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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][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]

The north Arlington elementary schools that I am familiar with offer enrichment classes that are sourced by enrichment coordinator volunteers, but the parents of kids taking the classes pay for them. The vendors offering the classes are independent of the schools. Volunteers oversee some things like chess and journalism clubs. In middle school there is some of this as well, but kids are also encouraged to come up with their own clubs and find a teacher who will agree to chaperone after school. [/quote]

Thanks. Can you say more about enrichment coordinator volunteers? Who they are, what they do?
[/quote]

At the beginning of the school year, or end of the previous one, the pta sends out emails requesting volunteers for various positions, including enrichment coordinator. I don’t know everything that is involved with position, but they find vendors, match them with a space in the school, advertise the offerings to parents and organize the sign up and payment process. [/quote]

This is exactly how it works at our SA elementary.  The problem is that they might arrange 7-8 possible enrichment courses each semester, but only half of them get filled. I assume some of the lower-income families either can't afford the cost outright, or can't make the transportation arrangements, since there is no late bus service.  This is one downside of our otherwise excellent school.[/quote]

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