Large Kindergarten Class

[Anonymous]

My child started kindergarten at MCPS last week. The first impression is the large classrooms... All kindergarten classes in our school have 28 children, one teacher, and no dedicated teacher's aid. The school does not let parents volunteer in the school until October. My questions are: can parents start volunteering before October? Can parents raise funds to hire a teacher's aid? Can parents lobby to get funding for our school? Also, how are any of these moves looked upon by the school administration?

[Anonymous]

Sorry, I meant to say "The first impression is the large class size..."

[Anonymous]

In MCPS parents cannot contribute or raise funds to go towards hiring school staff. That would create too many instances of the haves and the have nots. I'm not sure about rules regarding parent volunteers but I would imagine the principal gets to make those decisions so if you feel strongly about volunteering before October, I would start with speaking to the principal. You cannot lobby to get funding for your school because funding is based on enrollment and class sizes at every MCPS school are up because of the budget. Your best bet is to lobby for county council candidates who will support funding of MCPS. Right now the council is very anti-MCPS and they seem to believe the district can function on way less money than they have.

[Anonymous]

Email Jay Matthews of the Wash. Post. -- I think they are going to do an article on large classes. My friend's child is in a kinderg. class with 34 kids and no assistant.

In Fairfax, 28 is not uncommon. It is the max for kindergarten. But, we have a full time assistant in each kindergarten classroom.

[Anonymous]

Look up MOE (maintenance of effort). MCPS lost money b/c the council wasn't cooperative.

NOW parents are up in arms, I'm sure. But when educators and the BOE were fighting for more money to fund programs and to keep class sizes small, residents didn't want to pay more.

At this point, sadly, you get what you pay for. And if it takes unreasonably large class sizes to make people squirm so be it, as it's time people made education a priority.

So I hope no one is expecting miracles.

[Anonymous]

How many more minutes till a member of the "Parents Coalition" chimes in with their anti-MCPS BS? Apple Ballot this, no fees that. Janis's BIG MOUTH and Donald Trump sized ego won't stay quite for very long...

[Anonymous]

In our school, the staff does not want parent volunteers until October because they are still getting the class adjusted. I think this "independence" time is key for the younger grades.

Make sure you volunteer - and make sure you volunteer throughout the year!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In our school, the staff does not want parent volunteers until October because they are still getting the class adjusted. I think this "independence" time is key for the younger grades.

Make sure you volunteer - and make sure you volunteer throughout the year!

I feel your pain. I have the same issues with the class. I just feel like a lab rat being engineered to follow the plan. Ick!

[Anonymous]

Do they not want volunteers or do they not want classroom volunteers? If you have the time and want to get to know the school, consider volunteering at the school library or in the art room. Resources have been cut quite a bit and many of the "specials" teachers could really use some support. It gives you a way to get to know the school community and contribute. It's not the same as being in the room with your dc, but it is incredibly valuable to the school.

[Anonymous]

K teacher here --

I ask the same, that parents not come in until at least 6 weeks in. (Usually after Columbus Day) This is my rule, and many others for many reasons. Here is part of my letter home --

"For the first 6 weeks I try and foster an “I CAN DO IT!” attitude in the classroom. Your child will be learning how to accomplish things on their own and with help from peers. This is a great chance to boost their confidence and discover individual talents. This also aids in the transition to school and growing accustomed to the school year routine.

After we have our schedule down pat about mid-October, you are welcome to visit our classroom at any time. I can always use an extra pair of hands and another smiling face when I am working with the children. I am in need of helpers who can come on a regular schedule, whether weekly, biweekly, or monthly, as well as helpers who would just like to drop by when they can. I also need helpers who are willing to do simple things for me at home. Please let me know if you would like to help us!"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do they not want volunteers or do they not want classroom volunteers? If you have the time and want to get to know the school, consider volunteering at the school library or in the art room. Resources have been cut quite a bit and many of the "specials" teachers could really use some support. It gives you a way to get to know the school community and contribute. It's not the same as being in the room with your dc, but it is incredibly valuable to the school.

Boy, this is the truth. On the last day of school in June, I was helping in my child's classroom. The teacher asked me to go to the art room (around a few doors away) to get 2 kids who were finishing extra art projects to go on display. When I went to the art room, the art teacher thought I was one of the children's parents. I said, "No, I'm Bobby's mom and am helping in Mrs. X's classroom today. Bobby loved your class this year." The art teacher then replied, "I'd love for you to help me next year." I had never even thought of helping in art, but will definitely be inquiring about it.

[Anonymous]

But ... but ... but ...

MCPS is A#1! The best of the best! Right?

Right?

[Anonymous]

DD's K class has 26 kids, no aides. We can start volunteering in October. In the meantime I am helping out as at recess/lunch when I can (sooo desperately needed--there are 2 or 3 paid aides and 200+ kids on the playground, a formula for disaster in my mind). Instead of worrying/complaining/commiserating, call the school and see what you can do. There are so many opportunities to help. It can be a one-off or a regular gig. Even if it isn't directly helping in your child's classroom, it is helping make the school a better place.

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much for your posts! It's encouraging to hear other parents are concerned as well. I would love to volunteer, but in our school they are asking us not to come at all for the first 2 weeks of school. I am hoping they will let me volunteer during lunch/recess next week and in the classroom in October.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In MCPS parents cannot contribute or raise funds to go towards hiring school staff. That would create too many instances of the haves and the have nots. I'm not sure about rules regarding parent volunteers but I would imagine the principal gets to make those decisions so if you feel strongly about volunteering before October, I would start with speaking to the principal. You cannot lobby to get funding for your school because funding is based on enrollment and class sizes at every MCPS school are up because of the budget. Your best bet is to lobby for county council candidates who will support funding of MCPS. Right now the council is very anti-MCPS and they seem to believe the district can function on way less money than they have.

Regarding the "haves and have nots" -- it seems that not allowing this results in all children in the county being "have nots." How is this positive??