Scoop Without the Casseroles?
This comment from an Overheardian makes me wonder.
my school’s PTA wants all of us to email them with our “joys and concerns” — things like getting engaged, a new baby, divorce, illness, troubling times, loss of a loved one. And to encourage uninhibited communication, they promise to keep all joys and concerns private.
OK, I’m not bashing it right away but I’ll be honest, I’m leaning in that direction. I mean, if they’re going to keep it private, why do they need to know about it? I can see them asking for the “joys” so they can send casseroles over but why the “concerns” if it’s private?
10 Comments to “Scoop Without the Casseroles?”
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I disagree. Wait. Did I just say that to “The Merritt”? I assumed it was because if they knew about “troubling times at home” it would help them understand why (or if) your child’s behavior changes.
That kind of information is for the school counselor not the ladies in the PTA.
Let’s not be too quick to assume the worst. What if they are just trying to be friendly, or neighborly or helpful? Believe it or not, there are people in the PC that are new and might not know any one or have anyone to talk to or share life events with. There are people in our community that just need someone who will listen. If they are willing to do that, give that gift of time, and they are saying it will not be a gossip mill, is that so terrible? Clearly, not everyone will be interested in this “service”, but that doesn’t make it a bad thing.
So they can pray for you.
Jeff, this is what you get for disagreeing with me. RL is right. The PTA doesn’t have anything to do with your child in the classroom etc. So if the teacher sends an e-mail out to the parents asking that you share “joys and concerns” that’s totally different than the PTA wanting to know your scoop. I hear that the same PTA requests that you share what you know about other families experiencing difficult times too. So, if that’s true, they also want you to gossip on the neighbors. But they’ll, of course, keep it private.
Some schools have a prayer request e-mail that goes out to a group of people willing to pray for someone who has asked that their information is released for such purposes. But the PTA just asking for personal info is a bit odd. IJS.
I think it’s more about mobilizing the forces when something goes awry. You may think it’s just a casserole, but look at what we did for Ryan, who needed the kidney. I’m not saying they called the joys and concerns mom about it, but if you really need some help, a few hundred people on your side doesn’t hurt.
(If it’s confidential, I’d call your pastor.)
As far as the joys, it’s always nice to receive a card from people who care. It’s just spreading a little bit of love in this crazy world.
I have to agree with Merritt that the requesting party seems odd. Maybe AB is right, that it’s a veiled version of a prayer request (which I’m all for, but let’s call it what it is).
Well it might make it easier to make sure the concerned PTA members get the details right. If you have two teenage daughters and one of them is knocked up, you want to be sure that everyone knows it’s the 17-year-old, NOT the 13-year-old.
That’s what I get for reading quickly. You’re right. The PTA doesn’t need to know about troubles at home. The school counselor and your child’s teacher might. My bad. I take it back. I’ll never disagree with you again. Ever.
Jeff, I knew you wouldn’t be lost long. Welcome home.