The PTA Board is a group of parent volunteers who wish to contribute in a variety of ways here at school. There are no required qualifications for anyone on the board. We are parents, like all other parents, doing our best to accomplish the tasks set before us. We enjoy volunteering because it’s an opportunity to make wonderful friends, learn new skills, and make a positive impact on our community.
One task is gathering and sharing parent questions, concerns, and suggestions regarding food service, transportation, uniforms, safety, and many other details (both large and small) at school. It is our job to objectively deliver that information to the school, and objectively bring responses back to parents. We are grateful that ISB administration consults parents on a spectrum of topics, and we feel our contributions are valued by school leadership.
But this can be a complicated task at times, and we are always looking for ways to make it more efficient and effective. I would like to make a few suggestions that, I hope, will empower ISB parents and students and make all of our efforts and communications more effective.
1. Speak Up– When an incident occurs at school, encourage children to speak to an adult in charge. The best way for anyone at school to help a student, is for staff to be fully informed as soon as possible.
2. Get the Facts– If you are curious about how things are done at school, seek out accurate information at school. A question or concern cannot be addressed properly by the spread of rumors or hearsay.
3. Don’t Wait on Important Topics– While all PTA board members are very happy to assist families at any time, so is ISB staff. Any matter, especially something regarding safety (including food), security, or a child’s well-being can be brought directly to ISB staff.
4. Log on– Use the ISB website and Powerschool to find factual information. If you have trouble navigating the site, you can ask for guidance in the ES, MS, or HS offices. Or come see us in the PTA office. Often, the needed information is available, one just needs to know where to find it.
Katie Edsall, PTA President