PTO meetings and a question

Another PTO meeting today and I left feeling a little frustrated. When they asked for suggestions for topics to discuss, I decided to answer for once. I don't like to talk in front of people. But I figured I'd give it a shot and maybe we could talk about something interesting for a change. So I asked if they had any character building programs in the school or district. She replied that they have a Foundations of Democracy program (basically how to behave in public) and a bullying program and some individual teacher may discuss any class problems in the AM before they start the day. Not really what I meant. I've been reading this book, Character Matters, and really the theme comes up over and over again in my homeschool/education research that successful education and responsible citizens are the product of families being involved in their children's education. I conclude that families need to be supported-by the community, by public policy, and by the schools. We currently have a system where whatever is considered good for business is good for the school. This often is in opposition to what's good for families. But it can help in the short-term, while hurting us long term, so it's always overlooked. How does this relate? The school is trying in small ways to support families with these meetings. They try to give parents ideas for how to be a better parent to their children. I think that if the school teaches kids to make helping others a priority, with things like charity drives, and teaches about things like honesty, responsibility, etc. that helps to foster a nicer community and helps the children become good people. This helps parents who are often working a job or two and are too caught up in the rat race to spend much time with their kids, much less teach them. But of course, no one commented on it and the teacher dismissed it because they have those things they are already doing. And I didn't get to say what I've just said on this blog. It was too much for that place.
Meetings are extremely small, they have trouble getting more than a few parents to attend. There is always a translator there for the 2 or 3 parents who only speak Spanish. Topics are generally very basic-we're collecting boxtops for education, this class won this contest, these events are coming up soon. And they sometimes try to have a speaker on a topic, the two they've had so far this year have been on getting kids to eat healthy and the obesity epidemic. These are important topics, but they're at such a basic level that they haven't told me anything I wasn't already well aware of. If you read and know how to use a computer, you're probably aware of this stuff or can easily find it if you so desire. When I commented on this to my mother, she asked, well, why do you go then? The first thing I thought of was to set a good example . But the more I pondered it, the more I wondered if there is a good reason to continue going. I'm not learning anything. I can't really contribute much because my thoughts are on a different wavelength than theirs. The teachers are just trying to help parents who are at a very basic level. I am not a typical parent at this school. Info on upcoming events is sent home in a flyer anyway. There are other ways, and things that I already do, that show Leanna that her education is important.
Can anyone think of a compelling reason to keep going to the PTO meetings?
(I am seriously asking-is there something I haven't thought of?)

PTO

I attended my first PTO meeting today. That would be parent-teacher organization. I think there were seven of us attending. It was pretty informal, which was good for me. I had Jacob in my lap, and at a few points he got noisy because he was bored. Justin also stayed with me, when the kids went into another room to watch a movie he was afraid to leave. So Timothy went with Leanna. I think next time he will go though because he got pretty bored there. LOL. A movie and smarties candy sounded pretty good to him after sitting through that! I think Leanna enjoys being the only one in familiar territory-she volunteers to take her brothers to the bathrooms or the water fountains, etc. It's kinda cute.
The PTO already has a card that they punch to give you prizes for attending school events. When it's filled you get a five dollar gift certificate. They discussed other prizes and ways to attract parents to come. That's pretty sad. They have to bribe people to join!