I am so stunned right now. I have no choice but to share it all with you…
Here are the facts:
I am the PTA president elect for my son’s public elementary school. (so for NEXT year)
I have never, nor ever, will hide my blog from anyone. I own every thing I say and write. ALL. OF. IT.
I received a phone call from the current PTA president (Who is a very nice person. Apparently far nicer than me) informing me the school’s principal received a phone call from a ‘parent’ about my blog. And wanted to know if what I had written was true (which is is. every single word. no exaggeration. no stretch. no lies)
Turns out they called the principal to ‘report’ on this post.
And for some reason they thought if they called me, I would take the post down or promise not to ‘do it again’. Boy were they wrong. My reply was something like this "I have a problem representing a school which does not want the parents to be aware of such things. I will not apologize for reporting the facts of a situation. Nor will I apologize for expressing my opinion." I was not told who this ‘parent’ was. I have a feeling the parent AGREED with my posts. I discussed that post with lots and lots of parents and even teachers* at the school who have mentioned to me they loved the post and hoped I could make a difference at the school during my PTA president years. The role of the PTA is to act as a liaison and WATCHDOG for the children’s best interests. (see history here) I am physically incapable of keeping my mouth shut if I know of an injustice. Oh I could keep it off my blog I suppose- but I would never, ever be able to keep my mouth shut.
And so now, with my husband and friends support*, I have withdrawn as the PTA president elect.
And they are going to be really surprised- because I had been showing great restraint up till now. I had even started another anonymous blog (The Diary of a PTA Volunteer) to chronicle my PTA experience, which I had planned to make public only AFTER my children had left the school in 3 years. See? Wasn’t THAT showing restraint?
So I am sad. And angry.
And also-pretty darn proud of myself.
*Thanks to all for standing by me.
(Update: I had a nice conversation with out going PTA prez today. And she basically is refusing my resignation. Cuz she is nice like that. I sorta insisted.)
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YOU GO GIRL!!
What Tammy said. This is truly ridiculous behavior on the school’s part. It’s shameful of a school principal to expect a VOLUNTEER to take down a post (He/she needs to take a class on volunteer relations). Your post addressed a concern that you as a parent have. And if the principal doesn’t like that, tough cookies.
Oh and…your blog is nowhere near offensive. Neither was that post. I could give you a list of blogs that are. Yours isn’t on it. And if that post is offensive to a principal or certain types of parents well…offend away, Marcy.
Good for You! I just had to comment because I loved “that post” when I first read it and had some of the same thoughts when my kids (way back when) had to eat lunch quietly. UGH Way to Be The MOM!
That posts isn’t even BAD! Well, this is why you would probably be GREAT as P-TAP but I guess we will just have to keep reading to hear the rest of the story!
I’m stunned. You’re blog is wonderful and the post was the truth. They should have been asking you for advice on how to fix the problem, not take down your post.
Marcy – this is your chance to get out…don’t let them take over your life.
p.s. Love the prison guard reference on the controversial post.
Uh Oh. They’ve messed with the wrong girl, haven’t they? They should WANT you for stuff like that.
Can’t wait to hear the next chapter!
Coming from Mrs. Had To Take Down Her Blog Because She Almost Got Her Husband Fired:
Hahahahahhahaha. Really? *eyeroll, in general direction of campus* I can understand how parents would cringe at the thought of the goings-on at the school made into public internet fodder, but you never call the school out by name. I see where they’re coming from- defensiveness, maybe even fear of the gweat big intewnet, but it’s ridiculous.
Maybe you can have Jack design a Robot PTA Prez at tech camp, because apparently, that’s what they’re looking for. I mean no disprespect to the parents at your school, but I do agree with you and the other commenters: these are the types of things that make a GOOD president. You’re involved enough to *know* the rules, and concerned enough for the kids to speak(type?) up when you disagree.
Keep us posted!
I’m stunned that the administration would want you to take a post like this down instead of being thankful for bringing the issue to light- which by the way I remember reading the original post and thinking that it was beyond wrong that kids were being treated like prisoners during lunch/recess. How dare kids play and you know well be KIDS!! You rock girl!! Good for you for standing up for what you believe in and not keeping quiet!!
I was with you 100% when I read it and I would be with you now if I lived there. You were right to take that stand and you are right not to back down! I honor you for standing up for the welfare of children when it would have been easier/less controversial to knuckle under.
And your principal may be a lovely gentleman, but he has given an unfortunate impression of himself as lacking cojones. I hope he corrects the impression and addresses the shameful playground situation.
The school has suffered a big loss this week.
You tell ‘em! So there. Take your PTA position…and just let them try to find someone else!
I highlighted that post on my blog. Remember? I communicate daily with a number of people advocating for unstructured play in our childrens’ lives. You are starting a very important conversation backed up with all kinds of research. Just a sad situation and can’t believe it ended up the way it did.
BTW you were only looking to protect the interests of the children!!! I’m glad you resigned- you’d have gone out of your mind dealing with that BS all year. . .
My feelings about the PTA in general have hardly been disguised. I can’t believe you managed to make it as long as you did.
Congrats for telling that bunch of simpering fools where to shove it.
I can’t wait to read your “anonymous” blog as a diary of a PTA volunteer.
OH Marcy! That is awful and sad! They are losing a champion – the kids NEED someone like you looking out for their best interest! Are people THAT unhappy (LAME?) that they are worried about trying to sensor (CONTROL) this kind of thing??!!! I am disgusted! Absolutely disgusted! I loved that post and strongly agree with you! I want to be YOU when I grow up – oh, wait, I am grown up…
Very interesting stuff, indeed. I cannot believe the lunch/playground volunteers enforce such asinine rules. As if!
Sadly, as a former school volunteer this seems to be the case everywhere. When my oldest was in 2nd grade, the students rarely had outside recess because the teacher didn’t want her coiffed ‘do to get all messed up. And the school was OK with that. The attitude seemed to be: Well, if you want the kids to go outside, then you can volunteer to take them outdoors.
It’s ” The Harper Valley” blues.
If the teachers love to get a mid-morning coffee break in the “teacher’s lounge” while recess is in session,and they all benefit from the little darlings sweating off some of that energy, then WHY don’t the teachers all volunteer to TAKE TURNS being the recess monitors? WHY are they hiring outsiders to do this? The PTA is raising money to help the teachers with projects. Why then can’t the teachers save the school $$ by being their own playground supervisors?
Stand your ground and keep writing. The truth is never wrong =)
Hmmm…I think your school needs a new principal.
You go, girl!
Marcy, this will just free up your time to work on your book and other projects. PTA Prez would have been a time suck and your book is going to be a best seller. I’m going to be the very first to buy it.
Suz
From a former PTO Prez … I am bummed because the PTO world and world of pain in the ass “prim and proper” parents needs the fresh perspective of someone who does not hold back their remarks. I am completely amazed that we are “good enough” to give all of our time, energies and creativity, but yet we are required to keep our opinions to ourselves … and focus our talents only on fundraising and “giving” – I loved the piece, especially since our school just outlawed tag, kickball and football on the playground – so I showed up with a modified version of horseshoes that the kids just love. Keep speaking your mind – your kids will benefit!!
I only fulfilled one year of my two year stint as President. They got mad at me because I called the police on a parent that stood across the street from my house staring for 3 hrs. after I refused to increase her committee’s budget. Apparently, as Prez, I should have just allowed her to do her thing and ignored her. Yeah, um, somehow, they too were surprised when I turned in my resignation. Good for you! I have never been happier since I quit the PTA and work in my childrens’ classrooms instead. The teachers love me an awful lot as well.
Besides, now you’ll have more time to crack me up. Because this blog is all about making ME laugh, right?
The school should be on their knees thanking you for caring.
Marcy, this is hilarious and unbelievable! I can see a movie or perhaps a reality show in your future :-)
Our little school decided NOT to join the PTA — or maybe they quit it? Can’t remember — back in the ’70s when my mom was active. The dues were too expensive and they felt the organization was not a good fit. So they started their own version, called (Blank) School Community Club. They wrote up their own bylaws, follow Roberts Rules of Order for meetings, and pay NO dues to any out-of-area organization. They spend their time raising money for playground equipment, etc. for the school. It’s worked very well for over 30 years. Just a thought.
HA!
Just wait until you (your children) get to Middle School/Jr.High, where the mantra is “It’s only 3 years. I can put up the brouhaha for 3 years, and pray that my child survives with only minimal scars”.
The mantra is secretly passed on by the guidance counselors…who are charged with the responsibility of ‘taking names’ of parents (and children) who will probably be trouble makers in highschool, ensuring permanent labeling.
College is a relief, sort of. This is where all your previous efforts are worth…NOTHING. College is where the attention span of the teachers and administration towards your concerns are a direct relationship to the size of your wallet. Kind of the way life really works.