Can Gentrifers Use Their Skills and Resources to "Make" a Great School?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can I just throw in there, that non High SES parents can be involved and provide resources as well. The original question, as pointed out was very off-putting. Yes, you can make a significant impact on the school by bringing in resources, but the school won't change if you come in and act as if you are better able to help than those with less disposable income. Middle class and lower income parents may also have time to contribute and will surely have useful talents. It becomes a matter of outreach and engagement, which will have to be your first step if you really want to make a difference.

Nah, neither actually equate to any real results.

Many parents are very aware of the school and needs but simply can't be engaged for various reasons. Lower income parents aren't always going to be working your standard 9-5 job or they work more than one job, or they simply focus on other activities. A lot of the lower income parents are pretty young and still very wrapped up in themselves and their own social lives.

Outreach and engagement is extremely important unless your desire is to alienate families. And while many lower income parents are young they do care about their children. I've worked with enough to know. You just have to find the right way to engage them.

The engagement and outreach for that group almost always has nothing to do with school related services but more to do with social services and making sure the parents know how to get those services. That's nice but rarely means anything in terms of better student behavior or achievement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a teacher. Here's what I would suggest.
First of all, go in assuming competence. Assume thwt the parents, teacher, admins are all not only doing their best but also know what they are doing. You may later find that this is untrue- but if you don't start there you're not going to get anywhere.
First thing: ask the teacher what she needs. Some teachers can do wish lists, other can't or won't for good reasons. So start by asking. I often need supplies thwt you wouldn't think of necessarily- masking tape, kid pencils. Posterboard. Or maybe the teacher wants parents to help with recess or reading groups or whatever. But maybe not- as any teacher will tell you, sometimes having parents in the classroom is far more trouble than it's worth.
After that, though, I think your best bet is more policy based. Use every resource and connection you have to push for better training for teachers. Or for a better free breakfast and lunch program, or better and more comprehensive counseling and sped services, because even the greatest teachers in the world are stymied by kids who are starving, abused, homeless. Look at programs that truly offer wraparound services and see what you can emulate. Fundraise for more 1:1 aides for the kids who really need them. Make sure, though, that you are talking to your kids teacher in all of this. Teaching is HARD. it's almost impossible to describe how hard to people who've never done it. It's easy for us to feel attacked because we so often are- but meanwhile we are thinking about your kids constantly, waking in the night to contemplate ways to help them, throwing our entire selves into helping other peoples children. So talk to the teachers, first. Make sure you aren't making them feel attacked even more. Teachers usually know what they need, what their school needs, and should have invaluable suggestions.

Shouldn't teachers already have had good training in school? Isn't that what the pp was arguing that teachers pay a lot to go to school so they know now to teach and don't question them?

I would say that teachers should receive very intensive training prior to starting to teach in classroom behavior management.

As far as more supplies, I would say that's were the PTA can step in and help.

[Anonymous]

At my title 1 school there was a big push from some upper middle class parents 3 or 4 years ago. We worked very hard with the school, but then 2 amazing (and tired) teachers and 1 dedicated admin person left and everything just fizzled out.

Now those parents are all charter and OOB.

I would say, our mistake was not be inclusive of a broader team at the school because turnover is high at poor performing schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a teacher. Here's what I would suggest.
First of all, go in assuming competence. Assume thwt the parents, teacher, admins are all not only doing their best but also know what they are doing. You may later find that this is untrue- but if you don't start there you're not going to get anywhere.
First thing: ask the teacher what she needs. Some teachers can do wish lists, other can't or won't for good reasons. So start by asking. I often need supplies thwt you wouldn't think of necessarily- masking tape, kid pencils. Posterboard. Or maybe the teacher wants parents to help with recess or reading groups or whatever. But maybe not- as any teacher will tell you, sometimes having parents in the classroom is far more trouble than it's worth.
After that, though, I think your best bet is more policy based. Use every resource and connection you have to push for better training for teachers. Or for a better free breakfast and lunch program, or better and more comprehensive counseling and sped services, because even the greatest teachers in the world are stymied by kids who are starving, abused, homeless. Look at programs that truly offer wraparound services and see what you can emulate. Fundraise for more 1:1 aides for the kids who really need them. Make sure, though, that you are talking to your kids teacher in all of this. Teaching is HARD. it's almost impossible to describe how hard to people who've never done it. It's easy for us to feel attacked because we so often are- but meanwhile we are thinking about your kids constantly, waking in the night to contemplate ways to help them, throwing our entire selves into helping other peoples children. So talk to the teachers, first. Make sure you aren't making them feel attacked even more. Teachers usually know what they need, what their school needs, and should have invaluable suggestions.

So helpful to hear from a teacher. I think our Title I has most of these things. But I have wondered if the school can do more with one-on-one tutoring outside of the regular school day. Teachers do a little bit of tutoring after school, but it's not much. We're not near downtown, so hard to find volunteers to tutor after school (has to be before 6 pm). I have wondered if we should start a Saturday morning tutoring program and make a big push to recruit tutors from the neighborhood. But our principal doesn't seem interested. I think she worries about burning out the teachers who would need to be involved to make it work. Like most Title Is we have a lot of young, inexperienced teachers who are already overwhelmed with preparing for the school day.

But to help the kids who are way behind academically (and this is a dual language school so they have the barrier of being ELL, too), it seems to me that there is only so much teachers can do during the school day. Surely matching them with a volunteer tutor on Saturday mornings would help. Any teachers who can weigh in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a teacher. Here's what I would suggest.
First of all, go in assuming competence. Assume thwt the parents, teacher, admins are all not only doing their best but also know what they are doing. You may later find that this is untrue- but if you don't start there you're not going to get anywhere.
First thing: ask the teacher what she needs. Some teachers can do wish lists, other can't or won't for good reasons. So start by asking. I often need supplies thwt you wouldn't think of necessarily- masking tape, kid pencils. Posterboard. Or maybe the teacher wants parents to help with recess or reading groups or whatever. But maybe not- as any teacher will tell you, sometimes having parents in the classroom is far more trouble than it's worth.
After that, though, I think your best bet is more policy based. Use every resource and connection you have to push for better training for teachers. Or for a better free breakfast and lunch program, or better and more comprehensive counseling and sped services, because even the greatest teachers in the world are stymied by kids who are starving, abused, homeless. Look at programs that truly offer wraparound services and see what you can emulate. Fundraise for more 1:1 aides for the kids who really need them. Make sure, though, that you are talking to your kids teacher in all of this. Teaching is HARD. it's almost impossible to describe how hard to people who've never done it. It's easy for us to feel attacked because we so often are- but meanwhile we are thinking about your kids constantly, waking in the night to contemplate ways to help them, throwing our entire selves into helping other peoples children. So talk to the teachers, first. Make sure you aren't making them feel attacked even more. Teachers usually know what they need, what their school needs, and should have invaluable suggestions.

So helpful to hear from a teacher. I think our Title I has most of these things. But I have wondered if the school can do more with one-on-one tutoring outside of the regular school day. Teachers do a little bit of tutoring after school, but it's not much. We're not near downtown, so hard to find volunteers to tutor after school (has to be before 6 pm). I have wondered if we should start a Saturday morning tutoring program and make a big push to recruit tutors from the neighborhood. But our principal doesn't seem interested. I think she worries about burning out the teachers who would need to be involved to make it work. Like most Title Is we have a lot of young, inexperienced teachers who are already overwhelmed with preparing for the school day.

But to help the kids who are way behind academically (and this is a dual language school so they have the barrier of being ELL, too), it seems to me that there is only so much teachers can do during the school day. Surely matching them with a volunteer tutor on Saturday mornings would help. Any teachers who can weigh in?

Previous teacher poster here.
Hmm. Teacher tutoring can be terrific- but I would b very reluctant to ask teachers to put in more overtime. But what about trained competent teachers who aren't currently in the classroom ft- subs, retirees, ppl on maternity leave?
Personally, I don't want parents in my PK room helping because it tends to get the reactive kids more riled up and then there's extra climbing the furniture, throwing blocks,hitting, etc. but if a parent asked me what they could do, especially if they mentioned $$/influence, I would ask for supplies-'like dry erase markers, we never have enough of those, or my dream social emotional curriculum, or whatever. I would also love for parents to Fundraise for, as I said above, more 1:1 aides (trained and good aides!) for the kids that need them- we have one who desperately needs an aide but only has one half days meaning afternoons are hell. and good teachers (which sadly is not all teachers!) are always open to improving...so I would be thrilled if parents hired, say, a specialist on classroom management for very challenging children and had that person do a workshop or meet with teachers who are having trouble. Beyond that, though, I would suggest doing as much policy work as possible. Kids who are hungry, homeless, don't have supplies, etc, often act out because they are so deprived. So push for healthy free meals 3x a day. Organize a campaign to get a backpack with supplies, grocery store gift cards, etc to any family thwt needs them. Work on campaigns for politicians who both want to make education better in the ways you'd like do see AND may have the power to do so. Lobby. If you don't live in DC and therefore have actual representatives, talk to them. Support the kids in your child's class- invite them for sleepovers, make sure to learn their names and ask them how they are...
That said...I wonder a lot if our schools are even redeemable. The best thing you can do, probably, is to keep your high SES kids at your local public and encourage others to do the same: we aren't going to see great schools unless and until they are at least half highish SES. But American schools are so broken that I sometimes wonder if we ought to just burn them all and start from scratch!

[Anonymous]

You say having more trained volunteers to tutor during the school day would be helpful. Does this mean you don't think there's much value to one-on-one tutoring after school or on Saturdays (not by regular tutors, but as you say, by volunteers trained to do it well, eg retirees)? I just feel like the social stuff can only get kids so far. It's needed, but if they are reading Level A books in second grade, I'm not sure free supplies or playdates with higher SES kids are ever going to bring them up to speed.

[Anonymous]

Not at all. I think free, good tutoring- in a way thwt the kids enjoy- would be fantastic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a teacher. Here's what I would suggest.
First of all, go in assuming competence. Assume thwt the parents, teacher, admins are all not only doing their best but also know what they are doing. You may later find that this is untrue- but if you don't start there you're not going to get anywhere.
First thing: ask the teacher what she needs. Some teachers can do wish lists, other can't or won't for good reasons. So start by asking. I often need supplies thwt you wouldn't think of necessarily- masking tape, kid pencils. Posterboard. Or maybe the teacher wants parents to help with recess or reading groups or whatever. But maybe not- as any teacher will tell you, sometimes having parents in the classroom is far more trouble than it's worth.
After that, though, I think your best bet is more policy based. Use every resource and connection you have to push for better training for teachers. Or for a better free breakfast and lunch program, or better and more comprehensive counseling and sped services, because even the greatest teachers in the world are stymied by kids who are starving, abused, homeless. Look at programs that truly offer wraparound services and see what you can emulate. Fundraise for more 1:1 aides for the kids who really need them. Make sure, though, that you are talking to your kids teacher in all of this. Teaching is HARD. it's almost impossible to describe how hard to people who've never done it. It's easy for us to feel attacked because we so often are- but meanwhile we are thinking about your kids constantly, waking in the night to contemplate ways to help them, throwing our entire selves into helping other peoples children. So talk to the teachers, first. Make sure you aren't making them feel attacked even more. Teachers usually know what they need, what their school needs, and should have invaluable suggestions.

So helpful to hear from a teacher. I think our Title I has most of these things. But I have wondered if the school can do more with one-on-one tutoring outside of the regular school day. Teachers do a little bit of tutoring after school, but it's not much. We're not near downtown, so hard to find volunteers to tutor after school (has to be before 6 pm). I have wondered if we should start a Saturday morning tutoring program and make a big push to recruit tutors from the neighborhood. But our principal doesn't seem interested. I think she worries about burning out the teachers who would need to be involved to make it work. Like most Title Is we have a lot of young, inexperienced teachers who are already overwhelmed with preparing for the school day.

But to help the kids who are way behind academically (and this is a dual language school so they have the barrier of being ELL, too), it seems to me that there is only so much teachers can do during the school day. Surely matching them with a volunteer tutor on Saturday mornings would help. Any teachers who can weigh in?

Previous teacher poster here.
Hmm. Teacher tutoring can be terrific- but I would b very reluctant to ask teachers to put in more overtime. But what about trained competent teachers who aren't currently in the classroom ft- subs, retirees, ppl on maternity leave?
Personally, I don't want parents in my PK room helping because it tends to get the reactive kids more riled up and then there's extra climbing the furniture, throwing blocks,hitting, etc. but if a parent asked me what they could do, especially if they mentioned $$/influence, I would ask for supplies-'like dry erase markers, we never have enough of those, or my dream social emotional curriculum, or whatever. I would also love for parents to Fundraise for, as I said above, more 1:1 aides (trained and good aides!) for the kids that need them- we have one who desperately needs an aide but only has one half days meaning afternoons are hell. and good teachers (which sadly is not all teachers!) are always open to improving...so I would be thrilled if parents hired, say, a specialist on classroom management for very challenging children and had that person do a workshop or meet with teachers who are having trouble. Beyond that, though, I would suggest doing as much policy work as possible. Kids who are hungry, homeless, don't have supplies, etc, often act out because they are so deprived. So push for healthy free meals 3x a day. Organize a campaign to get a backpack with supplies, grocery store gift cards, etc to any family thwt needs them. Work on campaigns for politicians who both want to make education better in the ways you'd like do see AND may have the power to do so. Lobby. If you don't live in DC and therefore have actual representatives, talk to them. Support the kids in your child's class- invite them for sleepovers, make sure to learn their names and ask them how they are...
That said...I wonder a lot if our schools are even redeemable. The best thing you can do, probably, is to keep your high SES kids at your local public and encourage others to do the same: we aren't going to see great schools unless and until they are at least half highish SES. But American schools are so broken that I sometimes wonder if we ought to just burn them all and start from scratch!

Teachers don't get overtime. I used to work from 7:00 to 7:00 most days, due to having to get in early to make copies and prepare for multiple preps, after school-tutoring and helping students with work after school, and prior to DC-CAS we also did Saturday school!!! I also bought my own supplies, paid for numerous things for students, provided breakfast and snack foods, and did home-visits, none of it reimbursed to paid for!!! Depends on the school, but most Title I teachers are exhausted!!!

[Anonymous]

Yes,sorry , that should be unpaid overtime!

[Anonymous]

There are several colleges in DC with students eager to do something like tutor, and they would be available right after schools get out. Powell and other schools close to a metro would make it easy for then to get there. It's not easy to set up a training program and navigate the DCPS and college bureaucracies, but it could be a really good partnership.

[Anonymous]

After that, though, I think your best bet is more policy based. Use every resource and connection you have to push for better training for teachers. Or for a better free breakfast and lunch program, or better and more comprehensive counseling and sped services, because even the greatest teachers in the world are stymied by kids who are starving, abused, homeless. 

What can be done about that, if the school already has free breakfast and lunch? I am preparing to send my kid to our Title 1 dcps elementary and from other threads here i was worrying that any comments or effort about the quality of food served would appear frivolous and entitled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

After that, though, I think your best bet is more policy based. Use every resource and connection you have to push for better training for teachers. Or for a better free breakfast and lunch program, or better and more comprehensive counseling and sped services, because even the greatest teachers in the world are stymied by kids who are starving, abused, homeless. 

What can be done about that, if the school already has free breakfast and lunch? I am preparing to send my kid to our Title 1 dcps elementary and from other threads here i was worrying that any comments or effort about the quality of food served would appear frivolous and entitled.

Yeah. It is really tricky- food is such a fraught issue and there is so much junk science out there about food and dieting and nutrition. I guess I would look at it from more of a global level- talk to the vendors maybe? On the other hand, you also need to provide food that kids will actually eat, and I know some food programs have failed because the kids just won't eat the healthier options. I also might look at providing an after school snack/meal so that kids are getting three meals- or I might try to start a grocery store gift card program, or something. I honestly don't know a ton about how the food programs work so it's entirely possible that everything I suggest is either useless or impossible, so take it with a grain of salt! I feel much more confident about giving classroom suggestions

[Anonymous]

Our DCPS-run aftercare is free for all and includes supper. Good is definitely not the issue at my school. Everyone gets free bfast, lunch, and snacks, and aftercare kids get free supper.

[Anonymous]

A lot of these kids need life coaches to help them unlearn bad behavior and to redirect them in ways that will help them appreciate and value learning, otherwise the academics will always just be like trying to build a house on quicksand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

After that, though, I think your best bet is more policy based. Use every resource and connection you have to push for better training for teachers. Or for a better free breakfast and lunch program, or better and more comprehensive counseling and sped services, because even the greatest teachers in the world are stymied by kids who are starving, abused, homeless. 

What can be done about that, if the school already has free breakfast and lunch? I am preparing to send my kid to our Title 1 dcps elementary and from other threads here i was worrying that any comments or effort about the quality of food served would appear frivolous and entitled.

Yeah. It is really tricky- food is such a fraught issue and there is so much junk science out there about food and dieting and nutrition. I guess I would look at it from more of a global level- talk to the vendors maybe? On the other hand, you also need to provide food that kids will actually eat, and I know some food programs have failed because the kids just won't eat the healthier options. I also might look at providing an after school snack/meal so that kids are getting three meals- or I might try to start a grocery store gift card program, or something. I honestly don't know a ton about how the food programs work so it's entirely possible that everything I suggest is either useless or impossible, so take it with a grain of salt! I feel much more confident about giving classroom suggestions

Our school (also title 1) has a 3x per week fresh fruit and veggie snack. We bring in a fresh fruit salad for a snack once a week to supplement. Teachers love it - it's not an imposition. If you're worried about coming off as imposing, then just ask the teachers or administrators how you can help.