tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post4151568481145997353..comments2024-03-29T02:41:52.718-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Amazon Dollars ExplainedMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-48453844180948172212019-01-02T17:12:22.213-08:002019-01-02T17:12:22.213-08:00@Melissa
I think before we pool PTSA money we sho...@Melissa <br />I think before we pool PTSA money we should indeed as you stated tally up funding, services, programs at every school. Lower FRL schools are targeted for interventions continually by colleges and other entities. In fact a friend had worked for a college intervention type program whose services were turned away by one high school because they were just so inundated at the time with other program opportunities. <br /><br />I agree that home environment, parent resources etc is a hugely important factor in student success. However, not all students at low FRL schools have access to these things either. They may not be FRL, but there is likely variation between students. In addition, there should be some measurable definition or "baseline of equity" across the district. This is especially true when people are talking about pooling PTSA money that may be essential for what many consider are basic services, needs etc. at public schools. <br /><br />PLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-92115718290336195802019-01-02T14:39:59.239-08:002019-01-02T14:39:59.239-08:00It's just not worse for families to donate mon...It's just not worse for families to donate money to a PTA instead of buying Seahawks tickets or taking a trip to New York or donating to some other charity. Is it worse to donate $100 to the PTA or the Rainforest Action Network? The PTA vs. the March of Dimes vs. the Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation? Donating money to the PTA just isn't the evil it's being portrayed to be by people who wish all children (in public schools in Seattle) had better access to this particular evil. There are many foundations and charitable organizations benefiting some but not all students in Seattle. Do we want a rule that if you donate to one school you must donate to all? What about Satturberg and Nesholm Foundation money, should that be shared equally among all schools/students? Donating money to benefit students is not a repugnance. Living in a district and state and country in which the schools and many students' families have so little money in the first place is the repugnance. I mean, they "forgot" to fund special education. Come on, people.Arlonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-128961367993358982019-01-02T14:22:06.883-08:002019-01-02T14:22:06.883-08:00PL, "baseline of equity" is an interesti...PL, "baseline of equity" is an interesting phrase.<br /><br />However, given that the Board and the Superintendent love to talk about "equity" and yet have still not defined it as it relates to this district, maybe your phrasing isn't off. <br /><br />It would be interesting to truly tally up all the funds/services at every school. I still suspect that a major difference comes from what can be done at home versus in the school.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-38512642046484516182019-01-02T12:27:27.806-08:002019-01-02T12:27:27.806-08:00There has been discussion about how some schools r...There has been discussion about how some schools raise more money than other schools via PTA funds. However, most of the schools that are raising more money also receive a lot less funding due to lower FRL. I was told at our elementary school (low FRL) that PTSA funds are desperately needed to provide many basic needs. I do understand that although high FRL schools receive a lot more funding & have lower class sizes etc. that the funding may be more inflexible than PTSA dollars. <br /><br />However, I am aware that quite often that higher FRL schools receive much more in the way of outside funding and are also targeted constantly to participate in various resourced programs (corporate, grants, various partnership programs with UW and other colleges etc). <br /><br />This should also be factored into discussions of equity. The amazon funding is one example of how many higher FRL schools (ex Franklin, Garfield, Sealth) receive much higher amounts of any sort of outside funding. <br /><br />I really think that although our local elementary raises a good amount of money, they are so resource poor they really need it. When I hear arguments about pooling PTSA money I have some real concerns. At what point is there a baseline of equity that is acceptable at lower FRL schools? Is the idea to just keep taking like robinhood even when the low FRL school is using the funding for basic needs that are covered at higher FRL schools?<br /><br /><br />PL Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-91783365389232760292018-12-31T12:27:34.764-08:002018-12-31T12:27:34.764-08:00Thanks for looking into this. It's still a lit...Thanks for looking into this. It's still a little murky. Is Amazon ordering pizzas for students whose families can't afford food? Through the Alliance for Education? Huh.Clarqnoreply@blogger.com