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

[Anonymous]

But it’s not sponsored by the school so it’s fine. Honestly, the only problem in my opinion is that the teachers should’ve declined the invitation. That is the part that is problematic.

[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.

This is confusing to me. I belong to a "local, private Swim Club" (that happens to cost about $500/year!). The families that belong to our club must attend twenty or more different public and private elementary, middle and high schools. I doubt that any one school would have more than twenty kids or so that are members. We host "back to school" and "end of school year" events every year, but they are never exclusively for students of a specific school. And teachers and staff from any particular school aren't there unless they happen to be members.

Are you sure something didn't get lost in translation here? Is this an event only for students of a particular school, and are the teachers and staff from that school really going to be there? Are you sure this isn't just your typical "hear ye, hear ye, come one, come all, students, teachers and staff, to our annual back to school popsicle party?"

Another PP posted that it’s the swim club near Wood MS. That is the Manor Woods Swim Club.

Do a Google or Facebook search for Facebook and Manor Woods Swim Club because the flyer is available on their Facebook page. HTH

[Anonymous]

Just found the flyer on the Swim Club website. It says non-members have to pay a guest fee and be accompanied by a member. Really seems insensitive. It explicitly says teacher and staff will be there too and says "calling all Barnsley families!"

[Anonymous]

It’s “allowed”, but it does seem to be in very poor taste.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just found the flyer on the Swim Club website. It says non-members have to pay a guest fee and be accompanied by a member. Really seems insensitive. It explicitly says teacher and staff will be there too and says "calling all Barnsley families!"

All families except the ones who can’t afford a Pool Membership.

And except the ones who don’t know anyone who can invite them as a Guest.

But, everyone else is welcome. Lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But it’s not sponsored by the school so it’s fine. Honestly, the only problem in my opinion is that the teachers should’ve declined the invitation. That is the part that is problematic.

If anyone does attend, report back and let us know how many teachers do show up. I would think this would make teachers uncomfortable also.

Will the Principal attend? We’re the Principal/AP invited? I would imagine they are already aware of the event.

[Anonymous]

Our PTA sponsors a meet and greet at a Private swim club most of the PTA Officers are members of. When we put out the invitation we ask for RSVPs so that the Officers can put them down as guests. Our guest fees in the evenings are minimal so it shouldn't exclude anyone who wants to come.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our PTA sponsors a meet and greet at a Private swim club most of the PTA Officers are members of. When we put out the invitation we ask for RSVPs so that the Officers can put them down as guests. Our guest fees in the evenings are minimal so it shouldn't exclude anyone who wants to come.

Is this problematic? Yes, it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our PTA sponsors a meet and greet at a Private swim club most of the PTA Officers are members of. When we put out the invitation we ask for RSVPs so that the Officers can put them down as guests. Our guest fees in the evenings are minimal so it shouldn't exclude anyone who wants to come.

That does not appear to be what is happening at this particular event.

It sounds like if someone wants to attend and he/she is not a member, then he has to find a member to attend with.

They obviously want to keep out the ‘unwanteds’.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our PTA sponsors a meet and greet at a Private swim club most of the PTA Officers are members of. When we put out the invitation we ask for RSVPs so that the Officers can put them down as guests. Our guest fees in the evenings are minimal so it shouldn't exclude anyone who wants to come.

Is this problematic? Yes, it is.

Why exactly is is problematic? It allows people who are not members of the pool (many who do not have regular access to pools in general) to come and meet kids they are going to go to school with. It gives new parents the opportunity to ask questions to returning parents. The school is over 80% FARMS and we have only had positive feedback about it. It is not sponsored by the school and the teachers who attend are mostly members of the pool as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our PTA sponsors a meet and greet at a Private swim club most of the PTA Officers are members of. When we put out the invitation we ask for RSVPs so that the Officers can put them down as guests. Our guest fees in the evenings are minimal so it shouldn't exclude anyone who wants to come.

Is this problematic? Yes, it is.

Why exactly is is problematic? It allows people who are not members of the pool (many who do not have regular access to pools in general) to come and meet kids they are going to go to school with. It gives new parents the opportunity to ask questions to returning parents. The school is over 80% FARMS and we have only had positive feedback about it. It is not sponsored by the school and the teachers who attend are mostly members of the pool as well.

It's problematic in two ways:

1. it separates insiders (swim club members) from outsiders ("guests")
2. there are several barriers to participation for "guests" that there aren't for swim club members, and barriers to participation decrease the participation rate

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our PTA sponsors a meet and greet at a Private swim club most of the PTA Officers are members of. When we put out the invitation we ask for RSVPs so that the Officers can put them down as guests. Our guest fees in the evenings are minimal so it shouldn't exclude anyone who wants to come.

Is this problematic? Yes, it is.

Why exactly is is problematic? It allows people who are not members of the pool (many who do not have regular access to pools in general) to come and meet kids they are going to go to school with. It gives new parents the opportunity to ask questions to returning parents. The school is over 80% FARMS and we have only had positive feedback about it. It is not sponsored by the school and the teachers who attend are mostly members of the pool as well.

It's problematic in two ways:

1. it separates insiders (swim club members) from outsiders ("guests")
2. there are several barriers to participation for "guests" that there aren't for swim club members, and barriers to participation decrease the participation rate

+100

Having a Public School event at a place that requires 'membership' really seems wrong.

I'd be more comfortable with having it at a local restaurant.

And, just because you have only had positive feedback, doesn't mean that everyone feels the same way. Sometimes people are afraid to speak up, lest they be seen as 'different'.

These are all just really bad ideas, IMO. Stick to having events that do not occur at private, membership-required clubs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just found the flyer on the Swim Club website. It says non-members have to pay a guest fee and be accompanied by a member. Really seems insensitive. It explicitly says teacher and staff will be there too and says "calling all Barnsley families!"

They have the school mascot at the top of the announcement!

[Anonymous]

Has anyone sent this thread to the Barnsley admin?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone sent this thread to the Barnsley admin?

Wouldn't they already be aware? How are the teachers/staff being invited?

It would seem that if someone sent an invite to the school teachers/staff, then it would be sent to the entire staff. Including the principal.

It's a large school. How else to get a hold of all the staff?