South Arlington & PTAs

[Anonymous]

We are at a S. Arlington school (although it is a choice school). We have a well run PTA IMO. Our school offers a lot of enrichment classes (maybe 8 different options a day?). They are a mix of parent volunteers and private companies.

We have a lot of SAH moms in our PTA (or moms that work very part time). In fact, I feel like I am the odd one being a full time working mom. Also, I admit that I don't go to meetings, but I do volunteer and go to the events so I am not quite sure of the entire makeup of the PTA. We do hold PTA meetings in Spanish (I think every other meeting) so I think out PTA is at least somewhat diverse. I see this reflected in the volunteers at events.

It is odd to assume that SA doesn't have a lot of SAHPs.

[Anonymous]

PP here - I want to add that we do offer financial assistance for out PTA. I am not sure of the amount offered or the parameters though.

[Anonymous]

My kiddos aren't school age yet. What can we do to help our neighborhood schools?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:My kids went to a Title I south Arlington elementary school. My theory was that, given the limited time my husband and I had to volunteer, we'd rather spend it doing things other than fundraising. We donated $500 a year to the PTA and spent our time doing actual activities (chaperoning field trips, working the book fair, doing set-up or clean-up for school events) that they needed help for instead of lots of time on fundraisers that are time-intensive relative to what they raise. We also responded whenever possible to teacher requests for art or science materials, sent in coats and clothes to the school social worker to distribute, donated extra school supplies, etc.

Related question. I read posts about how NA schools have enrichment and clubs and after school activities, whereas SA elementaries generally have social assistance programs and test prep, and pretty much nothing else. Is that actually true or just an exaggeration? Are those enrichment activities paid for and organized by the PTA/parents or is it based on how individual school decide to spend an allotment from the district?

The north Arlington elementary schools that I am familiar with offer enrichment classes that are sourced by enrichment coordinator volunteers, but the parents of kids taking the classes pay for them. The vendors offering the classes are independent of the schools. Volunteers oversee some things like chess and journalism clubs. In middle school there is some of this as well, but kids are also encouraged to come up with their own clubs and find a teacher who will agree to chaperone after school.

Thanks. Can you say more about enrichment coordinator volunteers? Who they are, what they do?

At the beginning of the school year, or end of the previous one, the pta sends out emails requesting volunteers for various positions, including enrichment coordinator. I don’t know everything that is involved with position, but they find vendors, match them with a space in the school, advertise the offerings to parents and organize the sign up and payment process.

This is exactly how it works at our SA elementary. The problem is that they might arrange 7-8 possible enrichment courses each semester, but only half of them get filled. I assume some of the lower-income families either can't afford the cost outright, or can't make the transportation arrangements, since there is no late bus service. This is one downside of our otherwise excellent school.

How much are these activities?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids went to a Title I south Arlington elementary school. My theory was that, given the limited time my husband and I had to volunteer, we'd rather spend it doing things other than fundraising. We donated $500 a year to the PTA and spent our time doing actual activities (chaperoning field trips, working the book fair, doing set-up or clean-up for school events) that they needed help for instead of lots of time on fundraisers that are time-intensive relative to what they raise. We also responded whenever possible to teacher requests for art or science materials, sent in coats and clothes to the school social worker to distribute, donated extra school supplies, etc.

Related question. I read posts about how NA schools have enrichment and clubs and after school activities, whereas SA elementaries generally have social assistance programs and test prep, and pretty much nothing else. Is that actually true or just an exaggeration? Are those enrichment activities paid for and organized by the PTA/parents or is it based on how individual school decide to spend an allotment from the district?

The north Arlington elementary schools that I am familiar with offer enrichment classes that are sourced by enrichment coordinator volunteers, but the parents of kids taking the classes pay for them. The vendors offering the classes are independent of the schools. Volunteers oversee some things like chess and journalism clubs. In middle school there is some of this as well, but kids are also encouraged to come up with their own clubs and find a teacher who will agree to chaperone after school.

Thanks. Can you say more about enrichment coordinator volunteers? Who they are, what they do?

At the beginning of the school year, or end of the previous one, the pta sends out emails requesting volunteers for various positions, including enrichment coordinator. I don’t know everything that is involved with position, but they find vendors, match them with a space in the school, advertise the offerings to parents and organize the sign up and payment process.

This is exactly how it works at our SA elementary. The problem is that they might arrange 7-8 possible enrichment courses each semester, but only half of them get filled. I assume some of the lower-income families either can't afford the cost outright, or can't make the transportation arrangements, since there is no late bus service. This is one downside of our otherwise excellent school.

How much are these activities?

Not that poster, but at our SA school enrichment programs range from $80 (Chess ) to almost $300 (magic)

[Anonymous]

We are in FCPS, not Arlington, but our after school club vendors typically offer one scholarship per session. Our PTA does not cover any individual fees.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are at a S. Arlington school (although it is a choice school). We have a well run PTA IMO. Our school offers a lot of enrichment classes (maybe 8 different options a day?). They are a mix of parent volunteers and private companies.

We have a lot of SAH moms in our PTA (or moms that work very part time). In fact, I feel like I am the odd one being a full time working mom. Also, I admit that I don't go to meetings, but I do volunteer and go to the events so I am not quite sure of the entire makeup of the PTA. We do hold PTA meetings in Spanish (I think every other meeting) so I think out PTA is at least somewhat diverse. I see this reflected in the volunteers at events.

It is odd to assume that SA doesn't have a lot of SAHPs.

Not an assumption, an observation from personal experience. I would guess PTAs are a magnet for SAHM so perhaps it's not surprising that you think they are common, especially at a choice school, which is also tends to attract "joiners" and self-starters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids went to a Title I south Arlington elementary school. My theory was that, given the limited time my husband and I had to volunteer, we'd rather spend it doing things other than fundraising. We donated $500 a year to the PTA and spent our time doing actual activities (chaperoning field trips, working the book fair, doing set-up or clean-up for school events) that they needed help for instead of lots of time on fundraisers that are time-intensive relative to what they raise. We also responded whenever possible to teacher requests for art or science materials, sent in coats and clothes to the school social worker to distribute, donated extra school supplies, etc.

Related question. I read posts about how NA schools have enrichment and clubs and after school activities, whereas SA elementaries generally have social assistance programs and test prep, and pretty much nothing else. Is that actually true or just an exaggeration? Are those enrichment activities paid for and organized by the PTA/parents or is it based on how individual school decide to spend an allotment from the district?

The north Arlington elementary schools that I am familiar with offer enrichment classes that are sourced by enrichment coordinator volunteers, but the parents of kids taking the classes pay for them. The vendors offering the classes are independent of the schools. Volunteers oversee some things like chess and journalism clubs. In middle school there is some of this as well, but kids are also encouraged to come up with their own clubs and find a teacher who will agree to chaperone after school.

Thanks. Can you say more about enrichment coordinator volunteers? Who they are, what they do?

At the beginning of the school year, or end of the previous one, the pta sends out emails requesting volunteers for various positions, including enrichment coordinator. I don’t know everything that is involved with position, but they find vendors, match them with a space in the school, advertise the offerings to parents and organize the sign up and payment process.

This is exactly how it works at our SA elementary. The problem is that they might arrange 7-8 possible enrichment courses each semester, but only half of them get filled. I assume some of the lower-income families either can't afford the cost outright, or can't make the transportation arrangements, since there is no late bus service. This is one downside of our otherwise excellent school.

So if they don't get filled, the class doesn't happen? Mind saying which school? Would like to help.

How much are these activities?

Not that poster, but at our SA school enrichment programs range from $80 (Chess ) to almost $300 (magic)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids went to a Title I south Arlington elementary school. My theory was that, given the limited time my husband and I had to volunteer, we'd rather spend it doing things other than fundraising. We donated $500 a year to the PTA and spent our time doing actual activities (chaperoning field trips, working the book fair, doing set-up or clean-up for school events) that they needed help for instead of lots of time on fundraisers that are time-intensive relative to what they raise. We also responded whenever possible to teacher requests for art or science materials, sent in coats and clothes to the school social worker to distribute, donated extra school supplies, etc.

Related question. I read posts about how NA schools have enrichment and clubs and after school activities, whereas SA elementaries generally have social assistance programs and test prep, and pretty much nothing else. Is that actually true or just an exaggeration? Are those enrichment activities paid for and organized by the PTA/parents or is it based on how individual school decide to spend an allotment from the district?

The north Arlington elementary schools that I am familiar with offer enrichment classes that are sourced by enrichment coordinator volunteers, but the parents of kids taking the classes pay for them. The vendors offering the classes are independent of the schools. Volunteers oversee some things like chess and journalism clubs. In middle school there is some of this as well, but kids are also encouraged to come up with their own clubs and find a teacher who will agree to chaperone after school.

Thanks. Can you say more about enrichment coordinator volunteers? Who they are, what they do?

At the beginning of the school year, or end of the previous one, the pta sends out emails requesting volunteers for various positions, including enrichment coordinator. I don’t know everything that is involved with position, but they find vendors, match them with a space in the school, advertise the offerings to parents and organize the sign up and payment process.

This is exactly how it works at our SA elementary. The problem is that they might arrange 7-8 possible enrichment courses each semester, but only half of them get filled. I assume some of the lower-income families either can't afford the cost outright, or can't make the transportation arrangements, since there is no late bus service. This is one downside of our otherwise excellent school.

If the classes aren't filled, does that mean they don't happen? Do you mind saying which school? I'd be a little heartened to hear if this was Randolph or Barcroft or carlin springs. A few classes is better than nothing.

[Anonymous]

I can only speak to Claremont, which admittedly is a choice school in SA. The after school enrichment classes are amazing. They vary season to season, but there's always a pretty diverse selection: Yoga, Nature Club, Robotics, Tae Kwon Do, Science Seed, even "Decorating Sweets (!)" They vary in price, some as low as $80 and others as high as $160 depending on their complexity. I believe there are discounts for kids coming from low income families.

[Anonymous]

My kids are at Drew and there are some enrichment offerings but not a huge number (I think chess, karate, and maybe a couple others). I've heard from a PTA member that they have trouble filling the classes and then the classes can't go forward. Drew does offer a late bus, so I don't know that transportation is the issue.

[Anonymous]

IME most of the kids that go to afterschool enrichment would otherwise be in aftercare on those days. At least in the programs my son is in. When I do pickup the vast majority of the class has been released to aftercare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:IME most of the kids that go to afterschool enrichment would otherwise be in aftercare on those days. At least in the programs my son is in. When I do pickup the vast majority of the class has been released to aftercare.

Is it possible that what you're seeing isn't due to lack of interest among families who don't stay for aftercare but rather is due to lack of transportation home after an enrichment activity and/or lack of funds to pay for it, and those kids who would otherwise like to participate are instead riding the bus home where a grandparent or other relative cares for them for free?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids are at Drew and there are some enrichment offerings but not a huge number (I think chess, karate, and maybe a couple others). I've heard from a PTA member that they have trouble filling the classes and then the classes can't go forward. Drew does offer a late bus, so I don't know that transportation is the issue.

Why does Drew have a late bus when no other elementaries do?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:IME most of the kids that go to afterschool enrichment would otherwise be in aftercare on those days. At least in the programs my son is in. When I do pickup the vast majority of the class has been released to aftercare.

Is it possible that what you're seeing isn't due to lack of interest among families who don't stay for aftercare but rather is due to lack of transportation home after an enrichment activity and/or lack of funds to pay for it, and those kids who would otherwise like to participate are instead riding the bus home where a grandparent or other relative cares for them for free?

That I do not know. Our school seems to have a very large enrichment following there are waitlists for a lot of the classes. We also offer financial assistance. I don't think I can speculate on the reasons why without additional data.