Because I’m not a fan of crowds, last year I often found myself stressing out before PTO meetings even though my only obligation for those meetings was to walk into the school library, find an empty seat, sit down in that seat, and then find my way out to the car when the meeting was over. I believe I attended a total of three meetings last year, which is admittedly fairly horrible, but it was three meetings more than I had attended in any of the previous years.
I’m now the treasurer of our school’s PTO. This means I will be attending ALL of the meetings, probably saying actual words during those meetings, doing things with money and bank accounts and budgets, and smiling a lot. I just need to constantly remind myself that sending a loved one off to WAR is terrifying. PTO is not terrifying. It’s not terrifying. Not terrifying. Terrifying.
Last night I attended my first event of the fiscal year. (Look at me talking in fiscals. I feel smarter already, Olivia Newton-John!) I saw a few things that broke my heart and a few things that found me fighting the urge to roll my eyes into the back of my head. At the end of the night, I returned home, counted some money, and entered a bunch of numbers into the system. No need for Xanax. All is well.
This evening (in about an hour, actually), we’ll be returning to school to meet the teachers. I’m terribly happy with the teachers the girls will have this year. My only complaint (and it’s a tiny one) is that one of the girls will be in a classroom with someone that I was hoping would NOT be in her classroom. BUT, I’m trying my hardest to turn my attitude around and even bring God into it along with words like Forgiveness and Peace and Love. (Wurocher once said, “If a child acts like a hateful animal, treat her as one. Feed her ground corn and chicken by-product and make her pee outside. Just kidding.”)
We’ll see what happens. In the meantime, if you have a Dairy Queen in your area, get over there and buy a Nutter Butter Blizzard. Tell them I sent you. (Don’t really tell them that I sent you. They don’t know me. (Unless you’re going to the Dairy Queen by my house. They know me. Oh, yes they do.)) ‘ ‘ ‘text/javascript’>
I hear ya! I am the Fundraiser Chair (fancy name – 2nd VP Ways & Means) for my son’s PTO this year. He was in Kinder last year and I saw lots of things I raised my eyebrows at last year. It was either PTO President or Fundraiser Chair. I took the lesser of 2 evils. Actually, I am beginning to see some small changes I like and pushed for so it is good so far.
Charlie got the teacher I requested based on recommendations from others. I don’t know who all is in his class yet though.
I’ve officially entered the “I’m paying my way out of any/all PTO involvement with this cash gift, now don’t ask of anything from me” phase of my sons’ school tenure.
And there was much rejoicing.
Yay.
Wait a minute, how did you let them sucker you into being treasurer this year? This is why I don’t go to ANY meetings at all, ever, so help me God.
I am addicted to the Nutter Butter Blizzard… I never feel that way about their ice cream, unless you count the summer of 98 when they had smore galores and I was pregnant with our son who was due in August!
I just had my 7th anniversary at work, and realized that means I’ve been to approximately 75 Board meetings. Sometimes I am surprised I’m still alive.
You’ll do just fine! Treasurer is a good position, people respect you and your reports are all based on facts. :)
Nothing is better than reading about a blizzard when you’ve just eaten one! The DQ in Kyle, TX says hi. I don’t think I’ve ever commented on your blog but I’ve been reading it for about two years. I’d call myself a lurker but that sounds super creepy. Also, as a person who works in a school, a PTO meeting does sound terrifying.
You MUST tell us how you ended up Treasurer.
Also, Peanut Buster Parfait is the only thing I’ll eat at a DQ. PERECTION.
Now I tried the NB Blizzard earlier this week and found it too salty — needed a sweeter balance. So I tried it again last night and asked for just vanilla ice cream and nutter butters — no peanut butter cream mixed into the ice cream and I achieved nirvana. I am going back again today. Hell, who am I kidding? Every day for the rest of the month!
Oh dear. Now I really MUST have peanut butter cookies. Dear Lord. I will need my own flag soon.
The mom of the one kid who drives my kid crazy requested that they be put in the same class because my son “has a calming effect on hers”.
I exercised my veto authority on that one.
I, for one, absolutely love Blizzards AND I love my kids’ school’s PTO! And I’m not ashamed to admit it – those parents work so hard to support the school and it’s usually a thankless job. I’m going to make it a point to thank them MORE this year for all they do!
Good for you for making a difference!
Good for you volunteering and putting yourself out there!
I just want you to know I’ve been thinking about this blizzard ever since this post and finally got one last night. It was everything I’d built it up to be and MORE. I now have a new problem that comes with a fan club that sends you bogo coupons.
I know nothing about the blizzards or the PTO, but when Wurocher speaks, you can bet I listen.