Atlantic Article on Rolling Terrace and Outsized Role of Affluent White Parents

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is why I prefer a school where everyone is the same SES then everyone's interest are the same.

Not everyone will have the same SES.

True but the goals of a low FARM school vs a high one will be a lot more uniform. Coming into to a high FARM area and trying to better the school and non caring parents isn't an easy task and met with a lot of resistance and lack of participation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
My school in MCPS has a lot of FARMs children and I think the PTA is concerned about things that do affect all of the children regardless of income. For example nutrition in the cafeteria. It is the low income children who are more likely to be eating hot lunches and they are more in need of good nutritious food.

As for the chrome book issue at Rolling Terrace. I don't agree that Chrome books are especially good for children without computers at home. The concern of the PTA is too much screen time. I think lower income kids actually watch more television than the higher income children. The MCPS information sent home for new Kindergarten families actually recommends limiting screen time at home. And yet the kids watch movies, shows and animated lessons on the smart boards. In addition to that some of these kids have televisions in their bedrooms and stay up late watching things like (the walking dead and Law and Order SVU) both shows my DS came home from Kindergarten asking about. So I think there may be disagreement about screen time but I do not think it is fair to say that the fight about screen time is only important to high income children. There are studies showing time and time again that screen time isn't good for developing brains.

I just don't understand how the PTA is vilified for trying to help. Think about the state of the PTA without the immersion program.

It's not about "screen time" - it's about the digital divide. Can you really not see the difference between a child with no computer at home getting a chromebook, and making sure Larlo only spends 30 minutes a day on minecraft?

LOL, no they can't. And as for poor quality free food in the cafeteria, let them eat cake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
My school in MCPS has a lot of FARMs children and I think the PTA is concerned about things that do affect all of the children regardless of income. For example nutrition in the cafeteria. It is the low income children who are more likely to be eating hot lunches and they are more in need of good nutritious food.

As for the chrome book issue at Rolling Terrace. I don't agree that Chrome books are especially good for children without computers at home. The concern of the PTA is too much screen time. I think lower income kids actually watch more television than the higher income children. The MCPS information sent home for new Kindergarten families actually recommends limiting screen time at home. And yet the kids watch movies, shows and animated lessons on the smart boards. In addition to that some of these kids have televisions in their bedrooms and stay up late watching things like (the walking dead and Law and Order SVU) both shows my DS came home from Kindergarten asking about. So I think there may be disagreement about screen time but I do not think it is fair to say that the fight about screen time is only important to high income children. There are studies showing time and time again that screen time isn't good for developing brains.

I just don't understand how the PTA is vilified for trying to help. Think about the state of the PTA without the immersion program.

I think you missed the issue surrounding the chrome books. Yes, low income kids can watch a lot of tv. But, they don't have access to computers, and now a days, kids need to know how to use computers. Having a chrome book in the school gives these low income kids exposure to computers that they otherwise don't get at home. That's why the low income parents were happy to have the chrome books in school.

PP here. I am not missing that point. I am saying that the PTA believes it is representing everyone. I definitely understand the alternative argument. I would argue however that chrome books are not the solution. Real computers are which are what people need to word process and eventually in an office. The PTA seems okay with the regular computers which are in classrooms and the computer lab. What I have heard about the chrome books is that the kids often play games on them in class! The main point of the chrome books are for testing. There were and are regular computers for the kids to use. Chrome books like iPads are essentially toys.

[Anonymous]

Word Processing is available on the Chrome books through Google Classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is why I prefer a school where everyone is the same SES then everyone's interest are the same.

Not everyone will have the same SES.

True but the goals of a low FARM school vs a high one will be a lot more uniform. Coming into to a high FARM area and trying to better the school and non caring parents isn't an easy task and met with a lot of resistance and lack of participation.

Just because a parent, parents differently from you does not mean they are not caring or involved parents. There are also cultural differences. I prefer a FARM school as they have smaller class sizes and parents are generally friendly (even the non-English speaking ones at least try to say hi). We go to a low income public pool and it so warm and friendly. Maybe you are the one with an issue?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
My school in MCPS has a lot of FARMs children and I think the PTA is concerned about things that do affect all of the children regardless of income. For example nutrition in the cafeteria. It is the low income children who are more likely to be eating hot lunches and they are more in need of good nutritious food.

As for the chrome book issue at Rolling Terrace. I don't agree that Chrome books are especially good for children without computers at home. The concern of the PTA is too much screen time. I think lower income kids actually watch more television than the higher income children. The MCPS information sent home for new Kindergarten families actually recommends limiting screen time at home. And yet the kids watch movies, shows and animated lessons on the smart boards. In addition to that some of these kids have televisions in their bedrooms and stay up late watching things like (the walking dead and Law and Order SVU) both shows my DS came home from Kindergarten asking about. So I think there may be disagreement about screen time but I do not think it is fair to say that the fight about screen time is only important to high income children. There are studies showing time and time again that screen time isn't good for developing brains.

I just don't understand how the PTA is vilified for trying to help. Think about the state of the PTA without the immersion program.

I think you missed the issue surrounding the chrome books. Yes, low income kids can watch a lot of tv. But, they don't have access to computers, and now a days, kids need to know how to use computers. Having a chrome book in the school gives these low income kids exposure to computers that they otherwise don't get at home. That's why the low income parents were happy to have the chrome books in school.

PP here. I am not missing that point. I am saying that the PTA believes it is representing everyone. I definitely understand the alternative argument. I would argue however that chrome books are not the solution. Real computers are which are what people need to word process and eventually in an office. The PTA seems okay with the regular computers which are in classrooms and the computer lab. What I have heard about the chrome books is that the kids often play games on them in class! The main point of the chrome books are for testing. There were and are regular computers for the kids to use. Chrome books like iPads are essentially toys.

]]

The computer itself, just like the iPad, is not the issue. Its a parenting and teacher issue. Minecraft only gets installed on it if teachers and parents are not monitoring it. We do not allow minecraft on the iPad and only allow academic and logic games. Simple. We control the content. Minecraft is on the gaming system only.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PTAs in this area are filled with the worst kinds of human beings. The PTA, national and state, should look into how groups using their name do business. They are all about "MINE MINE MINE MINE." One of the principles of the PTA is INCLUSION, and the PTA is all about EXCLUSION in this white exclusive area. THEY SUCK.

Its not just white exclusive. They don't want the SN and and white families who are not in their click.

I totally agree. I meant, it is the white well off PTA parents who are doing the excluding. Awful people who give PTA a bad name.

You sound a bit racist. Its not just white who exclude and self-seggregate but please keep telling yourself that non-sense.

Neither group should self-segregate, but people of color typically do so to avoid having to cope with prejudice and racist policies, while whites tend to do it to preserve prejudice and racist policies.

That's a huge stereotype. Just curious, I'm assuming you are not white. How many close white friends do you have? How many have you invited into your home on a regular basis (not just 1-2 times)? How many do your kids have? At lunch, if you had a choice to go out with co-workers, what race are they?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
My school in MCPS has a lot of FARMs children and I think the PTA is concerned about things that do affect all of the children regardless of income. For example nutrition in the cafeteria. It is the low income children who are more likely to be eating hot lunches and they are more in need of good nutritious food.

As for the chrome book issue at Rolling Terrace. I don't agree that Chrome books are especially good for children without computers at home. The concern of the PTA is too much screen time. I think lower income kids actually watch more television than the higher income children. The MCPS information sent home for new Kindergarten families actually recommends limiting screen time at home. And yet the kids watch movies, shows and animated lessons on the smart boards. In addition to that some of these kids have televisions in their bedrooms and stay up late watching things like (the walking dead and Law and Order SVU) both shows my DS came home from Kindergarten asking about. So I think there may be disagreement about screen time but I do not think it is fair to say that the fight about screen time is only important to high income children. There are studies showing time and time again that screen time isn't good for developing brains.

I just don't understand how the PTA is vilified for trying to help. Think about the state of the PTA without the immersion program.

I think you missed the issue surrounding the chrome books. Yes, low income kids can watch a lot of tv. But, they don't have access to computers, and now a days, kids need to know how to use computers. Having a chrome book in the school gives these low income kids exposure to computers that they otherwise don't get at home. That's why the low income parents were happy to have the chrome books in school.

PP here. I am not missing that point. I am saying that the PTA believes it is representing everyone. I definitely understand the alternative argument. I would argue however that chrome books are not the solution. Real computers are which are what people need to word process and eventually in an office. The PTA seems okay with the regular computers which are in classrooms and the computer lab. What I have heard about the chrome books is that the kids often play games on them in class! The main point of the chrome books are for testing. There were and are regular computers for the kids to use. Chrome books like iPads are essentially toys.

? You need to pull yourself into the 21st century. Everything is done in the cloud now, including word processing. "Real computers" are becoming obsolete. I work in high tech, and everything is moving to cloud computing. The hardware is just a shell.

Kids use chromebooks for research in class. It teaches them how to type, to use the internet, a to use a computer in general. I have volunteered in my DC's 2nd grade class and have seen them use it for this purpose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PTAs in this area are filled with the worst kinds of human beings. The PTA, national and state, should look into how groups using their name do business. They are all about "MINE MINE MINE MINE." One of the principles of the PTA is INCLUSION, and the PTA is all about EXCLUSION in this white exclusive area. THEY SUCK.

Its not just white exclusive. They don't want the SN and and white families who are not in their click.

I totally agree. I meant, it is the white well off PTA parents who are doing the excluding. Awful people who give PTA a bad name.

You sound a bit racist. Its not just white who exclude and self-seggregate but please keep telling yourself that non-sense.

Neither group should self-segregate, but people of color typically do so to avoid having to cope with prejudice and racist policies, while whites tend to do it to preserve prejudice and racist policies.

That's a huge stereotype. Just curious, I'm assuming you are not white. How many close white friends do you have? How many have you invited into your home on a regular basis (not just 1-2 times)? How many do your kids have? At lunch, if you had a choice to go out with co-workers, what race are they?

+100 Thanks for finally fighting back racisim is racism doesn't matter what your color is

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PTAs in this area are filled with the worst kinds of human beings. The PTA, national and state, should look into how groups using their name do business. They are all about "MINE MINE MINE MINE." One of the principles of the PTA is INCLUSION, and the PTA is all about EXCLUSION in this white exclusive area. THEY SUCK.

Its not just white exclusive. They don't want the SN and and white families who are not in their click.

I totally agree. I meant, it is the white well off PTA parents who are doing the excluding. Awful people who give PTA a bad name.

You sound a bit racist. Its not just white who exclude and self-seggregate but please keep telling yourself that non-sense.

Neither group should self-segregate, but people of color typically do so to avoid having to cope with prejudice and racist policies, while whites tend to do it to preserve prejudice and racist policies.

That's a huge stereotype. Just curious, I'm assuming you are not white. How many close white friends do you have? How many have you invited into your home on a regular basis (not just 1-2 times)? How many do your kids have? At lunch, if you had a choice to go out with co-workers, what race are they?

+1. It's amazing to see all the random stuff people use to rationalize things that make no sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have to admit that this is right in the sweet spot of things I find fascinating - gentrification, education policy, and how language immersion programs have been co-opted by White families.

http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2016/07/how-marginalized-families-are-pushed-out-of-ptas/491036/

When schools are cash-strapped, the priorities of the members of the parent organization often become the priorities of the school as a whole. Rivera-Blanco says she sees this dynamic play out often at Rolling Terrace with the Spanish-immersion program, which is populated largely by students with means. For example, parents of kids in the program ensure that its teachers receive gift cards at the beginning of the year and during Teacher Appreciation Week to pay for supplies. “There are parents in our school that can’t put enough cents together to get a coat much less give their teacher their supply list,” Rivera-Blanco said. “That imbalance is huge. You can walk into a classroom and know which is a Spanish-immersion classroom and which one isn’t.”

Our kid is in immersion at RT and never heard of parents providing gift cards for supplies at the beginning of the year or teacher appreciation week....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have to admit that this is right in the sweet spot of things I find fascinating - gentrification, education policy, and how language immersion programs have been co-opted by White families.

http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2016/07/how-marginalized-families-are-pushed-out-of-ptas/491036/

When schools are cash-strapped, the priorities of the members of the parent organization often become the priorities of the school as a whole. Rivera-Blanco says she sees this dynamic play out often at Rolling Terrace with the Spanish-immersion program, which is populated largely by students with means. For example, parents of kids in the program ensure that its teachers receive gift cards at the beginning of the year and during Teacher Appreciation Week to pay for supplies. “There are parents in our school that can’t put enough cents together to get a coat much less give their teacher their supply list,” Rivera-Blanco said. “That imbalance is huge. You can walk into a classroom and know which is a Spanish-immersion classroom and which one isn’t.”

Our kid is in immersion at RT and never heard of parents providing gift cards for supplies at the beginning of the year or teacher appreciation week....

My child is also in the immersion program at RT and I remember seeing the call for teacher appreciation gift cards. I gave teachers gift cards directly and not through the PTA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have to admit that this is right in the sweet spot of things I find fascinating - gentrification, education policy, and how language immersion programs have been co-opted by White families.

http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2016/07/how-marginalized-families-are-pushed-out-of-ptas/491036/

When schools are cash-strapped, the priorities of the members of the parent organization often become the priorities of the school as a whole. Rivera-Blanco says she sees this dynamic play out often at Rolling Terrace with the Spanish-immersion program, which is populated largely by students with means. For example, parents of kids in the program ensure that its teachers receive gift cards at the beginning of the year and during Teacher Appreciation Week to pay for supplies. “There are parents in our school that can’t put enough cents together to get a coat much less give their teacher their supply list,” Rivera-Blanco said. “That imbalance is huge. You can walk into a classroom and know which is a Spanish-immersion classroom and which one isn’t.”

Our kid is in immersion at RT and never heard of parents providing gift cards for supplies at the beginning of the year or teacher appreciation week....

My child is also in the immersion program at RT and I remember seeing the call for teacher appreciation gift cards. I gave teachers gift cards directly and not through the PTA.

That's completely different. Sure, typically parents chip in mainly to give a teacher an end of the year gift. But in none of our classes over the years has there been a push to give a gift card during teacher appreciation week and certainly not to buy supplies during that time or the beginning of the year. When a gift card has been given either by us individually or as a class its been for the teacher own personal use.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have to admit that this is right in the sweet spot of things I find fascinating - gentrification, education policy, and how language immersion programs have been co-opted by White families.

http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2016/07/how-marginalized-families-are-pushed-out-of-ptas/491036/

When schools are cash-strapped, the priorities of the members of the parent organization often become the priorities of the school as a whole. Rivera-Blanco says she sees this dynamic play out often at Rolling Terrace with the Spanish-immersion program, which is populated largely by students with means. For example, parents of kids in the program ensure that its teachers receive gift cards at the beginning of the year and during Teacher Appreciation Week to pay for supplies. “There are parents in our school that can’t put enough cents together to get a coat much less give their teacher their supply list,” Rivera-Blanco said. “That imbalance is huge. You can walk into a classroom and know which is a Spanish-immersion classroom and which one isn’t.”

Our kid is in immersion at RT and never heard of parents providing gift cards for supplies at the beginning of the year or teacher appreciation week....

My child is also in the immersion program at RT and I remember seeing the call for teacher appreciation gift cards. I gave teachers gift cards directly and not through the PTA.

PP again, also the gift cards were for all of the teachers, not just the Spanish Immersion teachers. The article misrepresents the PTA in that aspect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
My school in MCPS has a lot of FARMs children and I think the PTA is concerned about things that do affect all of the children regardless of income. For example nutrition in the cafeteria. It is the low income children who are more likely to be eating hot lunches and they are more in need of good nutritious food.

As for the chrome book issue at Rolling Terrace. I don't agree that Chrome books are especially good for children without computers at home. The concern of the PTA is too much screen time. I think lower income kids actually watch more television than the higher income children. The MCPS information sent home for new Kindergarten families actually recommends limiting screen time at home. And yet the kids watch movies, shows and animated lessons on the smart boards. In addition to that some of these kids have televisions in their bedrooms and stay up late watching things like (the walking dead and Law and Order SVU) both shows my DS came home from Kindergarten asking about. So I think there may be disagreement about screen time but I do not think it is fair to say that the fight about screen time is only important to high income children. There are studies showing time and time again that screen time isn't good for developing brains.

I just don't understand how the PTA is vilified for trying to help. Think about the state of the PTA without the immersion program.

I think you missed the issue surrounding the chrome books. Yes, low income kids can watch a lot of tv. But, they don't have access to computers, and now a days, kids need to know how to use computers. Having a chrome book in the school gives these low income kids exposure to computers that they otherwise don't get at home. That's why the low income parents were happy to have the chrome books in school.

PP here. I am not missing that point. I am saying that the PTA believes it is representing everyone. I definitely understand the alternative argument. I would argue however that chrome books are not the solution. Real computers are which are what people need to word process and eventually in an office. The PTA seems okay with the regular computers which are in classrooms and the computer lab. What I have heard about the chrome books is that the kids often play games on them in class! The main point of the chrome books are for testing. There were and are regular computers for the kids to use. Chrome books like iPads are essentially toys.

? You need to pull yourself into the 21st century. Everything is done in the cloud now, including word processing. "Real computers" are becoming obsolete. I work in high tech, and everything is moving to cloud computing. The hardware is just a shell.

Kids use chromebooks for research in class. It teaches them how to type, to use the internet, a to use a computer in general. I have volunteered in my DC's 2nd grade class and have seen them use it for this purpose.

My husband is IT and that's not true. For professional use, many things are in cloud, but not for home use yet. We have cloud for storage only.