PTOs Versus PTAs
- Where does your money go?
- How can I participate?
- How can I help?
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What is the PTO?
"Literally, PTO, Parent Teacher Organization, is an organization of parents,
teachers and administrators of the (Weibel) school. It is a non-profit
organization with a governing board, and officers elected by general
membership. Spiritually, it is an organization where a number of energetic
parents/volunteers/teachers work collectively to enrich the student
environment at Weibel. The type of work and projects taken on by PTO
volunteers may be related to improving facilities, hosting academic
programs/events, hosting non-academic (e.g. cultural, parent education, etc.)
programs/events, supporting classroom activities by funding it, and so on." -
Hirendu Vaishnav, Weibel PTO president, 2002-2004.
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What does the PTO do for the school?
Weibel PTO sponsors various activities and programs for Weibel students
throughout the school year. See PTO activities for detail descriptions of
activities that happen every year on a regular basis. Besides recurring
events/activities, we sponsor a number of activities that are driven by
parents/teachers based on a one-time need every year. Last year we have
improved landscaping around the school, purchased a new set of computers for
the science lab, set up a campus-wide computer network and installed a
security system. We organize parent volunteers to sit on PTO board, chair
PTO committees and drive all PTO activities. We also held fundraisers to
collect donations from parents to fund various activities/programs.
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What are some of the PTO activities?
The followings are Weibel PTO activities that happen every year unless
otherwise specified:
* FAME (Fine Art Mini-Experience) is a monthly program that introduces new
artists and composers to Weibel students. Students learn the elements in art
and music so they can further appreciate them.
* Cultural Exchange Program offers students the chance to be exposed to
and know more about different cultures in the world. This activity is held
every two year and is a one-week free format program introducing the culture
of selected country to students.
* Science Fair/Young Author are two district programs held in alternate
years. Both programs encourage participation of Weibel students. Students get
to exercise and sharpen their skill in science exploration and writing.
* Health and Safety hearing and vision screening; disaster preparation;
safety in Campus.
* Safety Control: Last year PTO's safety committee worked with the Fremont
Police Department, staff and district office to arrive at solutions to the
traffic problem at Weibel parking lots during students drops off and pick up
time. Parents and students volunteers are also organized for traffic patrol to
keep the valet service in order.
* Newsletter: Weibel PTO publishes newsletter and distributes to each
Weibel student every month.
* Weibel PTO program coordinator and principal arrange several special
assemblies for the students throughout the school year. Some of the special
assemblies that were planned by the PTO last year included Red Panda Acrobat,
Horner Choir and Jazz Band.
* Ice Cream sales are held twice a week at campus after school.
* Memory Book: Weibel PTO volunteers collect photos and prepare layout for
the yearbook, which is available for students to purchase.
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PTOs Versus PTAs
From all practical point of views, there is NO difference. Under either form,
the organization is a non-profit organization, with similar goals, similar
form, and similar activities. However, the fundamental and critical difference
is organizational. The PTA is part of a hierarchical structure going all the
way to the national level whereas the PTO is a completely local, independently
operated organization. Note also that a PTO need not be called a PTO as long
as it is not called a PTA. For example, such an organization in Mission High
School is known as "Mission Possible". The key distinguishing factor is that
if it is not a PTA, it is categorized as PTO. The hierarchical structure of
the PTA brings a certain level of hierarchy in the way a PTA operates. For
example, bylaws of a local PTO must include the PTA bylaws of each hierarchy
above (if Weibel were to be a PTA, it would comes under the Fremont Council
PTA, which in turn would come under the Peralta District PTA, which comes
under the California State PTA, which belongs to National PTA). Policies and
procedures of a PTA must not be in conflict with any of the above hierarchy
and so on. Significantly, nearly 50% of revenue from membership would go to
hierarchies above that are used to support functioning of the PTAs. The key
advantage of having such a hierarchical structure is to have guidance and
oversight that may be necessary in some cases. However, the main goal behind
higher level PTA is to do political lobbying at various levels to advocate
parent, student, and education concerns. However, in a recent book, Charlene
Haar (The Politics of the PTA by Charlene Haar, Transaction Publishers,
January 2003, ISBN 0765800845) gives an intriguing look at the PTA and its
effectiveness at the national level. The National PTA, she argues, "can
neither stand up to teacher union interests nor fairly represent parental
interests in improving their local schools. On the most fundamental of its
tasks, the PTA has proven itself irrelevant." The book points out a number of
reasons why PTA memberships has dropped to about half of what it was in the
1960s. Today, only 21% of schools in USA are PTA with an increasingly large
number switching over to PTO. Her criticism, however, is entirely restricted
to the national level PTA, and at the local level, the PTA can and IS doing as
good a job as the PTO. Indeed, Weibel used to be a PTA school three years ago,
and I don't see a difference in what we are doing. -- Hirendu Vaishnav, Weibel
PTO President, 2002-2004
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Where does your money go?
Where your money works
Items to be funded by Weibel PTO generally fall into three categories:
* The General Budget
* Scrip funding
* Priority Items
The General Budget contains items that generally occur every school year.
These include:
* Health and Safety (e.g. updating of disaster medical supplies for each
classroom)
* Chorus
* Arts programs (e.g. 3rd grade play, music equipment, …)
* Science lab supplies
* Music For Minors
* Parent Education
* Hospitality
* Holiday Shopper
* Initial Teacher allotment (usually $100 per teacher to spend on
classroom aids/supplies)
* Cultural Exchange
* Basketball Team
* 6th Grade Graduation
Also included are housekeeping items such as PTO insurance, bank charges,
administrative costs (stamps, envelops,…), weekly folder and newsletter
expenses, expenses for fundraisers, etc. General budget expenses total
approximately $29K.
The Scrip funds are used to fund Weibel's Technology programs exclusively.
Last year PTO has approved over $10K on upgrading various equipments in the
computer lab.
And finally, the Priority items are usually new and/or non-recurring items
(although the first two items in this year's list come up every year) that are
proposed by the Weibel Staff and/or PTO membership. These items are
prioritized and then funded with funds over and above that of the General
Budget and Scrip. Last year the following priority items were approved:
* Copier Lease: PTO approved $14000 for copier lease. This is in addition
to the school copier, and is sorely needed to keep the school running smoothly.
* Teacher Allotment: Additional teacher allotment of $300 per teacher (or
$17,000 total), used to purchase classroom aids/supplies.
* Library Books: $5400 to enhance Weibel library's collections. These
books will benefit all Weibel students.
* Science Lab Multi-Media System: In addition to the $7100 that PTO has
funded in 2002-03 to upgrade the Science lab from a single classroom video
monitor to a computer based multi-media system, PTO further approved $2000 to
enhance this system.
* Open Court Research Books: $600.
* Public Address System: $2000.
In total Weibel PTO approved about $41,000 of spending on priority items for
the year 2003-2004, most of which was possible because of about $50,000
brought in by the Wildcat Run fundraiser. During each PTO meeting, the General
Budget and the Scrip activities are reviewed and amended as needed. Last year
the Priority List Items were created and voted on at the October meeting.
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How can I participate?
* Sign up to be a volunteer for one or more PTO committees. Given the
variety of PTO activities, there is always tasks that would best fit your time
and interest. You may contact individual committee chairperson directly if
you are interested in helping in that committee. PTO's Volunteer Coordinator
sends out flyer in students' folder at beginning of school year to call for
volunteers for various committees. You can also contact the Volunteer
Coordinator to discuss your interest and availability. Contact information of
individual committee chairperson and volunteer coordinator is listed at the
back of Grapevine that is sent home in students' wildcat folder at the
beginning of each month. You may also fill out an on-line communication form
here. Your request/comment/question will be directed to the appropriate
chairperson automatically.
* Attend the monthly PTO meeting to participate in discussion and vote on
PTO related issues as well as budgets. Unless otherwise notified, PTO meetings
are held in the third Tuesday of every month between 7pm to 9pm in Weibel
Multiuse Room. All PTO members are welcomed.
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How can I help?
* Weibel students need your involvement to support all the valuable
programs that enrich their learning experience. Please sign up as volunteers
today.
* Weibel School needs your generous support in fundraising events to
create an even better learning environment. Please join PTO as member and
support PTO fundraising events.
* Support PTO's Scrip program.
* As a concerned parent, be aware of all the educationally related issues
in order to make the best decisions as a responsible voter.
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