Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New poster here -- just to clear up some things, this is not a PTA-sponsored activity. It is being headed by the Somerset Foundation which is independent of the PTA. They have lots of great programs, including raising money for other Montgomery County schools in need. I see nothing wrong with the parents of the community wanting to improve the conditions of a field that has had a lot of problems.
There is no health risk of the proposed artificial turf. The cancer-causing tire-containing astroturf that some posters mentioned is well known and is not part of the plan.

Somerset ES even has a Foundation. (As well as all those butlers.)

Most of the wealthy schools do..they are more flexible than a PTA in terms of fundraising but are not so different.

had no clue - http://www.somerset-foundation.org/

So this is how the other half lives . . .

love the equity

They appear to be helping schools in need too
http://www.somerset-foundation.org/blog/2012/10/07/classroom-technology-for-new-hampshire-estates-e-s/

Which is more than I can say for other areas which barely pool their money for them selves. Show me a silver spring or Takmoa park neighborhood buying stuff for that school even though it is in their front and back yards. The people bitching don't get what it means to be poorer than other people. What next should your house be as nice and well located as somerset? You got discounts for where you live because it isn't as nice, there is no free lunch in life. There are no little secert areas that are as nice or nicer than ABC but cost 1/2 as much.

That was a generous move on their part. FWIW, I know of several hard-working parents in the SS area always fighting for their schools. One pal has children at a school that's probably around 70% FARMs. But it's hard to fight alone. Equity - in the true sense - means that schools that NEED the most resources receive them. I don't think a school that's high in FARMs should have large classes. Classes should be small, and their allocation for teachers should be higher. It's only fair to the kids who enter the system already at a disadvantage. So while the move on Somerset's part to fund a grant was gracious, it was one action that may not have long-lasting funding. Equitable moves are long-lasting and part of the culture. They're not drive-by actions with no long-lasting effects.

Classroom Technology for New Hampshire Estates E.S.

In March 2012, the Foundation approved a grant request from New Hampshire Estates to purchase additional classroom sets of a document camera (known as an ELMO) and LCD projector to help them implement Curriculum 2.0 and meet the needs of their ESOL learners. With a staff of 30 classroom teachers sharing 9 sets, the teachers (and their students) have not had sufficient access to this important classroom technology. The school requested two sets, and the Foundation agreed to provide funds to purchase three sets. This school faces significant budget cuts as Title I funds are no longer available; the Foundation approved this grant unanimously.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

had no clue - http://www.somerset-foundation.org/

So this is how the other half lives . . .

love the equity

The other half? I don't think so. More like "this is how the 1% lives."

I humbly stand corrected.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New poster here -- just to clear up some things, this is not a PTA-sponsored activity. It is being headed by the Somerset Foundation which is independent of the PTA. They have lots of great programs, including raising money for other Montgomery County schools in need. I see nothing wrong with the parents of the community wanting to improve the conditions of a field that has had a lot of problems.
There is no health risk of the proposed artificial turf. The cancer-causing tire-containing astroturf that some posters mentioned is well known and is not part of the plan.

Somerset ES even has a Foundation. (As well as all those butlers.)

Most of the wealthy schools do..they are more flexible than a PTA in terms of fundraising but are not so different.

had no clue - http://www.somerset-foundation.org/

So this is how the other half lives . . .

love the equity

They appear to be helping schools in need too
http://www.somerset-foundation.org/blog/2012/10/07/classroom-technology-for-new-hampshire-estates-e-s/

Which is more than I can say for other areas which barely pool their money for them selves. Show me a silver spring or Takmoa park neighborhood buying stuff for that school even though it is in their front and back yards. The people bitching don't get what it means to be poorer than other people. What next should your house be as nice and well located as somerset? You got discounts for where you live because it isn't as nice, there is no free lunch in life. There are no little secert areas that are as nice or nicer than ABC but cost 1/2 as much.

^^^But we should be kind. It is unkind to make rich people feel embarrassed and defensive about being rich.

Anonymous wrote:

had no clue - http://www.somerset-foundation.org/

So this is how the other half lives . . .

love the equity

The other half? I don't think so. More like "this is how the 1% lives."

Anonymous wrote:It will be amusing watching the butlers try to scoop dog poop on the Somerset turf field.

Didn't the foundation raise money to hire a company to scoop?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New poster here -- just to clear up some things, this is not a PTA-sponsored activity. It is being headed by the Somerset Foundation which is independent of the PTA. They have lots of great programs, including raising money for other Montgomery County schools in need. I see nothing wrong with the parents of the community wanting to improve the conditions of a field that has had a lot of problems.
There is no health risk of the proposed artificial turf. The cancer-causing tire-containing astroturf that some posters mentioned is well known and is not part of the plan.

Somerset ES even has a Foundation. (As well as all those butlers.)

Most of the wealthy schools do..they are more flexible than a PTA in terms of fundraising but are not so different.

had no clue - http://www.somerset-foundation.org/

So this is how the other half lives . . .

love the equity

It will be amusing watching the butlers try to scoop dog poop on the Somerset turf field.

Anonymous wrote:The dogs at Somerset ES are treated to better facilities than many students at other schools. Thanks, MCPS.

Don't assume that just because they people at Somerset ES have lots of money that their facilities are 'better'! Turf fields are terrible for the kids (and dogs). We'll happily keep our grass fields.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New poster here -- just to clear up some things, this is not a PTA-sponsored activity. It is being headed by the Somerset Foundation which is independent of the PTA. They have lots of great programs, including raising money for other Montgomery County schools in need. I see nothing wrong with the parents of the community wanting to improve the conditions of a field that has had a lot of problems.
There is no health risk of the proposed artificial turf. The cancer-causing tire-containing astroturf that some posters mentioned is well known and is not part of the plan.

Somerset ES even has a Foundation. (As well as all those butlers.)

Most of the wealthy schools do..they are more flexible than a PTA in terms of fundraising but are not so different.

The mayor of Somerset donated $25k to the project.

Do the butlers run the foundation? What about the pool boys?