Rich NYC PTAs are able to provide funds for arts programs, teaching assistants; poor PTAs struggle

[Anonymous]

AngryTeacher wrote:http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/05/22/2011-05-22_rich_nyc_ptas_are_able_to_provide_funds_for_arts_programs_teaching_assistants_po.html

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Indeed, some schools naturally have a leg up when it comes to fund-raising. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts - with its numerous celebrity alums and parents - raked in $522,349 last year, largely from its annual auction.

This year, the school auctioned off white Chanel boots once worn by Madonna, whose daughter Lourdes attends the school, while alum Jonathan Letham, author of "Motherless Brooklyn," sold a chance to become a character in his next novel.

. I think you buried the lede--
madonna's kid attends a public school?!

[Anonymous]

I could be wrong but I believe that MCPS disallows parents from making any monetary donations and/or any monetary donations that benefit their school. While this may sound equal but it lacks any fiscal understanding of budgeting process and philanthropy to the detriment of all schools.


I personally know a family who hand delivers a nice fat check to her local public school principal to make sure her kids who attend are 'taken care of'. Principal accepts each year. Don't know where the money goes, but it goes...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, it is easy to dismiss you because your argument is essentially a "race to the bottom." Taken to an extreme, your argument would suggest that no parent should help their child or school unless and until all children/schools can be similarly helped. This argument actually helps NO ONE. Basically, in your worldview: I shouldn't provide fruits and veggies in my child's lunch b/c, after all, some can't afford the high price of healthy produce. Or, maybe, I shouldn't help my child with homework because I have a doctorate degree - something not all parents have. Or, maybe, I shouldn't volunteer at my child's school b/c not all parents have the flexibility to so so.
The point is that ALL children in a particular school will benefit if the parents of that school pool their resources to provide extras. By definition, they are extras - above and beyond the curriculum. If providing these extras meant taking something away from less advantaged schools, I would agree with you -- but it does not. MCPS has decided the basic level of what schools should provide. If parents want to go above and beyond with their own resources, so be it. If you think MCPS standards should be raised, then you should focus your efforts in that direction rather than vilify parents who are trying to do the best for their school.
This mentality of "if we can't ALL have the extras, then NONE of us should have the extras" is destructive and, frankly dis-empowering to parents throughout the county.

Public school districts [called divisions in some states] get extra state, local, and federal funding. Not all is legislated or mandated. Review school budgets in Montco and fairfax before bitching angry teacher. Class sizes are smaller, extra aides, extra hours of operation.