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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]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. [/quote]

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?[/quote]

That depends on the school.  Your wealthier SA schools have more enrichment opportunities.  Your mid-range SA schools have fewer enrichment opportunities and probably more non-enrichment efforts.  Your least affluent SA schools or highest FRM school or two seem to have even less.

But, as the general comments in the overall thread indicate, it really isn't just a matter of having comparable budgets.  It's also a matter of the PTAs determining what their schools are most in need of, as well has having the manpower to implement each initiative, and a matter of knowing what to do with the available funds.  My impression is that a lot of people at our least-affluent PTA schools are clueless as to what other PTAs do with $100K, or even $60K.  Honestly, some of the things that have been done with that money should never have been done.  PTAs should not be funding staff or purchasing equipment that APS should provide.

As an individual, my recommendation would be to absolutely make a financial donation; but also get involved with the PTA and find out what that particular school's needs are.  Until PTAs come around to the idea of partnerships, fundraising together and providing opportunities for each other's schools and not just their own; until poorer PTAs can think beyond basic needs and get a better idea of what others are able to provide for their students, the disparities will remain stark.

Perhaps the school could use someone going out into the community to non-APS families, organizations, and businesses and raising money AND raising volunteers to staff events.[/quote]

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