DCPS high schools: Parent involvement Q

[Anonymous]

Do DCPS high schools expect/need a lot of parent involvement? Asking because our kid has always been in charter schools since PK3. They will be a 9th grader at our IB High school (MacArthur). We know it's a small, newer school so did not know if it was like charters who generally ask for a lot of parent involvement because their teams are so small.

Also, teens are probably mortified if their parents volunteer at school? My parents never volunteered for school activities when I was growing up in PA, but they did not grow up in the States. How involved are most people in the PTA at the high school level?

Thanks for insights-

[Anonymous]

I went to an open house and there was a group of PTA parents helping out. The school is lucky to have them, but I’m sure they’re not expecting active volunteering from everyone the way your charter did. (Charters want parents to volunteer in part because it builds loyalty. Boundary schools don’t need to worry as much about that.)

[Anonymous]

Jackson Reed expects no involvement and our experience was that even if you wanted to get involved there wasn't really a way. DC started 9th during virtual learning so others may have a different experience. But, I was on all the emails and read them and never saw any calls for volunteers.

[Anonymous]

Schools and PTOs do not expect parental involvement but absolutely love it when you do get involved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jackson Reed expects no involvement and our experience was that even if you wanted to get involved there wasn't really a way. DC started 9th during virtual learning so others may have a different experience. But, I was on all the emails and read them and never saw any calls for volunteers.

The ptso does a little outreach. Beyond that, the parent volunteering happens at the activity level. Theater and club sports, for example, get a ton of parent support.

[Anonymous]

Let's open a support group. A slco MAc Arthur mom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to an open house and there was a group of PTA parents helping out. The school is lucky to have them, but I’m sure they’re not expecting active volunteering from everyone the way your charter did. (Charters want parents to volunteer in part because it builds loyalty. Boundary schools don’t need to worry as much about that.)

There really isn't any expectation at our DCPS elementary. There are plenty of opportunities if you're interested, and it's always appreciated, but I've never felt it was tacitly required.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to an open house and there was a group of PTA parents helping out. The school is lucky to have them, but I’m sure they’re not expecting active volunteering from everyone the way your charter did. (Charters want parents to volunteer in part because it builds loyalty. Boundary schools don’t need to worry as much about that.)

No it’s not about loyalty, that’s in your head. The reality is that popular charters have lots of UMC parents who have the interest, time, and flexibility to be involved.

DCPS title 1 schools with majority low income families have skeleton PTA if that and parents are not involved.

Go to schools WOTP where there are lots more higher SES families and more families involved.

No school expects all parents to be involved. It’s a volunteer role and voluntary. But schools with big PTA and fundraisers provides all kids at the school lots of extras and benefits everyone, even if not all families are interested in volunteering.