Reply to UMC parents in low income schools

Forum Index » Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS)

Reply to "UMC parents in low income schools"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I am not White. I am educated, middle class and very involved with the PTA at our high FARMS school. I have found that I can work to bring opportunities to the school only through the PTA framework. The school will not allow any other way as a parent I can be involved. Infact, they will create roadblocks. However, once I am working as a PTA person, the school knows that they cannot put in roadblocks. As long as I am bringing enrichment opportunities to the school that are appropriate, accessible and equitable, and I raise the funds for those programs the school cannot stop me.
And yes, the school will get their pound of flesh by making us do the staff appreciation events and other community events that furthers the Principal's agenda as well, before they give us access to the community etc.  It is positioned as a mutual scratching of backs, instead the volunteers are used to the full extent by the school. The burnout rate for PTA office holders is huge. It is a thankless job for no personal gain.[/quote]

I am the “been there” parent. Even if I wanted to advocate for my child, I would have had a very hard time doing so. 
Afterschool stuff needs to be affordable for all, and appealing to many. Unless of course I want to run a club myself. 
There were levels in English language and arts, but the range of abilities was much broader than the 3 levels. So my child was not too challenged. 
There were free afterschool activities but NOTHING for lower grades except art (where 30 kids K-5 sat together and the full price was $15/class, no thanks)

[b]There is nothing really useful in this system for a child whose parents can afford paying for high quality extracurriculars. 
But yes, lower income kids get free access to activities often organized by higher income parents. It’s a one way street, unfortunately.[/b][/quote]

I'm curious - what high quality extracurriculars from which vendors in particular would you want to see in your school? Specific company and program.  What is stopping you from being the after-school activities coordinator at your school and bringing in those particular vendors and requiring them to offer scholarships to lower income students at your school?  I ask this as someone who has managed after-school activities at my child's school for many years and walk the walk.[/quote]

Cost, I guess?
[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics