Janney PTA raised $1.4 million in one year

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You and I both know that the extra money earmarked for Title 1 schools is not nearly enough to cause a real difference.

Title 1 schools have some money- but often it is earmarked for certain things and restricted in numerous ways. You might have money earmarked for new textbooks in 5th grade Math but you just got textbooks 2 years ago. What you really need are new computers. But you can't get those because the grant or partnership you have is only for one particular thing.

And sure, the number of students in your classroom is less than a WOTP elementary classroom, but 1/4 of those kids are ESL students, 1/4 of the kids start Kindergarten woefully behind, and a 1/4 of them come from homes with systemic poverty. You probably have a couple or more students with some diagnosed learning disability. Plus, you have several bright students who need differentiated instruction to keep them motivated. Teachers are pulled in a million different directions in a classroom to meet the extremely different needs in the classroom. You might have fewer students, but I would bet a lot of money that you have much extremer and more varied needs.

And yes, they have DCPS aftercare for a much lower cost... but that aftercare is barebones. Many of the "free" programming that exists is geared towards 2-5 grade. So ECE, K, and 1st graders are left with minimal aftercare activities. During winter months and rainy days, they are restricted to indoor spaces with limited activities. Bringing in outside activities costs money. Money that a large portion of the population does not have. So schools are hesitant to bring these programs in, because the children who cannot afford these programs are naturally upset and don't understand when Larlo gets to run off to basketweaving and they are stuck doing the same old thing. Teachers that are hired for this aftercare are paid minimal dollars, and are tired from a long day of work. So PTO's are left trying to figure out how they can help aftercare run more smoothly and offer the kids some basic activities. That being said, these PTO's have small budgets and have to consider how spending on Aftercare only benefits 1/3 or so of the school population.

But a PTA with a budget of, around, $300/kid lets say also isn't going to help these problems either. PTAs aren't funding new computers in all the classrooms, they are adding bits and pieces around the edges. They help pay for art supplies, give teachers some money to decorate their rooms. They fund popsicle parties and parts of salaries of specials teachers. It looks like a lot of money, but it really isn't.

PTO's at Title 1 schools are funding these things. They are buying balls for recess... because the school doesn't have enough. They are buying the principal a new computer- because hers is broken. They are buying turkeys to send home at thanksgiving- because a good portion of the school population cannot afford a thanksgiving dinner. Popsicle parties and classroom decorations are so far down our list of wants its laughable. This is the problem. What seems so little to you... what provides you with a bit of extra money to add decorations on a classroom door... would make a huge difference in a Title 1 school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

These PTAs absolutely do this. Many schools collect books at book fairs to help fill shelves in poorer parts of the city and coat drives to fill sister-school requests. There are organizations who's sole purpose is to make the connection between rich and poor PTOs and many of these school participate in this.

Lafayette, for example, has an entire program called Lafayette Gives back, sponsored by the HSA, whose sole purpose is to give, and to teach kids to give, to others. This includes packing backpacks for foster kids, making care packages for first-responders and collecting baby carriers for refugees.

Do you not see how forcing poor kids to rely on the noblesse oblige of the .01% is an enormously fucked up way to fund basic social services such as education?

Huh? People have spent the last 4 pages complaining that rich PTAs should help poor schools. Now, when it comes to light that they do, in fact, help poorer school, it's fucked up? No one is relying on anything or forcing anyone to do anything.

Poor school kids get often X2 the funding as rich school kids.

No, the rich PTAs should help ALL kids. The money should go in a pot and be distributed equally to public schools in the city (not charters). What I object to is using poor (Black and Latino) kids as a "lesson" for rich kids. The poor don't exist to teach a lesson to rich kids, and using them as character building is grotesque. Just fund the schools. Barring that, pool the PTA funds.

No, you're wrong. SO wrong.

Taxes are already about taking money from the rich and giving it to the poor. We've all agree that it can happen, we dispute how much.

Now you want to impose a new penalty because wealthy parents continue to want to care for their children. Guess what? Even lesser-evolved animals still want to care for their children. You don't get to penalize human parents for this.

Your theory has countless antecedents. Eventually the poor get fed up and attempt to "equalize income" at the hands of a mob. It's usually quite bloody, but humans invariably must learn this lesson the hard way. D.C. will surely be one of the first places targeted by the mob. See: French, Russian, Chinese revolutions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You and I both know that the extra money earmarked for Title 1 schools is not nearly enough to cause a real difference.

Title 1 schools have some money- but often it is earmarked for certain things and restricted in numerous ways. You might have money earmarked for new textbooks in 5th grade Math but you just got textbooks 2 years ago. What you really need are new computers. But you can't get those because the grant or partnership you have is only for one particular thing.

And sure, the number of students in your classroom is less than a WOTP elementary classroom, but 1/4 of those kids are ESL students, 1/4 of the kids start Kindergarten woefully behind, and a 1/4 of them come from homes with systemic poverty. You probably have a couple or more students with some diagnosed learning disability. Plus, you have several bright students who need differentiated instruction to keep them motivated. Teachers are pulled in a million different directions in a classroom to meet the extremely different needs in the classroom. You might have fewer students, but I would bet a lot of money that you have much extremer and more varied needs.

And yes, they have DCPS aftercare for a much lower cost... but that aftercare is barebones. Many of the "free" programming that exists is geared towards 2-5 grade. So ECE, K, and 1st graders are left with minimal aftercare activities. During winter months and rainy days, they are restricted to indoor spaces with limited activities. Bringing in outside activities costs money. Money that a large portion of the population does not have. So schools are hesitant to bring these programs in, because the children who cannot afford these programs are naturally upset and don't understand when Larlo gets to run off to basketweaving and they are stuck doing the same old thing. Teachers that are hired for this aftercare are paid minimal dollars, and are tired from a long day of work. So PTO's are left trying to figure out how they can help aftercare run more smoothly and offer the kids some basic activities. That being said, these PTO's have small budgets and have to consider how spending on Aftercare only benefits 1/3 or so of the school population.

But a PTA with a budget of, around, $300/kid lets say also isn't going to help these problems either. PTAs aren't funding new computers in all the classrooms, they are adding bits and pieces around the edges. They help pay for art supplies, give teachers some money to decorate their rooms. They fund popsicle parties and parts of salaries of specials teachers. It looks like a lot of money, but it really isn't.

PTO's at Title 1 schools are funding these things. They are buying balls for recess... because the school doesn't have enough. They are buying the principal a new computer- because hers is broken. They are buying turkeys to send home at thanksgiving- because a good portion of the school population cannot afford a thanksgiving dinner. Popsicle parties and classroom decorations are so far down our list of wants its laughable. This is the problem. What seems so little to you... what provides you with a bit of extra money to add decorations on a classroom door... would make a huge difference in a Title 1 school.

All of this is little stuff-- a single computer, turkeys, balls...it's all still stuff around the edges.

None of it makes up for a shitty home life, poverty and ESL. The big ticket stuff-- more teachers, more reading specialists, social workers etc. That's the stuff that really helps. No PTA is funding that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I'm not sure you understand how new some of these PTO's are in the process of developing. They are winging everything. Meetings are disorganized, records are not properly kept, structure is lacking. Learning about the overall structure of your PTO, learning about different job functions, allocation of resources, budgeting, how to advertise, how to reach out to investors, etc. Things that probably seem basic to you are non-existent in these PTO's. Sure, a lot of what you are working with is not applicable.... but understanding how a well-oiled-machine runs can help you figure out how to create your own well-oiled-machine... even if it is a smaller version.

Ok- I like the idea. But, given the conversations just on this thread, show me how this is done without be offensive. Just on this thread alone every is losing their minds over perceived slights to schools, students etc. when rich schools approach poor schools.

If it were up to me, I would suggest first figuring out if anyone on your PTO would be willing to volunteer for this. Then I would reach out to several PTO's in the district at schools that have new or developing PTO's. It would probably make sense to match an elementary school with another elementary school, etc. I would let the PTO know that your PTO is ready and willing to meet informally over coffee or drinks with members of their PTO- share who volunteered... a grant writer, advertising committee chair, secretary, etc. Once a relationship is established, you might find them interested in having someone attend a committee meeting or general meeting to offer suggestions. It might be nice to have someone review the Bylaws- if that is your area of expertise... or a website.

The hard part will be not sounding patronizing... but I think if you come at it from a genuine place of willingness to help.. it could be a great thing.

"Our PTO is working on a new initiative to partner with other DCPS PTO's to share our experience and expertise, and to gain insight and ideas from your organization. We think this partnership would benefit both organizations and are excited to see what develops from the relationship. If you are interested, the following members of our team (titles only) have some limited availability in the coming months and would be interested in meeting with people from your team in similar positions. Please let me know if this is something you would like to do and I can connect you directly with these team members."

Ha, I think you overestimate the organization and professionalism of these WOTP PTOs! I'm sure it's run more smoothly than a new organization, but it's still very "loving hands at home" with a lot of scrambling as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You and I both know that the extra money earmarked for Title 1 schools is not nearly enough to cause a real difference.

Title 1 schools have some money- but often it is earmarked for certain things and restricted in numerous ways. You might have money earmarked for new textbooks in 5th grade Math but you just got textbooks 2 years ago. What you really need are new computers. But you can't get those because the grant or partnership you have is only for one particular thing.

And sure, the number of students in your classroom is less than a WOTP elementary classroom, but 1/4 of those kids are ESL students, 1/4 of the kids start Kindergarten woefully behind, and a 1/4 of them come from homes with systemic poverty. You probably have a couple or more students with some diagnosed learning disability. Plus, you have several bright students who need differentiated instruction to keep them motivated. Teachers are pulled in a million different directions in a classroom to meet the extremely different needs in the classroom. You might have fewer students, but I would bet a lot of money that you have much extremer and more varied needs.

And yes, they have DCPS aftercare for a much lower cost... but that aftercare is barebones. Many of the "free" programming that exists is geared towards 2-5 grade. So ECE, K, and 1st graders are left with minimal aftercare activities. During winter months and rainy days, they are restricted to indoor spaces with limited activities. Bringing in outside activities costs money. Money that a large portion of the population does not have. So schools are hesitant to bring these programs in, because the children who cannot afford these programs are naturally upset and don't understand when Larlo gets to run off to basketweaving and they are stuck doing the same old thing. Teachers that are hired for this aftercare are paid minimal dollars, and are tired from a long day of work. So PTO's are left trying to figure out how they can help aftercare run more smoothly and offer the kids some basic activities. That being said, these PTO's have small budgets and have to consider how spending on Aftercare only benefits 1/3 or so of the school population.

Huh? Look at these aftercare set ups. Looks pretty enriched to me:
http://www.ludlowtaylor.org/program-information.html
http://politepiggys.com/before-after-school/maury/
http://politepiggys.com/wp-content/uploads/PP_Specials_Cycle_1_2016_2017_Tyler.pdf
http://www.thomsondcps.org/after-school.html

These seem nice- and are possibly exceptions- but I know at our EOTP Title 1, if a Yoga instructor donates 1 hour of time once during the whole school year it would go on the list of aftercare activities. They also might include activities offered last year- because we will potentially use them again this year. And if 5th graders get to work on homework in the library rather than the classroom, they might name it something special and add it to the list. Etc. They can work the system to make it look good, but at the end of the day, it is not nearly as extensive as it seems. They still mainly rotate between cafeteria, playground, and classroom.. with the same boardgames, coloring pages, and card games (most of which were donated by parents and are missing half the pieces within a few weeks of school starting).

Well, that pretty much sounds exactly like my experience with aftercare at our WOTP school - the little kids go from the PK classroom to the playground and back. They color in coloring books and play board games or build with legos. The K kids go from a space outside the K classrooms to the playground and back. The enrichments are almost exclusively for the older kids and even then, for the free ones, there are roughly 10 spaces in each and they are open to the whole school to enroll of course, not just the aftercare kids. The paid extras are similarly limited and this spring only art was offered to the littlest kids with only 12 spaces available. They don't even get to rotate to the cafeteria because our school doesn't have one!

[Anonymous]

11 pages of fuss because aftercare at wotp schools funnels through the pta. Get rid of aftercare and little is left. Y'all should direct your energy toward places that could make a difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:11 pages of fuss because aftercare at wotp schools funnels through the pta. Get rid of aftercare and little is left. Y'all should direct your energy toward places that could make a difference.

So Janney's aftercare costs $1.4M annually. Got it. That's quite a program. Nothing else to see here!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:11 pages of fuss because aftercare at wotp schools funnels through the pta. Get rid of aftercare and little is left. Y'all should direct your energy toward places that could make a difference.

So Janney's aftercare costs $1.4M annually. Got it. That's quite a program. Nothing else to see here!

The reality is that after controlling for aftercare and other classrs that the pta handles for parents, Janney raises $250-300K per year.

But a headline saying something like "Janney is the 1,045th wealthiest PTA ib the US" wouldn't attract any attention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:11 pages of fuss because aftercare at wotp schools funnels through the pta. Get rid of aftercare and little is left. Y'all should direct your energy toward places that could make a difference.

So Janney's aftercare costs $1.4M annually. Got it. That's quite a program. Nothing else to see here!

The reality is that after controlling for aftercare and other classrs that the pta handles for parents, Janney raises $250-300K per year.

But a headline saying something like "Janney is the 1,045th wealthiest PTA ib the US" wouldn't attract any attention.

So as long as we don't count the extra programs and extra staff funded by the Janney PTA, they're just like every other PTA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some districts pool their money - https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/08/us/california-pta-fund-raising-inequality.html?_r=0

While I would like to see DCPS acknowledge that more money is needed to fund schools properly, in the interim, it's morally not right to me that schools with less wealthy families have less money at their disposal. There's nothing equal about some schools having more dollars to use for their students than others.

That's like saying it's not fair that some families have more dollars to use for their kids than other families.
Some people have more money than others. They have every right to use it as they see fit.
Of course, dcps can say that parents cannot fund certain programs. And then those parents (with kids who score high on tests) will take their kids and dollars elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:11 pages of fuss because aftercare at wotp schools funnels through the pta. Get rid of aftercare and little is left. Y'all should direct your energy toward places that could make a difference.

So Janney's aftercare costs $1.4M annually. Got it. That's quite a program. Nothing else to see here!

The reality is that after controlling for aftercare and other classrs that the pta handles for parents, Janney raises $250-300K per year.

But a headline saying something like "Janney is the 1,045th wealthiest PTA ib the US" wouldn't attract any attention.

+1. DCPS has to be wishing this story goes away. And fast. The last thing they want is a TRUE accounting of how much per pupil is spent at struggling schools. Not just direct DCPS and federal funding. But also subsidized before care/after car, reduced meals, foundation money, etc. At the end of the day 2 or 3 times per pupil probably gets spent at EOTP schools vs. WOTP. The CAP study was myopic and leading and the Post reporting was thin at best and lazy at worst.

[Anonymous]

True dat. These parents at middle-income schools are giving so much money because they wouldn't be getting diddly-squat from DCPS, in terms of sufficient resources, without it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These funds, as we all know are doing more than paying for extras, like field trips. They are used to hire classroom aides. It is out of control.

Stop carping, roll up your sleeves and raise money for your own damn school.

Before anyone whines on about 'privilege,' 'inequality', etc., remember that DCPS should have no shortage of money. It's how DC spends the money that is the problem: skimming and favored deals for crony contractors, resulting in massive cost overruns at Duke Ellington, "esteem" programs and diversity coordinators (in a majority minority district, no less). In short, $ for BS and fluff rather than academic enrichment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:11 pages of fuss because aftercare at wotp schools funnels through the pta. Get rid of aftercare and little is left. Y'all should direct your energy toward places that could make a difference.

So Janney's aftercare costs $1.4M annually. Got it. That's quite a program. Nothing else to see here!

The reality is that after controlling for aftercare and other classrs that the pta handles for parents, Janney raises $250-300K per year.

But a headline saying something like "Janney is the 1,045th wealthiest PTA ib the US" wouldn't attract any attention.

+1. DCPS has to be wishing this story goes away. And fast. The last thing they want is a TRUE accounting of how much per pupil is spent at struggling schools. Not just direct DCPS and federal funding. But also subsidized before care/after car, reduced meals, foundation money, etc. At the end of the day 2 or 3 times per pupil probably gets spent at EOTP schools vs. WOTP. The CAP study was myopic and leading and the Post reporting was thin at best and lazy at worst.

and how much does DC subsidize education and after care for kids who really live in MD??!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:True dat. These parents at middle-income schools are giving so much money because they wouldn't be getting diddly-squat from DCPS, in terms of sufficient resources, without it.

There are no middle income schools in DC. There are poor schools and rich school. Very little in the middle - which is part of the problem.