Anonymous wrote:Keene Mill AAP parent. I find the alfresco to be a disgusting idea. In no way, shape, or form do I want to teach my child this kind of elitism. Why a parent would buy into this knowing it is so exclusionary is beyond me. What happened to kindness, empathy and just straight up compassion? How would you feel if you were a general education kid and you really wanted to go but too bad, so sad because you aren't smart enough to be in AAP. Gross.

Anonymous wrote:Want to be part of it? Take the time to push your kids to excel or get a tutor. DUH.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a ton of inaccurate information being thrown around thread.
1. The school principal and administration have noting to do with Al Fresco.
2. Teachers have nothing to do with Al Fresco
3. The PTA does not organize or sponsor Al Fresco

Al Fresco is 100% run by parent volunteers. There are no meetings on school grounds and no input from school staff. I'm not sure why non-AAP parents have not organized something similar but they are certainly completely free to do so. Is anyone on this thread even a Keene Mill parent?

But why as a parent would you even want to sponsor a trip like this at your child's school knowing other kids there weren't invited? And don't you have to take the kids out of school so isn't the school and possibly teachers involved somewhat? I think you're getting a lot of comments from non Keene Mill parents because no other AAP parents in the county operate like this. And then to hear comments like "it's too hard to get in touch with general ed parents, makes you just seem more loathsome. Own up to the fact that you're trying to be exclusive at least.

I am not the original poster who talked about it "being too hard to get in touch with general Ed parents". I have not been involved with planning the Al Fresco trip nor has my child attended. I merely wanted to clear up inaccurate information written by others. To answer your question, no, teachers are not somewhat involved because the trip is scheduled during school holidays.

Is that new?

As of very recently the kids missed school for this trip. I know at least three years ago and possibly two years ago.

The kids are not missing school this year as they are scheduled to go April 22 - 24, taking advantage of the April student holiday.

https://www.facebook.com/CampAlFresco/

http://tinyurl.com/alfresco123

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a ton of inaccurate information being thrown around thread.
1. The school principal and administration have noting to do with Al Fresco.
2. Teachers have nothing to do with Al Fresco
3. The PTA does not organize or sponsor Al Fresco

Al Fresco is 100% run by parent volunteers. There are no meetings on school grounds and no input from school staff. I'm not sure why non-AAP parents have not organized something similar but they are certainly completely free to do so. Is anyone on this thread even a Keene Mill parent?

But why as a parent would you even want to sponsor a trip like this at your child's school knowing other kids there weren't invited? And don't you have to take the kids out of school so isn't the school and possibly teachers involved somewhat? I think you're getting a lot of comments from non Keene Mill parents because no other AAP parents in the county operate like this. And then to hear comments like "it's too hard to get in touch with general ed parents, makes you just seem more loathsome. Own up to the fact that you're trying to be exclusive at least.

I am not the original poster who talked about it "being too hard to get in touch with general Ed parents". I have not been involved with planning the Al Fresco trip nor has my child attended. I merely wanted to clear up inaccurate information written by others. To answer your question, no, teachers are not somewhat involved because the trip is scheduled during school holidays.

Is that new?

As of very recently the kids missed school for this trip. I know at least three years ago and possibly two years ago.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok so you guys all seem extremely upset about something that's very hard to get upset over. Once again, Al Fresco is an entirely parent-run event. The school has nothing to do with it in any way shape or form.

While it is not ideal that Gen-Ed kids don't get to go, it's really just a matter of space. The camp grounds don't have enough cabins for so many kids. Now, you might try to argue "Make it just for the sixth graders then!" This is not how it works. The camp was originally created by AAP parents to give the kids a little break. AAP is harder than Gen-Ed and there is much more work involved. 3rd graders don't get to go because they're too young and, again, there's not enough room for them. If Gen-Ed parents wanted their kids to go, they could organize something themselves. There is a lot of work involved in directing this camp without help from the school-- more than you think. While the camp is in March/April, preparations begin almost non-stop in December/January.

How the camp works: students sign up for camp as well as activities to do. These include, high ropes, dodgeball, ice cream making, you name it. In years past, they have all gathered at the government center parking lot behind the post office in West Springfield at around 7:30 Friday morning. They then travel to Camp Letts in Maryland via charter bus. From what I can remember, they have a "SockHop" dance that night. On Saturday, they do a relay race between each grade/gender and then proceed to whatever 3 activities they signed up for. There is a talent show that night. On Sunday morning, the kids return home.

Throughout the trip, boys & girls of each grade (4th, 5th, 6th) are trying to earn points. They earn these points by, yes, pranking. These pranks are pretty much harmless and usually consist of someone putting fake plastic ants on their food or something silly like that. Also, they can earn points by winning the relay race or the talent show. On sunday morning, the winner is announced. The winning group (usually it's the sixth grade girls) get candy or something small like that. It's healthy competition.

Overall, Al Fresco is a really fun experience for the kids. They make so many new friends, and the parents do as well. It's something your kid will always remember.

If you think "segregation" between the AAP kids and the Gen-Ed kids is a reason to not send your child to keene mill, think again. The separation of each aspect occurs at any AAP school, not just Keene Mill. It's a flaw they all posses, but whining about it on this thread is getting you literally nowhere. But really, AAP anywhere is a really good opportunity for your child. If they got in and they want to go, let them go. The program has opened up so many doors for so many kids, putting them on the path to success. By no means am I saying the Gen-Ed kids are any worse. They are totally different programs, they just take the same standardized test.

Al Fresco is not a problem!!!! Please stop being so annoying all the time!

Why are you responding to a post that is nearly 8 months old?

Anonymous wrote:Ok so you guys all seem extremely upset about something that's very hard to get upset over. Once again, Al Fresco is an entirely parent-run event. The school has nothing to do with it in any way shape or form.

While it is not ideal that Gen-Ed kids don't get to go, it's really just a matter of space. The camp grounds don't have enough cabins for so many kids. Now, you might try to argue "Make it just for the sixth graders then!" This is not how it works. The camp was originally created by AAP parents to give the kids a little break. AAP is harder than Gen-Ed and there is much more work involved. 3rd graders don't get to go because they're too young and, again, there's not enough room for them. If Gen-Ed parents wanted their kids to go, they could organize something themselves. There is a lot of work involved in directing this camp without help from the school-- more than you think. While the camp is in March/April, preparations begin almost non-stop in December/January.

How the camp works: students sign up for camp as well as activities to do. These include, high ropes, dodgeball, ice cream making, you name it. In years past, they have all gathered at the government center parking lot behind the post office in West Springfield at around 7:30 Friday morning. They then travel to Camp Letts in Maryland via charter bus. From what I can remember, they have a "SockHop" dance that night. On Saturday, they do a relay race between each grade/gender and then proceed to whatever 3 activities they signed up for. There is a talent show that night. On Sunday morning, the kids return home.

Throughout the trip, boys & girls of each grade (4th, 5th, 6th) are trying to earn points. They earn these points by, yes, pranking. These pranks are pretty much harmless and usually consist of someone putting fake plastic ants on their food or something silly like that. Also, they can earn points by winning the relay race or the talent show. On sunday morning, the winner is announced. The winning group (usually it's the sixth grade girls) get candy or something small like that. It's healthy competition.

Overall, Al Fresco is a really fun experience for the kids. They make so many new friends, and the parents do as well. It's something your kid will always remember.

If you think "segregation" between the AAP kids and the Gen-Ed kids is a reason to not send your child to keene mill, think again. The separation of each aspect occurs at any AAP school, not just Keene Mill. It's a flaw they all posses, but whining about it on this thread is getting you literally nowhere. But really, AAP anywhere is a really good opportunity for your child. If they got in and they want to go, let them go. The program has opened up so many doors for so many kids, putting them on the path to success. By no means am I saying the Gen-Ed kids are any worse. They are totally different programs, they just take the same standardized test.

Al Fresco is not a problem!!!! Please stop being so annoying all the time!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a ton of inaccurate information being thrown around thread.
1. The school principal and administration have noting to do with Al Fresco.
2. Teachers have nothing to do with Al Fresco
3. The PTA does not organize or sponsor Al Fresco

Al Fresco is 100% run by parent volunteers. There are no meetings on school grounds and no input from school staff. I'm not sure why non-AAP parents have not organized something similar but they are certainly completely free to do so. Is anyone on this thread even a Keene Mill parent?

But why as a parent would you even want to sponsor a trip like this at your child's school knowing other kids there weren't invited? And don't you have to take the kids out of school so isn't the school and possibly teachers involved somewhat? I think you're getting a lot of comments from non Keene Mill parents because no other AAP parents in the county operate like this. And then to hear comments like "it's too hard to get in touch with general ed parents, makes you just seem more loathsome. Own up to the fact that you're trying to be exclusive at least.

I am not the original poster who talked about it "being too hard to get in touch with general Ed parents". I have not been involved with planning the Al Fresco trip nor has my child attended. I merely wanted to clear up inaccurate information written by others. To answer your question, no, teachers are not somewhat involved because the trip is scheduled during school holidays.

Is that new?

As of very recently the kids missed school for this trip. I know at least three years ago and possibly two years ago.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a ton of inaccurate information being thrown around thread.
1. The school principal and administration have noting to do with Al Fresco.
2. Teachers have nothing to do with Al Fresco
3. The PTA does not organize or sponsor Al Fresco

Al Fresco is 100% run by parent volunteers. There are no meetings on school grounds and no input from school staff. I'm not sure why non-AAP parents have not organized something similar but they are certainly completely free to do so. Is anyone on this thread even a Keene Mill parent?

But why as a parent would you even want to sponsor a trip like this at your child's school knowing other kids there weren't invited? And don't you have to take the kids out of school so isn't the school and possibly teachers involved somewhat? I think you're getting a lot of comments from non Keene Mill parents because no other AAP parents in the county operate like this. And then to hear comments like "it's too hard to get in touch with general ed parents, makes you just seem more loathsome. Own up to the fact that you're trying to be exclusive at least.

I am not the original poster who talked about it "being too hard to get in touch with general Ed parents". I have not been involved with planning the Al Fresco trip nor has my child attended. I merely wanted to clear up inaccurate information written by others. To answer your question, no, teachers are not somewhat involved because the trip is scheduled during school holidays.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a ton of inaccurate information being thrown around thread.
1. The school principal and administration have noting to do with Al Fresco.
2. Teachers have nothing to do with Al Fresco
3. The PTA does not organize or sponsor Al Fresco

Al Fresco is 100% run by parent volunteers. There are no meetings on school grounds and no input from school staff. I'm not sure why non-AAP parents have not organized something similar but they are certainly completely free to do so. Is anyone on this thread even a Keene Mill parent?

But why as a parent would you even want to sponsor a trip like this at your child's school knowing other kids there weren't invited? And don't you have to take the kids out of school so isn't the school and possibly teachers involved somewhat? I think you're getting a lot of comments from non Keene Mill parents because no other AAP parents in the county operate like this. And then to hear comments like "it's too hard to get in touch with general ed parents, makes you just seem more loathsome. Own up to the fact that you're trying to be exclusive at least.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a ton of inaccurate information being thrown around thread.
1. The school principal and administration have noting to do with Al Fresco.
2. Teachers have nothing to do with Al Fresco
3. The PTA does not organize or sponsor Al Fresco

Al Fresco is 100% run by parent volunteers. There are no meetings on school grounds and no input from school staff. I'm not sure why non-AAP parents have not organized something similar but they are certainly completely free to do so. Is anyone on this thread even a Keene Mill parent?

But why as a parent would you even want to sponsor a trip like this at your child's school knowing other kids there weren't invited? And don't you have to take the kids out of school so isn't the school and possibly teachers involved somewhat? I think you're getting a lot of comments from non Keene Mill parents because no other AAP parents in the county operate like this. And then to hear comments like "it's too hard to get in touch with general ed parents, makes you just seem more loathsome. Own up to the fact that you're trying to be exclusive at least.