"student support fees" in upper NW DCPS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Janney parent here. I see the support fee as a mini-tuition to provide some perks for my local community. I do not try to compare this to our family's other charitable giving.

We all make different choices in life, OP. I could argue that, if you want to live a life of charity, you shouldn't live in 20016 and should instead live in a small apartment and give away most of your wealth. That would allow you to donate another $50K per year. You could also quit your high-paying job and volunteer your time.

OP, you haven't made either of these choices. You have instead chosen to make a stand on the student support fee. Congratulations! That additional $500 that you may or may not give to charity is going to make a real difference!

"Mini-tuition". This is public school. The tuition you pay is property taxes. Which, since you DO live in 20016, are pretty damn high. Call it whatever you want, but the notion that a family should be OBLIGATED to pay a single penny at public school is offensive.

+1

Certainly not an obligation, but definitely a reasonable price to pay for the benefit of getting to go to a good school, despite a crappy system, for those who can afford it. And, clearly, OP can afford it. She just prefers to freeload.

OK, but just don't assume everyone in your zip code can afford it. Some people stretched quite a bit to buy even a small house in a WOTP neighborhood precisely in order to have access to decent public (i.e. tuition-free) schools, schools that would be decent even without all the extras provided by the fees the PTA raises.

[Anonymous]

All schools are underfunded, just some more than others. Private giving is the only surefire way to help.

[Anonymous]

I pay enough in taxes, defund the charters and make them balance their budgets privately or open their admittance process before asking me for another penny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All schools are underfunded, just some more than others. Private giving is the only surefire way to help.

+1

[Anonymous]

OP, are you a troll? You should know that the gifts to the HSA go primarily to fund aides' salaries, and things like enrichment coordinators and art -- at least at our upper NW DCPS. I think one year there was some extra money to buy some iPads that teachers could check out and use if needed, but this is not where the money really goes.

I don't mind subsidizing low-income families with my donations, but I would feel offended if I am subsidizing you.

[Anonymous]

Anyone know how much Stoddert collects and how they use it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All schools are underfunded, just some more than others. Private giving is the only surefire way to help.

B.S. DC schools are better funded than any state in the country and look what it gets us. Expectations in DCPS are so low (from students and especially of teachers) it's sad. Rhee was right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All schools are underfunded, just some more than others. Private giving is the only surefire way to help.

B.S. DC schools are better funded than any state in the country and look what it gets us. Expectations in DCPS are so low (from students and especially of teachers) it's sad. Rhee was right.

Well, but apparently we're also educating 1/2 of PG county as well.

[Anonymous]

PG County will freeload every chance they get and then some. Yet, isn't it really a Hill problem and not upper NW problem?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All schools are underfunded, just some more than others. Private giving is the only surefire way to help.

B.S. DC schools are better funded than any state in the country and look what it gets us. Expectations in DCPS are so low (from students and especially of teachers) it's sad. Rhee was right.

She was also a liar and married an accused molester but I guess we have different expectations!!!!

[Anonymous]

I think the reason it feels wrong is because we shouldn't have to pay it. Education SHOULD have arts, music, language and sports classes without parents having to step in to fund it. It should be a standard that all of these things are fundamental components of early childhood education.

But DCPS doesn't have these things so we do pay it.

If you feel the need to donate to other schools that don't self-fund their programs, do so. But as a PP said, many are title 1 schools and already getting a lot of money that they continue to misspend on educational problems that are actually societal problems.

You have access to more if you are wealthier. Global truth. Don't hate the player, hate the game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the reason it feels wrong is because we shouldn't have to pay it. Education SHOULD have arts, music, language and sports classes without parents having to step in to fund it. It should be a standard that all of these things are fundamental components of early childhood education.

But DCPS doesn't have these things so we do pay it.

If you feel the need to donate to other schools that don't self-fund their programs, do so. But as a PP said, many are title 1 schools and already getting a lot of money that they continue to misspend on educational problems that are actually societal problems.

You have access to more if you are wealthier. Global truth. Don't hate the player, hate the game.

I don't think you actually know what goes on in a Title 1 school. There aren't more 'specials' teachers. There are more psychologists and counselors. They do work on "societal problems", but are clearly not a silver bullet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would bet there is a positive correlation between parents' participation rate in paying PTA/PTO dues and higher test scores. The implications should be obvious. Just sayin'.

Uh, yeah. And the thing they both have in common -- the causation piece -- is affluent and educated parents.