Almost 700 students attend Conte West Hills Magnet School. Fifteen parents showed up for the schools Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) meeting this week.
PTO member Tracey Harris — who did show up Monday night — called that a problem.
“I come from New Haven. I’m from the inner city, and I think education is your way out,” said Harris. “If we show our kids that we value education then they’ll value education.
Harris and her fellow PTO members ended up talking a lot about why parents don’t show up — and what could lure more of them to meetings.
One idea: Have kids entertain. That might help.
“We all find time for entertainment, to go to the movies, to get our hair done, to get our nails done,” said Harris. “So what is giving an hour a month for your child? To me, it’s sad.”
Parent Debby Sullivan agree that parent turnout could be better. She said parents who don’t show up may not be totally at fault.
“I don’t think it’s about the parents not caring,” Sullivan (pictured left with one of her daughters) said after the meeting. She said she thinks the attendance problem could stem from time conflicts.
Sullivan suggested the meetings be timed to coincide with afterschool activities. She said if parents are going to meetings at the same time activities are held, more children may get involved in activities as well.
Richard Sartini has three children who attend Conte. He said parents need to take responsibility.
“I see other parents stepping up, and it’s time to step up,” Sartini said after the meeting.
He was voted “sergeant of arms”; the small group giggled when no one could explain what the title means.Harris said he will serve as a functional leader, making sure meetings run smoothly and stay on focus. Sartini said he would research the title when he gets home, but he’s already thinking of solutions.
Harris, who has a son in kindergarten at Conte, said the PTO’s second focus is to raise money. She suggested a scratch-off type game to parents as a way for children to participate in fundraisers. Other suggestions included collecting water bottles and juice bottle tops for money and books.
Harris and Jerry Smart, also a parent of a kindergarten student and president of the PTO, agreed that the money should go towards technology — computers and media — and an annual field trip to reward the children.