2015 Stillwater PTSA Survey Results

Thank You all for taking your time to fill out Stillwater PTSA’s 2014-15 school year survey. This is something we feel is very important to our effort to bring you the most out of PTSA that we can. We will probably do this again next year. Your feedback is tremendously important to us as we all are in this for the same cause. You have been heard. Please read our responses!

Q1. What events does your family participate in each year?

Q2. Do you feel that we offer enough activities for all ages?

The overall consensus is that we do a fine job at offering what we can. A great question was brought up! “What happened to Science Docent?” The school was concerned that our program was not following the curriculum required. In addition to that problem, we did not have enough volunteers who had the time for necessary training to cover the program. So the program was discontinued.

Q3. Would you like to see us offer more and if so what?

The consensus was NO, however some suggestions where brought up that a Homework club would be beneficial. We can bring this to the school staff and see what they think/feel about making something like this happen.

Q4. Do you feel that you are provided adequate information about PTSA events and meetings?

This question was answered with positive feed back however we would like to reach more of the school. A link to our webpage IS posted in the schools weekly information email. On the right side of the email you will see an “Important Links” tab that will take you to our Stillwater PTSA website where you may sign up for our EFlashes (reminder/ informational emails).

Q5. PTSA has funds they would like to Grant to Stillwater. As the membership, what would you like to see our funds go towards?

This is a BIG one! Suggestions on fund allocations were made. Many suggested more hands-on science and science type assemblies. Suggestions were made and handed off to Kari (SW secretary) for further investigation. We want the membership to know that on 2/6/15 a $4,000 stipend was given to the school to help fund our students field trips. Field trips are planned by grade, by curriculum, and by the school. NOT PTSA. Another great question was asked about universal supplies and student supply lists. I am happy to inform everyone that the school is already in the process of working this out. I am sure PTSA will be happy to assist the school once they have figured out how we can help. Phonics was a request and I know a couple grants have already been applied for on this subject! Playground equipment was a grant suggestion, as well as a kiln. As for playground equipment, that is something that the school and the district would need to request funds for. There are rules and regulations in place regarding the safety and insurance policies we know nothing about. However we did take the inquiry to Mr. Madigan and he knows this is on our memberships radar. As for the kiln, this too is on the radar for Mr. Madigan and a grant is being written. Lots of planning and research go into each request, such as where to put the kiln. WE hear you! Thank for the feedback on these ideas.

Q6. We strive to support our Teachers and Students as a Parent Teacher Student Association. This means to do all we offer we need assistance from the membership. What keeps you from volunteering your time?

We hear we have LOTS of full time parents, so we understand why people are not stepping forward. It seems the same people are the volunteers at most events. We understand the perception of a clique within the PTSA. Unfortunately it comes with the territory. We were all new at one time and knew no one on the board. We just want to help. We are fortunate enough to be able to make time. We love our Teachers and Students! We all do what we can and are very grateful to those of you who make it work!! Thank you Stillwater Volunteers from the Classrooms to the PTSA!

Q7. What could we do to make it easier for you to volunteer?

Comments to this question vary anywhere from more advance notice to at home opportunities to making sure we acknowledge people and not micromanage them. We would like to think this year these things already happen, and the team we have created is inclusive NOT exclusive. We are truly sorry if we have not been open to new people or ideas. One thing we would like to suggest to our peers with “littles” at home is a “drop and swap”! When my oldest was in Kindergarten I traded off days with another mother that also had “littles” at home! She watched mine so I could volunteer and I did the same for her. It worked great and allowed me to be involved in my “Bigs” classroom. As for PTSA, “littles” are always invited!

Q8. Attending Membership meetings is very vital to our Association. In order to vote and to pass programs, grants, finances, meeting minutes, new Board Positions, we need your attendance. We need your votes!! What keeps you from attending our meeting?

A great suggestion was made to do a virtual meeting for voting…. This sounds great in theory!! We will take this to our Riverview Council and ask if this is allowed in our STATE laws. PTSA is an nonprofit organization that is Country wide and every State has laws that our local unit must abide by. Thanks for that idea!!

Q9. What could we do to make it easier for you to attend?

Good ideas came from this question. Change nights/offer child care/hold meetings during school hours and more Kid Mail (paper reminders). We will be offering child care at our next meeting on March 19th. We will work on the other ideas for the coming year.

Q10. We do this because we want to maximize your children’s learning experience. What would you suggest us to do different in up and coming years?

We feel we need to address a very fair question. Most of the events we do for Stillwater such as Elf Workshop are what we call a “break even event”! We produce these events not to make $ but to provide a fun, social time where families can spend quality time with their children and build camaraderie with each other. If we don’t have volunteers to assist at these events they just can’t happen. I personally don’t want to be the bad guy when I have to say…. “Well, we did not have volunteers so we did not do Bingo!” It’s a shame but maybe this will have to be what happens.

Thank You again for all your feedback and time you give your students and teachers.

Serene Norris and Julie Logan
president@stillwaterptsa.org