Rant!

[Anonymous]

I'm a DCPS parent, and I just got a package from school which states 'As a parent of a child attending ---- school, you are required to volunteer for the school a minimum of 20 hours a year'


I don't recall ever seeing anything worded like that before...
Was that language hidden somewhere in my tax bill for 2007?
SMH




disclaimer: I give at LEAST that much time, but the wording of this ticks me off!!!!!

[Anonymous]

is it a charter school? sometimes that is in the mission... otherwise for a regular public school they cannot really make something like this a requirement.

[Anonymous]

Never heard that before. Maybe Rhee is starting to order parents around now, too!

[Anonymous]

what school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:what school?

oyster/adams

[Anonymous]

Well, it does have a great reputation. I wonder if this requirement has anything to do with the school's success? Can't see how this can be enforced, but the good schools in DC seem to be the one's that have involved parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:'As a parent of a child attending ---- school, you are required to volunteer for the school a minimum of 20 hours a year

(Sarcasm alert...)

Or what??? You're 7th grader's attendance bonus will be revoked?

So what if, for example, you're a parent who already volunteers half your time at your in-boundary school and half at another struggling school that is very close to your house. Would that be double counting? Gasp! What kind of life lesson does that teach to volunteer in more than one place?

Now is that 20 hours per parent or could DH and I split? Does attending an auction count? (Just kidding)

Maybe it's just a typo.

[Anonymous]

Hey, I'm an Oyster parent. True, the language is heavy-handed, but I'm even more miffed that I didn't even get this packet! I thought that:

(a) The change of leadership meant that parents and their concerns would be treated more respectfully.

(b) We were all going to start receiving correspondence on time!!!!

[Anonymous]

Hey PP, let us know how the change in leadership goes. Will be interesting to find out if it is an overall improvement, a negative, or a wash.

[Anonymous]

16:32 here. It occurs to me that OP's kid(s) might be at Adams, which could account for the different communications. As to PPs question, Oyster's school year started with a little more organization, friendliness and fairness. So far, it's promising.

[Anonymous]

What happens if you don't fulfill the volunteer mandate? Does your kid get tossed out of school? A lecture from the principal? Dirty looks at the PTA meeting? Goons show up at your door?

[Anonymous]

I'll take that one! DH did a little volunteering, probably 5 hours, but not 20. No goons yet. It's a good idea, but could have been phrased in a way that inspired cooperation.

[Anonymous]

The wording sounds heavy-handed for sure, but that's not really your question OP.

My guess as to how and/or why they've got the stones to make this demand is that Oyster is considered a magnet school (even if you are fortunate enough to be in-bounds for it). Choice schools (such as charter schools and magnet schools) get to place more demands on their students and families than default schools. The logic is that you when you chose to enroll your child in this school you agreed to their contract. Now, the extent to which they can enforce it if you are in-bounds is another matter.

Bottom line, you should definitely mention it to the principal - there's a lot they could do to soften the language and inspire cooperation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Never heard that before. Maybe Rhee is starting to order parents around now, too!

Can't let this pass by-- what do you mean?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Never heard that before. Maybe Rhee is starting to order parents around now, too!

Are you suggesting that OP's letter came from Rhee? Because if that were the case, then one would expect it to have gone to every family in DCPS. I'm thinking it came from the Oyster principal and this should be laid at the principal's doorstep.