Does your child's ES do a class or school directory?

[Anonymous]

About 5 years ago, FCPS (maybe it was the state?) no longer allowed the sharing of email addresses for Class Lists. For a couple of years, this was skirted by asking parents to Opt-In/Decline if necessary on Open House night. As a Room Parent, I have been asked to BCC the group of parents for the past 5 years. And as far as I know, teachers cannot give out email information to other parents. While I'm sure it may vary, this is my experience at our school. We did, at one time, have a paper directory, which was free to PTA members, or could be purchased for $10. I no longer think we do a directory (which did move to Online only a few years ago).

As far as the PTO situation, that's not good! I'd reach out to the President and/or others on the Board and share your experiences (both current and based on your last school). I know the rules differ for PTOs vs PTAs, but I would assume any group who is fundraising would be inclined to share how that money is being spent.

I'm sorry that is your experience - hopefully you can be a voice of change!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This highly depends on the school. Our school is great at sending out info, our PTO is awesome, and most classes have a class directory organized by room parents.

To be fair, a few years ago FCPS really clamped down on PTAs publishing directories. The fact that room parents can even do it at all was a change from the initial policy (I want to say this was 2018 or 2019 that they set up policies around PTA communication and respecting privacy). It has to be organized by the room parents and class parents have to opt-in; room parents cannot just send out the list they get from the school and neither can the PTA.

Ours is online and automatic if you join the PTA (you can opt out though). I think pretty much everyone is in there including most teachers. We have a neighborhood, non center, school that seems to avoid most of the crazy you read about on these boards. There isn't much FCPS can do to prevent people from associating with each other and sharing information

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This highly depends on the school. Our school is great at sending out info, our PTO is awesome, and most classes have a class directory organized by room parents.

To be fair, a few years ago FCPS really clamped down on PTAs publishing directories. The fact that room parents can even do it at all was a change from the initial policy (I want to say this was 2018 or 2019 that they set up policies around PTA communication and respecting privacy). It has to be organized by the room parents and class parents have to opt-in; room parents cannot just send out the list they get from the school and neither can the PTA.

Ours is online and automatic if you join the PTA (you can opt out though). I think pretty much everyone is in there including most teachers. We have a neighborhood, non center, school that seems to avoid most of the crazy you read about on these boards. There isn't much FCPS can do to prevent people from associating with each other and sharing information

That's handy! Is it through PTBoard?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just moved to the area and I'm so upset at the lack of communication about ANYTHING at my children's school. The school has a PTO but the PTO doesn't appear to have meetings that the general public are invited to. They have monthly private meetings. The PTO does not send out emails unless they are asking for money. The principal doesn't send out messages about the school, they are just the generic FCPS messages. There is no school directory. There are room parents, but again, they only send out requests asking for donations, so there's no class directory either. I'm just wondering - is this normal at FCPS elementary schools? We moved from a region where there was a ton of communication and community building (like a fall picnic, bingo night, spring fair, science fair, international night, etc., and our FCPSschool hasn't done anything like that at all, it doesn't have any clubs for the kids, nothing). I would love to join the PTO to make recommendations and volunteer to help, but again, they have private meetings, I wouldn't even know HOW to get involved!

Is your school one that is under renovation? If it is, that could be the reason why there are no regular before and after school activities. The principal might have told the PTO to pause these activities until after the renovation is over.

Talk to bus stop neighbors -- your school probably has a predictable calendar of events ("traditions" from year to year). Are you able to volunteer during the school day (e.g. class parties, field day, fun run day, etc.) or after school at one-time events (e.g. Multicultural Night, Spring Basketball Game, etc.)? Let your PTO President(s) and Room Parents know to add you to the volunteer lists. There are usually lots of emails with SignUpGenius links right before events.

[Anonymous]

Which school? You have to opt in for any info so check that you are signed up for information and look for a FAcebook group as well.
I was on the PTA board as secretary when all the rules by the state on privacy changed. It was a huge challenge for everything because the school does not want to break the rules and they have to keep directories and information private unless allowed by parents. Joining PTA is seen as opting in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just moved to the area and I'm so upset at the lack of communication about ANYTHING at my children's school. The school has a PTO but the PTO doesn't appear to have meetings that the general public are invited to. They have monthly private meetings. The PTO does not send out emails unless they are asking for money. The principal doesn't send out messages about the school, they are just the generic FCPS messages. There is no school directory. There are room parents, but again, they only send out requests asking for donations, so there's no class directory either. I'm just wondering - is this normal at FCPS elementary schools? We moved from a region where there was a ton of communication and community building (like a fall picnic, bingo night, spring fair, science fair, international night, etc., and our FCPSschool hasn't done anything like that at all, it doesn't have any clubs for the kids, nothing). I would love to join the PTO to make recommendations and volunteer to help, but again, they have private meetings, I wouldn't even know HOW to get involved!

Is your school one that is under renovation? If it is, that could be the reason why there are no regular before and after school activities. The principal might have told the PTO to pause these activities until after the renovation is over.

Talk to bus stop neighbors -- your school probably has a predictable calendar of events ("traditions" from year to year). Are you able to volunteer during the school day (e.g. class parties, field day, fun run day, etc.) or after school at one-time events (e.g. Multicultural Night, Spring Basketball Game, etc.)? Let your PTO President(s) and Room Parents know to add you to the volunteer lists. There are usually lots of emails with SignUpGenius links right before events.

OP here, nope, not under renovation. I've asked neighbors and they said the school/PTO stopped doing a lot during Covid and it hasn't come back.

[Anonymous]

No, that’s not normal for an FCPS or any elementary school.

Is there a FB group for your school’s PTO? At least posting a question about how to join and attend the next meeting will be a start!