APS Closing Nottingham

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These PTA groups do not speak for people. It's so annoying to me. It's half a dozen self-interested types who then make it seem as if they represent a collective view. It's BS. I've been at two N Arl elementary schools and it's the same thing.

PTAs should stick to what they are for...supporting teachers and finding ways to do more for our kids. Stay out of advocacy and lobbying the school board. We are all perfectly capable of speaking up for ourselves individually and it also annoys me that the School Board and APS actually treat these PTAs with outsized importance. Why do they get a bigger seat at the table than any of the rest of us?

You know your school’s PTA membership elects the PTA board right?

[Anonymous]

CCPTA does not represent the collective views of Arlington PTAs. And if this leadership is all N Arlington then shame on them. It was an embarrassing statement about how we need to keep the poor southies close to all the services they need. Like domestic violence counselors and immigration lawyers. Ick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These PTA groups do not speak for people. It's so annoying to me. It's half a dozen self-interested types who then make it seem as if they represent a collective view. It's BS. I've been at two N Arl elementary schools and it's the same thing.

PTAs should stick to what they are for...supporting teachers and finding ways to do more for our kids. Stay out of advocacy and lobbying the school board. We are all perfectly capable of speaking up for ourselves individually and it also annoys me that the School Board and APS actually treat these PTAs with outsized importance. Why do they get a bigger seat at the table than any of the rest of us?

You know your school’s PTA membership elects the PTA board right?

You have to show up to the meeting where they elect them. How many people bother to do that? Not many. That's at least how it worked at both the schools I've been at. I have never once voted for a member of a PTA board and I'm going on my 8th school of having kids in an elementary school. I am grateful for what they do for the school but think they should stay in their lane and not represent their views as the whole community's views.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These PTA groups do not speak for people. It's so annoying to me. It's half a dozen self-interested types who then make it seem as if they represent a collective view. It's BS. I've been at two N Arl elementary schools and it's the same thing.

PTAs should stick to what they are for...supporting teachers and finding ways to do more for our kids. Stay out of advocacy and lobbying the school board. We are all perfectly capable of speaking up for ourselves individually and it also annoys me that the School Board and APS actually treat these PTAs with outsized importance. Why do they get a bigger seat at the table than any of the rest of us?

You know your school’s PTA membership elects the PTA board right?

You know that the more engaged communities and more representative PTAs are from wealthier schools, right?
You know what a struggle it is to get anyone to a PTA meeting, let alone volunteer to be an officer is, especially at our Title 1 schools, right?
So then, you know that any PTA board at schools with a bare-bones, low membership PTA is representing the entire school based on the voices of a handful of people, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These PTA groups do not speak for people. It's so annoying to me. It's half a dozen self-interested types who then make it seem as if they represent a collective view. It's BS. I've been at two N Arl elementary schools and it's the same thing.

PTAs should stick to what they are for...supporting teachers and finding ways to do more for our kids. Stay out of advocacy and lobbying the school board. We are all perfectly capable of speaking up for ourselves individually and it also annoys me that the School Board and APS actually treat these PTAs with outsized importance. Why do they get a bigger seat at the table than any of the rest of us?

You know your school’s PTA membership elects the PTA board right?

You have to show up to the meeting where they elect them. How many people bother to do that? Not many. That's at least how it worked at both the schools I've been at. I have never once voted for a member of a PTA board and I'm going on my 8th school of having kids in an elementary school. I am grateful for what they do for the school but think they should stay in their lane and not represent their views as the whole community's views.

If you don't engage and others don't engage, they don't have a choice. You would prefer they don't provide any input to CCPTA and therefore leave your school with absolutely no voice on the countywide policies? Because CCPTA is going to engage - that's part of their mission! If you don't like that, take it up with the National PTA that governs PTAs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These PTA groups do not speak for people. It's so annoying to me. It's half a dozen self-interested types who then make it seem as if they represent a collective view. It's BS. I've been at two N Arl elementary schools and it's the same thing.

PTAs should stick to what they are for...supporting teachers and finding ways to do more for our kids. Stay out of advocacy and lobbying the school board. We are all perfectly capable of speaking up for ourselves individually and it also annoys me that the School Board and APS actually treat these PTAs with outsized importance. Why do they get a bigger seat at the table than any of the rest of us?

You know your school’s PTA membership elects the PTA board right?

You have to show up to the meeting where they elect them. How many people bother to do that? Not many. That's at least how it worked at both the schools I've been at. I have never once voted for a member of a PTA board and I'm going on my 8th school of having kids in an elementary school. I am grateful for what they do for the school but think they should stay in their lane and not represent their views as the whole community's views.

If you don't engage and others don't engage, they don't have a choice. You would prefer they don't provide any input to CCPTA and therefore leave your school with absolutely no voice on the countywide policies? Because CCPTA is going to engage - that's part of their mission! If you don't like that, take it up with the National PTA that governs PTAs.

I don't agree with your interpretation of the PTA national mission.

PTA's mission is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. From their website.

I would prefer they encourage parents to advocate for themselves and give them the tools and resources and knowledge on how to do it. As the mission states, empower families to engage with APS. I would prefer they acknowledge people in their community will have different needs and points of view. I've been through this stuff with the PTA people. They represent one point of view. The one they hold.

And no I sure as hell don't think some mega PTA should try to say they represent the entire Arlington parent community's point of view with some asinine statement. No thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These PTA groups do not speak for people. It's so annoying to me. It's half a dozen self-interested types who then make it seem as if they represent a collective view. It's BS. I've been at two N Arl elementary schools and it's the same thing.

PTAs should stick to what they are for...supporting teachers and finding ways to do more for our kids. Stay out of advocacy and lobbying the school board. We are all perfectly capable of speaking up for ourselves individually and it also annoys me that the School Board and APS actually treat these PTAs with outsized importance. Why do they get a bigger seat at the table than any of the rest of us?

You know your school’s PTA membership elects the PTA board right?

You have to show up to the meeting where they elect them. How many people bother to do that? Not many. That's at least how it worked at both the schools I've been at. I have never once voted for a member of a PTA board and I'm going on my 8th school of having kids in an elementary school. I am grateful for what they do for the school but think they should stay in their lane and not represent their views as the whole community's views.

If you don’t go to meetings and don’t vote for them, then you can’t complain they aren’t listening to your views.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These PTA groups do not speak for people. It's so annoying to me. It's half a dozen self-interested types who then make it seem as if they represent a collective view. It's BS. I've been at two N Arl elementary schools and it's the same thing.

PTAs should stick to what they are for...supporting teachers and finding ways to do more for our kids. Stay out of advocacy and lobbying the school board. We are all perfectly capable of speaking up for ourselves individually and it also annoys me that the School Board and APS actually treat these PTAs with outsized importance. Why do they get a bigger seat at the table than any of the rest of us?

You know your school’s PTA membership elects the PTA board right?

You know that the more engaged communities and more representative PTAs are from wealthier schools, right?
You know what a struggle it is to get anyone to a PTA meeting, let alone volunteer to be an officer is, especially at our Title 1 schools, right?
So then, you know that any PTA board at schools with a bare-bones, low membership PTA is representing the entire school based on the voices of a handful of people, right?

Even the wealthier schools, the PTA leadership is representing a small slice and not everyone in their community feels one way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These PTA groups do not speak for people. It's so annoying to me. It's half a dozen self-interested types who then make it seem as if they represent a collective view. It's BS. I've been at two N Arl elementary schools and it's the same thing.

PTAs should stick to what they are for...supporting teachers and finding ways to do more for our kids. Stay out of advocacy and lobbying the school board. We are all perfectly capable of speaking up for ourselves individually and it also annoys me that the School Board and APS actually treat these PTAs with outsized importance. Why do they get a bigger seat at the table than any of the rest of us?

You know your school’s PTA membership elects the PTA board right?

You have to show up to the meeting where they elect them. How many people bother to do that? Not many. That's at least how it worked at both the schools I've been at. I have never once voted for a member of a PTA board and I'm going on my 8th school of having kids in an elementary school. I am grateful for what they do for the school but think they should stay in their lane and not represent their views as the whole community's views.

If you don’t go to meetings and don’t vote for them, then you can’t complain they aren’t listening to your views.

Is anyone reading what I'm writing? I am not complaining that they don't listen to my views. I'm saying they should stay out of this stuff and allow individuals to speak up and encourage people to do so. I am saying they should not claim to represent everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These PTA groups do not speak for people. It's so annoying to me. It's half a dozen self-interested types who then make it seem as if they represent a collective view. It's BS. I've been at two N Arl elementary schools and it's the same thing.

PTAs should stick to what they are for...supporting teachers and finding ways to do more for our kids. Stay out of advocacy and lobbying the school board. We are all perfectly capable of speaking up for ourselves individually and it also annoys me that the School Board and APS actually treat these PTAs with outsized importance. Why do they get a bigger seat at the table than any of the rest of us?

You know your school’s PTA membership elects the PTA board right?

You have to show up to the meeting where they elect them. How many people bother to do that? Not many. That's at least how it worked at both the schools I've been at. I have never once voted for a member of a PTA board and I'm going on my 8th school of having kids in an elementary school. I am grateful for what they do for the school but think they should stay in their lane and not represent their views as the whole community's views.

If you don’t go to meetings and don’t vote for them, then you can’t complain they aren’t listening to your views.

Is anyone reading what I'm writing? I am not complaining that they don't listen to my views. I'm saying they should stay out of this stuff and allow individuals to speak up and encourage people to do so. I am saying they should not claim to represent everyone.

How would they know what you want them to do if you don’t tell them? You can’t complain (although you are) about this if you don’t participate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These PTA groups do not speak for people. It's so annoying to me. It's half a dozen self-interested types who then make it seem as if they represent a collective view. It's BS. I've been at two N Arl elementary schools and it's the same thing.

PTAs should stick to what they are for...supporting teachers and finding ways to do more for our kids. Stay out of advocacy and lobbying the school board. We are all perfectly capable of speaking up for ourselves individually and it also annoys me that the School Board and APS actually treat these PTAs with outsized importance. Why do they get a bigger seat at the table than any of the rest of us?

You know your school’s PTA membership elects the PTA board right?

You know that the more engaged communities and more representative PTAs are from wealthier schools, right?
You know what a struggle it is to get anyone to a PTA meeting, let alone volunteer to be an officer is, especially at our Title 1 schools, right?
So then, you know that any PTA board at schools with a bare-bones, low membership PTA is representing the entire school based on the voices of a handful of people, right?

Even the wealthier schools, the PTA leadership is representing a small slice and not everyone in their community feels one way.

Agreed. Which should tell the PPP how LITTLE participation and representation there is at the schools with less-resourced and even smaller PTA memberships.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These PTA groups do not speak for people. It's so annoying to me. It's half a dozen self-interested types who then make it seem as if they represent a collective view. It's BS. I've been at two N Arl elementary schools and it's the same thing.

PTAs should stick to what they are for...supporting teachers and finding ways to do more for our kids. Stay out of advocacy and lobbying the school board. We are all perfectly capable of speaking up for ourselves individually and it also annoys me that the School Board and APS actually treat these PTAs with outsized importance. Why do they get a bigger seat at the table than any of the rest of us?

You know your school’s PTA membership elects the PTA board right?

You have to show up to the meeting where they elect them. How many people bother to do that? Not many. That's at least how it worked at both the schools I've been at. I have never once voted for a member of a PTA board and I'm going on my 8th school of having kids in an elementary school. I am grateful for what they do for the school but think they should stay in their lane and not represent their views as the whole community's views.

If you don't engage and others don't engage, they don't have a choice. You would prefer they don't provide any input to CCPTA and therefore leave your school with absolutely no voice on the countywide policies? Because CCPTA is going to engage - that's part of their mission! If you don't like that, take it up with the National PTA that governs PTAs.

I don't agree with your interpretation of the PTA national mission.

PTA's mission is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. From their website.

I would prefer they encourage parents to advocate for themselves and give them the tools and resources and knowledge on how to do it. As the mission states, empower families to engage with APS. I would prefer they acknowledge people in their community will have different needs and points of view. I've been through this stuff with the PTA people. They represent one point of view. The one they hold.

And no I sure as hell don't think some mega PTA should try to say they represent the entire Arlington parent community's point of view with some asinine statement. No thanks.

OK, but advocacy is still part of the PTA's mission. And not every parent has the time to do advocacy. PTA's should facilitate that by engaging parents at the school level. But do you seriously expect all parents to advocate at the district level??!! Let alone State or Federal? Of course not everyone has the same view on everything. Do you take issue with our "representative" government as well? Only a small fraction of our citizens who are eligible to vote exercise their right to do so. And then there are the millions of people who are not eligible to vote.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These PTA groups do not speak for people. It's so annoying to me. It's half a dozen self-interested types who then make it seem as if they represent a collective view. It's BS. I've been at two N Arl elementary schools and it's the same thing.

PTAs should stick to what they are for...supporting teachers and finding ways to do more for our kids. Stay out of advocacy and lobbying the school board. We are all perfectly capable of speaking up for ourselves individually and it also annoys me that the School Board and APS actually treat these PTAs with outsized importance. Why do they get a bigger seat at the table than any of the rest of us?

You know your school’s PTA membership elects the PTA board right?

You have to show up to the meeting where they elect them. How many people bother to do that? Not many. That's at least how it worked at both the schools I've been at. I have never once voted for a member of a PTA board and I'm going on my 8th school of having kids in an elementary school. I am grateful for what they do for the school but think they should stay in their lane and not represent their views as the whole community's views.

If you don’t go to meetings and don’t vote for them, then you can’t complain they aren’t listening to your views.

Is anyone reading what I'm writing? I am not complaining that they don't listen to my views. I'm saying they should stay out of this stuff and allow individuals to speak up and encourage people to do so. I am saying they should not claim to represent everyone.

I'm reading you just fine. I just disagree that PTAs should stay out of this stuff. I've always felt that any vote taken on an issue should cite the actual vote counts (yays and nays). That shows just how strongly-held a position is. And my experience has been that they DO try to encourage parents to engage. But, IF THEY DON'T SHOW UP, they aren't getting the message - they don't know if, when, why, or for what it is appropriate to advocate, or how.

Are you the one who said this is your 8th year and never voted on a board member? Have you ever considered showing up to meetings and taking on the effort to get parents to engage and advocate on their own behalf? Give it an earnest try before you criticize a small group of other parents for showing up and advocating on behalf of their school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:CCPTA does not represent the collective views of Arlington PTAs. And if this leadership is all N Arlington then shame on them. It was an embarrassing statement about how we need to keep the poor southies close to all the services they need. Like domestic violence counselors and immigration lawyers. Ick.

+1 Agreed. The argument that we need to keep "our most disadvantaged communities" close to social services they need is grossly offensive. It seems to be suggesting that parents in certain communities could not possibly figure out the logistics involved in a student riding a bus for 20 minutes to school.

[Anonymous]

Eh. The school board already know the trade offs involved, especially Bethany (who basically started and ran the Randolph pantry for many years). The people from CCPTA are just embarrassing themselves. When APS wants to engage directly with low-income communities they do—by getting interpreters and having meetings at the apartment buildings along the Pike.