By MELISSA PEACOCK

In an overwhelming display of support for St. John the Baptist Parish Schools, more than 400 parents, teachers and school administrators attended the first St. John Parent/Teacher orientation at New Wine Christian Fellowship in August.

Challenging complacency, St. John Superintendent of Schools, PTO presidents and local religious leaders stepped up to the microphone to encourage parents to become actively involved in St. John public schools this year.

Any parent or teacher in the audience that night can tell you it looked and felt like the “revival” of the school system. Parents that have, over time, lost faith in the school system felt the stirring of local pride and confidence in teachers and administrators. Many picked up pamphlets provided by PTO leaders. Some signed their names to PTO lists, vowing to become more involved with their children’s education this year.

While PTO enrollment has increased somewhat over the last few months, some schools are still experiencing relatively small crowds of parents at monthly PTO meetings. What happened to the enthusiasm of parents at the rally?

Three parents attend a PTO meeting at a school with more than 100 students. At a more crowded meeting, more than 50 parents show up – no doubt a good turnout. Still, over half the student population is not represented by a parent or guardian at the meeting. Where are the rest of the parents?

Most PTO officers are just your average working parent. They know what it is like to have to work, take care of the kids, feed the family pet and cook dinner. They plan meetings with the average working family in mind.

Most PTO meetings are scheduled for only one night a month. They are normally planned for the early evening hours, starting around 7 or 8 p.m., so that working parents can attend.

Why is attendance important? PTO meetings are an important medium of communication between parents, teachers and school administrators. Do you need to know when student report cards go home? Do you want to find out what schools are doing to prepare students for the LEAP exams? Teachers and administrators are invited to meetings to keep parents informed and to answer parent questions.

PTO meetings are also a good place for parents to make suggestions about what they would like to see changed in the school system. They are a responsibility, much like voting.

Can you complain about policies, procedures or officials if you never try to affect change, never try to make your voice heard?

And, no matter what your neighbors have told you, PTO volunteerism is just that – by choice, not force.

Attending PTO meetings do not obligate you to volunteer your time to any school function. If you feel compelled to offer assistance to teachers during the school day or at an extracurricular function, PTO officials are more than happy to accept the help.

However, you will not be expected to offer any more than you can reasonably give.

It is a parent’s right and responsibility to attend school PTO meetings. It is a parent’s right and responsibility to protect children, to encourage children, to educate children and to be a good mentor to children. PTO meetings are a great place to start.

Can you commit just one or two nights a month?

MELISSA PEACOCK is a staff reporter for L’Observateur. She may be contacted at 652-9545.