Public School Event Held at Private Swim Club - Is this allowed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This seems like it is a Teacher Appreciation event, not a "Meet and Greet."

Which...I think it is really nice of parents to leverage their privilege (and a pool membership is a privilege) in order to support teachers and staff.

Nice try.
If your work colleague belonged to a country club, as did some other colleagues, but you didn’t, and they invited your newly-hired company head to an event at the club to “meet the new boss,” how would you feel? Left out?

I think this is a useful analogy.

Yes. Agree that this is a good analogy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I imagine that it isn't really the pool that is sponsoring it but instead members of the pool (who also have kids in the school) organizing a get together. Sometimes I've seen these in parks before kindergarten. So it's not really that different than a birthday party at the pool, for example. However, the different part, I suppose, is that some teachers are going to attend.

However, if the event is at a park, anyone can attend. If the event is at a Private Swim Club, then only certain people can attend. That is the difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I imagine that it isn't really the pool that is sponsoring it but instead members of the pool (who also have kids in the school) organizing a get together. Sometimes I've seen these in parks before kindergarten. So it's not really that different than a birthday party at the pool, for example. However, the different part, I suppose, is that some teachers are going to attend.

The difference is "all welcome" in the park vs. please pay $500 to and then we'll let you through the gate to attend the pool party.

[Anonymous]

OP - how did you hear about this if it wasn't advertised? Yes I agree its exclusive. A back to school pool party is one thing. A meet/greet with teachers makes it seem exclusive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid attends an MCPS ES that is considered a Focus school. It's a racially and socioeconomically diverse school.

The local, private Swim Club is holding an event this month. Popsicles with teachers/staff. But, you HAVE to be a member or a guest of a member (and pay) to attend.

Swim club memberships cost about $500/family. Event is not being advertised on our ES website. Not advertised on the PTA website. Only posted for members of the Swim Club to see.

What do parents/teachers on here think? Makes me a little uncomfortable, but maybe I'm overly sensitive because of my own background.

I don’t think OP is necessarily being excluded. He/she did not say whether they are members; however, if it is only being advertised to members, then that is likely how OP knows about it. If they are not members but know about it anyway, that means other non-members will know about it too.

OP, this would make me uncomfortable as well. Yes, a private club can have members-only parties and even members-only parties for certain member groups such as the dive team or kids who go to Anytown ES. The element that makes me uncomfortable is that it is being billed as popsicles with teachers/staff. This gives the appearance of being a school-sanctioned event that is only available to members of the school community that can be and are members of a private club.

So I would ask: what is the point of the teacher/staff part of this event? Why not have it just for the kids who go to Anytown ES and leave it at that[b]?[/quote]

OP again

Your post pretty much sums up my feelings!

I deliberately did not specify whether or not I'm a member at this pool. It shouldn't matter. Whether I can attend or not, I still find that it's excluding too many people and it makes me uncomfortable. Was just looking for other opinions, and have been interested to read what all the other PPs have said.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid attends an MCPS ES that is considered a Focus school. It's a racially and socioeconomically diverse school.

The local, private Swim Club is holding an event this month. Popsicles with teachers/staff. But, you HAVE to be a member or a guest of a member (and pay) to attend.

Swim club memberships cost about $500/family. Event is not being advertised on our ES website. Not advertised on the PTA website. Only posted for members of the Swim Club to see.

What do parents/teachers on here think? Makes me a little uncomfortable, but maybe I'm overly sensitive because of my own background.

I don’t think OP is necessarily being excluded. He/she did not say whether they are members; however, if it is only being advertised to members, then that is likely how OP knows about it. If they are not members but know about it anyway, that means other non-members will know about it too.

OP, this would make me uncomfortable as well. Yes, a private club can have members-only parties and even members-only parties for certain member groups such as the dive team or kids who go to Anytown ES. The element that makes me uncomfortable is that it is being billed as popsicles with teachers/staff. This gives the appearance of being a school-sanctioned event that is only available to members of the school community that can be and are members of a private club.

So I would ask: what is the point of the teacher/staff part of this event? Why not have it just for the kids who go to Anytown ES and leave it at that?

OP again

Your post pretty much sums up my feelings!

I deliberately did not specify whether or not I'm a member at this pool. It shouldn't matter. Whether I can attend or not, I still find that it's excluding too many people and it makes me uncomfortable. Was just looking for other opinions, and have been interested to read what all the other PPs have said.

sorry, trying to fix quotes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here from a Title One school. What's wrong with a Back to School popsicle pool party at a swim club for the members/guests of the swim club? If it is in place of an open event held previously for everyone, that is not cool. Does the school host their own BTS event? If not, why not?

The concern is its sponsored by the school for members only so non-member kids cannot attend. Gross.

I'm the OP.

Yes, I guess that is my issue. Seems a little 'gross' that only members of the Swim Club can attend. It sounds like they're very deliberately trying to leave out people who can't afford the Swim Club membership. We've got a decent number of lower-income families at our school (of all races, so I don't think it's a race issue) that definitely can't afford to be members. If it's supposed to be for kids to interact with their teachers, then this particular event is leaving out a good percentage of students.

Our school had popsicles at various swim clubs in the district but they also had it at the school park, it was open to everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here from a Title One school. What's wrong with a Back to School popsicle pool party at a swim club for the members/guests of the swim club? If it is in place of an open event held previously for everyone, that is not cool. Does the school host their own BTS event? If not, why not?

The concern is its sponsored by the school for members only so non-member kids cannot attend. Gross.

I'm the OP.

Yes, I guess that is my issue. Seems a little 'gross' that only members of the Swim Club can attend. It sounds like they're very deliberately trying to leave out people who can't afford the Swim Club membership. We've got a decent number of lower-income families at our school (of all races, so I don't think it's a race issue) that definitely can't afford to be members. If it's supposed to be for kids to interact with their teachers, then this particular event is leaving out a good percentage of students.

Our school had popsicles at various swim clubs in the district but they also had it at the school park, it was open to everyone.

I meant to add, are you sure there weren't more locations offered? What school, OP? No need to hide here, it's anonymous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here from a Title One school. What's wrong with a Back to School popsicle pool party at a swim club for the members/guests of the swim club? If it is in place of an open event held previously for everyone, that is not cool. Does the school host their own BTS event? If not, why not?

The concern is its sponsored by the school for members only so non-member kids cannot attend. Gross.

I'm the OP.

Yes, I guess that is my issue. Seems a little 'gross' that only members of the Swim Club can attend. It sounds like they're very deliberately trying to leave out people who can't afford the Swim Club membership. We've got a decent number of lower-income families at our school (of all races, so I don't think it's a race issue) that definitely can't afford to be members. If it's supposed to be for kids to interact with their teachers, then this particular event is leaving out a good percentage of students.

Our school had popsicles at various swim clubs in the district but they also had it at the school park, it was open to everyone.

I meant to add, are you sure there weren't more locations offered? What school, OP? No need to hide here, it's anonymous.

I don't think it matters how many locations are offered, none of the locations should exclude non-members.

[Anonymous]

I teach at a Focus school, and something like this would never fly. Every event except for PTA fundraisers are held at the school so that the majority don't need transportation to attend. The PTA fundraisers are at counter service restaurants in the neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

If teachers and staff are members of the pool, I think it is fine.

If teachers and staff do not attend the pool and are guests, I think it is very strange to advertise it as a meet and greet with staff and teachers.

I've been at a focus school and a "W" school in MCPS, and I don't think this would happen at either one. At the focus school, and sort of school related event was always held at the school. At the "W" cluster school we had meet and greets at nicer restaurants, while tone deaf to the needs of poorer families, it was being held in a public place and everyone was invited, you also did not have to order anything.

[Anonymous]

Jamestown elementary in Arlington, VA has their annual school auction at the Washington Golf Country Club! Not our school, but I can't imagine how that became accepted practice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jamestown elementary in Arlington, VA has their annual school auction at the Washington Golf Country Club! Not our school, but I can't imagine how that became accepted practice.

Everyone is invited, not just members. What's the big deal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jamestown elementary in Arlington, VA has their annual school auction at the Washington Golf Country Club! Not our school, but I can't imagine how that became accepted practice.

Everyone is invited, not just club members. It’s open to the whole school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jamestown elementary in Arlington, VA has their annual school auction at the Washington Golf Country Club! Not our school, but I can't imagine how that became accepted practice.

Everyone is invited, not just members. What's the big deal?

Can you attend, even if you’re not a member of the Country Club? If so, then it seems fine by me.

In this instance, you may only attend if you are a member of the Swim Club or if you can get someone to let you come as their guest.