Taking time off work for school initiatives

jos_kel

Hi,
Since my son started in a DEIS Educate Together last Sept I've been very keen to get involved in Parent Teacher association and also Early Reading initiatives.
Unfortunately these are always during working hours. As myself and my wife work, we can't get involved as much as we'd like.
My question is: Is it the same setup with other types of schools ie are these meetings always within working hours?

thesimpsons

I'm surprised the parents association meetings are during the day time, I've been involved in 4 different primary schools (not educate together though) and 2 secondaries and the meetings were always in the evenings. sports and the early reading initiatives were always during school time obviously.

overmantle

My experience has been the same as 'The Simpson'. All the schools I am aware of have their P.A. meetings at night time. If it suits some committee members to have an impromptu chat during school time, about something they are organising, that's about it but nothing formal, other than at night time.

I am also familiar with many schools where other meetings, talks or courses for parents take place at night time. Obviously, reading initiatives, with parental involvement, take place while the children are in school.

Synchronic

I find it quite unusual too that the PTA meetings are during working hours. You should let the school know of your interest because I'm sure those hours limit a lot of likeminded parents who would also like to be on the committee.