UMC parents in low income schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Agree. I work at a high FARMS school where the PTA president refuses to spend PTA money on interpreters to attend the PTA meetings, which essentially keeps the Spanish speaking majority away from participating in the PTA. When we looked closely at the budget and expenses, we saw that the amount of money spent on book fair decorations would pay for the interpreter for the whole year but the president still wouldn't budge. They said that if a staff member would volunteer their time to interpret then they would be ok with it. Staff members ended up finding high school students needing SSL hours. The PTA serves the interests of the English speaking UMC minority, and not the majority of the school's population.

The PTA President doesn't get to make all the decisions. Even the Board doesn't get to make all decisions. Votes should be open to members at meetings to vote on budget items. Anyone can propose an amendment on the floor for a public vote. Get more involved in your PTA and more educated on how PTA is *supposed* to work, then you can effect change. If there is an issue with the PTA board at your local school, go to your Cluster Coordinator or Area VP for support. Contact the MCCPTA if you don't know who your cluster coordinator or Area VP are.

I suggest you read the article. You can't expect poor, non-English speaking parents who barely have a high school education if that to walk into a PTA meeting and take on the 4-5 mothers with advanced degrees who are controlling everything by calling for a floor vote and an amendment to get interpreters. The point of the article is that the low income parents are intimidated by them and have neither the time nor debate skills to prevail.

Excuses and more excuses. You are an enabler to a population that keeps considering themselves as inferior. Keep catering to them and they will never step out of their comfort zone. Why not empower them to stand up and speak up for themselves rather than doing it for them? Sounds harsh but it is indeed a harsh and competitive world.

So since you know everything already how would you increase the turn out to the PTA meetings at my mixed socioeconomic school?

If we could get MCPS to provide a rating(A,B,C,D,E) for PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT on every student’s report card that might increase participation in school volunteering, PTA events, back to school night, PT conferences, field trips etc. Even better is if MCPS would use this rating as a tie breaker for magnet admission. This grading of their involvement should give parents enough incentive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Agree. I work at a high FARMS school where the PTA president refuses to spend PTA money on interpreters to attend the PTA meetings, which essentially keeps the Spanish speaking majority away from participating in the PTA. When we looked closely at the budget and expenses, we saw that the amount of money spent on book fair decorations would pay for the interpreter for the whole year but the president still wouldn't budge. They said that if a staff member would volunteer their time to interpret then they would be ok with it. Staff members ended up finding high school students needing SSL hours. The PTA serves the interests of the English speaking UMC minority, and not the majority of the school's population.

The PTA President doesn't get to make all the decisions. Even the Board doesn't get to make all decisions. Votes should be open to members at meetings to vote on budget items. Anyone can propose an amendment on the floor for a public vote. Get more involved in your PTA and more educated on how PTA is *supposed* to work, then you can effect change. If there is an issue with the PTA board at your local school, go to your Cluster Coordinator or Area VP for support. Contact the MCCPTA if you don't know who your cluster coordinator or Area VP are.

I suggest you read the article. You can't expect poor, non-English speaking parents who barely have a high school education if that to walk into a PTA meeting and take on the 4-5 mothers with advanced degrees who are controlling everything by calling for a floor vote and an amendment to get interpreters. The point of the article is that the low income parents are intimidated by them and have neither the time nor debate skills to prevail.

Excuses and more excuses. You are an enabler to a population that keeps considering themselves as inferior. Keep catering to them and they will never step out of their comfort zone. Why not empower them to stand up and speak up for themselves rather than doing it for them? Sounds harsh but it is indeed a harsh and competitive world.

So since you know everything already how would you increase the turn out to the PTA meetings at my mixed socioeconomic school?

If we could get MCPS to provide a rating(A,B,C,D,E) for PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT on every student’s report card that might increase participation in school volunteering, PTA events, back to school night, PT conferences, field trips etc. Even better is if MCPS would use this rating as a tie breaker for magnet admission. This grading of their involvement should give parents enough incentive.

This is a joke, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Agree. I work at a high FARMS school where the PTA president refuses to spend PTA money on interpreters to attend the PTA meetings, which essentially keeps the Spanish speaking majority away from participating in the PTA. When we looked closely at the budget and expenses, we saw that the amount of money spent on book fair decorations would pay for the interpreter for the whole year but the president still wouldn't budge. They said that if a staff member would volunteer their time to interpret then they would be ok with it. Staff members ended up finding high school students needing SSL hours. The PTA serves the interests of the English speaking UMC minority, and not the majority of the school's population.

The PTA President doesn't get to make all the decisions. Even the Board doesn't get to make all decisions. Votes should be open to members at meetings to vote on budget items. Anyone can propose an amendment on the floor for a public vote. Get more involved in your PTA and more educated on how PTA is *supposed* to work, then you can effect change. If there is an issue with the PTA board at your local school, go to your Cluster Coordinator or Area VP for support. Contact the MCCPTA if you don't know who your cluster coordinator or Area VP are.

I suggest you read the article. You can't expect poor, non-English speaking parents who barely have a high school education if that to walk into a PTA meeting and take on the 4-5 mothers with advanced degrees who are controlling everything by calling for a floor vote and an amendment to get interpreters. The point of the article is that the low income parents are intimidated by them and have neither the time nor debate skills to prevail.

Excuses and more excuses. You are an enabler to a population that keeps considering themselves as inferior. Keep catering to them and they will never step out of their comfort zone. Why not empower them to stand up and speak up for themselves rather than doing it for them? Sounds harsh but it is indeed a harsh and competitive world.

So since you know everything already how would you increase the turn out to the PTA meetings at my mixed socioeconomic school?

If we could get MCPS to provide a rating(A,B,C,D,E) for PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT on every student’s report card that might increase participation in school volunteering, PTA events, back to school night, PT conferences, field trips etc. Even better is if MCPS would use this rating as a tie breaker for magnet admission. This grading of their involvement should give parents enough incentive.

This is a joke, right?

As an educator, it certainly sounds like a very helpful metrics. It could provide definitive data on the impact of parental involvement on student academic performance.

[Anonymous]

Magnet admissions???

My understanding is that the last thing magnet want is even MORE parental involvement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Agree. I work at a high FARMS school where the PTA president refuses to spend PTA money on interpreters to attend the PTA meetings, which essentially keeps the Spanish speaking majority away from participating in the PTA. When we looked closely at the budget and expenses, we saw that the amount of money spent on book fair decorations would pay for the interpreter for the whole year but the president still wouldn't budge. They said that if a staff member would volunteer their time to interpret then they would be ok with it. Staff members ended up finding high school students needing SSL hours. The PTA serves the interests of the English speaking UMC minority, and not the majority of the school's population.

The PTA President doesn't get to make all the decisions. Even the Board doesn't get to make all decisions. Votes should be open to members at meetings to vote on budget items. Anyone can propose an amendment on the floor for a public vote. Get more involved in your PTA and more educated on how PTA is *supposed* to work, then you can effect change. If there is an issue with the PTA board at your local school, go to your Cluster Coordinator or Area VP for support. Contact the MCCPTA if you don't know who your cluster coordinator or Area VP are.

I suggest you read the article. You can't expect poor, non-English speaking parents who barely have a high school education if that to walk into a PTA meeting and take on the 4-5 mothers with advanced degrees who are controlling everything by calling for a floor vote and an amendment to get interpreters. The point of the article is that the low income parents are intimidated by them and have neither the time nor debate skills to prevail.

Excuses and more excuses. You are an enabler to a population that keeps considering themselves as inferior. Keep catering to them and they will never step out of their comfort zone. Why not empower them to stand up and speak up for themselves rather than doing it for them? Sounds harsh but it is indeed a harsh and competitive world.

So since you know everything already how would you increase the turn out to the PTA meetings at my mixed socioeconomic school?

If we could get MCPS to provide a rating(A,B,C,D,E) for PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT on every student’s report card that might increase participation in school volunteering, PTA events, back to school night, PT conferences, field trips etc. Even better is if MCPS would use this rating as a tie breaker for magnet admission. This grading of their involvement should give parents enough incentive.

This is a joke, right?

As an educator, it certainly sounds like a very helpful metrics. It could provide definitive data on the impact of parental involvement on student academic performance.

How about how much money the parents contribute to the school?
Or, would it work if the parent hire someone to "participate"?

[Anonymous]

Farms and ESOL parents might participate if their kids’ free stuff depends on it... maybe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Farms and ESOL parents might participate if their kids’ free stuff depends on it... maybe.

Lol. "Sorry Larla, you don't get breakfast today because your mom didn't volunteer for the zoo field trip." Do you have any idea how ridiculous and cold hearted you sound??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Farms and ESOL parents might participate if their kids’ free stuff depends on it... maybe.

Lol. "Sorry Larla, you don't get breakfast today because your mom didn't volunteer for the zoo field trip." Do you have any idea how ridiculous and cold hearted you sound??

That's extreme... A more likely scenario is "We had to make a decision between letting the STEM teacher or the ESOL teacher go. And Larla, since your parents really have not been involved in any school activities and have not made an effort to advocate for the ESOL teacher, he is gone"

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a very interesting experiment. Would we actually see parents come out of their shell to advocate for their kids if we start taking away some free services.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like a very interesting experiment. Would we actually see parents come out of their shell to advocate for their kids if we start taking away some free services.

That (take away free services from some students) is not going to happen - not saying I think it should.

Taking away free services for ALL may be an alternative but I doubt it's going to be effective.

And also, effective for what? For getting parents "involved"? Involved for what? For just coming to meetings and sitting there? It takes time but hey, if one has to, one can do that. But don't expect them to contribute any more then sitting there.

[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?

So you are affirming the assertion that immigrants are just here to take, take, take from Americans, without any loyalty or buy-in to American ideals. But we should welcome you with open arms, so that we can spend $200,000 to educate each of your children.

[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?

Ummm. Maybe don't believe everything you read on the internet?

So you are affirming the assertion that immigrants are just here to take, take, take from Americans, without any loyalty or buy-in to American ideals. But we should welcome you with open arms, so that we can spend $200,000 to educate each of your children.

[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?

Ummm. Maybe don't believe everything you read on the internet?

So you are affirming the assertion that immigrants are just here to take, take, take from Americans, without any loyalty or buy-in to American ideals. But we should welcome you with open arms, so that we can spend $200,000 to educate each of your children.

PP here.

Apparently you completely misunderstand what I said.

I am an immigrant.

1. I come here not because of the great love to this country, but because I thought (still think but things could change) I could get paid more for a decent job here. Other factors like culture etc are not what I "admire". There are things better here and also thing better at my home country but most of those are not deciding factors (so don't believe the crap like "immigrants come here because of the freedom they enjoy" - I am not saying that I don't enjoy the freedom - it is just not that important. If I didn't get paid enough, I would have left).

2. I stay here also because of I am paid decently.

3. "Loyalty"? Yes, I am "loyal" to this country, as required by law, as I said in my oath. I am a law-abiding citizen. If you can think of anything in addition to what is required by law that one has to do to show his/her "loyalty", please state it.

4. Whether you welcome immigrants or not, should not depends on what we "want". It should depend on what we can bring. Yes, I get paid decently but that is because whoever hires me sees the value in it. And I pay taxes which benefit you all.

5. I strongly oppose illegal immigration, for reasons very clear - it is not fair to us (this refers to the legal immigrants) and it does not benefit us (this refers to us all).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is a white person with money supposed to do. We go to all rich schools with high test scores we are greedy racists who don’t share. We go to poor schools and try and raise the standards and abdicate for our kids (the horror I know) we are oppressive and not sensitive to people who can’t keep up. If we go private we are elitist who are the scum of the earth.

What you really want is rich people to go sit in the corner and be quite. That isn’t how power works even if the new generation has confused outrage with power.

I was reading all the comments, just waiting for someone to finally call out the hypocrisy!

Just another thread as a way to bash white and upper-middle-class families.

[Anonymous]

I am not White. I am educated, middle class and very involved with the PTA at our high FARMS school. I have found that I can work to bring opportunities to the school only through the PTA framework. The school will not allow any other way as a parent I can be involved. Infact, they will create roadblocks. However, once I am working as a PTA person, the school knows that they cannot put in roadblocks. As long as I am bringing enrichment opportunities to the school that are appropriate, accessible and equitable, and I raise the funds for those programs the school cannot stop me.
And yes, the school will get their pound of flesh by making us do the staff appreciation events and other community events that furthers the Principal's agenda as well, before they give us access to the community etc. It is positioned as a mutual scratching of backs, instead the volunteers are used to the full extent by the school. The burnout rate for PTA office holders is huge. It is a thankless job for no personal gain.