UMC parents in low income schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been that mom.
Always provided interpretation yet participation was low. I choose to think it is because they can’t, not won’t.
Advocated for my child, yes, but kept being told that teachers don’t have resources to really differentiate (except if a kid is really gifted and willing to do extra work after having done what is busywork for them).
My kid finally lotteried into a middle class school recently and I am so happy.
I have come to think that the needs and wants of UMC and farms/ESOL are almost the opposites. They are so different that it is impossible to cater to both groups in the same school unless they are separate groups maybe (tracking).

Very interesting post, thank you. What do you think are the different needs of these two groups?

UMC kids have their bases covered; they need challenge and enrichment.
FARMS/ESOL kids need the opportunity to really figure out the basics, lots of individual remedial instruction, and also enrichment.
If public schools had lots of money to hire extra teachers and staff to differentiate, organize field trips, educational activities (not just multicultural festivals with tons of unhealthy food- in fact pretty much any event at a low income school involves tons of mostly unhealthy food), then maybe both groups of kids could thrive within the same school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been that mom.
Always provided interpretation yet participation was low. I choose to think it is because they can’t, not won’t.
Advocated for my child, yes, but kept being told that teachers don’t have resources to really differentiate (except if a kid is really gifted and willing to do extra work after having done what is busywork for them).
My kid finally lotteried into a middle class school recently and I am so happy.
I have come to think that the needs and wants of UMC and farms/ESOL are almost the opposites. They are so different that it is impossible to cater to both groups in the same school unless they are separate groups maybe (tracking).

PTA is a lot about fulfilling the wants, the extra stuff in a more affluent school. In higher farms schools it’s about fulfilling the needs. When you have a mixed population one group is gonna get the short end of the stick. Same thing with the classrooms, high performers and low performers have very different needs and they cannot equally be fulfilled. Diversity is good thing but how do we handle these issues?

Yes this is how it was at our school.
All our commitments were appreciated, but my kid didn’t get grouped with other high performing kids, for example. Also very few afterschool activities because too many just couldn’t or wouldn’t pay, and because who would organize it?
I had to ask for challenging work- one teacher agreed, another hinted my kid was not advanced enough. FYI when he transferred to the new school I was told how good he was at math. The old teacher was too overwhelmed to care.

[Anonymous]

PP here: and yes, i didn’t organize afterschool activities but I did organize field trips and assemblies.
It was the same 5-10 people doing everything for the kids of “intimidated” parents. They didn’t come to help or if they did they didn’t speak much English so... but at least they could help the Spanish speaking kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The URM low-income parents: it's not that they don't care. They have given up a lot to get here. I have heard their stories and try to understand their struggle. But, their culture is not one based on PTA's, advocation, and challenging an educational system or even a teacher. In most minority cultures, you take whatever they give you, accept whatever they say to you and focus on your own family. If the kids fail, you can try at home to help them if you can understand or have the resources but you have to just accept your child failing and hope he gets a job doing something. They also are highly intimidated by the school, teachers and other parents outside of their community. I believe a community insider would have to teach them these skills in order to see more involvement.

So this is what I don’t understand. They travel thousands of miles to come here to escape a toxic culture in their home country only to continue to live by this toxic culture here in the US? I’m sorry for their struggle but heck, they sky has just opened up for them with opportunities galore! Why continue to live defeated lives when they have attained freedom? Let’s empower them and challenge them to live better lives. I have been where they have been and it angers me to see them waste opportunities. They might as well have stayed put in their home country. Sorry to anyone I offend but it offends me when immigrants waste their freedom because there are so many others who couldn’t make it here that would’ve loved these opportunities.

The white is so bright I put on my sunglasses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The URM low-income parents: it's not that they don't care. They have given up a lot to get here. I have heard their stories and try to understand their struggle. But, their culture is not one based on PTA's, advocation, and challenging an educational system or even a teacher. In most minority cultures, you take whatever they give you, accept whatever they say to you and focus on your own family. If the kids fail, you can try at home to help them if you can understand or have the resources but you have to just accept your child failing and hope he gets a job doing something. They also are highly intimidated by the school, teachers and other parents outside of their community. I believe a community insider would have to teach them these skills in order to see more involvement.

So this is what I don’t understand. They travel thousands of miles to come here to escape a toxic culture in their home country only to continue to live by this toxic culture here in the US? I’m sorry for their struggle but heck, they sky has just opened up for them with opportunities galore! Why continue to live defeated lives when they have attained freedom? Let’s empower them and challenge them to live better lives. I have been where they have been and it angers me to see them waste opportunities. They might as well have stayed put in their home country. Sorry to anyone I offend but it offends me when immigrants waste their freedom because there are so many others who couldn’t make it here that would’ve loved these opportunities.

This statement is so laughable. We are talking about PTA participation for crying out loud. What makes you think that their disinterest in it is a sign of being defeated. Trust me, for them, coming to this country, being able to live here is priceless. The fact that their kids are getting a US education so that they can have better lives than them is the ultimate dream. They don't see it as toxic at all. They could care less about PTA meetings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The URM low-income parents: it's not that they don't care. They have given up a lot to get here. I have heard their stories and try to understand their struggle. But, their culture is not one based on PTA's, advocation, and challenging an educational system or even a teacher. In most minority cultures, you take whatever they give you, accept whatever they say to you and focus on your own family. If the kids fail, you can try at home to help them if you can understand or have the resources but you have to just accept your child failing and hope he gets a job doing something. They also are highly intimidated by the school, teachers and other parents outside of their community. I believe a community insider would have to teach them these skills in order to see more involvement.

So this is what I don’t understand. They travel thousands of miles to come here to escape a toxic culture in their home country only to continue to live by this toxic culture here in the US? I’m sorry for their struggle but heck, they sky has just opened up for them with opportunities galore! Why continue to live defeated lives when they have attained freedom? Let’s empower them and challenge them to live better lives. I have been where they have been and it angers me to see them waste opportunities. They might as well have stayed put in their home country. Sorry to anyone I offend but it offends me when immigrants waste their freedom because there are so many others who couldn’t make it here that would’ve loved these opportunities.

This statement is so laughable. We are talking about PTA participation for crying out loud. What makes you think that their disinterest in it is a sign of being defeated. Trust me, for them, coming to this country, being able to live here is priceless. The fact that their kids are getting a US education so that they can have better lives than them is the ultimate dream. They don't see it as toxic at all. They could care less about PTA meetings.

But they aren’t exactly taking advantage of the educational opportunities available to them. Their children are FAILING because they feel intimidated by the school system. Way to live the American dream.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The URM low-income parents: it's not that they don't care. They have given up a lot to get here. I have heard their stories and try to understand their struggle. But, their culture is not one based on PTA's, advocation, and challenging an educational system or even a teacher. In most minority cultures, you take whatever they give you, accept whatever they say to you and focus on your own family. If the kids fail, you can try at home to help them if you can understand or have the resources but you have to just accept your child failing and hope he gets a job doing something. They also are highly intimidated by the school, teachers and other parents outside of their community. I believe a community insider would have to teach them these skills in order to see more involvement.

So this is what I don’t understand. They travel thousands of miles to come here to escape a toxic culture in their home country only to continue to live by this toxic culture here in the US? I’m sorry for their struggle but heck, they sky has just opened up for them with opportunities galore! Why continue to live defeated lives when they have attained freedom? Let’s empower them and challenge them to live better lives. I have been where they have been and it angers me to see them waste opportunities. They might as well have stayed put in their home country. Sorry to anyone I offend but it offends me when immigrants waste their freedom because there are so many others who couldn’t make it here that would’ve loved these opportunities.

This statement is so laughable. We are talking about PTA participation for crying out loud. What makes you think that their disinterest in it is a sign of being defeated. Trust me, for them, coming to this country, being able to live here is priceless. The fact that their kids are getting a US education so that they can have better lives than them is the ultimate dream. They don't see it as toxic at all. They could care less about PTA meetings.

The very people you are trying to advocate for will end up as cheap labor force providing services for the UMC. And a large part of it is because of ineffective people like you who continue to enable them in their non productive ways instead of empowering them to be better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The URM low-income parents: it's not that they don't care. They have given up a lot to get here. I have heard their stories and try to understand their struggle. But, their culture is not one based on PTA's, advocation, and challenging an educational system or even a teacher. In most minority cultures, you take whatever they give you, accept whatever they say to you and focus on your own family. If the kids fail, you can try at home to help them if you can understand or have the resources but you have to just accept your child failing and hope he gets a job doing something. They also are highly intimidated by the school, teachers and other parents outside of their community. I believe a community insider would have to teach them these skills in order to see more involvement.

So this is what I don’t understand. They travel thousands of miles to come here to escape a toxic culture in their home country only to continue to live by this toxic culture here in the US? I’m sorry for their struggle but heck, they sky has just opened up for them with opportunities galore! Why continue to live defeated lives when they have attained freedom? Let’s empower them and challenge them to live better lives. I have been where they have been and it angers me to see them waste opportunities. They might as well have stayed put in their home country. Sorry to anyone I offend but it offends me when immigrants waste their freedom because there are so many others who couldn’t make it here that would’ve loved these opportunities.

This statement is so laughable. We are talking about PTA participation for crying out loud. What makes you think that their disinterest in it is a sign of being defeated. Trust me, for them, coming to this country, being able to live here is priceless. The fact that their kids are getting a US education so that they can have better lives than them is the ultimate dream. They don't see it as toxic at all. They could care less about PTA meetings.

Neither of you guys understand immigrants.

We come here, mostly because of we can earn more money here. That's it. Culture? Sky opening up? Priceless? US education?
What are you talking about? You really think everything is heaven here compared to other countries?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
So this is what I don’t understand. They travel thousands of miles to come here to escape a toxic culture in their home country only to continue to live by this toxic culture here in the US? I’m sorry for their struggle but heck, they sky has just opened up for them with opportunities galore! Why continue to live defeated lives when they have attained freedom? Let’s empower them and challenge them to live better lives. I have been where they have been and it angers me to see them waste opportunities. They might as well have stayed put in their home country. Sorry to anyone I offend but it offends me when immigrants waste their freedom because there are so many others who couldn’t make it here that would’ve loved these opportunities.

This statement is so laughable. We are talking about PTA participation for crying out loud. What makes you think that their disinterest in it is a sign of being defeated. Trust me, for them, coming to this country, being able to live here is priceless. The fact that their kids are getting a US education so that they can have better lives than them is the ultimate dream. They don't see it as toxic at all. They could care less about PTA meetings.

Neither of you guys understand immigrants.

We come here, mostly because of we can earn more money here. That's it. Culture? Sky opening up? Priceless? US education?
What are you talking about? You really think everything is heaven here compared to other countries?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
So this is what I don’t understand. They travel thousands of miles to come here to escape a toxic culture in their home country only to continue to live by this toxic culture here in the US? I’m sorry for their struggle but heck, they sky has just opened up for them with opportunities galore! Why continue to live defeated lives when they have attained freedom? Let’s empower them and challenge them to live better lives. I have been where they have been and it angers me to see them waste opportunities. They might as well have stayed put in their home country. Sorry to anyone I offend but it offends me when immigrants waste their freedom because there are so many others who couldn’t make it here that would’ve loved these opportunities.

This statement is so laughable. We are talking about PTA participation for crying out loud. What makes you think that their disinterest in it is a sign of being defeated. Trust me, for them, coming to this country, being able to live here is priceless. The fact that their kids are getting a US education so that they can have better lives than them is the ultimate dream. They don't see it as toxic at all. They could care less about PTA meetings.

Neither of you guys understand immigrants.

We come here, mostly because of we can earn more money here. That's it. Culture? Sky opening up? Priceless? US education?
What are you talking about? You really think everything is heaven here compared to other countries?

Back to work you, I am not paying you 9$ an hour to post inn DCUM

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
So this is what I don’t understand. They travel thousands of miles to come here to escape a toxic culture in their home country only to continue to live by this toxic culture here in the US? I’m sorry for their struggle but heck, they sky has just opened up for them with opportunities galore! Why continue to live defeated lives when they have attained freedom? Let’s empower them and challenge them to live better lives. I have been where they have been and it angers me to see them waste opportunities. They might as well have stayed put in their home country. Sorry to anyone I offend but it offends me when immigrants waste their freedom because there are so many others who couldn’t make it here that would’ve loved these opportunities.

This statement is so laughable. We are talking about PTA participation for crying out loud. What makes you think that their disinterest in it is a sign of being defeated. Trust me, for them, coming to this country, being able to live here is priceless. The fact that their kids are getting a US education so that they can have better lives than them is the ultimate dream. They don't see it as toxic at all. They could care less about PTA meetings.

Neither of you guys understand immigrants.

We come here, mostly because of we can earn more money here. That's it. Culture? Sky opening up? Priceless? US education?
What are you talking about? You really think everything is heaven here compared to other countries?

Back to work you, I am not paying you 9$ an hour to post inn DCUM

Well, apparently you (or, our "government") is paying me much higher than that, and I am happy to post here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
So this is what I don’t understand. They travel thousands of miles to come here to escape a toxic culture in their home country only to continue to live by this toxic culture here in the US? I’m sorry for their struggle but heck, they sky has just opened up for them with opportunities galore! Why continue to live defeated lives when they have attained freedom? Let’s empower them and challenge them to live better lives. I have been where they have been and it angers me to see them waste opportunities. They might as well have stayed put in their home country. Sorry to anyone I offend but it offends me when immigrants waste their freedom because there are so many others who couldn’t make it here that would’ve loved these opportunities.

This statement is so laughable. We are talking about PTA participation for crying out loud. What makes you think that their disinterest in it is a sign of being defeated. Trust me, for them, coming to this country, being able to live here is priceless. The fact that their kids are getting a US education so that they can have better lives than them is the ultimate dream. They don't see it as toxic at all. They could care less about PTA meetings.

Neither of you guys understand immigrants.

We come here, mostly because of we can earn more money here. That's it. Culture? Sky opening up? Priceless? US education?
What are you talking about? You really think everything is heaven here compared to other countries?

Back to work you, I am not paying you 9$ an hour to post inn DCUM

Well, apparently you (or, our "government") is paying me much higher than that, and I am happy to post here.

To cut grass? Shouldn’t be more than 9$

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
So this is what I don’t understand. They travel thousands of miles to come here to escape a toxic culture in their home country only to continue to live by this toxic culture here in the US? I’m sorry for their struggle but heck, they sky has just opened up for them with opportunities galore! Why continue to live defeated lives when they have attained freedom? Let’s empower them and challenge them to live better lives. I have been where they have been and it angers me to see them waste opportunities. They might as well have stayed put in their home country. Sorry to anyone I offend but it offends me when immigrants waste their freedom because there are so many others who couldn’t make it here that would’ve loved these opportunities.

This statement is so laughable. We are talking about PTA participation for crying out loud. What makes you think that their disinterest in it is a sign of being defeated. Trust me, for them, coming to this country, being able to live here is priceless. The fact that their kids are getting a US education so that they can have better lives than them is the ultimate dream. They don't see it as toxic at all. They could care less about PTA meetings.

Neither of you guys understand immigrants.

We come here, mostly because of we can earn more money here. That's it. Culture? Sky opening up? Priceless? US education?
What are you talking about? You really think everything is heaven here compared to other countries?

Back to work you, I am not paying you 9$ an hour to post inn DCUM

Well, apparently you (or, our "government") is paying me much higher than that, and I am happy to post here.

To cut grass? Shouldn’t be more than 9$

DP

Well, the joke's on you. We're getting paid more than $9/hour, plus it's cash only, so we're not paying taxes. Kids' health insurance, schooling, breakfast/lunch at school - ALL paid for. Our school even provides coats and backpacks at the beginning of the year. How much do you pay for your kids' health insurance? Don't worry, we immigrant are doing fantastic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
So this is what I don’t understand. They travel thousands of miles to come here to escape a toxic culture in their home country only to continue to live by this toxic culture here in the US? I’m sorry for their struggle but heck, they sky has just opened up for them with opportunities galore! Why continue to live defeated lives when they have attained freedom? Let’s empower them and challenge them to live better lives. I have been where they have been and it angers me to see them waste opportunities. They might as well have stayed put in their home country. Sorry to anyone I offend but it offends me when immigrants waste their freedom because there are so many others who couldn’t make it here that would’ve loved these opportunities.

This statement is so laughable. We are talking about PTA participation for crying out loud. What makes you think that their disinterest in it is a sign of being defeated. Trust me, for them, coming to this country, being able to live here is priceless. The fact that their kids are getting a US education so that they can have better lives than them is the ultimate dream. They don't see it as toxic at all. They could care less about PTA meetings.

Neither of you guys understand immigrants.

We come here, mostly because of we can earn more money here. That's it. Culture? Sky opening up? Priceless? US education?
What are you talking about? You really think everything is heaven here compared to other countries?

Back to work you, I am not paying you 9$ an hour to post inn DCUM

Well, apparently you (or, our "government") is paying me much higher than that, and I am happy to post here.

To cut grass? Shouldn’t be more than 9$

DP

Well, the joke's on you. We're getting paid more than $9/hour, plus it's cash only, so we're not paying taxes. Kids' health insurance, schooling, breakfast/lunch at school - ALL paid for. Our school even provides coats and backpacks at the beginning of the year. How much do you pay for your kids' health insurance? Don't worry, we immigrant are doing fantastic.

DP. I'm an immigrant and all I can say about the PP's post is eww.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The very people you are trying to advocate for will end up as cheap labor force providing services for the UMC. And a large part of it is because of ineffective people like you who continue to enable them in their non productive ways instead of empowering them to be better.

That's what people said about my grandparents, too. It wasn't true then, it isn't true now.