South Arlington & PTAs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Oh PP here. I was going to say. I use enrichment and don't do aftercare. I use it because I don't want to go into the office at 6am for at least one day a week. I think a lot of people use enrichment as a way to get aftercare on some days without paying for the entire aftercare program. But again, I don't really know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Other schools do have a late bus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Other schools do have a late bus.

Drew had a late bus because they had tutoring after school every day because of their SOL pass rates.

I didn't think kids could sign themselves out from afterschool activities for the late bus -- I thought it was only for the kids who did the school tutoring program.

[Anonymous]

OP - to answer your original question. Any amount of time or money you can donate will be appreciated by most PTAs. If you have a small amount of time to give, talk to the PTA president about it and they will likely find an area that you can help. Or if there's something you're really interested in then offer to help with that event only. Everyone is busy and IME most PTA presidents will understand and appreciate whatever help you can give.

A $500 donation is very generous, and as mentioned S Arl PTA budgets are significantly smaller than N Arl so this would definitely be appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a friend who works for a performing arts non profit that has an office in the Randolph zone. Her company did programming in every elementary school in APS for years, with the exception of Randolph. The former principal just wouldn’t hear of it, even though it was a free program. Some of the south Arlington schools were and are operating at a level of dysfunction that wouldn’t be tolerated elsewhere in the county. Having almost no PTA presence is problematic in many ways.

I believe this has been rectified under the new leadership. Randolph has offered a pretty robust after school activity program at zero cost to families for the past two years.

[Anonymous]

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

Great question! Participate in fundraisers - many have silent auctions, donation drives, etc. You can also offer to volunteer at the school (if you have time) which would be very appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a friend who works for a performing arts non profit that has an office in the Randolph zone. Her company did programming in every elementary school in APS for years, with the exception of Randolph. The former principal just wouldn’t hear of it, even though it was a free program. Some of the south Arlington schools were and are operating at a level of dysfunction that wouldn’t be tolerated elsewhere in the county. Having almost no PTA presence is problematic in many ways.

I believe this has been rectified under the new leadership. Randolph has offered a pretty robust after school activity program at zero cost to families for the past two years.

It has been, my point was how long that school sort of languished. I’ll admit I wasn’t a fan of Bostwick, but more than that, her antics wouldn’t have flown elsewhere in the county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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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.

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.

Hoffman Boston

[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.

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.

Hoffman Boston

Darn.

[Anonymous]

We have the same volunteer issue in my N Arlington school. Not every N Arlington school raises the kind of cash spoken of here. We have a majority of dual working households and hear all the time from some working parents who can’t volunteer because they work while the truth is due to the demographics of our school most programming volunteers do work full time.

Volunteering to lead a program for your pta is likely worth more than your $500 check as so many things the pta can do aren’t a cost thing. Like organizing a school supply vendor or coordinate a free enrichment program a free art show ect. But it takes planning manpower. There’s always parents willing to be at events day of but the real need is in the planning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Yes our enrichment company in N Arlington covers the cost for families who can’t afford it and it’s part of
Our agreement with the vendor. I don’t know if there’s a cap on scholarships or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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.

Hoffman Boston

Darn.

Barcroft has offered after-school enrichment classes in the past - don't know what's been offered lately. Additionally, the year-round calendar affords enrichment opportunities during intersession breaks.

[Anonymous]

We are at Campbell. We have some enrichment, but really only three days a week, and one of those days is only for the younger kids. And, they do not last the whole semester, only about half to keep the cost down. Only Thursdays and Fridays are open for enrichment opportunities for all grade levels. I have been told the reason for nothing on M,T is because the lower income kids get tutoring and the school doesn't want them to feel left out. Not sure why Wed is only for lower grades.

I do wish there were more options and so does my kid. The after school program is otherwise not so much fun and there are no clubs that I am aware of.

[Anonymous]

It's interesting that this thread turned to enrichment when that is only a small part of what the PTA budget can fund. At my NA elem school, the principal has been very demanding of the PTA to fundraise, fundraise, fundraise in order to fund things she specifically wants for the school.

OTOH, some SA schools do get more money through Title 1 funding. There is also much more support in SA for special needs and ELL. NA parents of kids whose needs are not being met in NA, actually try to transfer to SA schools - or at least think about it.

So, this is complex.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are at Campbell. We have some enrichment, but really only three days a week, and one of those days is only for the younger kids. And, they do not last the whole semester, only about half to keep the cost down. Only Thursdays and Fridays are open for enrichment opportunities for all grade levels. I have been told the reason for nothing on M,T is because the lower income kids get tutoring and the school doesn't want them to feel left out. Not sure why Wed is only for lower grades.

I do wish there were more options and so does my kid. The after school program is otherwise not so much fun and there are no clubs that I am aware of.

I think grades 3-5 have Girls on the Run/Boys on the Move on Wednesdays, which is very popular, and also at least one or two of the Odyssesy of the Mind teams meet on Wednesdays (last year we had 6 Campbell OOM teams; it's a big deal at Campbell and they start as young as K). There's also the YES Club, the Community Meeting Crew, and the School Musical for the upper grades. I think they can't accommodate all those activities on the same days because they can't fill the classes if students are participating in the other activities, so they limit the activities by day. Campbell doesn't have as many students/available classrooms as some other schools where they can fill multiple activities all at the same grade level that happen all at the same time/day. I don't know that any tutoring happening is limited to low-income kids. AFAIK, tutoring and remediation happen for any kid who needs it, regardless of SES.