"student support fees" in upper NW DCPS

[Anonymous]

What DCPS school has IPads and Apple computers paid for through optional student support fees? My DC goes to Mann, with a PTA donation request of $1500 a year and it's used for such frivolities as teacher's aids and science department. Our principal and other teachers seek out grants and received a sponsorship offer from a local business to support a teaching garden, have a box top program run by the librarian that supports the purchase of extra library books, and asks the parents to pay piecemeal for each field trip their child attends if they are able. I have never heard of any DCPS school that requests a $500 school fee that pays for fancy computers, over the top facilities, enrichment and outrageous field trips. If they did, how would such a thing add up to support all those things, especially when OP is probably not the only parent who refuses to contribute? This is bogus.

[Anonymous]

When my child attended Mann the pressure was intense and rude;there was no 'give what you can'..just assumptions and shaming..that being said, I understood the $at Mann and other schools does a world of goos and would have given /did give when I could. That being said, I hope Mann lightens up just a little on the ask..it felt like every single event there from the Halloween party to the spring festival had nickel and dime price tag fir every possible aspect. A little over the top.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Eh, I don't pay the fee at our upper NW school either. I pay the field trip fee and contribute to the teacher gift requests, but I don't think the kids need a smartboard in every class and carts full of Apple computers and since no one asks my opinion, I voice it this way. I give the equivalent to a charity that provides food and other support to low income families in the city.

What school has PTA supplied smart boards in every (or any) class?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When my child attended Mann the pressure was intense and rude;there was no 'give what you can'..just assumptions and shaming..that being said, I understood the $at Mann and other schools does a world of goos and would have given /did give when I could. That being said, I hope Mann lightens up just a little on the ask..it felt like every single event there from the Halloween party to the spring festival had nickel and dime price tag fir every possible aspect. A little over the top.

What you are saying is nothing compared to what happens at Charters. At least shaming does not affect grades. There are parents who give tens of thousands. Those who are movers and shakers trade favors.

[Anonymous]

No one in boundary for Mann bitches about the fees...it is an amazing experience for kids. Frankly I don't buy the false outrage on this board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No one in boundary for Mann bitches about the fees...it is an amazing experience for kids. Frankly I don't buy the false outrage on this board.

My kids went to Mann a few years ago and maybe it's completely different now. Back then people didn't necessarily openly bitch about the fees, they just didn't pay them. Sure, families with kids in the younger grades paid. By the time 5th rolled around, less than half the class paid. Just like it works at other public schools.

[Anonymous]

You'd think the parents in older grades would be more likely to give donations. I think people need to understand that these schools would have less resources if not for these donations.

I think people are underestimating the importance of this money.

[Anonymous]

IMO, Families of kids in older grades don't give for several reasons:

They are sick of being asked
They are looking forward to the next school
Their kids won't benefit from the donation
They have hard feelings about bad things that have happened along the way or disagree with principal
They see the warts of the school much clearer than fresh parents (much like after you leave a school and realize it wasn't as great as you thought)
They just don't care as much anymore - newness wears off


I'm not opining on whether it's right or wrong but I'm speaking from my experience as a former PTA president.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're welcome to donate to our EOTP school. The Title 1 funds cover additional mental health type positions (school counselor, psychologist, etc.), but don't do much for enrichment. Extra $$ would be great for field trips, aftercare enrichment, and more.

When faced with this issue at our affluent eotp school, I just donated a lot to other teachers at other schools and their gofundme projects. It was really nice to feel like I was making a difference, and not just subsidizing another parent's pet project.

I think it's fine for you not to contribute, OP. We all give in ways that are meaningful to us personally. FYI, Cleveland Elementary in Shaw is facing a budget shortfall. They have to raise $30,000 or choose between classroom supplies or a staff member. There are already few (really, almost none) after school enrichment activities. The PTA has raised about $10k already. You might consider donating there. Despite what folks on this board think, Title I schools are not rolling in it, and they offer their students significantly less beyond the bare bones than WOTP schools. You should donate where you think your money can be most impactful, and no one should guilt you about how you define that.

I think it's actually a fantastic idea to do some kind of matching funds for the less well off schools. It really stuck in my craw that our school was a fundraising juggernaut compared to schools in the exact same neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

If you don't like how the money is being used get involved with the HSAs and try to make a difference. Don't just withhold money and complain about it while your children benefit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're welcome to donate to our EOTP school. The Title 1 funds cover additional mental health type positions (school counselor, psychologist, etc.), but don't do much for enrichment. Extra $$ would be great for field trips, aftercare enrichment, and more.

When faced with this issue at our affluent eotp school, I just donated a lot to other teachers at other schools and their gofundme projects. It was really nice to feel like I was making a difference, and not just subsidizing another parent's pet project.

I think it's fine for you not to contribute, OP. We all give in ways that are meaningful to us personally. FYI, Cleveland Elementary in Shaw is facing a budget shortfall. They have to raise $30,000 or choose between classroom supplies or a staff member. There are already few (really, almost none) after school enrichment activities. The PTA has raised about $10k already. You might consider donating there. Despite what folks on this board think, Title I schools are not rolling in it, and they offer their students significantly less beyond the bare bones than WOTP schools. You should donate where you think your money can be most impactful, and no one should guilt you about how you define that.

I think it's actually a fantastic idea to do some kind of matching funds for the less well off schools. It really stuck in my craw that our school was a fundraising juggernaut compared to schools in the exact same neighborhood.

While I'd be happy to advocate for my kids school, there are several others EOTP where your donation would make a huge difference. Perhaps offer a few thousand to help kick off a PTA at Raymond Education Campus. That place could use a boost. Any takers?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're welcome to donate to our EOTP school. The Title 1 funds cover additional mental health type positions (school counselor, psychologist, etc.), but don't do much for enrichment. Extra $$ would be great for field trips, aftercare enrichment, and more.

When faced with this issue at our affluent eotp school, I just donated a lot to other teachers at other schools and their gofundme projects. It was really nice to feel like I was making a difference, and not just subsidizing another parent's pet project.

I think it's fine for you not to contribute, OP. We all give in ways that are meaningful to us personally. FYI, Cleveland Elementary in Shaw is facing a budget shortfall. They have to raise $30,000 or choose between classroom supplies or a staff member. There are already few (really, almost none) after school enrichment activities. The PTA has raised about $10k already. You might consider donating there. Despite what folks on this board think, Title I schools are not rolling in it, and they offer their students significantly less beyond the bare bones than WOTP schools. You should donate where you think your money can be most impactful, and no one should guilt you about how you define that.

I think it's actually a fantastic idea to do some kind of matching funds for the less well off schools. It really stuck in my craw that our school was a fundraising juggernaut compared to schools in the exact same neighborhood.

And we just got an email--the Cleveland PTA has made it easy: https://www.gofundme.com/ClevelandES-PTA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you don't like how the money is being used get involved with the HSAs and try to make a difference. Don't just withhold money and complain about it while your children benefit.

I think it's funny how you say, "get involved in the HSA (which i assume is the PTA?")
At the west of the park DCPS, getting on the DCPS is very competitive.
People run for office, submit extensive bios detailing their qualifications. There are always multiple candidates per spot.

They usually go something like this:
"I have 4 children in the school and over my 10 years of serving the school community I've chaired numerous school wide committees (listed here) has well as serving as a room parent 17 times. I currently work for (XXX major educational materials company) doing curriculum development.
Prior to that I was the deputy undersecretary for education education in the XX administration. I started my career with 10 years in the classroom. Please vote for me for PTA secretary".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don't like how the money is being used get involved with the HSAs and try to make a difference. Don't just withhold money and complain about it while your children benefit.

I think it's funny how you say, "get involved in the HSA (which i assume is the PTA?")
At the west of the park DCPS, getting on the DCPS is very competitive.
People run for office, submit extensive bios detailing their qualifications. There are always multiple candidates per spot.

They usually go something like this:
"I have 4 children in the school and over my 10 years of serving the school community I've chaired numerous school wide committees (listed here) has well as serving as a room parent 17 times. I currently work for (XXX major educational materials company) doing curriculum development.
Prior to that I was the deputy undersecretary for education education in the XX administration. I started my career with 10 years in the classroom. Please vote for me for PTA secretary".

God, not at our JKLM. If you raise your hand for a position, you usually get it. Not that many people are willing to commit that much time and effort to the HSA. (Including me.)

[Anonymous]

You sound lovely OP, I hope you enjoy the charity your kid is enjoying on the backs of their classmates parents.

You are the one getting a free ride.