Principal hates the involved parents

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There’s an old podcast called Nice White Parents that really shed some light some light on this issue for me.

This is a fantastic podcast. I was a Nice White Parent at our Title 1 DCPS when my kid was little. Not to the degree of the podcast, but man, I listened with some uncomfortable reflection.

[Anonymous]

OP what are you trying or offering to do, and how did you determine that focus or need?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Over involved parents can be so annoying, disruptive, and pushy. I don't blame the principal.

So the answer is to dissolve the PTA? We all know that all the best schools have no PTA.

I was a PTA officer for several years at a top performing NOVA public with a principal who didn't like overly involved parents. We survived. In hindsight, however, the PTA was a colossal waste of time that did very little to advance the actual academic mission of the school. We were just annoying busy bodies.

PTA, from the parents side, is more social than academics.

[Anonymous]

OP here, The PTA wants to do really outrageous and awful things like host a free family picnic for the school community on the school grounds or allow scouts to meet after school in the building.

[Anonymous]

What school system?

MCPS principals don’t decide who meets in their buildings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What to do about an elementary school principal who openly detests the PTA and involved parents. Won't let parents into the school to volunteer. Won't engage respond to emails and could care less about having involved families who want to help make the school a welcoming place. Won't allow the PTA to use the school for any clubs or family events even when school isn't in session. It's really awful for the students because they could have so much more.

The only PTAs that we've seen have been a bunch of white moms who think they know how to help the POC, when actually they seem to be trying to give their own kids some type of advantage. Even if it's something less tactile such as "my kid has POC friends" or "look, we're helping the poors". Meanwhile, the schools themselves become dumpster fires because I don't think these parents were very good students, themselves, and they don't know how to properly use PTA funds for educating kids.

Perhaps at all white schools it's different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What to do about an elementary school principal who openly detests the PTA and involved parents. Won't let parents into the school to volunteer. Won't engage respond to emails and could care less about having involved families who want to help make the school a welcoming place. Won't allow the PTA to use the school for any clubs or family events even when school isn't in session. It's really awful for the students because they could have so much more.

The only PTAs that we've seen have been a bunch of white moms who think they know how to help the POC, when actually they seem to be trying to give their own kids some type of advantage. Even if it's something less tactile such as "my kid has POC friends" or "look, we're helping the poors". Meanwhile, the schools themselves become dumpster fires because I don't think these parents were very good students, themselves, and they don't know how to properly use PTA funds for educating kids.

Perhaps at all white schools it's different.

it's not

[Anonymous]

Which school system OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, The PTA wants to do really outrageous and awful things like host a free family picnic for the school community on the school grounds or allow scouts to meet after school in the building.

What time of day would this picnic be? Would the parents who have full time jobs and 1 hour commutes be able to attend? What about those who have kids at other schools or with an elderly or disabled relative at home that they have to care for.

To be frank that plan screams of middle class predominantly white stay at home mothers getting a closed door access to an opportunity to influence teachers and school admin which 99% of parents who work and have other obligations don’t have access to.

No thanks, call me when your school offers zoom parent teacher meeting after 6pm when I get home from work and able to get someone to look after the kids while I attend!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, The PTA wants to do really outrageous and awful things like host a free family picnic for the school community on the school grounds or allow scouts to meet after school in the building.

Spoken like someone who has no idea how logistics work. A free family picnic is not "free" for the school. A custodian and other staff would have to be available to then clean up after the picnic including the bathrooms, empty trashcans, etc. Administrators would have to "volunteer" to supervise. If you want a family picnic with other families why can't you organize one yourself at a park?

And if you let one group meet after school then you have to let other groups meet after school. This can be problematic if you have agreement with after school care providers who are contracted to use the school.

Really listen to the podcast someone posted. Your title should read "Principal hates the annoying parents".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, The PTA wants to do really outrageous and awful things like host a free family picnic for the school community on the school grounds or allow scouts to meet after school in the building.

Picnic: I can see this being a nice community benefit but agree it's not no-hassle for the school.

Scouts: that's a paid extracurricular that has nothing to do with whole-school nor does it provide an in-school benefit. That's not a PTA thing to navigate. It's something Scouts needs to reach out about to negotiate separate from the PTA.

[Anonymous]

PTAs are bothersome and unnecessary. They don’t benefit anyone except the parents who feel gratified to be “doing something” for the school. Schools would be better places if parents were better parents- work with your child every night on academic areas where they struggle or need increased challenges, limit their screen time, work helping them develop better focus and attention, manners. These things collectively make schools better places and makes the teacher able to effectively teach new material. School doesn’t need to be a “community” it is a learning institution. Organize a picnic at a public park if you want to and invite the school

[Anonymous]

^ this

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't call PTA bothersome but I wish the Principals would establish boundaries and be firm. We had way too many neighborhood mommies in the classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, The PTA wants to do really outrageous and awful things like host a free family picnic for the school community on the school grounds or allow scouts to meet after school in the building.

There are liability issues and expense issues. Just do these things somewhere else. Problem solved. Quit whining.