New to school- when do we hear from?

[Anonymous]

I think new parents need to know that you will have to reach out. This is public school and it's a different animal altogether than daycare/preschool. If you are seeking info, don't wait for someone to send it to you -- because you might never get it. Schools don't cater to parents, unlike daycares. For better and for worse.

[Anonymous]

Janney has had its school supply lists published on its website for a few weeks now.

I have not heard from a buddy family yet although we have been told such a program exists. Not really expecting it until some time in August.

[Anonymous]

Is there a central list somewhere regarding how much a parent is supposed to give for supplies, field trips, and whatever to a particular school? Have heard that some schools expect from $140 to $700 and more or is this for the PTA or is an assessment?

Parents should know early so they can budget their money or decide against going to a particular school. Schools that expect a check during the first month of school or want you set up a payment plan should inform parents early before they budget their money for something else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there a central list somewhere regarding how much a parent is supposed to give for supplies, field trips, and whatever to a particular school? Have heard that some schools expect from $140 to $700 and more or is this for the PTA or is an assessment?

Parents should know early so they can budget their money or decide against going to a particular school. Schools that expect a check during the first month of school or want you set up a payment plan should inform parents early before they budget their money for something else.

No public school or charter can require you to donate money. Some do ask for contributions for field trips -- and most have PTOs or PTAs or some other version of a parent organization that raises funds. Some take theri annual budget and dvide it by the number of students in the school to come up with their 'suggested donation amount.' It is a suggestion, not an assessment. You can pay or not pay as you can or wish.

The only thing a school can literally charge you for is lunch and aftercare; and if your family income is low enough, these will be free.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there a central list somewhere regarding how much a parent is supposed to give for supplies, field trips, and whatever to a particular school? Have heard that some schools expect from $140 to $700 and more or is this for the PTA or is an assessment?

Parents should know early so they can budget their money or decide against going to a particular school. Schools that expect a check during the first month of school or want you set up a payment plan should inform parents early before they budget their money for something else.

This is what I mean when I see you need to change your mindset. This is public school and it's only mid July. I know new parents are eager, but the people who do this stuff-- the parent volunteers in the PTA -- are still closing out the books from last year. Sure, it would be great if everything was ready to go months before school started, and in some schools with large enough parent volunteer corps they probably do pull this off, but its not realistic. I suggest you put your hand up to get this done next year. (Don't just suggest it- go ahead and make it happen!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there a central list somewhere regarding how much a parent is supposed to give for supplies, field trips, and whatever to a particular school? Have heard that some schools expect from $140 to $700 and more or is this for the PTA or is an assessment?

Parents should know early so they can budget their money or decide against going to a particular school. Schools that expect a check during the first month of school or want you set up a payment plan should inform parents early before they budget their money for something else.

This is what I mean when I see you need to change your mindset. This is public school and it's only mid July. I know new parents are eager, but the people who do this stuff-- the parent volunteers in the PTA -- are still closing out the books from last year. Sure, it would be great if everything was ready to go months before school started, and in some schools with large enough parent volunteer corps they probably do pull this off, but its not realistic. I suggest you put your hand up to get this done next year. (Don't just suggest it- go ahead and make it happen!)

This. All that handholding and TLC is what you are paying for when you go private. I am a PTA president and I would not consider buddy families or early release of info a priority at all. If someone else wants to take it on, fine, but I have other fish to fry and anxious parents will be just fine getting the info in late July.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there a central list somewhere regarding how much a parent is supposed to give for supplies, field trips, and whatever to a particular school? Have heard that some schools expect from $140 to $700 and more or is this for the PTA or is an assessment?

Parents should know early so they can budget their money or decide against going to a particular school. Schools that expect a check during the first month of school or want you set up a payment plan should inform parents early before they budget their money for something else.

This is what I mean when I see you need to change your mindset. This is public school and it's only mid July. I know new parents are eager, but the people who do this stuff-- the parent volunteers in the PTA -- are still closing out the books from last year. Sure, it would be great if everything was ready to go months before school started, and in some schools with large enough parent volunteer corps they probably do pull this off, but its not realistic. I suggest you put your hand up to get this done next year. (Don't just suggest it- go ahead and make it happen!)

This. All that handholding and TLC is what you are paying for when you go private. I am a PTA president and I would not consider buddy families or early release of info a priority at all. If someone else wants to take it on, fine, but I have other fish to fry and anxious parents will be just fine getting the info in late July.

Summer School still in progress at some schools, slow your roll OP or sign-up to volunteer as has already been suggested.

[Anonymous]

At our school nothing happens until August. That’s when we usually get a packet of info mailed and whoever the room parents are send out an email about a play date to take place 1-2 weeks before school starts. We don’t get our classroom assignments until meet your teacher day a few days before school starts.

[Anonymous]

I do with schools would send out teacher assignments and class supply lists before August. We are always on vacation the last two weeks of summer break (the dead zone between when camps end and school starts - it's the best option for us to take a vacation) and come back one day before school starts. Its's really hard to fit in a trip to get school supplies while adjusting back to non-vacation life schedule with one day before school.

Alas, our school tends to send out the packet last minute and so we're scrambling to get everything together the night before.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do with schools would send out teacher assignments and class supply lists before August. We are always on vacation the last two weeks of summer break (the dead zone between when camps end and school starts - it's the best option for us to take a vacation) and come back one day before school starts. Its's really hard to fit in a trip to get school supplies while adjusting back to non-vacation life schedule with one day before school.

Alas, our school tends to send out the packet last minute and so we're scrambling to get everything together the night before.

Sooooo. The school should adjust and rush it's own timelines so that your vacation is most convenient? Now I've heard everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do with schools would send out teacher assignments and class supply lists before August. We are always on vacation the last two weeks of summer break (the dead zone between when camps end and school starts - it's the best option for us to take a vacation) and come back one day before school starts. Its's really hard to fit in a trip to get school supplies while adjusting back to non-vacation life schedule with one day before school.

Alas, our school tends to send out the packet last minute and so we're scrambling to get everything together the night before.

Sooooo. The school should adjust and rush it's own timelines so that your vacation is most convenient? Now I've heard everything.

Correction: Sooooo. The school should adjust and rush it's own timelines so that your two-week vacation is most convenient? Now I've heard everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do with schools would send out teacher assignments and class supply lists before August. We are always on vacation the last two weeks of summer break (the dead zone between when camps end and school starts - it's the best option for us to take a vacation) and come back one day before school starts. Its's really hard to fit in a trip to get school supplies while adjusting back to non-vacation life schedule with one day before school.

Alas, our school tends to send out the packet last minute and so we're scrambling to get everything together the night before.

Sooooo. The school should adjust and rush it's own timelines so that your vacation is most convenient? Now I've heard everything.

Correction: Sooooo. The school should adjust and rush it's own timelines so that your two-week vacation is most convenient? Now I've heard everything.

I would hope the school has its act together well before 2 weeks to the school start.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do with schools would send out teacher assignments and class supply lists before August. We are always on vacation the last two weeks of summer break (the dead zone between when camps end and school starts - it's the best option for us to take a vacation) and come back one day before school starts. Its's really hard to fit in a trip to get school supplies while adjusting back to non-vacation life schedule with one day before school.

Alas, our school tends to send out the packet last minute and so we're scrambling to get everything together the night before.

Sooooo. The school should adjust and rush it's own timelines so that your vacation is most convenient? Now I've heard everything.

Correction: Sooooo. The school should adjust and rush it's own timelines so that your two-week vacation is most convenient? Now I've heard everything.

Huh??? A lot of families leave town the week before DCPS starts. There are few, if any, camp options that week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do with schools would send out teacher assignments and class supply lists before August. We are always on vacation the last two weeks of summer break (the dead zone between when camps end and school starts - it's the best option for us to take a vacation) and come back one day before school starts. Its's really hard to fit in a trip to get school supplies while adjusting back to non-vacation life schedule with one day before school.

Alas, our school tends to send out the packet last minute and so we're scrambling to get everything together the night before.

Sooooo. The school should adjust and rush it's own timelines so that your vacation is most convenient? Now I've heard everything.

Correction: Sooooo. The school should adjust and rush it's own timelines so that your two-week vacation is most convenient? Now I've heard everything.

You're really focused on that "two-week" vacation. Jealous?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do with schools would send out teacher assignments and class supply lists before August. We are always on vacation the last two weeks of summer break (the dead zone between when camps end and school starts - it's the best option for us to take a vacation) and come back one day before school starts. Its's really hard to fit in a trip to get school supplies while adjusting back to non-vacation life schedule with one day before school.

Alas, our school tends to send out the packet last minute and so we're scrambling to get everything together the night before.

Sooooo. The school should adjust and rush it's own timelines so that your vacation is most convenient? Now I've heard everything.

Correction: Sooooo. The school should adjust and rush it's own timelines so that your two-week vacation is most convenient? Now I've heard everything.

Huh??? A lot of families leave town the week before DCPS starts. There are few, if any, camp options that week.

Huh? I've never had trouble finding a camp for the last week.