Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I dunno, I feel like I did make some minor improvement. I did all the paperwork to get the PTO up and running as a nonprofit. We wrote some grants, not huge ones but it's money they wouldn't have otherwise had, and some of the grants are renewable. Paid for a bunch of stuff to make teachers' lives easier (such as an additional copier and a pallet of paper). Revamped the website with content and nice photos. Tried to, very politely and constructively, identify problems and propose solutions. It's slow going but I do think, over a period of years, these investments add up.

Similar experience here. Also gently suggested changes to PK dropoff compared to the rest of the school—accepted and kids and teachers were much happier. Talked about the school in the community and attended open houses and EdFest to give parent perspective. Institutionalized things like an Amazon wishlist for classroom supplies and an annual fundraising appeal. Built up parent volunteer capacity behind me. Advocated to mayor and Council for budget, and trained other parents and teachers to advocate. Worked with neighborhood association to get people to stop letting their dogs run loose in the garden. Recruited community volunteers for the garden, and to support the 2nd grade bike ride. Probably more I’ve forgotten.

Yup. This kind of thing can absolutely make a difference. Not a huge difference but some difference. Parents can take on things the school doesn't have the bandwidth for, such as dealing with neighborhood association, DDOT, working with the ANC on things like signage and road painting, trash services, working with DPR if you have DPR space adjacent. They seem like little things, but over time they add up to a school and grounds that is well-kept, safe street crossings, etc. Some things you do are temporary, others are lasting. Some of these things are just to give the kids a positive experience-- 1st and 2nd graders adore hosting bake sales-- so in my mind it's worth it just for that. Kids are proud of themselves when they help their community.

There really is nothing like a satisfied parent, especially of older kids, to vouch for a school. That's the one thing a school can't do for itself.

Anonymous wrote:I dunno, I feel like I did make some minor improvement. I did all the paperwork to get the PTO up and running as a nonprofit. We wrote some grants, not huge ones but it's money they wouldn't have otherwise had, and some of the grants are renewable. Paid for a bunch of stuff to make teachers' lives easier (such as an additional copier and a pallet of paper). Revamped the website with content and nice photos. Tried to, very politely and constructively, identify problems and propose solutions. It's slow going but I do think, over a period of years, these investments add up.

Similar experience here. Also gently suggested changes to PK dropoff compared to the rest of the school—accepted and kids and teachers were much happier. Talked about the school in the community and attended open houses and EdFest to give parent perspective. Institutionalized things like an Amazon wishlist for classroom supplies and an annual fundraising appeal. Built up parent volunteer capacity behind me. Advocated to mayor and Council for budget, and trained other parents and teachers to advocate. Worked with neighborhood association to get people to stop letting their dogs run loose in the garden. Recruited community volunteers for the garden, and to support the 2nd grade bike ride. Probably more I’ve forgotten.

My kids WOTP DCPS Elementary used Canvas, so I could (in theory!) log into see their assignments, and we received weekly emails with updates about what the class was working on. I figured this was system-wide, but maybe unique to the school I was at? Honestly it was more info than I needed, but some parents ate it up, and I do think it's a best practice that could be shared.

Even in middle school, we get weekly updates about what the students are working on. I don't track my kids' assignments, since... that's the kid's job, but it would be possible with the tools parents have access to.

Def join the HSA though, and keep asking. The amount of influence will vary school to school and teacher to teacher.

Anonymous wrote:I dunno, I feel like I did make some minor improvement. I did all the paperwork to get the PTO up and running as a nonprofit. We wrote some grants, not huge ones but it's money they wouldn't have otherwise had, and some of the grants are renewable. Paid for a bunch of stuff to make teachers' lives easier (such as an additional copier and a pallet of paper). Revamped the website with content and nice photos. Tried to, very politely and constructively, identify problems and propose solutions. It's slow going but I do think, over a period of years, these investments add up.

It does sound like you made an improvement.

I think something I am learning from all of this is: No school is perfect, but if you feel heard and involved, you can have success. It seems to me that if parents are unhappy, and they really have tried and don't feel supported, then it's not for them.

I'm feeling better about our choices and more likely to have our 3rd child join the school too.

Anonymous wrote:Quietly ask the teacher what they need in terms of additional physical resources for the kids in the classroom---keeping in mind that the teacher likely has some (or many) kids who are not coming to school with the physical items (backpacks, pencils, notebooks, folders) that they need to succeed.

And if your teacher sends you an adorable picture of your child holding a printer cartridge box with the needed information clearly visible, take the hint.

Quietly ask the teacher what they need in terms of additional physical resources for the kids in the classroom---keeping in mind that the teacher likely has some (or many) kids who are not coming to school with the physical items (backpacks, pencils, notebooks, folders) that they need to succeed.

I dunno, I feel like I did make some minor improvement. I did all the paperwork to get the PTO up and running as a nonprofit. We wrote some grants, not huge ones but it's money they wouldn't have otherwise had, and some of the grants are renewable. Paid for a bunch of stuff to make teachers' lives easier (such as an additional copier and a pallet of paper). Revamped the website with content and nice photos. Tried to, very politely and constructively, identify problems and propose solutions. It's slow going but I do think, over a period of years, these investments add up.

Our PTO does both community events and fundraising. Yes, sometimes those events are combined so that we get community building out of not the most efficient possible fundraiser… but that community building is a huge benefit. Fundraising absolutely goes to crucial items that help the school function better.