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shit I can't say on Facebook
Sep. 15th, 2009 04:17 pmI'm tired of the recurring issue of upper middle class parents protesting plaintively about issues in the public school, in ways that just completely expose their socioeconomic privilege. Manifestations of this I have personally encountered (at two schools in two states but with similar demographics and neighborhood vibes):
-Protesting the sale of coupon books as a fundraiser because the coupons were largely for "unhealthy" fast-food or chain restaurants. A parent managed to very politely point out the classism of this, bless her.
-Protesting the sale of chocolate milk at lunch and suggesting that skim white milk only should be sold. Many of the children get the only milk they get all day at school, and some could use the calories of whole milk and the chocolate makes them actually drink it.
-Concern about the discipline system (color charts) and the fact that one's child is sensitive and/or it fosters competition in the classroom. This is not an unschooling environment, folks, and it is not a Montessori school. Please be realistic about what this school actually is, and choose another option if you don't like it. You have the choice.
Here are things upper middle class parents can do to IMPROVE the public schools their children attend in majority poor districts:
-Support your teacher. Tell her you appreciate the hard work she is doing. Especially if she is a first year teacher.
-Donate your time (another adult in a classroom can be a great help) or money (many teachers purchase both general classroom supplies and materials for poor students, like books to keep, out of their own pockets).
-Get grants for things that will benefit all the kids - better playground equipment, materials to build a garden, instruments for the music classroom, etc. But work with the school to see what will be useful first.
-Protesting the sale of coupon books as a fundraiser because the coupons were largely for "unhealthy" fast-food or chain restaurants. A parent managed to very politely point out the classism of this, bless her.
-Protesting the sale of chocolate milk at lunch and suggesting that skim white milk only should be sold. Many of the children get the only milk they get all day at school, and some could use the calories of whole milk and the chocolate makes them actually drink it.
-Concern about the discipline system (color charts) and the fact that one's child is sensitive and/or it fosters competition in the classroom. This is not an unschooling environment, folks, and it is not a Montessori school. Please be realistic about what this school actually is, and choose another option if you don't like it. You have the choice.
Here are things upper middle class parents can do to IMPROVE the public schools their children attend in majority poor districts:
-Support your teacher. Tell her you appreciate the hard work she is doing. Especially if she is a first year teacher.
-Donate your time (another adult in a classroom can be a great help) or money (many teachers purchase both general classroom supplies and materials for poor students, like books to keep, out of their own pockets).
-Get grants for things that will benefit all the kids - better playground equipment, materials to build a garden, instruments for the music classroom, etc. But work with the school to see what will be useful first.
