Why is my child's Title I/Head start program telling parents that they have to give$40 for supplies?

[Anonymous]

Toothbrushes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have observed a few different models.
My child is in a charter that provides all the school supplies. We are asked to contribute tissues, paper towels and a few other items throughout the year. At the end of the year, this school does a supply audit. They see what they still have, and only order what they need.

On the other hand, I volunteered at a DCPS elementary in early June of last year. I cam across a lot of packages of un-opened books and other materials. Easily 2 PreS/PreK classes worth of books as well as manipulatives and other items.

I really do not think the school I helped clean knew they had these items - and even though I shared with the person who was coordinating the event what I found and I put them in a highly visible spot, I highly doubt that these materials are included in the plan for use this school year.

Sadly, there is waste and redundancy in materials in some schools. That being said, not all materials are usable and what you saw might be outdated etc. The best help parents can give is to help with cleaning and organization. When everything is cleaned, labeled, and accessible (with a clear inventory list and sign-out) you can bet teachers will use it. Throw out or donate the unusable. Also, in schools you have a lot of 'sets' - like FOSS kits. Managing these sets and making sure they have all their components is very helpful and makes them more likely to be used. I'm not saying it's parents' responsibility, but teachers get awfully busy during the year and don't usually have a lot of time to explore and manage storerooms. That is a great place for parents to help.

I wish you were right- what I saw was about 20 sets of Best Behavior Books from Lakeshore Learning - each set included 6 books these were all new in wrappers.
and about the same number of sets of paperbacks classics (~17 books in the set).

The manipulatives were sets that were opened- so maybe they were missing pieces.

[Anonymous]

Short answer to the original poster: Your child's school is asking for this contribution because it will help provide a better education for your child. It would be nice to think DCPS plus federal funds earmarked for Title 1 schools would be adequate. Sadly, that is not the case. Contribute what you can. It will make a difference.

[Anonymous]

Headstart generally does have a policy of providing 100%. I know when I was thinking about sending my foster child to an early Headstart program, they were clear that they provided 100% of food. My foster son was on a very expensive prescription formula and I offered to bring it in, but they said no, that they needed to provide 100% of what he ate by Headstart policies.

So whether or not we think it's fair that the OP is being asked for this, it may not be legal for the school to do so.

[Anonymous]

DC is no longer doing a solely Headstart model. They are mixing the classes, I think under a new model in DC. That started last year. So I don't know that the policy you are citing PP is actually in place in DC.

[Anonymous]

This is our second year in a DCPS. last year, we were required to bring in a list of supplies, plus take 2 - 3 weeks a year to provide snacks for the entire class for the entire week. this year, we were told that DCPS is NOT ALLOWED to solicit supplies, money or snacks from preschool/pre-K. it does have to do with Headstart. the whole point of headstart is to give FREE early education to those who cannot afford it. it's really unfair to ask the poor to contribute when they may just be scraping by. to suggest the poor just not pay sets up a two-tier system where resentment festers.

that being said, our class will have a "wish-list" where more affluent parents can anonymously donate snacks and supplies. i think this is a great way to do it and am happy to contribute without any child being labeled a free-loader.

it takes a village, people!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC is no longer doing a solely Headstart model. They are mixing the classes, I think under a new model in DC. That started last year. So I don't know that the policy you are citing PP is actually in place in DC.

But are they actually dividing up what they request and sending home different requests? I guess that would be fine. I'm having trouble picturing how that would work. Would the teacher have a list of which kids have non-Headstart spots and send home a supply list just with them? Or would they send home a list with everything that says "If your child is a headstart child, please ignore?"

Kids who attend Headstart in blended programs have the same right to free services as kids who attend Headstart-only programs.

[Anonymous]

But I don't believe there are any more Headstart-only programs, PP.

At our school, for supplies, they simply said, "families are invited to bring what they can." or some such language. So it was optional.

[Anonymous]

It's not optional at my school. Infact there is a supply list and a teacher wish list.

[Anonymous]

but do they actually mark you as bringing items?

I had some items on the list at home - some items we had multiples - others not at all. We were too busy to run around town to pick up the 2 items we did not have. I just put them all in a bag and dropped them off. I will cotribute throughout the school year as best I can. Sometimes that means dropping off extra tissues or other cleaning supplies (TIP - Safeway right now has buy one get one for cleaning supplies - I stocked up on items so I could send throughout the school year)