Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is ridiculous. It leads to inequity.

The problem is that DCPS counts on the fundraising when it sets school budgets. So you can't step off of the treadmill now.

The bigger problem is there is absolutely no transparency when it comes to budgeting at DCPS, each school gets a per-pupil number but it's a complete mystery where those numbers come from. So it's impossible to even talk about things like equity and budgeting because nobody really knows.

Yes, and then it just becomes a self fulfilling prophecy for families.

1) New parents crowdsource on the internet for "good" (white schools) and the same 5-6 names pop up;

2) Parent sends kid to the high SES school, they then give extra money to those schools for things like interventionists and additional teaching aides/technology

3) Parent joins group of people in belief that school is "good" when its really just better funded which shows in improved test scores and proficiency

4) New parents reach out to previous parent who joins the cult of donations

5) The rest of the city suffers

The alternative is that parents flee for private for VA/MD publics

Okay Bye then. By making your schools “whole” with private funding it’s already like you’ve left the rest of us for the privates. Why do the UMC of DC consistently threaten us with their wallets

No threat. My property taxes are outrageous. But I made choices that put my child’s education as top priority. What is it you want folks to do? DC spends the highest amount per student in the country. Demand better.

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think any school on that list asks for that much. Highest I’ve heard is around $1,200 (but they stress that any amount is welcome)

This. It’s just a suggested amount. Give however much you want or don’t give at all. We donate, attend the auction and buy things, etc…

It’s not a big deal if you can afford it. If you can’t that’s fine, give what you can. Some families will give much more than suggested, others much less and others none.

DCPS schools and charters with majority higher SES families are easily going to raise 6 figures plus. The more money raised, the more it will help the school. That money will go directly to the school with what they urgently need and benefit each and every student, no matter what their SES status.

I don’t think any school on that list asks for that much. Highest I’ve heard is around $1,200 (but they stress that any amount is welcome)

Our school is in your list, it asks for $500 per child. I usually give more around $200 per kid, but typically spend between $2,500-$5,000 at the auction depending on what I feel like buying that year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCPS could fix this if they wanted to. Many states ban contributions to public schools, or limit them to minimal amounts.

Typical DC Schools mentality.

Better to hold the top down so you don't have to be accountable for lifting the bottom up.

We see it with academics all the time.

DCPS could also fix this by funding more teachers and coaches so PTOs didn't need to, and providing more supplies so PTOs didn't need to, and maintaining school buildings so PTOs didn't need to advocate for that too, and so on and so forth. I wish they would, but until they do i guess I'll keep donating to my PTO where I can (lord knows it's better than volunteering to man a booth!)

Anonymous wrote:DCPS could fix this if they wanted to. Many states ban contributions to public schools, or limit them to minimal amounts.

Typical DC Schools mentality.

Better to hold the top down so you don't have to be accountable for lifting the bottom up.

We see it with academics all the time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At one of those pre-pandemic. 2,500/kid

What! That's three times the (already absurd) expectation at Janney.

Yeah, our kids went to Key. We never gave anywhere close to this.

Bizarre.

Some parents on here are so naive. You actually think the disparity in donations is only a DC thing? It’s a nation wide thing.

Rich schools in any school county get a lot more donations than their poorer counterparts. Classic example is our neighbors in VA and MD.

The only difference is that theses families also pay to buy the expensive real estate in the best schools. At least in DC, you have a shot at going to a better resourced school with the lottery.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At one of those pre-pandemic. 2,500/kid

What! That's three times the (already absurd) expectation at Janney.

I guess it depends on how much you are making. For me that is my pay for 2 weeks. For others it is more manageable.

Frankly, I don't see the issue. Everyone can decide on whom to donate their money to.

My advice is give as much as you want.

I agree. Parent donations directly benefit the school and all the kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is ridiculous. It leads to inequity.

The problem is that DCPS counts on the fundraising when it sets school budgets. So you can't step off of the treadmill now.

The bigger problem is there is absolutely no transparency when it comes to budgeting at DCPS, each school gets a per-pupil number but it's a complete mystery where those numbers come from. So it's impossible to even talk about things like equity and budgeting because nobody really knows.

Yes, and then it just becomes a self fulfilling prophecy for families.

1) New parents crowdsource on the internet for "good" (white schools) and the same 5-6 names pop up;

2) Parent sends kid to the high SES school, they then give extra money to those schools for things like interventionists and additional teaching aides/technology

3) Parent joins group of people in belief that school is "good" when its really just better funded which shows in improved test scores and proficiency

4) New parents reach out to previous parent who joins the cult of donations

5) The rest of the city suffers

The alternative is that parents flee for private for VA/MD publics

Okay Bye then. By making your schools “whole” with private funding it’s already like you’ve left the rest of us for the privates. Why do the UMC of DC consistently threaten us with their wallets

Because DC plunders the UMC with ridiculously high taxes for very little in return. Those schools have to fundraise because they are intentionally underfunded by DC compared to other schools.

i think its nice when families who have the additional resources choose to donate money to programs at their local public school. it benefits all of the kids at the school. its one of few instances where you have a very direct, firsthand idea of precisely where your money is going and what it is contributing to. the problems only really start if there is any pressure in the community to donate (despite it being a taxpayer funded public school), perceived social status benefits, control over school programming etc. associated with these type of donations.

Anonymous wrote:DCPS could fix this if they wanted to. Many states ban contributions to public schools, or limit them to minimal amounts.

Many states? We're not a state.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At one of those pre-pandemic. 2,500/kid

What! That's three times the (already absurd) expectation at Janney.

I guess it depends on how much you are making. For me that is my pay for 2 weeks. For others it is more manageable.

Frankly, I don't see the issue. Everyone can decide on whom to donate their money to.

My advice is give as much as you want.

The Distrct just wasn’t better off in the 80d and 90s, when few UMC families would touch a DC public school. If the city moves to limit or block PTA fundraising and spending, professional parents will just find alternative routes to providing their children with rich learning experiences. Much better to keep them onboard in our struggling public school system than to drive them away.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gross. Tell me more how there isn't systemic racism and inequity in DC.

+1

Many if not all of these schools donate a not insignificant amount to poorer schools in DC. So if it’s so gross why don’t you give back that 20k.