NP here. I have been a parent at Jones lane for almost 8 years. And while I don’t agree completely with the PP, there is some truth to what he/she is saying. I feel the PTA has gotten better over the years. Recently there has been more diversity involvement at the PTA, but the undercurrent that the PTA is white, and they are the leaders, and a sense of entitlement is still present and visible there.

They might let u volunteer and stuff bc they are desperate for volunteers, but unless u are white or “act white” they aren’t very friendly or welcoming. “It’s like thanks for doing your job and bye!” Over the years I had Several volunteering positions that I held, I always was made to feel like I did my work and thanks but don’t speak to us anymore now that the volunteering for that is done. I felt a bit used.
My views I am writing about are only of the JLES PTA, not of the school. JLES is a wonderful school with great teachers and supporting staff.

Again, you are missing the point. I may be complaining, but I am also informing other parents of the situation at jones Lane so they have an idea of what's going on and what they have to work with. So they aren't completely blind sides like I was. I am trying to give a side of the story so the readers of this forum are informed of the good (as the PP wrote) and bad at JLES PTA and can form their own opinions. Thank you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of the problems with Jones Lane, is the PTA. It's run by a few moms (all white) who have a habit of not involving other moms that they don't like into the PTA. The moms they usually don't like are non whte moms, i.e. Asian and Hispanic. This results in a very cliquey and non inclusive feeling for other parents who want to get involved but can't bc of these moms.

100% false. The PTA has held several PTA meetings in Spanish in the West Side Drive community, as well as a picnic. They actively seek out input & involvement from diverse populations of the JLES community. Every year they are virtually begging for volunteers to serve on the PTA board and chair events.
PTA meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month, do you go? I'm guessing not, or you would know that there are always several events that they are looking for volunteers for. You also would have seen an Asian woman who has been on the board for 2 years. And you would know that a Hispanic woman was named Volunteer of the Year last school year. I don't know who in the PTA pissed in your cornflakes but spreading lies does no one any good.

this x 1000

You have a right to your opinion, but it's not fair to say that I am spreading lies.
Nobody pissed in my cornflakes, I am stating the facts and what I have observed at the school for the past 6 years. I am trying to show a true portrayal of jones Lane, not the PC correct one the PTA is trying to portray. I have been to meetings, the PTA picks and chooses who they want so that it looks like they are a diverse body.
It's like that saying people have where they say " oh I'm not racist, see I have a black friend" I want to emphasize I'm not saying anyone is racist at jones Lane, I'm am just trying to give an example of how ITS ALL SUPERFICIAL! The PTA is run by a few moms, maybe it's like that at other mcps schools I am not sure, but I can confidently say Jones Lane is not all rainbows and unicorns like the PP so vehemently stated.

So were you involved in the free legal.clinic for immigrants organized by the Jones Lane PTA or the food drives? Do you translate for families at PTA events?

If there are things you think aren't happening at your school, then volunteer to do it and change the culture! All PTAs are just people who are just as busy as you are volunteering so other people can complain.about them and take what they do for granted.

Please share the volunteer activities you have done to help create positive change at Jones Lane. If you don't like something, fix it.

That’s great what the PTA is doing for the west drive community.
What I am talking about is how the PTA makes parents feel who want to volunteer, they give they worst jobs to minority’s or people they don’t like, while they and their friends take all the best jobs, with the most publicity and perks. You say fix it...how can one change the culture of the PTA if I am one individual and there are so many who think the same way. The pack mentality is there and At the end of the day it’s just not worth it, and so that’s why I am trying to express my opinions to others in this forum, so they know what to expect.

This sounds like every PTA/volunteer organization, except that you seem to be assigning nefarious intent that isn't there. In any volunteer organization, the "best" jobs will go to people who have been involved the longest/people who have organized those activities before and shown reliability. I'm not sure what the "worst" jobs are (seriously - what are the "bad" PTA jobs? A volunteer position is a volunteer position). In general, if someone has organized something before, then they get first pick at doing it again. If they did a good job previously, it makes sense for the same person to do it, and it's easier than teaching a new person how to do something. If it is a job that's open, people are probably going to offer it to someone who has been doing other PTA/volunteer positions before. When you are at work, does the brand new person get the leadership role or do they need to work their way up to the top and show that they are reliable while people get to know them? It's literally the same thing - that's how groups and organizations work.

I don't go to Jones Lane, but your attitude sounds like part of the problem, not the solution. And yes, one person can make a difference if they actually DO something, and not just complain about things. I know the person that organized many of the activities listed above - she's amazing. She created volunteer opportunities and PTA roles that didn't exist before. She saw a need in her community and she made a difference. She's not her on DCUM complaining.

Sign up for the "worst" job because it will help out your child's school and help out the other people in the PTA and they will see you are a team player and want to be involved. When no one signs up for the "worst" jobs (I still want to know what those are) someone still has to do it. It's probably the same people doing the "best" jobs that you are so envious of. They take on more because you'd rather complain than be part of the solution.

Anonymous wrote:

That’s great what the PTA is doing for the west drive community.
What I am talking about is how the PTA makes parents feel who want to volunteer, they give they worst jobs to minority’s or people they don’t like, while they and their friends take all the best jobs, with the most publicity and perks. You say fix it...how can one change the culture of the PTA if I am one individual and there are so many who think the same way. The pack mentality is there and At the end of the day it’s just not worth it, and so that’s why I am trying to express my opinions to others in this forum, so they know what to expect.

The fact of the matter is that JLES has an active PTA who cares about the community. It's natural to get friends together when forming a committee because it makes a volunteer position more enjoyable. There are plenty of other schools that struggle to get an involved PTA for simple things like Teacher Appreciation, nevermind do something such as ensuring children have meals during school break or providing transportation to events outside of regular school hours. It's a bit of a stretch to try and pull a race card when, as the pp stated there are minorities serving on the board and receiving volunteer of the year awards. The board changes every couple of years. Bottom line is that Jones Lane is a decent school with parents who care (including you) so step up instead of bringing others down in a community that you're raising your children.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of the problems with Jones Lane, is the PTA. It's run by a few moms (all white) who have a habit of not involving other moms that they don't like into the PTA. The moms they usually don't like are non whte moms, i.e. Asian and Hispanic. This results in a very cliquey and non inclusive feeling for other parents who want to get involved but can't bc of these moms.

100% false. The PTA has held several PTA meetings in Spanish in the West Side Drive community, as well as a picnic. They actively seek out input & involvement from diverse populations of the JLES community. Every year they are virtually begging for volunteers to serve on the PTA board and chair events.
PTA meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month, do you go? I'm guessing not, or you would know that there are always several events that they are looking for volunteers for. You also would have seen an Asian woman who has been on the board for 2 years. And you would know that a Hispanic woman was named Volunteer of the Year last school year. I don't know who in the PTA pissed in your cornflakes but spreading lies does no one any good.

this x 1000

You have a right to your opinion, but it's not fair to say that I am spreading lies.
Nobody pissed in my cornflakes, I am stating the facts and what I have observed at the school for the past 6 years. I am trying to show a true portrayal of jones Lane, not the PC correct one the PTA is trying to portray. I have been to meetings, the PTA picks and chooses who they want so that it looks like they are a diverse body.
It's like that saying people have where they say " oh I'm not racist, see I have a black friend" I want to emphasize I'm not saying anyone is racist at jones Lane, I'm am just trying to give an example of how ITS ALL SUPERFICIAL! The PTA is run by a few moms, maybe it's like that at other mcps schools I am not sure, but I can confidently say Jones Lane is not all rainbows and unicorns like the PP so vehemently stated.

So were you involved in the free legal.clinic for immigrants organized by the Jones Lane PTA or the food drives? Do you translate for families at PTA events?

If there are things you think aren't happening at your school, then volunteer to do it and change the culture! All PTAs are just people who are just as busy as you are volunteering so other people can complain.about them and take what they do for granted.

Please share the volunteer activities you have done to help create positive change at Jones Lane. If you don't like something, fix it.

That’s great what the PTA is doing for the west drive community.
What I am talking about is how the PTA makes parents feel who want to volunteer, they give they worst jobs to minority’s or people they don’t like, while they and their friends take all the best jobs, with the most publicity and perks. You say fix it...how can one change the culture of the PTA if I am one individual and there are so many who think the same way. The pack mentality is there and At the end of the day it’s just not worth it, and so that’s why I am trying to express my opinions to others in this forum, so they know what to expect.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of the problems with Jones Lane, is the PTA. It's run by a few moms (all white) who have a habit of not involving other moms that they don't like into the PTA. The moms they usually don't like are non whte moms, i.e. Asian and Hispanic. This results in a very cliquey and non inclusive feeling for other parents who want to get involved but can't bc of these moms.

100% false. The PTA has held several PTA meetings in Spanish in the West Side Drive community, as well as a picnic. They actively seek out input & involvement from diverse populations of the JLES community. Every year they are virtually begging for volunteers to serve on the PTA board and chair events.
PTA meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month, do you go? I'm guessing not, or you would know that there are always several events that they are looking for volunteers for. You also would have seen an Asian woman who has been on the board for 2 years. And you would know that a Hispanic woman was named Volunteer of the Year last school year. I don't know who in the PTA pissed in your cornflakes but spreading lies does no one any good.

this x 1000

You have a right to your opinion, but it's not fair to say that I am spreading lies.
Nobody pissed in my cornflakes, I am stating the facts and what I have observed at the school for the past 6 years. I am trying to show a true portrayal of jones Lane, not the PC correct one the PTA is trying to portray. I have been to meetings, the PTA picks and chooses who they want so that it looks like they are a diverse body.
It's like that saying people have where they say " oh I'm not racist, see I have a black friend" I want to emphasize I'm not saying anyone is racist at jones Lane, I'm am just trying to give an example of how ITS ALL SUPERFICIAL! The PTA is run by a few moms, maybe it's like that at other mcps schools I am not sure, but I can confidently say Jones Lane is not all rainbows and unicorns like the PP so vehemently stated.

So were you involved in the free legal.clinic for immigrants organized by the Jones Lane PTA or the food drives? Do you translate for families at PTA events?

If there are things you think aren't happening at your school, then volunteer to do it and change the culture! All PTAs are just people who are just as busy as you are volunteering so other people can complain.about them and take what they do for granted.

Please share the volunteer activities you have done to help create positive change at Jones Lane. If you don't like something, fix it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of the problems with Jones Lane, is the PTA. It's run by a few moms (all white) who have a habit of not involving other moms that they don't like into the PTA. The moms they usually don't like are non whte moms, i.e. Asian and Hispanic. This results in a very cliquey and non inclusive feeling for other parents who want to get involved but can't bc of these moms.

100% false. The PTA has held several PTA meetings in Spanish in the West Side Drive community, as well as a picnic. They actively seek out input & involvement from diverse populations of the JLES community. Every year they are virtually begging for volunteers to serve on the PTA board and chair events.
PTA meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month, do you go? I'm guessing not, or you would know that there are always several events that they are looking for volunteers for. You also would have seen an Asian woman who has been on the board for 2 years. And you would know that a Hispanic woman was named Volunteer of the Year last school year. I don't know who in the PTA pissed in your cornflakes but spreading lies does no one any good.

this x 1000

You have a right to your opinion, but it's not fair to say that I am spreading lies.
Nobody pissed in my cornflakes, I am stating the facts and what I have observed at the school for the past 6 years. I am trying to show a true portrayal of jones Lane, not the PC correct one the PTA is trying to portray. I have been to meetings, the PTA picks and chooses who they want so that it looks like they are a diverse body.
It's like that saying people have where they say " oh I'm not racist, see I have a black friend" I want to emphasize I'm not saying anyone is racist at jones Lane, I'm am just trying to give an example of how ITS ALL SUPERFICIAL! The PTA is run by a few moms, maybe it's like that at other mcps schools I am not sure, but I can confidently say Jones Lane is not all rainbows and unicorns like the PP so vehemently stated.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of the problems with Jones Lane, is the PTA. It's run by a few moms (all white) who have a habit of not involving other moms that they don't like into the PTA. The moms they usually don't like are non whte moms, i.e. Asian and Hispanic. This results in a very cliquey and non inclusive feeling for other parents who want to get involved but can't bc of these moms.

100% false. The PTA has held several PTA meetings in Spanish in the West Side Drive community, as well as a picnic. They actively seek out input & involvement from diverse populations of the JLES community. Every year they are virtually begging for volunteers to serve on the PTA board and chair events.
PTA meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month, do you go? I'm guessing not, or you would know that there are always several events that they are looking for volunteers for. You also would have seen an Asian woman who has been on the board for 2 years. And you would know that a Hispanic woman was named Volunteer of the Year last school year. I don't know who in the PTA pissed in your cornflakes but spreading lies does no one any good.

this x 1000

Anonymous wrote:One of the problems with Jones Lane, is the PTA. It's run by a few moms (all white) who have a habit of not involving other moms that they don't like into the PTA. The moms they usually don't like are non whte moms, i.e. Asian and Hispanic. This results in a very cliquey and non inclusive feeling for other parents who want to get involved but can't bc of these moms.

100% false. The PTA has held several PTA meetings in Spanish in the West Side Drive community, as well as a picnic. They actively seek out input & involvement from diverse populations of the JLES community. Every year they are virtually begging for volunteers to serve on the PTA board and chair events.
PTA meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month, do you go? I'm guessing not, or you would know that there are always several events that they are looking for volunteers for. You also would have seen an Asian woman who has been on the board for 2 years. And you would know that a Hispanic woman was named Volunteer of the Year last school year. I don't know who in the PTA pissed in your cornflakes but spreading lies does no one any good.

Anonymous wrote:The dirty little secret is that Jones Lane has no black settlement that feeds in. Examples would be Scotland and Tobytown.

What secret?

There were historic black communities all over the county - including Poplar Grove, on Jones Lane less than half a mile from Jones Lane ES.

https://www.poplargrovebaptistchurch.org/History.htm

Anonymous wrote:The dirty little secret is that Jones Lane has no black settlement that feeds in. Examples would be Scotland and Tobytown.

How is this a dirty little secret exactly? According to the schools at a glance fact sheet, there are 14% AA at the school.

The dirty little secret is that Jones Lane has no black settlement that feeds in. Examples would be Scotland and Tobytown.

Anonymous wrote:

Exactly, mcps buses children from far away in areas with diverse background to jones Lane elementary, it results in division between home children and those bussed children. Escpecially when it comes to friendships and after school activities. I don't really understand why mcps does it.

"Diverse" does not mean "black and/or Hispanic." If MCPS zoned an area with mostly white affluent kids for an elementary school in an area with lots of black, brown, and poor kids, would you refer to the white affluent area as "diverse background"?

Yes, it's a hardship for people in the neighborhood by 270 that's zoned for Jones Lane to get to the school, because the public transportation options in the area are terrible. That's why, at one point, the Jones Lane PTA had a project to get Lyft gift cards to families from that area. I don't know if that's still going on.

https://www.mymcmedia.org/local-pta-partners-with-lyft-to-address-transportation-challenges/

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of the problems with Jones Lane, is the PTA. It's run by a few moms (all white) who have a habit of not involving other moms that they don't like into the PTA. The moms they usually don't like are non whte moms, i.e. Asian and Hispanic. This results in a very cliquey and non inclusive feeling for other parents who want to get involved but can't bc of these moms.

DP here. This is what we hesitated about this school when we were looking in the QO area. We came from a diverse school in MOCO and while looking in the QO neighborhood a couple of years ago, we noticed that there were a lot of white families. Nothing wrong with that but it just seemed out of the ordinary considering that we live in such a diverse county and something I wasn't used to coming from the previous school. I'm Asian by the way, and my kids are half white. That said I heard it was a great school and we would've probably bought there had we found the right house, but I'm not gonna lie, this aspect of the school would've slightly made me uncomfortable. Maybe I would've gotten over that feeling at some point.

Yes, the whole darnestown area is very weird - the neighborhoods are not diverse at all, so MCPS sends a neighborhood with FARMs to them, which makes the schools very diverse.

Exactly, mcps buses children from far away in areas with diverse background to jones Lane elementary, it results in division between home children and those bussed children. Escpecially when it comes to friendships and after school activities. I don't really understand why mcps does it.

I would hardly call another neighborhood in Gaithersburg "far away" from Jones Lane ES which is just past Quince Orchard HS - it's not like they're bussing them from Silver Spring or Burtonsville. They do it so that some schools do not have 80% FARMS students while others have >5%.

Well, first of all, when the students bus ride is almost 20 mins from the far away neighborhood to jones Lane, that's pretty far away. I've spoken with some of the far away neighborhoods kids parents and many are not happy having their elementary school so far away. Many have transportation ssues and can't drive there. If their kid is sick or has to come home unexpectedly they have to take a taxi or uber to pick up the kid. In addition, bc the school is far away many of the kids can't do after-school activities, play dates, or attend evening pta events bc of these transportation issues.
Mcps literally busses these kids past five other elementary schools to finally arrive at jones Lane elementary. It's simply ridiculous!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of the problems with Jones Lane, is the PTA. It's run by a few moms (all white) who have a habit of not involving other moms that they don't like into the PTA. The moms they usually don't like are non whte moms, i.e. Asian and Hispanic. This results in a very cliquey and non inclusive feeling for other parents who want to get involved but can't bc of these moms.

DP here. This is what we hesitated about this school when we were looking in the QO area. We came from a diverse school in MOCO and while looking in the QO neighborhood a couple of years ago, we noticed that there were a lot of white families. Nothing wrong with that but it just seemed out of the ordinary considering that we live in such a diverse county and something I wasn't used to coming from the previous school. I'm Asian by the way, and my kids are half white. That said I heard it was a great school and we would've probably bought there had we found the right house, but I'm not gonna lie, this aspect of the school would've slightly made me uncomfortable. Maybe I would've gotten over that feeling at some point.

Yes, the whole darnestown area is very weird - the neighborhoods are not diverse at all, so MCPS sends a neighborhood with FARMs to them, which makes the schools very diverse.

Exactly, mcps buses children from far away in areas with diverse background to jones Lane elementary, it results in division between home children and those bussed children. Escpecially when it comes to friendships and after school activities. I don't really understand why mcps does it.

I would hardly call another neighborhood in Gaithersburg "far away" from Jones Lane ES which is just past Quince Orchard HS - it's not like they're bussing them from Silver Spring or Burtonsville. They do it so that some schools do not have 80% FARMS students while others have >5%.