How long do pta meetings last

Message Boards. Index Recent Topics Search. Log in Username. Remember me. Log in Forgot your password? Length of meetings? I was wondering if anyone could tell me about how long their meetings run.

Ours is about 1hr 20mins on average. I have a very uncooperative VP and she keeps complaining that they are too long. We had a few go longer but we had 2 guest speakers. Last year when i wasnt on the board and I was only a kindergarten mom I attended every meeting and they would run any where from 1hr 30mins to 2hr 30 mins. At that time, you can bring up any topic that is not formally listed on the agenda.

Only members are allowed to vote on topics, but there is still plenty to learn and hear about. We're considering adding childcare with an onsite babysitter if we have enough interest.

If you would be more inclined to come to meetings if there were childcare, please let us know! Also, make sure to inform parents about any problems before the conference. If a parent knows about a concern before the conference, chances are you'll both be better equipped to discuss possible solutions during the conference. Send informative invitations. Be sure to communicate the importance of attending conferences at back-to-school night and other parent forums, and let parents know that they are a critical part of their child's instructional team.

When you send home information about conference dates and times, give parents several meeting times to choose from. On the invitation, remind parents that they'll be able to ask questions, because an effective parent-teacher conference is a two-way conversation about students. You might also want to remind parents to be respectful of other parents' time, and be clear that time slots won't be extended if parents arrive late. A week or so before the conferences, send home reminders of where and when the conference will be held, as well as the meeting agenda.

If a conflict arises and an in-person meeting is not an option, try to schedule an alternative way to meet, via phone or video. If you'll be phone- or video-conferencing, send home copies of materials ahead of time so parents can have them in hand while you talk. Create a welcoming environment. Make your classroom inviting by displaying students' work, and making space for the conference with an adult-sized table and chairs. If parents need to bring their child or other siblings, have an area set aside with puzzles, games, worksheets, or computers to limit distractions.

Also consider offering healthy snacks or beverages to families. Remember to have paper and pens available so parents can take notes. You also might want to have a box of tissues available for when you have to deliver bad news. Open with positives. When you start the conversation, remind parents that the goal of this meeting is to share information about students' academic progress and growth and how their child interacts in the school environment.

All parents are proud of their kids and want to hear about their child's strengths as well as challenges, so be sure to discuss both — but start with the positives. Discuss progress and growth. Inform parents about their child's ability levels or grade levels in different content areas, using demonstrative work examples or testing results.

Keep in mind, also, that CR A requires that general membership meetings be held at the school. Special membership meetings are meetings of the whole membership that are convened when an urgent issue arises that must be addressed before the next regularly scheduled general membership meeting.

While minutes are required for general membership meetings, they are not required for executive board or other committee meetings, although regular updates must be provided to the membership.

In addition, the executive board must hold a transfer of records meeting after the election of new officers. See the Board Transition page for information on this meeting. See the Committees page.