Bronx Mom: Crabs in a barrel?
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Over the past two weeks I have been struck by the overwhelming response to Insideschools’ post on banning parent-funded assistants from public schools. After reading through the numerous, impassioned comments, the old saying “crabs in a barrel” came to mind. It is a metaphor that I have heard commonly applied to African Americans over the years. It refers to the supposed tendency of one segment of the community to attempt to hold back another upward-bound individual or segment. The eventual result is that no one succeeds. It seems that once again parents are pitted against each other in a battle for the finest education.
One parent noted that the PTA-funded assistants have allowed some schools to continue to thrive where they may have otherwise faltered due to overcrowding. Another parent voiced concern that schools serving the working class are left out completely because they receive neither Title I funds, nor a wealth of money from parent donations. Still another parent commented that the average family in New York City cannot afford several hundred dollars in yearly school fees.
My first thought in hearing the news was that, if some schools have been successful in fundraising, there must be something in their model that can be replicated in other schools. Now that the Department of Education has changed its position (for now), I would suggest that we move towards improving all of our schools by sharing successful fundraising strategies.
My children’s school, Central Park East 1, is a small school that does not have a large wealthy parent base. The primarily working and middle class parents are asked to contribute a modest school fee. We also give a small amount of money and supplies for cooking so that the children both cook and have a daily snack. The school has an annual street festival (parents donate goods and time), raises some funds via “Goodsearch” (a Yahoo search engine that donates money to chosen charities), the Box Tops program, change drives (kids bring in loose change), and other small endeavors. No, we are not raising millions, however, we are able to add some support where public monies fall short. The money raised goes to things such as providing children with with pencils, notebooks, and other school supplies and helping to fund trips.
Jennifer Freeman, our “Money Mom,” has blogged about various ways in which parents can raise funds for their schools. Check out School Fundraisers: Book fairs and more; School need money? Ask local elected; Are these grants for you? or just search for all posts by “Money Mom” on the InsideSCOOP for more ideas.
We don’t have to be crabs in a barrel. What has been working in your child’s school? Let’s pool our thoughts online.
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Absolutely! What works is self-interest–that’s simply human nature. People have to be attached to a cause–so they will always raise more for their own community school than for a pool. And it’s always easier to get local businesses to contribute–in many cases contribute a lot–when they see the families that are directly affected. When people try to take that away…it’s sad and pointless, much like those crabs you mentioned. However, sharing successful fundraising strategies is something everyone can get behind. The PA coordinators at schools like Anderson, 199, 87, and others have it all nailed down from many years of experience–it’s that experience that needs to be shared with all other schools (not the $$$ itself).
I think one of the best strategies is to get parents to think about what they can contribute–and not just money. Do they have time, a skill, a talent? Anything that can help get people OTHER than the parents to pay money–in an auction, a show, a festival? The key is getting those dollars from people other than parents, creating things that the community as a whole likes or needs and will support. The most successful fundraising schools don’t actually ask that much money from the parents directly–they get the parents to help in achieving it elsewhere, or provide a service/goods that the parents are happy to pay for (instead of just making a donation).
Comment by Julie — August 4, 2009 @ 10:42 am
I, as well as many of the parents in my son’s school will never contribute a dime to the school. Out of over 700 students, less than 125 parents actually contributed anything to the PTA this year. The reason, the principal uses the money to fund the prgrams such as ESL and remedial programs. Since my child does not benefit from the money collected I feel no need at all to contribute anything. Many parents feel this way. There are no extra teacher aides at his school, just 32 kids per class and 1 teacher. No textbooks, no class trips. Would I contribute if my son benefitted? Yes, certainly. But over the years I have stopped as have many others because the money collected is used to help a select few. I think parents should contribute if their children benefit from how the money is spent. Otherwise, No way.
Comment by queens mom — August 4, 2009 @ 6:58 pm
to queens mom,
i completely understand your point, but it’s in my experience that a strong PA that works and stands together can create change. i think that, in many cases, non-activity and quiet indifference can seem like compliance to a school’s direction. nothing can change if parents are quiet and not-involved. does your school have a parent coordinator?
Comment by Anonymous — August 4, 2009 @ 9:48 pm
It’s very simple: if the median household income of the families at a school is $100k, they will be able to raise a lot more money than if the median household income of the families at a school is $30k.
You can’t pay PTA/PA dues with food stamps.
Comment by Roberta — August 4, 2009 @ 11:11 pm
Bronx Mom u if anybody with your PHD should know that staistically underperforming school are mostly in poor neighborhoods and that money means a better education how is that fare that kids in non poor schools can benefit from services that are not available at poor schools. You should be ashamed of yourself this is not a small problem it is a big problem that Latino and Black students are not getting the same education as their white and asian counterparts in public schools. Race has never been a issue is it econonmic warfare. Bronx mom u disgust me. I am not saying don’t raise money for your children but classroom resources should be the same in all public schools. You sold your soul Bronx Mom
Comment by hate TWEED — August 5, 2009 @ 10:27 am
hate TWEED:
Those schools you are talking about are entitled to additional government assistance and actually get more $$$ per child than the other schools.
And what Bronx Mom is saying is that just because one school is poor, we shouldn’t “level the playing field” by hurting other schools who can scrape together money for assistants. Reducing everyone to the lowest common denominator of education, hurts the whole country.
You are a prime example of crabs in a barrel and exactly what Bronx Mom is talking about–someone who wants to hold others back from success so that everyone fails, rather than have some succeed and some fail. Yup, great plan for our city.
Comment by Julie — August 5, 2009 @ 10:53 am
don’t for second forget we r talking about public schools not privately funded schools never been a crab just remember PUBLIC SCHOOLS SHOULD ALL HAVE THE SAME RESOURCES IN THE CLASSROOM
Comment by hate TWEED — August 5, 2009 @ 3:35 pm
I strongly believe the mentality of scarcity leads to this type of “crabby” thinking. When people/parents/individuals suffer from scarcity mentality (”there is not enough to go around and not enough for everyone..therefore Im gonna get mine and Ill trample you in the process”)everyone especially our children suffer the consequences.
The hate that some parents spew as a result of this (see above) is contageous to their children and it sad that those kids will also grow up with scarcity mentality.
To be able to fundraise for an entire school (not just programs that your particular child would benefit) requires abundance mentality and a giving heart. Unfortunately, too many adults dont share this philosophy and they hoard their wealth (which comes in more forms than just money ie talents, skills etc).
The solution requires transformational thinking and action but sadly many people are stuck in scarcity only freely distributing their abhorrance of others.
Comment by Agi — August 18, 2009 @ 3:58 pm
I don’t think it has anything to do with equalizing schools by pulling down the good ones. This whole thing came about because of the teacher’s union. Unions operate by clobbering anyone who takes a union job that isn’t done by a union member. I would have more respect for the union if they took responsiblity for this move rather than passing the buck by saying it was done to equalize schools, or (my favorite) to protect kids from non-union teachers. The union should simply take credit, say “that’s right, we’re a union and that’s what we do” and leave it at that.
Comment by Robin — August 18, 2009 @ 8:12 pm
I am so fed up with parents blaming the school system for everything. If a school has involved parents then fundraising efforts will be successful. If the school has parents who expect that the school will handle everything. And all they have to do is push the kids in the door in the morning and pick them up in the afternoon. Then the school will not be sucessful. The best schools are the ones where parents take an interest and visit more then just on Parent Teacher Nights or in some cases not at all.
This is not about race or income. Its about involvement. In response to the parent who will not contribute to the PA because the principal used the money for ESL. If this parent was involved they would know that the principal does not control PA money (not event Title 1 funds).
I believe if parents work to raise money to make thier children school better, then it is only fair that they should be allowed to do that. Other parents who do not get off their couch should learn how to work for their children schools.
In response to the parent who mentioned that you can not pay PA dues with food stamps, oh plese get a grip. I work in a low income area and the PA dues are only $5.00 per year. I see people spend moare then that on Mcdonalds. Give me a break!!.
This is an issue of apathy vs non-apathy.
Comment by Leigh S — August 25, 2009 @ 3:07 pm