No. I do very little volunteering, and I have not been active in the PTA. My son's education is going just fine.

TJ Middle School also has very little in common with Soweto. I'm fairly certain there isn't a decent soccer field just for kids in Soweto.

There really aren't any convenient private schools (except the one for elves on Lee Highway somewhere).

Anonymous wrote:Do I have it right that Arlington Public Schools are all about politics? Must one volunteer for everything, be active in the PTA, etc. in order to have any clout in getting what you want for your child? Is it better in the privates? Catholics?

Yeah, I don't know. I have noticed that at our school a disproportionate number of those getting the Montessori slots seem to be children of teachers at the school and/or those very involved in PTA and other school activities. At first I thought it was just coincidence but lately I'm not so sure...

Anonymous wrote:Educational apartheid is alive and well in APS, and South Arlington is its Soweto.

I think to make that comparison is an insult to those who suffered under apartheid. I was in Kenmore Middle school recently and am pretty sure it is nothing like Soweto.

If you want Administrators and teachers to know your face, you need to be involved - whether it's be being active in the PTA, by offering to help in the classroom, or by attending events and stopping to speak with the school staff. I'm a PTA member at our school, but don't generally volunteer for things and I don't volunteer in the classroom. That said, my sons teachers have always been very responsive to me and my requests for meetings or help. My older son is in the special ed program and, while it took some cajoling to get him there, it certainly didn't feel like it was any more or less time than any other parent (involved or not) had spent.

Anonymous wrote:Where is the pro-Arlington, anti-Alexandria City Public Schools poster when you need him?

I'm reading the thread. Why would you bring that up? Were we talking about ACPS? No, we were not. What is your problem?

Have fun with Alicia Hughes on your school board though. Yee-haw.

I know one Arlington parent who was incredibly angry that the parents' volunteering did not result in special treatment for one of their children.

(I was amused by the outrage because I'm mean like that.)

Where is the pro-Arlington, anti-Alexandria City Public Schools poster when you need him?

This has not been our experience, and we have never heard this rumor; it sounds preposterous. Can you provide more details as to where you heard this or why you think it is the case? Our school has hundreds of involved parents; it's a bit crazy to think that they are stepping up to the plate with the expectation that their children will receive special treatment.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. I think parents are involved for altruistic reasons, not calculated ones. It's what makes APS the best school system in NOVA and possibly the entire region.

Except for GT kids.

All Arlington kids are gifted. They don't need your stupid AAP.

Anonymous wrote:Educational apartheid is alive and well in APS, and South Arlington is its Soweto.

Do you have children in a South Arlington school? On what do you base your assessment?

Anonymous wrote:No. I think parents are involved for altruistic reasons, not calculated ones. It's what makes APS the best school system in NOVA and possibly the entire region.

Except for GT kids.

Educational apartheid is alive and well in APS, and South Arlington is its Soweto.

No. I think parents are involved for altruistic reasons, not calculated ones. It's what makes APS the best school system in NOVA and possibly the entire region.

No. You do not have it right.

Do I have it right that Arlington Public Schools are all about politics? Must one volunteer for everything, be active in the PTA, etc. in order to have any clout in getting what you want for your child? Is it better in the privates? Catholics?