How much will the PA donate? If it is more than a token amount, how will the PA support larger project?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let's just remember that the PA's funds ARE parents' funds, and if the PA doesn't support the trip then many people won't support the PA.....

Not every parent in the school who has contributed time and money to the PA, wants to see their efforts go to a China trip which benefits a select few. Most parents would prefer to see those collective funds go to a project that benefits everyone: the library, electronic whiteboards, the treehouse classroom, music, just to name a few. So, I might re-state your assertion as:

Let's just remember that the PA's funds ARE parents' funds, and if the PA doesn't support the projects that benefit the whole school, (aka, the children of the entire PA) then many people won't support the PA....

PP here: hoping to keep this civil and get to yes....I guess I needed to state more clearly that the money that goes to the PA comes from parents. The PA could and should commit to a level of funding for the 5th grade trip--i.e., a certain percentage or dollar amount---since it will occur every year, and some kids will need funding more than others. The intent is for every child to go. If parents decide otherwise, of course that is their right, but the majority of the kids WILL be going (just as this year 2/3 of the upper class is now going). IF the PA decides not to support, then it will see its funding drop and more competition for fundraisers from parents who are saving to go. That was my point. There is no select few. I don't think you actually do speak for "most" parents.
PS: Just fyi: No one wants electronic whiteboards--they are becoming obsolete at this point and no one who knows anything about educational technology would invest in them!!

Anonymous wrote:Let's just remember that the PA's funds ARE parents' funds, and if the PA doesn't support the trip then many people won't support the PA.....

Not every parent in the school who has contributed time and money to the PA, wants to see their efforts go to a China trip which benefits a select few. Most parents would prefer to see those collective funds go to a project that benefits everyone: the library, electronic whiteboards, the treehouse classroom, music, just to name a few. So, I might re-state your assertion as:

Let's just remember that the PA's funds ARE parents' funds, and if the PA doesn't support the projects that benefit the whole school, (aka, the children of the entire PA) then many people won't support the PA....

Let's just remember that the PA's funds ARE parents' funds, and if the PA doesn't support the trip then many people won't support the PA.....

Anonymous wrote:The survey last week asked if parents support the PA using some of the Gala proceeds to go to the China trip. I have heard from a trusty source that something like a third of the parents voted against funding the trip. That combined with the hyper-competitive fund raising that is flooding my inbox shows how polarized people are about this trip.

I agree, people are polarized. The survey seemed rather unscientific to me as it appeared that anyone could vote as many times as they wanted to (not that I would do such a thing, but there was a link at the end to take the survey again). Still, I'd be curious to see what the individual responses were and to be part of the discussion on how the PA should spend its funds.

I'm sure it will level out, and I'm sure a fund-raising system will fall into place. I think those of you who can comfortably afford to send your child and an adult should realize how blessed you are and perhaps think about trying to help out those who aren't. Instead of being annoyed, maybe understand this as an opportunity for you and your family to help kids who are part of your chosen community. Great lesson for kids and adults, right??

I'm, not "I've"

No agenda. I've fortunate enough to have the money to send our children with a parent when the time is right. And yes of course it is enthusiasm, but I'm still loathing the thought of hearing about fundraising a couple times a week for the next 5 years. I hope some of it dies down.

The "hyper-competition" has to do with hearing that one of our upcoming class fund raisers had to be canceled because our room parents didn't coordinate the plans with the rest of the classes. The same project was already planned and underway by another class that is much closer to going on the trip than we are. The school and the PA have never done this type of fundraising so it's no wonder that it is confusing and poorly orchestrated.

When people are trying to raise money all from the same group at the same time doing the same projects it seems like the makings of a competitive environment, no?

Anonymous wrote:The PA is trying to coordinate fundraising by the parents so that parents aren't stepping all over each other, but I know they are NOT leading any of it. From what I do know, the board agreed to get involved but was very reluctant for obvious reasons. To me it seems like some parents are opposed and others are taking this on in an almost competitive, way. It is ridiculous, but the PRE-K parents are already starting to fundraise. The survey last week asked if parents support the PA using some of the Gala proceeds to go to the China trip. I have heard from a trusty source that something like a third of the parents voted against funding the trip. That combined with the hyper-competitive fund raising that is flooding my inbox shows how polarized people are about this trip.

This reads as editorializing to me. You've got an agenda to push, and can't wait to spin any given factoid towards that point of view.

I've received messages about fundraising, and my take on it was very much about ambitious enthusiasm.

Could it be that "hyper-competition" is in the eye of the beholder?

or how eager they are to be a part of it.

The PA is trying to coordinate fundraising by the parents so that parents aren't stepping all over each other, but I know they are NOT leading any of it. From what I do know, the board agreed to get involved but was very reluctant for obvious reasons. To me it seems like some parents are opposed and others are taking this on in an almost competitive, way. It is ridiculous, but the PRE-K parents are already starting to fundraise. The survey last week asked if parents support the PA using some of the Gala proceeds to go to the China trip. I have heard from a trusty source that something like a third of the parents voted against funding the trip. That combined with the hyper-competitive fund raising that is flooding my inbox shows how polarized people are about this trip.

Anonymous wrote:Some parents have issues with sending their 10 year olds away by themselves. Some question the educational value of a tourist trip. Some want to go, but simply do not have the time to take off from work or the funds to accompany their children.

But ALL of us question the wisdom of the parent association and the school making this one trip the be-all and end-all focus of the school year. Fund raisers starting in kindergarten, poor communication, non stop planning, lack of consideration for other alternatives are all serious issues.

No, ALL of us don't. Weren't you there last year when the PA went through turmoil to become a completely separate 501c3? (Don't say you weren't around, btw, because new parents never try to speak for everyone as you just did.)

The PA has nothing to do with this decision.

I and many other parents support the trip. Students will be with staff and other parents. We completely respect individual families feelings about their individual children's readiness for the trip, but I fail to see why people condemn the whole idea. Perhaps a school with a chinese and international focus is not a great fit for them.

Some parents have issues with sending their 10 year olds away by themselves. Some question the educational value of a tourist trip. Some want to go, but simply do not have the time to take off from work or the funds to accompany their children.

But ALL of us question the wisdom of the parent association and the school making this one trip the be-all and end-all focus of the school year. Fund raisers starting in kindergarten, poor communication, non stop planning, lack of consideration for other alternatives are all serious issues.

in my opinion a trip to regional or national chinatowns should be what the PARENT of a kid in an immersion school OUGHT to be doing as part of the agreement to expose their children to Chinese language and cultural experiences as they move up in grades.
The school is offering a trip to China. take it or leave it.