Attack of the craaaazy PTO lady....

I often wonder how other people see me. Last night our charter school had a "Parent Training Night" which basically helps parents know what to expect from our school and hopefully alleviates some unneeded concerns.

Well, towards the end the Principal/Administrator (yes they are the same guy... that is how Charter Schools work) asked me to get up and introduce myself and tell the parents a bit about what the PFA (aka a fancy acronym for PTO... oh, wait, that's another acronym!) was doing and what we need.

I knew that I would be doing this for a couple of days, which probably made it worse. I have never gotten up and talked from any other position than "hi, I'm here, and I have a question" in a largish meeting before.

I was nervous.

I think, and I may be wrong, that most people don't think I'm the type of person that gets nervous. I'm loud, I like to talk, I have no problem walking up to strangers and saying "Hi!", heck I never had much of an issue at church with giving talks (though they never asked me to! Some people just have luck. Mwhahaha ... or it could be a distinctly "I say what I think" attitude that scared them off... I dunno.)

Anyhow, on my Facebook status I put something up about rambling when I get nervous (which I do...among other things, like saying "um" waaaaay to much!). I always hope that when I do that ... you know... broadcast any feeling other than uber happy, that people don't think I'm fishing for compliments, cause I'm really not. I was nervous.

My stomach was even upset over it.

So the time came for me to get up and talk, and I did, and I took a friends advice... "just pretend that you aren't nervous" and everything turned out okay. I forgot one thing, but it was kinda minor... and my hair is admittedly unnatural so I wondered the whole time if people thought I was a nut, or if it made me more approachable.

How many people do you know with punk colored hair that aren't teenagers? (oh I hope people don't think I'm trying to be a teenager... ugh... NO THANK YOU!).

Anyhow, I think I got done what was needed... and hopefully soon I will get over my nerves.

P.S picture of the "hair"... I just had it done on Monday, and yes, anything dark in the picture is actually purple. (and no, I did not get a neck tattoo... that's an earing!)

Wow... just wow

Okay, so apprently I had no clue what I was getting into...

No.... I knew I was clueless, I just didn't realize HOW clueless!

Apparently parent organizations for charter schools are a lot more involved than regular public schools. This is probably because charter schools don't have as much background support. You see, charter schools function as their own district, that means that the "principal" is also the "superintendent" and that the "school board" oversees more than just the school, but all the district level type things too, like making sure that the snow days are okay as far as state guidelines etc.

What this means for the PFA (Parent Faculty Association... because PTA is copyrighted or trademarked or something that makes it illegal for us to use it...) is that just about anything the school/district needs a volunteer for, they go to the PFA. So, for instance, the school needs to set the calendar for next year... there is a deadline.... well, they want parents to have a very big say in how that is all hashed out. Sooooo, guess who it's put under? Yup, the PFA.

Add to that the fact that the PFA was organized late, as in the middle of last month late, which means we are scrambling to get things done. Book fairs, spring carnival, community nights, the holiday fundraiser (which is done thank goodness... well, except for giving the top sellers their prizes... but that will be done on the last day of school before Christmas Break) ...

And add to that the fact that we had no funds to start out with!  Most schools parent organizations have a small fee that is paid at registration... like $3 or something, that and a form to fill out with what you are willing to help with, and permission things to sign allowing for things like student directories etc. Ya, well... we didn't get any of that, because we weren't 'born' yet.

Talk about a crappy time to have a birthday!  That and I still don't have Christmas done.... oh, I got my kids done, just not everyone else! AHHHHHHHH!

If you hear a big "POP" coming from my general direction in the world... well, consider it a sign! My brain probably exploded.

________

Update: actually, I think I'm going to discuss and possibly decline doing some of the stuff the administrator wants the PFA to do... they seem too "administrative" for a parent organization...

Oh No, what did I get myself into?

Somehow I've ended up being the PFO (think PTO) President at a brand new school without any experience in anything PTO ever....

AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

PS, this happened today.